Evaluating the Need for Effective Tourism Policy as a Remedy for Sustainable Tourism Growth in Abeokuta, Ogun State Nigeria

Adeyefa Emmanuel Adedayo,Olatunji Taiwo,Oladosu Olufunmilayo Adedoyin,Akadiri John Adetayo

doi:10.11648/j.ss.20190806.13

Abstract

Tourism-related legislations are created basically as a means of managing the development of the tourism industry. For this reason, the evaluation of existing tourism policy activities becomes necessary to understand the prominence of policies itself in ensuring that tourism is sustained. The study was intended to evaluate the assessment of effective policy as a remedy for sustainable tourism development. The study was guided through by the following objectives; determine the extent to which stakeholders are involved in tourism development, investigate the effectiveness of tourism policy at a local structure, determine the level of attention given to tourism policy, examine the extent to which relevant tourism corporation is involved in tourism policy enactment and review. The study employed descriptive and explanatory design and questionnaires. The hypothesis was tested using Pearson chi-square at 0.05 level confidence. The respondents under the study were 107 employees of the ministry of culture and tourism Abeokuta. The study focused majorly on policy management, people involved in its implementation and how they are being implemented. The result of the first hypothesis calculated at 0.001 reveals that there is a significant relationship between the development of relevant tourism corporation and tourism policy, enactment, and review. The result of the second hypothesis calculated at 0.00 reveals that there is a significant relationship (p<0.05) between the level of attention given to tourism and tourism development. Other findings show that; it is little or no compliance with existing laws that govern tourism, there is minimal participation of relevant stakeholders in tourism development, tourism is not well-grounded in local level structure, and tourism is not given appropriate attention in the nation's development scheme. Based on these findings, it is concluded that there are inadequacies and loopholes in the regulatory laws which need to be visited.

Highlights

Sustainable growth and development of the tourism industry among other things is a function of relevant and effective policy and policies [5]
The result deduced from the table reveals that there is a non-involvement of relevant stakeholders in tourism development which correlates with Munzali who asserted that there is minimal participation of stakeholders in tourism development in the country [13]
On the Nigerian experience of the level of attention given to tourism, [7] went further to assert that the problems of tourism policy and policies were identified by the nation's National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) as inadequate facilities, poor awareness, unharnessed tourist infrastructure, insecurity, low level of investment, and wrong attitude and disposition towards recreation and domestic vacation by Nigerians. [10] went further to opine that tourism in Nigeria suffers from incoherent policies, misplaced priorities, a severe lack of funds and ‘piecemeal' development strategies that restrict tourism growth and limit the benefits to individuals and communities, government's misconceptions about tourism

Summary

Introduction

Sustainable growth and development of the tourism industry among other things is a function of relevant and effective policy and policies [5]. Sustainable tourism has emerged the key as the key issue in the development agenda for the tourism industry in many developing countries [16]. Tourism has been confirmed as one of the fast-growing sectors for development that enhances the accomplishment of sustainable growth via poverty reductions, employment generation in large scale, fostering tolerance and other complementary activities [2]. Tourism has been playing an increasingly active and vital role in the development of Nigeria, the country is enriched with an abundance of attractions ranging from natural and human resources, Nigeria is located in the western coastal region of the African continent [1].

Objectives

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion