The Role Of Religion On Tourism Industry

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to examine the role of religious tourism in tourism industries in Nigeria. The study also aimed at investigating the relationship between religion and hospitality industry. A quantitative method used to investigate 288 residents’ perceptions who are settled around the Plateau holly shrine. Mean and standard division of the variable is calculated to understated to what extend respondents are agreed about positive impacts of religious tourism in terms of economic, environment, and social-cultural development. ANOVA performed to compare mean scores of economic, environment, and social-cultural dimensions by educational level, income level, and residency lengths. The results show  that from perspective of residents, development of religious tourism provides economic contribution in Plateau state. In contrast, negative effects of religious tourism are reported by respondents. According to the findings of the study, there is a census about improvement  of social-cultural issues caused by religious tourism in Plateau state. According to the ANOVA results, respondents with different educational level have significant different perception about economic impacts. Similarly, perception of respondents about economic, environment, and social-cultural effect of religious tourism varies based on income level and lengths of residency.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background of Study

Tourism according to MCINTOSH and Gupta (1977) as any voluntary activity that temporarily takes person away from his or her usual place of residence in order to satisfy a need either for pleasure, excitement, experience or relaxation. Tourism many be seen to consist senses of encounter in which visitors interact with their hosts. The history of tourism could be traced back to the days when Jesus Christ was born. The birth of Jesus Christ which inside the three wise men to journey, from the east of Jerusalem to king to visit Jesus Christ with different gifts. Mathew chapter 2 (The holy bible), Tourism is said to be God’s own given gift to man, in the sense that any tourist attraction centre is beautiful, thrilling and a marvellous sight to behold which will leave you thinking of God’s great kindness to man.

Religion according to Socrates (a greek philosopher, 1912) is defined as the practise that depicts the belief of people which are of more importance to their everyday life. It controls the laws, how you think and act, what you believe in, value etc. This have led to a dramatic increase in knowledge about their cultures, norms and also the establishment of economic and social histories of progress. History has it that the stating point of religion was from the tribal band whose religion is amonistic and involved shamans (a medicine man from a similar region) and totems (an object; species, plant, natural phenomenon symbolising a family). Since the group was tribal, there was no permanent sanctuary for worship with cultic rites centre on identification with wild animals and appeasing spirits of the hunted animals.

Hospitality industry, an aspect of Tourism which cannot be overlooked is defined according to “the prospectors act 1956. section 1 (3) as an establishment held our by the proprietors offering foods and drinks if so required sleeping accommodation without special contract to any traveller presenting himself to be in a fit state of mind to be received and is willing and able to pay for the services rendered to him by the establishment. Its history can be traced to the early civilization of the mind 16th century when the Romans built roads between the main cities and towns of the time along which posting houses known as stabuli were set up to provide holding, food drinks. Thus, Every city/town at this time had ale houses which provides only drink which later advanced to the building of what we now call the hospitality industry (hotel). Therefore, as stated above, tourism religion and hospitality cannot separated from one another which means that the impacts one has on the other cannot be underemphasised.

1.2 Statement of Problem

The background of the study focused on the surrounding the situation i.e. the course of study and how the issues effect the followers of such religion moreso, it will focus on the activities at the place of worship, likes for the leaders and some moral acts that encourage people from religions activities. This study help to unveil the impacts that tourism has on religion and hospitality industry. These are the problems encountered during the course of engaging on the religion tourism activities. The major problems include insufficient disposable income to partake and enjoy the various religious activities, transportation problems, accommodation and food and beverages services, and the major things that affects tourist from engaging in the religion tourism.

1.3 Objective of the Study

The study is aimed at find out how to develop tourism globally and also aimed at looking into the various impacts of religion on tourism and hospitality industry.

1.4 Research questions

Does religion have an impact on tourism and hospitality industry?

Are there any relationship between religion tourism, and the hospitality industry?

1.5. Statement of research hypothesis:

The following forms the research hypothesis of the study;

H0: Religion has a positive impact on tourism

H1: Religion has no positive impact on tourism

1.6. Significance of the Study

The significance of the study is based on the fact that if findings of the researcher s are well implemented, it will facilitate and improve the development of Religion towards tourism.

It is hoped that this study would answer some questions of what impacts religion have on hospitality and tourism industry. The study will also arouse researchers investigate ways of improving Religion Tourism.

It is hoped that through this study, tourists would have better understandings of religion and its impact on tourism and hospitality industry as a whole. It is also hoped that through the findings in this study, people (tourists) would see the relevance of Tourism on Religion.

Pages:  36

Category: Seminar

Format:  Word & PDF               

Chapters: 1-5                                          

Source: Imsuinfo                                     

Material contains Table of Content, Abstract and References.