Abstract
This study investigates the nature of tourism site infrastructure and how it affects patronage in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State. The specific objectives of the study are to assess the security level, availability of leisure aid, recreation facilities, quantity and quality of historical artifacts, location ambiance, skilled tour guides and their effect on visitor patronage. The study is supported by Qualitative and inferential research design methods to ascertain the predictability of tourist patronage. A sample of one hundred and twenty-five (125) respondents were systematically selected for the study and questionnaires administered. The multiple nonlinear regression test statistic was deployed for validating the hypotheses developed for the study. Results show that security level, leisure and recreation, historical artifact and requisite accommodation were statistically significant in impacting a positive/direct influence on visitor patronage, while location ambiance and skilled tour guides were not statistically significant. It concludes that changes in visitor patronage can be accounted for by changes in tourist site infrastructure, but that location ambiance and skilled tour guides are not sufficient pull-factors for visitor patronage in Calabar Metropolis. It recommends among other things, government and private sector involvement in archeological research, security facilities, affordable accommodation for activities and oppressive use of mass media in portraying the historical significance of the area.
Highlights
Economic diversification through non-crude oil-related activities has been the mantra of the current Mohammadu Buhari led democratic administration in Nigeria
There is a dire need for adequate augmentation of tourism infrastructure in terms of leisure and recreation facilities, security, historical artifacts, location ambiance factors and tour guide personnel, (Umukroro & Ohanyere, 2020; Ajake, 2015; Enemuo, Ajala, & Offor, 2015; Oben, 2014; Odey, Ndobo, & Endong, 2014; Yta, 2020)
This study investigates tourist site infrastructure and its influence on patronage in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State
Summary
All, 2015) observe that so far, these industries especially tourism have not received sufficient human and material support and/or investment from the government and private sector in Nigeria. This results in the slow pace of tourism development as an avenue for economic diversification. There is a dire need for adequate augmentation of tourism infrastructure in terms of leisure and recreation facilities, security, historical artifacts, location ambiance factors and tour guide personnel, (Umukroro & Ohanyere, 2020; Ajake, 2015; Enemuo, Ajala, & Offor, 2015; Oben, 2014; Odey, Ndobo, & Endong, 2014; Yta, 2020). This will aid in sustaining optimal visitor patronage during and after festive periods both in areas with high potency for perpetual visits and those without
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