Evaluating the Benefits of the Hospitality and Tourism Industry on the Socio-Economic Development in Onicha-Ugbo Town)
Chapter One
Objectives of the Study
General objectives of the study
The main objective of this study was to assess the role of hospitality and tourism industry activities on socio- economic development in Nicha-Ugbo Wards in Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta state.
Specific Objectives of the Study
- To examine the contribution of hospitality and tourism industry activities on socio-economic development in Nicha-Ugbo Wards.
- To explore challenges facing tourism activities in meeting socio-economic development in Nicha-Ugbo Wards.
- To determine measures to address challenges facing tourism industry in meeting socio-economic development in Nicha-Ugbo Wards.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction
This chapter reviews literature with bearing to the title of the study. Specifically, this chapter presents the definition of concepts, theoretical literature review, and empirical literature review, conceptual framework, research gap and chapter summary.
Definitions of Cconcepts
Tourism
Tourism is the travel for recreation, leisure, religious, family or business purposes, usually for a limited duration (UNWTO, 2017). Tourism is commonly associated with international travel, but may also refer to travel to another place within the same country. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes (UNWTO, 2017).
Tourist destination
Tourist destination is basically a travel that attracts large numbers of travelers or tourists. Travellers may visit these destinations to see historical sites, natural wonders, or buildings. Some tourist attractions also have activities, such as rides or games, or unusual novelties. Souvenirs are often sold at these destinations, and many of these areas rely on the income generated by the travelers that visit (Butler, 2008).
Local Communities
Local communities are the group of interacting people sharing one environment. In human communities, intent, belief, resources, preference, needs, risks, and a number of other conditions may be present and common, affecting the identity of the participants and their degree of cohesiveness (Davies, 2005).
Theoretical Literature Review
This section presents different theories demonstrating the tourism industry with a focus on tourism development, evolution, and trend of hospitality and tourism industry, its roles and its impact to the environment, social and economic development.
Modernization Theory
Modernization theory was the first major development theory that emerged in 1950s (Holden 2005; Isbister, 2003). Modernization theory suggests that, in order for Third World Countries to progress economically, politically and socially, they should follow the path taken by the developed countries over the past 100 to 200 years. In the context of Modernization theory, tourism has been advocated as a development strategy to generate foreign exchange, to increase the balance of payment and increase income (Wall, 2006). Vann (1979) cited by Pearce (1989) contends that the processes of hospitality and tourism industry development could only be elucidated within the context of the development stage of a country.
Dependency Theory
The critique of Modernization theory was at its sharpest when the dependency paradigm made its appearance in the 1960s, offering a framework explaining the causes of under-development in the developing world (Telfer, 2002a; Holden, 2005). The theory argued that the reason why developing countries failed to become “developed” was the fact that there were internal and external economic, political and institutional structures keeping them “dependent to” the developed countries (Bianchi, 2002). The theory argued that, tourism is equivalent to a “new type of plantation economy” where the needs of the metropolitan centre are being met by the developing countries and where the wealth generated is transferred from the colony to the motherland (Telfer, 2002:). Similarly, Bruner (1989) asserted that colonialism and tourism were born together and are relatives.
Both theories have direct connection with the title of the study. The Modernization theory demonstrates that development of the tourism in third world nations should consider and be emphasized by the standard of development reached in developed countries, in order to generate the socio-economic and political development in developing countries like Delta state, according to this theory, for the developing countries to be develop, they need to “shatter out of the “chain of tradition” and to become more modern (Graaff, 2001). In the 1960s, tourism industry was essentially associated with socio-economic development, which was part of the Modernization paradigm (Sharpley & Telfer, 2002). Tourism industry has been stimulated as a development strategy to transfer technology, to promote employment, to generate foreign exchange, to increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for many nations, to attract development capital and to encourage a modern way of life (Mathieson & Wall, 1982; Harrison, 1992 a cited in Simms, 2005).
CHAPTER THREE
THE STUDY AREA AND RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This chapter presents the study area and research methodology. The chapter specifically covers the study area, research design and target population, sampling procedure and sample size. The chapter also presents sources of data, method of data collection, data analysis, interpretation and presentation, validity and reliability of the research instruments and ethical consideration. Finally, the summary of the chapter is provided.
Research Design
Research design is a systematic plan to study the research problem. Research design includes different designs such as correlation, field or survey and experimental (Kothari, 2002). This study adopted descriptive research survey because this design could provide accurate information in the current situation of the problem under research based on the role of hospitality and tourism industry on the socio-economic development of Nicha-Ugbo wards.
Target Population
Population refers to people or things with similar characteristics, which the researcher intends to study within the context of a particular research problem (Rwegoshora, 2006). According to Ghauri (2002), population means all individuals or groups involved in the study. The sample for this study were categorized into 4 groups which included 5 Delta state commission staffs,14 tour operators, 30 tourists and 30 local people or households.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION OF THE FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
Introduction
This chapter presents the findings and discussion of the findings based on research objectives presented in chapter one. This chapter presented socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents, main tourism attraction features, contribution of hospitality and tourism industry industry to the community development and community involvements. The chapter also shows the relationship existing between the local community and the tourists. Moreover, the cultural difference between the local community and tourists is presented in this chapter. Apart from that, the chapter reveals the limitations facing community participation in the tourism industry in Nicha-Ugbo ward. Lastly, the chapter discusses the findings.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Introduction
This chapter presents summary, conclusions and recommendations for actions and for further studies.
Summary of the Study
The purpose of this study was to assess the role of hospitality and tourism industry activities on socio-economic development in Nicha-Ugbo wards in Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta state. This study based on three specific objectives; to examine the contribution of hospitality and tourism industry industry to socio-economic development in Nicha-Ugbo Wards, to explore challenges facing tourism industry in executing socio-economic development in Nicha-Ugbo Wards and to determine measures to address challenges facing tourism industry in meeting socio-economic development in Nicha-Ugbo Wards.
This study used Modernization theory and dependency theory. Those theories are related to this study. Modernization theory was the first major development theory that emerged in 1950s (Isbister, 2003; Holden 2005). This theory suggested that, in order for the Third World Countries to progress economically, politically and socially, they should follow the path taken by the developed countries over the past 100 to 200 years. In the context of Modernization theory, tourism has been advocated as a development strategy to generate foreign exchange, to increase the balance of payment and increase income (Wall, 2006), contends that, the processes of hospitality and tourism industry development could only be elucidated within the context of the development stage of a country.
The critique of Modernization theory was appearance in the 1960s, offering a framework explaining the causes of under-development in the developing world (Telfer, 2002; Holden, 2005). The theory argued the reason why developing countries failed to become “developed” was because there were internal and external economic, political and institutional structures keeping them “dependent to” developed countries (Bianchi, 2002). The theory argued that, tourism is equivalent to a “new type of plantation economy” where the needs of the metropolitan Centre are being met by the developing countries and where the wealth generated is transferred from the colony to the motherland (Telfer, 2002).
Empirical literature review revealed that the tourism sector in Delta state is becoming the leading economic sector and it provides direct employment to11,500 workers and to 45,000 people engaged in tourism activities, about 50% of the isles population would be involved in tourism activity by the year 2020 (DCT), 2010). The tourism sector ensures the wellbeing of the local community while being environmentally and socio-culturally sustainable, preferably in a way that enhances the natural and cultural resources in the destination as a viable economic activity (Weaver, 2001 and Ratnayake, 2007). Delta state Island got its room in tourism industry as the holiday destination for the tourists. This is due to the fact that Delta state has beautiful beaches and numerous attractions to be seen. For a few years the island of Delta state has gained its high reputation at global level and as a result thousands of tourists and foreign visitors started crowding the Delta state Island (Mfinanga, 2010).
Although there was good development in the tourism industries while some challenges facing tourism industry including many of the employees are unskilled and not qualified to work in the tourism industry (DCT, 2014). Nigeria is not competitive enough in the global tourist market. The tourism industry does not consistently offer value for money, low awareness and poor perception, too little is known about Nigeria as a tourist destination in the key source markets and perceptions of the country are also poor. There is limited policy guidance from most donors, despite the sector’s potential for the socio-economic development (Crompton, 2001), lack of linkages between formal and informal sectors and local suppliers, inappropriate tourist market segment, lack of pro-active government support of involvement by the poor communities (Bolwell and Weinz, 2008).
There are various scholars who have written about the role of hospitality and tourism industry in different parts of the world such as Bolwell and Weinz (2008) who demonstrated that tourism is one of the fastest economic sectors growing in the developing countries. About one third of the developing countries including Delta state depend on tourism as the main source of employment and income generation. This study was conducted in Nicha-Ugbo wards in Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta state. Issele Uku ward is found in north east coast of Aniocha North Local Government Area located about 39 km from Delta state town. Nicha-Ugbo ward is located in the southern coast of Aniocha North Local Government Area located about 55 km from Delta state town. These areas are the most developed tourism destinations with numerous tourism facilities. The local residents of these areas have been participating in tourism activities as their livelihood strategy.
The study included males and females aged between 18 and above. The study comprised two sampling techniques which were purposive sampling and simple random sampling techniques. The study identified experienced or key informants who included 14 tour operators, 5 Delta state tourism commission staffs, 1 local leader (shehia leader) and 30 tourists. These were purposefully selected due to the fact that they have adequate information and experience about tourism activities. The simple random sampling included 50 respondents among local people selected from the targeted population in both wards. In this study, both secondary and primary methods have been used. This study used interviews, questionnaires and observation to collect data in the field.
The result is presented in both qualitative and quantitative information which were collected from the study areas in both Nicha-Ugbo wards. However, the findings have been analyzed and discussed according to the objectives of the study.
The tourism industry is a significant economic activity in both areas of study. The main tourism activities include tour guide, souvenir shops and handicraft sales, sea sports like wind surf, among others. Fishing and agriculture activities are still done as predominant economic activities where many people are fully engaged. The tourism industry is significant in creating both direct and indirect employment opportunities for local people. It was observed that there was a substantial contribution in employment opportunity directly in restaurants, hand craft, fishing and tour guide but the study observed a small number of local people who access employment in the hotels, but those opportunities provide important sources of income to the people. The development of hospitality and tourism industry activities creates a large number of direct and indirect employments but it also has a great contribution in the improvement of socio-economic development in people’s families, and Delta state in general by increasing e foreign exchange earnings despite some limitations facing local people in those areas. This study observed improvement in health service, education, water supply, electricity and infrastructure.
Conclusions
Based on the objectives of this study and research questions, the study concludes that tourism activities have huge roles by to pay on socio-economic development for the local community in Delta state. One of the objectives of the study was to examine the contribution of the tourism industry on socio-economic development in Nicha-Ugbo Wards. Tourism is the greatest industry and prominent sector to meet the socio-economic needs for the development of the local community. The findings from the study have proven that tourism contribute substantially to support for the social needs such as social services and infrastructures to the surrounding environments in order to meet the needs of the local community and to achieve socio-economic improvement for the respective community.
Apart from examining the contributions played by tourism to support the socio-economic progress to the local community, another objective of the study was to explore challenges facing the tourism industry in executing socio-economic development. However, the findings of the study revealed some challenges facing tourism industry in executing socio-economic development for the local community such as land and water pollution, criminal activities, lack employment opportunity for the local community, lack of fresh and safe water as well as the challenge of child labor. These are the main obstacles which have been hindering tourism in meeting the needs of the local community. Lastly, the respondents of the study addressed various measures to be done in tourism industry to eradicate the challenges facing the local community. Such measures include the need for the local community to be fully involved in the tourism projects in their areas, raising the knowledge of the people about their participation in tourism activities and provision of more incentives to the local communities.
Recommendations
Recommendations to the Government
- The government should support the small entrepreneurs and other tourism stakeholders such as tour guides, tour operators and travel agency companies to provide knowledge and assistance. This will provide huge contribution in creating employment opportunities of the local community and government revenues that contribute to the progress of the tourism industry.
- The government should be raise awareness to the local community on the importance of hospitality and tourism industry industry in the development of their wards. Since, most of people in local community do not recognize how tourism industry creates different opportunities for both individual and societal development. This knowledge could expand the people’s minds by consider tourism as the most paramount sectors for development for themselves and their wards at large.
- The government should promote tourism infrastructure such as road, power supply, historical sites and accommodation in ward areas. The presence of decent roads, water supply and the availability of electricity supply will attract both tourism investors and tourists themselves to accommodate in ward areas instead of town. Their accommodation in rural areas leads the earning of wages to the indigenous people when tourists find services in ward areas.
- The government should put more effort in advertising the tourism industry in the country and worldwide. This can lead to raising the number of foreign tourists. Also, it may encourage domestic tourism. Thus, it can encourage the social and economic development of the country.
Recommendations to Tourism Stakeholders
- The Delta state Tourism Commission and Delta state Investment Project Authority (DIPA) should create conducive environments for local investors to invest in different tourism supporting projects such as hotels, restaurants, cafes, tours operators and travel agencies. These people should give create employment opportunity for their fellow local community members to support social and economic development in the country.
- The Ministry of information, culture, tourism and sports should upgrade the tourism colleges like school of hospitality and tourism industry at MARUHUBI and the State University of Delta state (SUZA) to establish new tourism courses such as bachelor’s degree and even master’s degree in addition to certificate courses that will produce our local experts in tourism industry as well as to produce quality personnel in different tourism activities so as to boost sustainable development of the tourism industry.
- The Ministry of Environment and Delta state Investment Project Authority (DIPA) should have strong management and formulate better policies for the conservation of natural environment in the coastal areas in order to reduce environmental erosion caused by rapid construction of hotels close to the beach zones, such as in Nicha-Ugbo wards where there are serious effects on agriculture and aquatic resources as well as local community of the surrounding areas, that impede the socio-economic development of the people in the destination. The Local community must be fully involved in all on-going tourism projects and the future projects, in order to promote the socio-economic development of people. Those will promote the sustainability of hospitality and tourism industry in those areas.
Recommendation to the Local Communities
- Local community should be the key actors in protecting the natural environment in their areas where there is high tourism development. It can encourage the environmental sustainability for tourism.
- Local community should preserve the cultural wealth. It is the fact that many tourists visiting Delta state come from different nations with different cultures. They come to Delta state to see culture which is different from theirs.
- Furthermore, the local community is called upon to abolish the bad perceptions on tourism activities that it can deteriorate their culture practices. Rather, they should see tourism as a key industry which motivates their socio-economic development.
- Local community should make more efforts to find new markets for their products in order to get more profits and to find further knowledge for their businesses that promote more tourism investments in their areas.
Recommendations for Investors
Tourism investors should give the first priority in employment opportunities for indigenous people of Issele Uku and Nicha-Ugbo wards. This is due to fact that most of the provided employments focuses to the foreigners who some of them come from out of their wards or out of Delta state.
Recommendation for Future Studies
This study provides broader vision regarding the potential of hospitality and tourism industry industry on socio-economic development in Delta state. The current study covered only a few tourism destinations which were north-east coast in Issele Uku ward and south coast in Nicha-Ugbo ward in Aniocha North Local Government Area Delta state. This study recommends further studies to be done on the roles of hospitality and tourism industry activities on the socio-economic development in other words, towns and regions in Delta state so as to examine and compare the development of hospitality and tourism industry in order to get wider understanding of the consequence of hospitality and tourism industry activities on socio-economic development for the community of Delta state and Nigeria in general.
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