The Effect Of Government Policies On The Development Of Tourism In Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This study aims at exploring government policies and their various roles on tourism development in Nigeria; by focusing on studying of major factors that influencing the formulation of these policies and other factors struggle their implementation in Nigeria. For this goal, the researchers conduct an analytical appraisal for the different tourism policies in FRN through an experimental approach in order to come up with profound understanding of their features and nature. To achieve the latter purpose; this research is based on two approaches; sampling procedure using the questionnaire as a tool to collect data, as well as, in-depth readings of the pertinent literature. Furthermore, a comparative and historical approach was conducted to develop in-depth understanding of tourism policies in this country. Therefore, the main findings in this research were; the way tourism policies were formulated was the most effective factor when formulating tourism policies, and unfortunately, there are many obstacles that hindered the successful implementation of tourism polices in Nigeria where the political non-recognition appears as the most effective obstacle to achieve successful implementation of these policies.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background of the study

Nigeria offers a wide variety of tourist attractions such as extended and roomy river and ocean beaches ideal for swimming and other water sports, unique wildlife, vast tracts of unspoiled nature ranging from tropical forest, magnificent waterfalls, some new rapidly growing cities and climatic conditions in some parts particularly conducive to holidaying. Other attractions include traditional ways of life preserved in local customs; rich and varied handicrafts and other colourful products depicting or illustrative of native arts and lifestyle, and the authentic unsophisticated but friendly attitude of many in the Nigerian population.

However, many of these attractions are still largely untapped and even at their raw states, they are still being enjoyed by few outsiders, either very rich visitors in quest of exoticism or adventurous people in search of new challenges and experiences. The lack of required modern infrastructural facilities and in some parts of the country acute conditions of underdevelopment and poverty can be seen which many potential Nigeria bound tourist may not like to be confronted with. These are impediments to tourism, which the new administration has been tackling since assumption of office. Investors, both foreign and local are therefore called upon to come and invest in the abundant tourism potentials in the country.

1.2     Statement of the problem

Policy concerns goals and allocation of resources in situations, and to social problems, sometimes called ‘wicked’ problems (Rittel& Weber, 1973), where there is no clear answer. An example is the: ‘very real quandary (of a social and economic significance unlikely to be faced by academic observers) that the Minister [of Tourism for Eritrea] confronted in comparing the ‘social and ecological dangers posed by large-scale development’, with the ‘desperate need of foreign investment and the foreign exchange earnings some of which could be generated through tourism’ (Burns, 1999, p. 343). A consequence of the ‘messy’ nature of policy is that there will be differences in opinions concerning ‘appropriate’ policy to deal with a particular problem with each outcome resulting in ‘winners and losers’.

1.3 Objectives of the study

1. To study the relationship that exists between government policies and development of tourism in Nigeria.
2. To know whether government policies affects the development of tourism in Nigeria.

1.4 Research questions

1. Is there a significant relationship between government policies and development of tourism in Nigeria?
2. Do government policies affect the development of tourism in Nigeria?

1.5 Research hypotheses

Hypothesis One

Ho: There is no significant relationship between government policies and development of tourism in Nigeria.

Hi: There is a significant relationship between government policies and development of tourism in Nigeria.

1.6 Significance of the study

• 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.
• It will explore a number of reasons why the study of tourism policy is difficult. A firstreason is that tourism policy, explicitly or implicitly involves beliefs and values, about what is good and bad.
• It will be important in the implementation of Policy concerns goals and allocation of resources in situations, and to social problems, in the society and Nigeria at large when confronted in comparing the ‘social and ecological dangers posed by large-scale development’, with the ‘desperate need of foreign investment and the foreign exchange earnings some of which could be generated through tourism’.
• A consequence of the ‘messy’ nature of policy is that there will be differences in opinions concerning ‘appropriate’ policy to deal with a particular problem with each outcome resulting in ‘winners and losers’.
• It will enable many policy-related researchs there is a ‘tourism as industry’ perspective that may, for example, examine how destinations can secure a competitive edge in increasingly global consumer markets (Ritchie & Crouch, 2000). This perspective is considered by Bramwell and Lane (2006, p. 1) as ‘distinctly positivist and empirical in outlook; it leaves the impression that it is dealing with objective, value-free or neutral knowledge’.

1.7 Scope of the study

This study on the effect of Government policies on the development of tourism in Nigeria will cover various forms of Government policies in Nigeria and its effect on the development of tourism in Nigeria considering factors that can encourage better tourist centers in Nigeria.

Pages:  34

Category: Seminar

Format:  Word & PDF               

Chapters: 1-5                                          

Source: Imsuinfo                                     

Material contains Table of Content, Abstract and References.