CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
As revealed by David Diaz Benavides (2001) tourism and hospitality industry is most probable the only services industry that give provisions for concrete and qualified trading possibilities for all countries, irrespective of their level of growth. According to him, the industry likewise provides an unequal distribution of benefits, which is endangering the social, economic and environmental sustainability of tourism in some developing nations (Benavides 2001). Tourism has come to be a significant source of economic advancement and diversification for several developing nations. Tourism for Nigeria is yet to become a channel of employment creation, income generation and revenue mobilization for a nation with over 200 million people. Although, the developed nations represent a greater percentage of global tourism, and many developing nations are starting to benefit from the big opportunities provided by tourism (Ayeni & Ebohon 2012).
Nevertheless, this is just feasible amongst the nations that have all it requires to promote tourism. The massive benefits in tourism can be accomplish with the availability of natural, man- made, social, and improving infrastructure supporting the development and growth of tourism in the nation. Many developing nations like Nigeria for instance practice micro economy, which implies the nation produce bulk of her foreign exchange from a specific economic product "crude oil". Nevertheless, a lot of these nations are beginning to see the value of tourism and the needs for economic diversification. Nigeria has always been called a petroleum exporting nation, she is just one of the largest producers of oil. And the country's main stay is crude oil. Nevertheless, the nation has decided to join the trial to diversify her economy from the production of crude oil in other to create more job opportunity and to generate more foreign income (Ayeni & Ebohon 2012).
The influence of tourism sector in Nigeria with the government involvement cannot be over underscored. Throughout the world, tourism is a money generating business and is now coming to be part of revenue generating sector for the economy. It provides jobs for the local residents thus enhancing the standard of living. Tourism have now become a digital part of government agenda as a growing number of hospitality industries emerge in all cities providing relaxation spots to tourist and revenue to the government. They are attracted to Nigeria cultural diversity, surroundings and festivals each state of the federation has to provide. It is observed that in 2011 alone, more than 2 million tourist visited Nigeria, the different international church crusades and seminars coupled with foreign investors on business tourism make the bulk of the tourists and invested the comparable of $3.7 million US Dollars and this is expected to rise by 10% in increase year by year (Dekadt, 1999).
Nigeria is a rich nation when it involves tourism due to the fact that, the nation is blessed with all it takes to be a tourists' destination. The country's tourist capacities vary from natural, man- made, and cultural attractions however they lack management, enhancing and supporting infrastructure about the attractions for easy access and development. Nevertheless, this area is business potential in the nation now. Numerous benefits have been set out for local and foreign investors that rely on the industry (Ayeni & Ebohon 2012). Sustainable tourism idea is employed to complement and solve the problems of intergenerational equity, the purposes of economic development, environmental management, and justice. It acknowledges the need for fairness between local people and groups, and between hosts and visitors (Mbaiwa 2005).
Considering the massive area of tourist attractions in the nation and uninterested or I do not care mindset of the government sustenance of this "black gold" will be a fantasy unless consented initiative be made to promote and safeguard the industry. Regardless of the endowment of natural resources without the political will of the government and successive governments in the future are needed to sustain and enhance the tempo already attained. Nevertheless, for tourism to be successful in any given environment efficient marketing techniques might be enhanced to accomplish the preferred result. In the tourism sector, tourists are the propelling force that ought to be well dealt with to allow the spread of hospitability of the country of destination. It is therefore necessary to examine the role of the federal government of Nigeria on innovation and investment for sustainable tourism.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The adverse effects of tourism activities (as it relates to carnivals and festivals), specifically concerning human security cannot be disregarded. "It has been discovered that several regions around the world are not in a position to enjoy the benefit of tourism as a result of the lack of infrastructures. As a matter of fact, if we take a look at the nations and the regions within the countries, the ones having sufficient infrastructure are the greatest beneficiaries (Amalu and Ajake, 2012). There are different environmental effects on the event centres, people and surrounding areas, environmental pollution, displacement of individuals and worshippers from such sites and lack of access of individuals to the economic resources such as water and land. It is on this claim that this study debates that socio-economic potentials embedded in carnivals and festivals in Nigeria have not been properly utilized towards national sustainable development. This likewise represent manifestation of specific challenges that carnivals and festivals posed to human security in our society.
In view of the above shortcoming, as a result, government ought to engage private individuals, groups and companies in hosting such carnivals and festivals so in order to guarantee sustainable development and people's access to derivable socio-economic benefits of the events. The level of control the local population has over tourism in their area is typically viewed as being a considerable component of sustainability (Mowforth & Munt, 2009 cited in Amalu and Ajake (2012).
1.3 Objectives of the Study
This study has both main and specific objectives. The main objective of this study is to assess the role of the federal government of Nigeria on innovation and investment for sustainable tourism. However, the specific objectives include:
i) To find out the significance of tourism to the development of Nigeria economy.
ii) To establish the factors needed for the development and sustenance of tourism industry in Nigeria.
iii) To highlight the challenges facing the development and sustenance of tourism in Nigeria.
iv) To recommend ways of sustaining and improving tourism in Nigeria.
1.4 Research Questions
The following questions were considered to be the research questions for this study:
i) What is the significance of tourism to the development of Nigeria economy?
ii) What are the factors needed for the development and sustenance of tourism industry in Nigeria?
iii) What are the challenges facing the development and sustenance of tourism in Nigeria?
iv) How can tourism be improved and sustained in Nigeria?
1.5 Significance of the Study
The study will also allow the government of Nigeria to prioritize the tourism industry as a tool that can facilitate and enhance the economy. The study will also enhance the development of the local community. The implication of the research is such that, it will build institutional cooperation and enhance international frameworks. The research will also make it easier for the incorporation of governance into the country’s sustainable tourism practices. It will also contribute by means of conservation and reservations of Nigeria’s natural resources for future generations. The study will also bring planners into considerations of the role of the local community in achieving sustainable development.
This study will help in providing necessary information needed for the development and sustainability of tourism industry in Nigeria. It will be of benefit to the investors, the organized private sector, public sector and academic environment.
1.6 Scope of the Study
This study is basically on Nigerian tourism industry which was mainly focused on Cross Rivers as a State study and though giving an insight on what the rest of the States in the country should look like.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
Limitations on the other hand are sometimes inevitable, they come in form of challenges. It is never an over statement to say, most studies have the possibilities to face one or two problems. However, in respect to this research, some challenges were faced and the researcher was able to conquer them all. For the purpose of this research work an attempt had been made to discussed some of the challenges encountered in the process of this research work.
Time factor and unavailability of the interviewees, are some of the challenges faced in this research work. Time as always being our best enemy because it waits for no one, it was very difficult for some managers to draw out time out of time to say hi when appointment is not on business oriented or related. Corruption has beaten the system so deep, that regards are not given to students anymore. The system had found it so difficult to contribute to students’ academic life, except it is business related or profit oriented. Due to this problem, it was so challenging for the researcher to meet the people needed for the success of the research work one on one. But to solve these problems the interview questions were sent out through the email and five responses were received.
1.8 Definition of Terms
The following terms were used in this study:
Economic Contribution: This is the positive impact strategic tourism is going to bring to the economy through the tourism industry that will sparkle increase in social welfare by promoting industrial vibrancy, balancing the welfare of the people, creating more jobs and improving the lives of the people.
Government: These are top officials that control the way policies should be made. They are also involved in making the decisions that are to be abided by and to see that laws and order are being maintained. The Government are the Head or the ruler in a particular community or nations.
Tourism: The travel tourist make that allow them to stay a night or certain period of time at a destination.
Tourism Industry: This term does not have a fixed definition but can be described in the basis of tourist moving from their usual place to another place for a space of one year or two or for a limited time for a specific purpose be it education, job, sport, religion, pleasure or business. It can likewise be described as the business of tourists to be accommodated, attracted or entertained in a specific place.
