Tourism Development in Nigeria Issues and Challenges
Tourism Development in Nigeria Issues and Challenges
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
It is well documented in this literature of a nations importance in the development of
tourism. Nigeria has made efforts just like other developing nations over the years to
develop the tourism sector through programs and policies. Yet, the underdevelopment
of the tourism sector is still alarming. In terms of its economical contribution to the
nation among others, the tourism industry is not performing well. For example, the
tourism sector contribution to the GDP is 34% and generates 20% employment
compared to Morocco, South Africa and Kenya whose tourism sectors contributes
68%, 87% and 79% to GDP respectively. Issues and challenges could be impeding the
development of the tourism sector in Nigeria. This paper, therefore, theoretically
examines the issues and challenges of tourism development in Nigeria. The paper will
be relevant to the development board and the national development planners.
Keywords: Tourism, Development, Gross National Product, Developing Countries
INTRODUCTION
Tourism is the activity of people or a person traveling away from his or her home for
business or pleasure. Aggressively, the tourism sector is typically large,
necessitating adaptation for the needs and changes in the travelers desires. The
creation of strategy and plans to promote a nations tourism over time has proved to be
powerful and resilient economic activity and a basic contributor to economic
development of nations by producing billions of dollars in exports and creating
millions of jobs. Developing and growing tourism is often used as a substitute for
other forms of growth in developing countries. Tourism industry has grown to be one
of the largest industry globally and one of the fastest growing sectors economically,
According to documentation by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).
Despite the global Covid-19 pandemic issues, political instability, economic crisis,
xenophobic attacks, security and insurgency challenges withing the African region,
most of the countries (Morocco, South Africa and Kenya) are still flourishing in their
tourism sector, unlike Nigeria with the current rise in banditry and kidnapping that has
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host the declining of domestic and international travelers. As tourism in Nigeria enters
into a new era with the recent structural changes. developing the tourism 'industry'
will includes government programs, policies and private sectors directly involved in
tourism, such as the accommodation, catering, entertainment, recreation, transport and
tourism-related services.
Tourism
SOFRONOV (2018) Tourism is one of the world's fastest-growing sectors, and for
many countries, it is a significant source of foreign exchange and jobs. It is one of the
most amazing economic and social phenomena to have ever occurred. The term "tour"
comes from the Latin word "tornus," which means "a method for creating a circle."
The transfer of people from their usual place of residence to another place (with the
goal of returning) for a minimum of twenty-four hours to a maximum of six months
for the sole purpose of leisure and enjoyment is referred to as tourism.
A tourism product is the amount of all of these activities, experiences, and services.
Supply and demand can be used to characterize the tourism method. The aim of
tourism planning should be to strike a balance between supply and demand. This
necessitates not only an understanding of market characteristics and patterns, but also
of the planning mechanism used to meet market demands. The demand side is often
defined as tourists from core generating markets; the supply side includes all services,
programmes, attractions, and land uses planned and managed for the visitors. Private
industry, non-profit organisations, and the government can all have influence over
these supply-side. To ensure the long-term growth and management of tourism-related
capital, new and creative types of collaborations are emerging. Flows in resources
such as money, labour, supplies, and tourist expenses into the destination, as well as
lows in marketing, promotion, tourist artefacts, and experiences from the destination
back into the tourist generating area, can be seen as being related on the supply and
demand side. Furthermore, some tourist spending can be redirected back into
visitor-generating areas by repatriation of profits by international tourism investors
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and reimbursement for better goods and services offered to visitors at the destination.
The major components of the supply side for planning purposes are various modes of
transportation, tourism-related infrastructure, Tourist information, Marketing and
promotion, The community of communities within the visitor’s destination area, the
political and institutional frameworks for enabling tourism, Hall (1994). Due to
many factors intertwined with it and the presence of many industries contributing to
its success, the tourism system is both competitive and complex. These variables and
sectors are related to the provision of a tourist experience as well as the generation of
revenue and markets in the tourism industry. Because of the competitive nature of the
tourism industry, it is critical to monitor the external and internal environments of
destinations on a regular basis and make adjustments as needed to ensure a stable and
viable tourism industry. As a result, it is now widely recognised that tourism
production cannot be conducted in isolation from the environment and local
communities, nor can it be conducted without regard for the social and cultural
implications of tourism.
Characteristic of tourism
* The Distinction Tourism services cannot be processed in the same way as physical
goods can. An airline seat that is not sold on a specific night or day can never be sold
again. There is no way to save unused space for later use. Spare seats on one plane,
for example, cannot be moved to the next flight.
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* Fixed and variable costs are the two types of costs. Fixed costs are costs that are
unaffected by the number of customers received at any given time, while variable
costs are costs that are unaffected by the number of customers and must be paid
regardless.
On the basis of the intent of the visit and alternate modes of tourism, tourism has two
forms and several types. Foreign and domestic tourism are two forms of tourism;
Foreign tourism refers to when people travel to another country. A valid passport,
visa, health documents, foreign exchange, and other documents are required for travel
to a foreign country. foreign tourism further divides into two types; Inbound Tourism
and Outbound Tourism.
* Inbound tourism; Tourism that comes in from outside the country, This applies to
visitors from other countries visiting a specific country. When people travel outside of
their host/native country to another country, it is referred to as inbound tourism for
that country. When a tourist from England visits Nigeria, for example, it is considered
inbound tourism since international tourists visit Nigeria.
* Outbound tourism; Tourism in other countries, This applies to visitors who are
traveling from their home country to another country. When tourists travel to a foreign
area, they are engaging in outbound tourism for their own country, as they are leaving
the country. When a tourist from England visits Nigeria, for example, it is considered
outbound tourism for England and inbound tourism for Nigeria.
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Domestic Tourism
Domestic tourism refers to tourism conducted by citizens within their own country.
Traveling within the same country is simpler since formal travel documents and
time-consuming formalities such as mandatory health checks and foreign exchange
are not required. When traveling within the country, a traveller is rarely confronted
with language barriers or currency exchange issues.
Tourism Types
Tourism takes many types depending on the intent of the visit and other factors. The
following are examples of tourism types, they are as follows:
* Recreational or leisure tourism; this is a form of tourism that takes people away
from the staleness of daily life. In this situation, people spend their free time hiking,
going to the beach, and so on.
* Cultural; this tourism satisfies cultural and intellectual interest by allowing visitors
to visit ancient monuments, historical or religious sites, and so on.
* Sports/Adventure: This category includes trips taken by people with the intention of
playing golf, skiing, or hiking.
* health: People move to this category for medical care or to visit places with curative
properties, such as hot springs, spa yoga, and so on.
* Convention tourism; this tourism is becoming a more important part of the travel
industry. People travel domestically and internationally to attend conventions related
to their industry, career, or hobby.
* Incentive Tourism: Large corporations offer holiday trips as rewards to dealers and
salespeople who meet sales goals. This is a recent and growing trend in tourism.
Instead of cash rewards or gifts, these are given instead, Hall (1994).
Nigeria, with a population of around 150 million people and a total area of
923768km2 along the West African Gulf of Guinea, is a significant centre of
biodiversity of tropical rainforest, coastal plains, mangrove, and Savannah zones
geographically. The reality remains that Nigeria is a mono-economy dependent on
petroleum oil, which generates over 80% of the country's foreign exchange while
employing a very small labour force compared to the agricultural sector, which is
Nigerians' primary occupation.
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Nigerian tourism is still in its infancy, given the vast amount of untapped capital and
the institutional framework that needs to be managed in order to compete favourably
with other rapidly rising tourism destinations. Successive governments tried their
hardest to have the industry on the national economic map, but it was unable to
achieve exclusive status. Despite being rich in ecotourism and business tourism
potentials and limited by figurative and factual analysis to plan growth, political will
and legislation are still far from controlling the industry to keep up with both the
national tourism policy and master plan implementation programme in accordance
with the United Nations Framework on Sustainable Tourism Development efforts.
The Nigerian government's involvement in tourism dates back to the 1960s, when the
Obasanjo’s regime established the Nigeria Tourism Board (NTB), now the Nigeria
Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), through Decrees No. 54 of 1976,
reviewed to Decree No. 86 of 1991, and granted it "preferred sector" status. Nigeria's
tourism growth master plan dates back to 1982, with a tourism development
programme that was first implemented in 1990. The government established the
Federal Ministry of Tourism and Culture to further consolidate the search for quality
service delivery in the tourism industry and to realise the dream of catching up with
the global train in tourism growth. With the adoption of a Nigeria Tourism
Development Master Plan and the National Tourism Council, harnessing tourism
resources and diversifying such to compete favorably with other major economic
sector given its socio-economic and cultural wellbeing cannot be over emphasized.
The Nigerian government, in its efforts to diversify the economy and, in particular,
the tourism industry, has agreed to take steps to promote the travel and tourism
sectors. The Presidential Council on Tourism, the Federal Ministry of Tourism and its
Departments and Agencies, as well as State Tourism Committees and Local Tourism
Committees, have all been formed in accordance with the provisions of the National
Tourism Policy (NTP) of 2005, the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation
(NTDC) of 1992, and the Nigeria Tourism Development Master Plan of 2002.
The opportunities and challenges that are exploited and tackled will determine the
future of tourism in Nigeria. A restructured National Tourism Organization, Human
Resources Development, and a new Convention Bureau all provide important
opportunities. Implementing the Tourism Development Master Plan, as well as
changing Nigeria's international profile, would be major challenges for the
government and industry. Improving the product's consistence and Developing
facilities and putting in place a rigorous training programme would necessitate a
strong public-private partnership. If Nigeria's opportunities and potentials are fully
realised, and the challenges are overcome, a significant investment in planned and
strategic marketing of Nigeria as a desirable tourist destination would be needed, with
positive and significant returns, according to the World Tourism Organization
(WTO).
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There is no denying that many countries have benefited from the enormous increase in
tourism. Many countries are taking measures to gain a share of the ever-growing
global tourism market. The fundamental justification for the establishment and
creation of tourism is foreign exchange earnings, job opportunities, economic
diversification, economic growth, wider economic and social development policy, and
other factors, Sharpley & telfier ( 2002)
Sustainability
Due to the expansive nature of the analytical context, which includes economics,
environmental, and socio-cultural concerns, arriving at a clear definition for the term
"Sustainability" has been a long journey, Cooper, Fletcher, Fyall, Gilbert & Wanhill
(2005). The Brundtland Commission released their report in 1987 at the World
Commission on Environment and Development, which was titled "Sustainable
Development." The idea is considered one of the most popular of its kind, with a long
shelf life. The definition was useful in shaping international agendas and attitudes
toward economic, social, and environmental development (United Nations Economic
Commission for Europe 2004-05).
Sustaining development is "development that usually meets with the needs of the
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present generations and not jeopardising the future of generations' ability to meet their
own needs," according to the Brundtland Commission's study. Explaining concepts, as
well as economic and social development, as well as environmental protection, were
all overwhelmingly favoured. Policies aimed at enhancing people's economic and
social well-being should not damage the environment, according to the concept.
(Economic Commission for Europe, United Nations, 2004-05)
Economic sustainability
Beech & Chadwick (2006), economic sustainability occurs when a countrys real
production capital income rises, as calculated by changes in gross national product
(GNP) over time. As a result of its sustained and rapid growth in the global economy,
tourism is now considered a major component of the service
economy. The economic aspect, on the other hand, relates to the upkeep and use of ec
onomic or productive capital in order to ensure their continuity. Economic capital
should not be overused or depleted without substitution for long-term economic
Socio-cultural sustainability
The term “socio-cultural” entails two different words, social and culture. The word
social is simply referred to as rank and status in a society. (Oxford Dictionaries 2014).
Culture on the other hand, it “consists patterns of behaviour, the knowledge and the
values that have been so acquired and transmitted through generations” Beech &
Chadwick (2006). Socio-cultural sustainability is the act of maintaining and safe
guarding the rank and status of the society and their culture for the present generation
and the future generation. Under this aspect of sustainability, all living soul are said to
be equal and no difference irrespective of the community they belong, the culture they
practice, the language they speak, and whatever they do. Socio-cultural sustainability
can be attained and achieved if there is mutual interest, tolerance, patience, love,
honesty, disciplineand ethics, general acceptable rules and regulation, law and
information, Goodland (2014).
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Environmental sustainability
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Policy guidelines
* The three levels of government, in partnership with the private sector, identify and
designate tourist attractions for the purpose of tourism growth and promotion.
* the creation of an effective organisation for the planning, growth, promotion, and
marketing of tourism both within and outside the country, with clearly specified roles
for the three levels of government
* State government land concessions and easy access to land for tourism development;
offering fiscal and other incentives to potential tourism investors, such as tax rebates
and soft loans with long moratorium periods;
Institutional Setting
The policy also established an institutional structure with implementation organs from
the three tiers of government for the effective implementation of the above strategies:
* At the federal level —The Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism (FMCT) is in
charge of strategy, financing nationally focused tourism ventures, and maintaining
direct tourism relations with state governments. In foreign organisations, it also serves
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* National Tourism Corporation —The policy also called for the NTB to be
transformed into a more aggressive and commercially oriented National Tourism
Corporation. The company is in charge of industry promotion, publicity, and
knowledge dissemination. It will lay out the industry's activity through the publication
of handbooks and general instructions, and it will work with the private sector and
other levels of government to supplement policy directives and tourist initiatives.
* Tourism Ministries of States — State tourism ministries, on the other hand, are
responsible for implementing FMCT policies/directives, initiating initiatives,
controlling land allocation, and developing tourism in their respective states, as well
as regulating the operation of hotels, restaurants, and other institutions in accordance
with federal government policies.
* encourage Nigerians and visitors from other countries to spend their vacations in the
country;
* It also has the authority to provide advisory and information services; encourage and
conduct tourism research; and register, identify, and rate all hospitality and tourism
businesses in such members as may be presented.
* NTDC also has the authority to: - carry out any undertaking deemed important for
the promotion and growth of the tourism industry; - assist in the development of
museums/historic sites, parks, game reserves, beaches natural beauty spots, holiday
resorts, souvenir industries, and so on; - advise appropriate authorities on how to
improve tourist facilities; and - publicize tourism. And do all things incidental to the
aforementioned functions that, in its view, are calculated to make the corporation's
duties under the enabling decree easier to carry out.
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Nigeria is endowed with a wealth of natural and cultural resources that can support
long-term tourism growth. The country's ecological diversity and cultural diversity
alone are enough to make it one of the world's most popular tourist destinations.
Despite its abundant tourism potential, Nigeria remains a mono-economy, its people
remain wary of one another, and Nigerians remain enslaved by ignorance, want,
poverty, and disease. This should not be the case. Unfortunately, tourism, which is
said to have a favoured sector position in the economy, receives only lip service. As a
result, tourism is extremely popular.
* The most important of all tourism criteria, infrastructure, is missing in the majority
of attraction centres;
* In the tourism industry, manpower is in short supply, which is the most important
resource for any business. It does not have enough qualified personnel to carry out its
professional activities.
* Another issue is marketing and promotion, as the industry has yet to develop
successful promotional and marketing strategies aimed at raising awareness and
rekindling interest in the tourism industry.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Tourism provides a potential for growth not restricting its contribution to the economy
but as a vehicle towards bringing about more international understanding and
strengthening the sense of national identity. A re-evaluation of Nigerian tourism
policy in the aforementioned areas would resolve main obstacles to achieving the
goals. National tourism development is desperately needed. The only way to do so is
to take a bold or offensive approach. towards putting the established areas of the
Nigerian tourism policy into action However, the requirement for collaboration or
Since the government cannot do it alone, collaboration between private and public
tourism agencies is essential. However, it is critical for the government to make
tourism a priority in its administration by providing consistent funding to address all
issues affecting the implementation of the tourism policy in Nigeria, including
insecurity, poor infrastructure, marketing and promotion, and other socio-cultural
factors, in order for tourism to become a vehicle for development and catalyst
economic growth. To achieve the implementation of Nigeria's Tourism Policy, there
should be proper monitoring and evaluation of tourism projects and programmes.
Effective policies would aid in the protection and regulation of the tourism industry,
goods, and services in the community, as well as the growth of sustainable tourism in
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Nigeria.
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