Tourism as Indices for Sustainable Development in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The main focus of this study was to examine tourism as indices for sustainable development of the people of Cross River State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study examined the extent to which tourism contributes to improved social status, and increased educational opportunities of the people of Cross River State. These two variables formed the objectives and hypotheses used for the study. Relevant literatures were reviewed while Endogenous Development Model constituted the theoretical framework for the study. The research design employed was a survey design, with a sample of 400 respondents selected using the Taro Yamene's (1967) sample size determination technique. Multi-stage sampling techniques were used to select respondents from the delineated clusters using an 18-item questionnaire as an instrument. Demographic data were presented using simple percentages, while hypotheses were tested with two statistical tools. Hypotheses one was analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) while hypothesis two used linear regression statistical method all at 0.05 level of significance. The study found out that there is a significant relationship between tourism and improved social status as well as increased educational opportunities for sustainable development of the people of Cross River State, Nigeria. The study concluded that in spite of the high recognition of the state as the tourist base of the nation, the multiplier effect on individuals, and sustainable development is still not very noticeable. This is also the case with the internally generated revenue of the state, high rate of youth unemployment, youth restiveness, poor road network and poor manpower development. From the study, it was therefore recommended that the Government of Cross River state should intensify efforts in expanding the tourism sector to other areas in dire need of tourism potential such as cultural tourism. (Word count: 306)