ABSTRACT
The research aims at determining the effects of
socio-economic characteristics as well as the level of participation of the
residents in Kaduna metropolis in tourism with a view of identifying the
hindering factors that determines their tourism habits and making
recommendations for suitable tourism participation. A structured questionnaire
was designed, validated and administered through cluster sampling procedure.
The review of literature was made on determinants of tourism and its
inter-related activities. The results from the analysis of the data provided by
the respondents revealed that the residents were involved more in local travels
as compared to international tours. From the test of association between
selected variables with tourism habits, variables like ethnic group, religious
affiliation, financial capability, work schedule were the significant determinants
of tourism habits among the residents to improve tourism participation, the
study outlined some recommendations which included; funding by Government
through creation and implementation of policies that will support tourism
participation financially, construction and maintenance of good roads, improved
security, awareness programmes on the importance of tourism and its
participation.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction
Tourism is defined as a composite of activities, services,
and industries that delivers a travel experience to individuals and groups
travelling fifty miles (about eighty kilometres) or more from their homes for
purposes of pleasure. Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business
purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people who
"travel to and stay in places outside their usual environment for more
than twenty-four (24) hours and not more than one consecutive year for leisure,
business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity
remunerated from within the place visited.
In 1941, Hunziker and Krapf
defined tourism as people who travel "the sum of the phenomena and
relationships arising from the travel and stay of non-residents, insofar as
they do not lead to permanent residence and are not connected with any earning
activity." In 1976, the Tourism Society of England's definition was:
"Tourism is the temporary, short-term movement of people to destination
outside the places where they normally live and work and their activities
during the stay at each destination. It includes movements for all
purposes." In 1981, the International Association of Scientific Experts in
Tourism defined tourism in terms of particular activities selected by choice
and undertaken outside the home. The terms tourism and travel are
sometimes used interchangeably. In this context, travel has a similar definition
to tourism, but implies a more purposeful journey. The terms tourismand
touristare sometimes used pejoratively, to imply a shallow interest in the
cultures or locations visited by tourists.
In recent times tourism is one
of the largest industries that has contributed to the socio-economic growth of
many countries especially countries were tourism is the main stay of her
economy, World Tourism Organization (WTO, 1998) However, despite the fact that
that industry is
a vehicle for promoting cultural exchange that enhance international
understanding and goodwill among the diverse peoples of the world, it is also a
catalyst for enhancing many country destination employment opportunities,
foreign exchange and infrastructural facilities (ESCAP, 2002). Tourism in
Africa has been seen as a means of enhancing economic growth and development
(Kester,2003) as well as launching the image of the continent to the outside
world (Gbadel, 2007).
Today, the tourism industry has
contributed in the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) and experts in many developing
countries has been improving overtime. A document by WTO (2009) shows that
there has been tremendous growth of about 4% the level of international tourist
arrivals in Africa, in spite of the global economic meltdown that has affected
tourist arrivals to many developed countries. Today, records have shown that
about 2.5% of the GDP in the region is attributed to tourism industry that has
generated about 5.5% of all employment in the region (Karreen, 2008). In
Nigeria, about 8.1% of the GDP has been generated from the tourism sector as a
result of the 2007). These potential ranged from natural to manmade such as the
table mountain, colourful folks, beautiful landscape, overwhelming serenity and
agreeable climate welcoming fun seekers to the highlands of Nigeria (Larry,
2005). Today, the level of tourist arrivals in Nigeria is quite commendable
especially during the festival periods in which all the cultural artifacts and
other attractions in Nigeria are usually paraded (Eja, 2010).
However, it has been observed
that in spite of the laudable tourism attractions in Nigeria which has made the
region a natural paradise where most fun-seekers wish to visit, the level of
tourist inflow in most of these potential sites Nigeria still pose problems
(Aniah, 2006). Beside, lack of adequate empirical data has hindered policy
makers and other stakeholders on the viability of most of the existing tourism
destinations in Nigeria.
Over the last two decades, there has been a sustained growth
of tourism as both an activity and industry. According to Cooper, J. Fletcher,
D. Gilbert, S. Wanhill, (1993) tourism was the world‘s most important industry
in terms of export earning next to oil and motor cars by 1990. Tourism has been
remarkable in its resistance to adverse economic and political conditions. The World Tourism Organization defines
tourists as people who "travel to and stay in places outside their usual
environment for more than twenty-four (24) hours and not more than one
consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the
exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited. Tourism is
the stay of one or more nights away from home for holidays, visits to friends
or relatives, business conferences or any other purpose except such things as
semi-permanent employment.
Nigeria has a lot to offer for
tourism because it is richly endowed with ecological physical, cultural and
human resources and a range of unique species of tropical wildlife. In Nigeria
the essential and optional components of tourism products are available in
abundance. These essential components include transportation (conveying
visitors), accommodation (providing shelter, security and comfort), and
sustenance (food and beverages). On the other hand, the optional components are
recreation facilities (swimming pools, tennis courts, indoor games;
entertainment facilities (theatre, cinema shows); historical and scenic
attractions, favorable climate and shopping facilities (Kerg, 2004) All these
are available in the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital
Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria.
There are differences in tourism habits among individuals
because the factors that influence tourism habits are different and are closely
linked to models of consumer behavior in tourism. Hence, no two individuals are
alike, as differences in attitudes, perception and motivation have an important
influence on travel habits. Attitudes depend on individuals perception of the world.
Perceptions are mental impressions of, say, a place and are determined by many
factors which include family and work experiences. However, attitudes and
perception in themselves do not explain why people travel but rather, it is the
inner urge which initiate travel demand (travel motivators). These may be a
combination of needs and desires, availability of time and money, or images,
perception and attitudes.
1.2 Statement
of the Research Problem
Studies on tourism habits of
individuals in developed countries have mainly emphasized demographic and
socio-economic characteristics such as income, education, employment, residence
type, age, race, gender, marital status, family size and work period as
determinants (Ashworth and Dietvorst 1995). Also, John (1991) and Pearce (2004)
have identified cultural and demographic factors as more important in the
formation of habits in the third world countries. This understanding has
influenced planning and development of leisure facilities and destinations.
However, Observation in Kaduna has revealed that residents in Kaduna have
habits towards tourism than what is expected. These determinants of tourism
habits are generally poorly understood in newly developing tourism countries
like Nigeria, where there is not much difference in the demographic and socio economic
characteristics of the different occupational groups to give and appropriate
explanation to differences, studies are required to help understand which
characteristics determine motives and pattern of tourism habits of different
occupational groups.
Thus, what constitutes the
determinants of tourism habits of the residents of Kaduna metropolis is the gap
in knowledge that the study attempts to fill. This sets the basis of this study
which seeks to identify and compare the destination and pattern of tourism
habits of the residents of Kaduna metropolis in terms of domestic (national)
and international travels.
It
will also to look at the tourism habits among the different occupational groups
within the study area.
Based
on the above, this study is designed to explore the pattern of tourism habits
in Kaduna. The study therefore, seeks to answer the following questions.
1.
What is the level of engagement of
the residents of Kaduna in Tourism?
2.
What is the pattern of tourism of the
resident of Kaduna?
3.
What are the factors influencing
these patter of tourism habits?
1.3 Aim
The aim of the research is to
analyze the effect of socio economic characteristic on tourism habits of
residents of Kaduna metropolis with a view to identifying the factors
responsible for habits among the different occupational groups and the
implication for tourism.
1.4 Objectives
1.
To examine the effects of
socio-economic characteristic on the tourism habits of residents of urban
centres.
2.
To determine the pattern of tourism
habits among residents of Kaduna metropolis in relation to local and
international trips
3.
To identify the factors influencing
tourism habits among the residents of Kaduna metropolis.
4.
To draw out the implications of
findings for tourism management and to make recommendations for improving
tourism participation.
1.5 Significance
of the Study
In Nigeria, tourism is a new field of study and as such not
much attention has been given to the analysis of habits and patterns among
people participating in it. Therefore, this research is a contribution which
will guide planners in the provision of appropriate tourism facilities.
The findings
of this research will enable tourism planners and other decision – making
bodies understand their roles and enable them participate fully in boosting
tourism. It will broaden awareness on tourism more especially in Nigeria. It
will also provide a reference point for both local (national) and international
tourism data, which will optimize compatible tourism plans.
1.6 Scope
and Limitation
The scope of this research is
to establish the pattern of tourism habits within Kaduna metropolis. A research
on pattern of tourism habits may include other aspects such as places of
patronage, available facilities, resources availability, components of the
destination such as ancillary services, amenities etc. But the focus of this
research is to establish pattern based on frequency of travel, determinants of
tourism habit as well as the challenges faced by residents within Kaduna. The
research is limited to assessing the habits of residents within Kaduna
metropolis consisting of Kaduna North, Kaduna South, part of Chukun and Igabi
Local Government Areas.
1.7 Definition
of Operational Terms
The following terms ad concept upon their operational value
were defined and described for this study:
Pattern:-
A regular or repetitive form, order or arrangement. (Microsoft Corporation,
2009).
Habit:- An
act acquired by experience and performed regularly and automatically. Habits
include mannerism; A habit is influenced not only by elements that bring the
behavior. It is also an acquired pattern of behavior that often occurs
automatically. (Wikimedia foundation, inc. 2010).
Tourism:-
According to Kotler et al (2006) tourism is the stay of one or more nights away
from home for holidays, visits to friends or relatives, business
conferences or any other purpose except semi-permanent employment.
Leisure:-
It is one's discretionary time spent in non-compulsory activities, time spent
away from cares and toils. Because leisure time is free from compulsory
activities such as employment, running a business, household chores, education
and other such day-to-day stresses, not including eating, and sleeping, it is
often referred to as "free time". This category is for leisure
activities such as those which one voluntarily spends away from such stresses,
so called 'down time activities'. The distinction between leisure and compulsory
activities is not strict, as compulsory activities (yardwork and gardening, for
example — which circumstantially might on another day be a stressful demanding
need) may be done for pleasure as well as for long-term utility (Wikimedia
foundation, inc. 2010)
Destination:-
A destination area is a place having characteristic which is known to a sufficient
number of potential visitors to justify its consideration as an entity,
attracting travel independent of the attraction of other locations (Mathieson
2006). The natural and human made features, infrastructural characteristic,
economic structures and the attributes of the host population of destination
are of interest.
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