Tourism constitutes one of the fastest growing sectors the world over as a result of certain comparative advantages which the industry is laden with.
This certainly explains why some of the world's leading industrial economics such Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Australia and the United States as well as less developed countries such as Kenya, Cuba and Sri Lanka are leaning towards the tourism sector as an important source of their income. Given this situation, it is pertinent to examine the relevance of the tourism industry in Nigeria where the depend on crude oil and mineral exports seems to be seen as the panacea to the nation's economic sustainability. The relevance of this interrogation is hinged on the fact that there is an ever increasing wave of the research to find replacement of crude oil which Nigeria exports as her main source of revenue. Apart from this, there is the growing militancy in the country's oil producing region as well as the dwindling fortunes in agriculture which has already been displaced as a foreign exchange earner. This is why the relevance of tourism as an enhancement to Nigeria socio-cultural and economic development is considered important here.
Conceptual Clarification
The word tourism derives from tour which refers to a pleasure trip. On the other hand, the Oxford English Dictionary defines a tourist as one who travels for pleasure or culture, visiting a number of places for objects interest, scenery or the like.Tourism is therefore a process which relates to the act of visiting places and sites out of pleasure or relaxation. The concept can therefore be defined as the process of undertaking journeys for the purpose of recreation rather than business. The International Association for the purpose of recreation rather than business. The International Association of Scientist Experts in Tourism (AIEST) on its part tried to bring out the unique elements of tourism by defining it as the act or activities of making a journey by non-residents, temporarily staying in the area visited without the stay being connected with any activity involving earnings.
It can therefore be observed that tourism is a voluntary activity which involves amusing oneself with material and non material culture with an essential element of this being the act of visiting. For this reason, tourism can be explained as the act of visiting places of one's interest for purposes of relaxation or pleasure. Such are as may include historical sites, scenery and vacation spots. By tourism industry, it is meant all the activities that support the process of tourism and it may include people and sector. Components of the tourism industry vary and can include hotels, airports, parks, personnel, regatta and carnivals.
Six major types of tourism exist. These are ethnic Tourism which refers to travelling for the purpose of observing the cultural expressions and life-styles of exotic people. Examples include visits to native homes, attending dances and ceremonies and possibly participating in religious rituals. Cultural Tourism on the other hand involves having experience and in some cases participating in a vanishing lifestyle that lies within human memory e.g costume festivals, folks performances, arts and crafts. Environmental tourism refers to the act of visiting natural places such as rocks, falls and gardens. It is primarily geographic in nature and includes destinations such as Assop waterfalls, Plateau State. Aso rock, Abuja rock formation, Jos Plateau, Yankari National Parl and other natural wonders. Recreational Tourism pertains to acts such as taking part in sports, sun bathing, swimming and social contacts in relaxed environment while Business Tourism refers to the participation in conventions, meetings or seminars. Historical tourism implies travelling to places where there are museums, cathedral circuits that stresses the glories of the past such guided tours.
Tourism potentials in Nigeria
The ethnic diversity which characterizes Nigeria bequeaths the country with immense tourism potential which can significantly boost the economics and socio-cultural development of the country. There are more than 250 ethnic groups spread across the country, each with its fascinating patterns of life worthy of admiration. The contrasting nature of the country's terrain which encompasses both Savannah and forest vegetation also gives the country appealing scenery that would always stand out as a tourist's choice.
Apparently, every region of the country has what it takes to attracts tourists hence the problem of resource control as it is the case with crude oil seems lost here. Indeed, there are many natural tourist attractions in the country and these include the ikogosi Warm Spring, Owu Falls, Niger-Benue confluence, Assop Falls and Wikki Warm Spring. Others include Aso Rock, Abuja, Rock formation, Jos Plateau, Yankari National Park and the Kuraras Falls among many others. There are also museums and Zooz across the length and breadth of the country.
Apart from the aforementioned sites, other cultural activities such as carnivals and cultural dances as well as festivals constitue another enviable potential of the Nigerian tourism industry. These include the Argungu Fishing Festival which attracts people from different parts of the world. The Durbar, New Yam Festivals the Swange Dance and Atilogu Dance. Mention must also be made of the puppetry which can be properly developed to attract a large number of tourists from different parts of the world. The country also has a hospitality industry that is continuously expanding to cope with.
This certainly explains why some of the world's leading industrial economics such Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Australia and the United States as well as less developed countries such as Kenya, Cuba and Sri Lanka are leaning towards the tourism sector as an important source of their income. Given this situation, it is pertinent to examine the relevance of the tourism industry in Nigeria where the depend on crude oil and mineral exports seems to be seen as the panacea to the nation's economic sustainability. The relevance of this interrogation is hinged on the fact that there is an ever increasing wave of the research to find replacement of crude oil which Nigeria exports as her main source of revenue. Apart from this, there is the growing militancy in the country's oil producing region as well as the dwindling fortunes in agriculture which has already been displaced as a foreign exchange earner. This is why the relevance of tourism as an enhancement to Nigeria socio-cultural and economic development is considered important here.
Conceptual Clarification
The word tourism derives from tour which refers to a pleasure trip. On the other hand, the Oxford English Dictionary defines a tourist as one who travels for pleasure or culture, visiting a number of places for objects interest, scenery or the like.Tourism is therefore a process which relates to the act of visiting places and sites out of pleasure or relaxation. The concept can therefore be defined as the process of undertaking journeys for the purpose of recreation rather than business. The International Association for the purpose of recreation rather than business. The International Association of Scientist Experts in Tourism (AIEST) on its part tried to bring out the unique elements of tourism by defining it as the act or activities of making a journey by non-residents, temporarily staying in the area visited without the stay being connected with any activity involving earnings.
It can therefore be observed that tourism is a voluntary activity which involves amusing oneself with material and non material culture with an essential element of this being the act of visiting. For this reason, tourism can be explained as the act of visiting places of one's interest for purposes of relaxation or pleasure. Such are as may include historical sites, scenery and vacation spots. By tourism industry, it is meant all the activities that support the process of tourism and it may include people and sector. Components of the tourism industry vary and can include hotels, airports, parks, personnel, regatta and carnivals.
Six major types of tourism exist. These are ethnic Tourism which refers to travelling for the purpose of observing the cultural expressions and life-styles of exotic people. Examples include visits to native homes, attending dances and ceremonies and possibly participating in religious rituals. Cultural Tourism on the other hand involves having experience and in some cases participating in a vanishing lifestyle that lies within human memory e.g costume festivals, folks performances, arts and crafts. Environmental tourism refers to the act of visiting natural places such as rocks, falls and gardens. It is primarily geographic in nature and includes destinations such as Assop waterfalls, Plateau State. Aso rock, Abuja rock formation, Jos Plateau, Yankari National Parl and other natural wonders. Recreational Tourism pertains to acts such as taking part in sports, sun bathing, swimming and social contacts in relaxed environment while Business Tourism refers to the participation in conventions, meetings or seminars. Historical tourism implies travelling to places where there are museums, cathedral circuits that stresses the glories of the past such guided tours.
Tourism potentials in Nigeria
The ethnic diversity which characterizes Nigeria bequeaths the country with immense tourism potential which can significantly boost the economics and socio-cultural development of the country. There are more than 250 ethnic groups spread across the country, each with its fascinating patterns of life worthy of admiration. The contrasting nature of the country's terrain which encompasses both Savannah and forest vegetation also gives the country appealing scenery that would always stand out as a tourist's choice.
Apparently, every region of the country has what it takes to attracts tourists hence the problem of resource control as it is the case with crude oil seems lost here. Indeed, there are many natural tourist attractions in the country and these include the ikogosi Warm Spring, Owu Falls, Niger-Benue confluence, Assop Falls and Wikki Warm Spring. Others include Aso Rock, Abuja, Rock formation, Jos Plateau, Yankari National Park and the Kuraras Falls among many others. There are also museums and Zooz across the length and breadth of the country.
Apart from the aforementioned sites, other cultural activities such as carnivals and cultural dances as well as festivals constitue another enviable potential of the Nigerian tourism industry. These include the Argungu Fishing Festival which attracts people from different parts of the world. The Durbar, New Yam Festivals the Swange Dance and Atilogu Dance. Mention must also be made of the puppetry which can be properly developed to attract a large number of tourists from different parts of the world. The country also has a hospitality industry that is continuously expanding to cope with.
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Tourism