ABSTRACT
This research examined the effect of government policies on the development of tourism in Nigeria. The survey research was used in this study to sample the opinion of respondents. This method involved random selection of respondents who were administered with questionnaires. Relevant conceptual, theoretical and empirical literature was reviewed. The target population of the study comprised selected residents from Ogun State, Nigeria. The questionnaire administered was three hundred and ten (310) copies and three hundred copies (300) retrieved which constitute the sample size. The descriptive and analytical approach was adopted using Chi-square to test and analyze the hypotheses earlier stated.Findings of the study revealed that there is a significant effect of government policies on the development of tourism in Nigeria. The finding of the study also reveals that provision of employment is one of the benefits of tourism industry in Nigeria. The findings of the study also reveal that there is a significant relationship between government policies and the development of tourism in Nigeria. The finding of the study also reveals that promotion and marketing is one of the benefits of tourism industry in Nigeria. The findings of the study reveal that issues of implementation is one of the major issues affecting the implementation of national tourism policies in Nigeria. It was therefore concluded that government polices significantly affect the development of tourism in Nigeria. It was suggested that related stakeholders must come to a drawing board to dialogue on how issues related to planning, funding, implementation and monitoring of tourism policies that affect sustainable tourism development in Nigeria can be resolved.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
One of the most successful and rapidly expanding global industries is tourism (Jennie, 2012). It has been identified as one strategy for reviving a nation's tourism industry Long (2012). Researchers and academics have discovered that the tourism sector has recently had a significant impact on economic growth in both developed and developing countries around the world, including France, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Caribbean, where tourism is one of the largest industries.
Furthermore, statistics clearly demonstrate that some African nations have discovered innovative ways to grow and maximize their tourism industries, which in turn has sparked a socio-economic turnaround for those nations by beautifying the environment, transforming local communities, and increasing foreign exchange transactions. Along with the All of these African nations have a thriving tourism sector (Nunko&Ramkissoon, 2012).Although Africa has abundant mineral and natural resources, we have not yet reached the stage when these resources will be managed well.
Nigeria is blessed with a variety of beautiful natural and cultural resources that, with proper planning and execution, have the potential to be useful for tourism and community development. Including social, economic, medical, physical, cultural, political, and religious facets of life, tourism is a diverse and multifaceted industry. In Nigeria, persons in positions of authority have yet to adequately address a number of distinct and resolvable challenges that affect the tourist sector. These problems include, among others: a weak tourist policy, insufficient money, a lack of community involvement, erroneous planning, insecurity, poor implementation, a weak monitoring team, and a lack of professional staff and evaluation. Tourism policy is the main focus of this study (Kim et al., 2007).One of the main issues affecting the Nigerian tourism industry is the lack of professional involvement in the formulation, planning, implementation, and monitoring of tourism policies. Additionally, those for whom the policies are intended as well as subject-matter experts are not included in the process. For both established and developing nations that want to use tourism as part of their local, national, and regional development strategy, tourism policy has become increasingly important. In order to assure its efficacy, it is crucial to focus on the policymaking, planning, implementation, and monitoring processes, which, if ignored, frequently pose the biggest obstacles to successful tourism growth. The goal of this study was to pinpoint several problems that have an impact on Nigerian tourist policies and suggest solutions (Gursoy et al., 2010).Since multiple sectors are typically involved, tourist strategies generally face numerous difficulties, particularly in developing nations where poor planning and implementation, a lack of competent employees, and insufficient funding are prevalent problems. For a policy to be realistic, the nature of the policy process typically calls for a clear framework, instructions, and resources. Additionally, because they frequently intersect during the implementation process, coordination, obedience, and communication concerns are critical(OrataiKrutwaysho, n.d). The following excerpt from Ekechukwu (2012: p. 2) discusses tourism and policy:
Nigeria is one of the countries in the world with an abundance of rich and seductive tourism resources that, if properly developed, have the potential to make the nation a sanctuary for both local and foreign tourists. Unfortunately, due to a number of factors, including a poorly articulated policy on tourism education, this goal is far from being realized. It has not only failed to meet the field's expanding learning needs, but has also fallen short of producing the necessary and knowledgeable manpower that could propel the industry to impressive heights.This nation has surely been deprived of the necessary manpower to help harness the wealth of tourism resources that are clamoring for attention and development due to the lack of a solid and effective policy on tourism education.
The many institutions and stakeholders involved in the tourist industry must be taken into account in tourism policy. The stakeholders include elected officials, the many branches of the bureaucracy, unelected public and civil servants, and the profusion of rules, regulations, laws, norms, and policies that control public and private action(Asamoah, 2013: p.20). The legislature, government departments and agencies, the judiciary, enforcement agencies, other levels of government, government-business enterprises and corporations, regulatory authorities, and a variety of para-state organizations, such as labor organizations, are the main institutions of the nation that are involved in the implementation of tourism policies (Hall & Jenkins, 2015). These organizations and individuals have a crucial opportunity to influence tourist policy and advance the industry for socioeconomic growth.Unfortunately, Nigeria's tourism industry has not attained an international quality despite the creation of a tourist strategy since the policy is not being reviewed and evaluated. This problem has decreased the ability of various potential tourist destinations to draw tourists to their regions (Dillimon& Dickinson, 2015).
The Nigerian government must take tourist development seriously if it hopes to rebuild the nation's economy and bring it back to its original state. For instance, South Africa has made sufficient preparations for hosting visitors through a special strategic plan to help the nation compete against other top nations of the world through proper planning, infrastructure development, and the immediate needs of tourists that could make tourists, particularly foreign tourists, have a second experience visiting a particular destination (Butler&Suntikul, 2010).The Kenyan government has also taken similar steps, harnessed the nation's natural resources very wisely, and made policies that are primarily beneficial to the local population (because they are the first to be taken into consideration). They also have the capacity to plan means through the efforts of the Federal Government to enable the industry to thrive as much as they can. It is based on this background that the present study seeks to examine the effect of government policies on the development of tourism in Nigeria.
Nigeria, the most culturally varied country in the world, with a landmass of 923,768 km2. With a population of more than 180 million people, the nation is divided into 36 States that are mostly based on ethnic origin and six geographical zones (the largest black nation in the world). The nation contains about 4000 dialects and 370 different ethnic groupings. Grasslands, Sahel savannah close to the Sahara Desert, mangrove swamps, tropical rain forests, and mangrove swamps are all abundant in Nigeria (Bassey& Elgon, 2013).Additionally, the nation's distinctive fauna, beaches, inselbergs, rivers, rocky areas, and other natural features may draw tourists from all over the world. The nation has many underutilized resources hidden away in every nook and cranny, but because we are unaware of them, we have neglected them. Because of our heavy reliance on crude oil (petroleum), which has made corruption in high places the norm, government officials who hold public office in local, state, and federal levels have neglected the area where the tourism sector should have thrived (Agbebi, 2014).Leaders who are supposed to represent the people often prioritize their own priorities above those of the general populace. The political elite, who have direct access to the nation's cash and resources, have taken advantage of the public' lack of awareness of their rights as a result of this unpleasant scenerio. who over time also benefited from some exposure to Western nations for leisure and vacation.Nigeria's problem has been a lack of zeal and a need for having a clear vision on how the industry can help the country eradicate poverty and provide jobs for everyone, including the teeming youths and women. Nigeria has not made the tourism industry a destination place and of high priority as it is towards the petroleum industry. The tourism sector is growing in popularity around the world, so our leaders must return to the drawing board and deliberately devise ways to make the nation's tourism business competitive and a popular travel destination for both domestic and foreign travelers (Asamoah, 2013). A notable advance in tourism has been made by developed nations like the United States, Spain, Germany, and the United Kingdom. These industries have helped to minimize poverty, create jobs, and generate sustainable income for these nations. As a result, the tourist sector has grown over time to become one of the most important in the modern world. As we previously stressed, certain African nations have also united as one to inspire the ideas and tenacity required to advance the sector.Indeed, the level of progress these nations have made is a result of their collaborative efforts from the public and private sectors, which is not the case in the undeveloped or developing nations around the world. Nigeria's federal government must be aware of the available natural resources and make the most of them for the country's growth. Bearing this in mind, the present study seeks to examine the effect of government policies on the development of tourism in Nigeria.
The main objective of this study is to examine the effect of government policies on the development of tourism in Nigeria. Specific objectives of the study include;
The following questions were derived from the objectives of the study to give a direction to the present study;
The following were hypothesized in the present study;
Hypothesis One
H0: There is no significant effect of government policies on the development of tourism in Nigeria.
H1: There is a significant effect of government policies on the development of tourism in Nigeria
Hypothesis Two
H0: There is no significant relationship between government policies and the development of tourism in Nigeria.
H1: There is asignificant relationship between government policies and the development of tourism in Nigeria.
The study is designed to give significance contribution to knowledge. Most of the literature review discussed strategic tourism management but only few talked about the impact. My paper will give an insight into how each of the element has an impact on the economy and how it is going to serve as a tool for researchers and academia to build on.
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 reservation 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 research is basically on Nigerian tourism industry which was mainly focused on Ogun State as a case study and though giving an insight on what the rest of the States in the country should look like.
1.8 Limitation of Study
The limitation was the difficulty in reaching the tourism sites but good analysis was later made from the Ogun State tourism industry that was later made to be a reference point as to what should be expected of the tourism industry across Nigeria.
The limitations of this research were that the information that would be collected would be from the tourists who are majorly in popular cities in Ogun State, Nigeria, therefore generalising the findings would be a limitation.
Aside that, the number of people who responded to the survey were very small compared with the over all population in Nigeria.
1.9. Operational Definition of Terms
Government:These are the key decision-makers who determine how policies should be created. To ensure that laws and order are upheld, they are also involved in making decisions that must be followed. The Head or the ruler of a given nation or society is the government.
Government Policy:These laws were drafted by the highest ranking authorities, governors, and governing bodies in order to control corporate behavior and maintain order in a nation or state. To uphold law and order and to direct plans, decisions, and actions, laws and directives are issued.
Gross Domestic Product: The Gross Domestic Product is the finest approach to possible discuss an economy. The GDP of a nation can be used to determine how well it is doing economically. It is calculated based on the overall products and services' annual increase. It is the overall sum of the commodities and services produced in a specific nation over a given year. It is used to gauge the level of economic development that a nation has accomplished.
Strategic Tourism Programs:These are initiatives aimed at enhancing the travel and tourism sector. The programs may serve as a hub for acquiring the expertise required to advance the sector, or they may be part of a government initiative to advance the sector.
Strategic Tourism: A government needs a strategic move to fully bring about a well-equipped industry. A way of implementing a long-term plans for a progressive industry to adequately bring about the needed result.
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 clear definition, however it can be explained as a tourist travelling from their typical location to another for a period of one to two years or for a short time in order to pursue a particular objective, such as education, a job, sport, religion, pleasure, or commerce. It is also known as the business of accommodating, attracting, or entertaining tourists in a particular location.
World Tourism Organization:It is a United Nations-affiliated organization tasked with promoting ethical, sustainable, and widely accessible travel.
Copyright © 2025 All Right Reserved CVClue
A Subsidiary of EMINENT INFO TECH VENTURES