AN ASSESSMENT OF TOURISM POTENTIALS IN KADUNA STATE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background Of The Study

The profitability of international tourism industry has garnered widespread recognition of tourism as a promising development agent for developing countries. Throughout the past fifty years, tourism has rapidly spread and has emerged as a major export sector in many countries (UNWTO, 2007). The decision to adopt tourism as an agent of development has been largely based on the expectation that tourism can:(a) increased foreign exchange earnings,(b) create employment,(c) attract foreign investment, and(d) positively contribute to local economic and the national balance of payments (Sharply and Telfair, 2002). In other cases it has been said that tourism is turned to as a last option by countries that lack extractable resources, are burdened by foreign debt, and rely on international aid (Brown, 1998).

Kaduna state richly endowed with a wide range of natural and cultural resources relative to other state in Nigeria and on a global level most of which are largely untapped. These resource‟s fall into protected ecosystems (game reserves and recreational parks), protected landscapes or natural sceneries, cultural sites, coastline, traditional festival and historic relics and monuments (Okechuku, 1990 and Okoli 2001).Kaduna state tourism resources are highly distributed from the south-northern part of Kaduna, which has a geo-cultural pattern, (Okoli 2001).

The availability of these potentials has made the development of tourism industry to undergo a gradual evolution, which each phase reflecting its growing importance in the economy. Despite all these economic, political, cultural and social benefits, tourism development has not been strong politically in Nigeria, especially in Kaduna state. What is really wrong with Nigerian tourism? This is why Ayibe (2007) said that tourism in Nigeria is at low ebb not only because of economic hardship, but because of all the factors militating against the industry, stating further, he said that unless the challenges facing tourism are identified and solved, Nigerian tourism industry will remain at nascent state.

Tourism development in this research refers to the positive transformation of tourism potentials to tourism products. Also Okoli (2007), defined tourism development as the provision of infrastructures and superstructure, he further stated that, these infrastructures (roads, water supply communication system etc) and superstructure (hotels, motels, guesthouses etc), must be adequate and maintain for tourism to develop. Okoli (2001), Noted that the development of an area for tourism results to economic benefits of foreign exchange earnings, government revenue, employment etc.

The benefits of tourism development have not been fully exploited in Kaduna state, due to nascent state of tourism industries, caused by numerous problems facing the industry (Ayibe, 2008), to tackle these problems we need to uncap and rehearse our potentials as a nation.

The future for tourism in Nigeria is dependent on the opportunities and challenges being exploited and addressed. The diversity of cultural attractions, the friendly disposition of the people, a revamped National Tourism organization, Human Resources Development and new convention Bureau provide key opportunities.

Implementation of Tourism Development master plan will be a major challenge for the government and industry, as will changing the international image of Nigeria. Improving the quality of the product and facilities and putting in place a comprehensive training program me will require a very strong partnership between the public and private sectors.

This study will therefore assess the tourism potentials, there challenges‟ and prospects in Kaduna state.

1.2  Statement Of Research Problem

The tourism industry in Kaduna state was not given much priority by the state government in the past, (Kaduna state position paper on tourism, Dec, 2004). It was only recently that the industry started receiving the attention it deserves. A ministry of culture and tourism was created in 2003 and charged with the responsibility of preserving, developing and providing all aspect of culture and tourism. A tourism policy was drafted, which is an offshoot of the National tourism policy of Nigeria.

Thrust of the policy implementation with respect to tourism was to: generate foreign exchange, encourage even development, promote tourism based rural-urban integration and cultural exchange, strategies included:

1. Provision of basic infrastructure and tourism facilities.

2. Establish effective organs for the planning, development, promotion and marketing of tourism in and outside Kaduna state.

3. Joint ventures with private and public.

4. Incentives such as tax holidays and soft loans. (KDSG, 2002).

5. Patrol and regulation of the industry.

In line with this the state government identified several tourism development potentials across the state that will boost the tourism sector.

However, it has been observed that in spite of the laudable tourism potentials in the state, coupled with the government interest and afford in developing the tourism sector, the level of tourist inflow in most of these potentials sites identified by the government is still not encouraging (Aniah, 2006). Beside, the lack of adequate empirical data has hindered policy makers and other stakeholders on the viability of most of the existing tourism development potentials in the state. Studies by Eja, Iwara, et-al, (2012), on the success factors determining Nigeria as a tourist destination shows that most of the states with great tourism potentials still witness a decline of tourist influx, from 5,103 in 2008 to 2,549 in 2011, due to the fact that most of the potentials within there environment has not been provided with adequate facilities and attention. There is no data base or model that has clearly defined the visibility and success factors that have put Kaduna in the league of other states with great tourism potentials.

Although many works has been done on the study of tourism in many destination, (Chon, 1990, Chukwuemeka, 2009, Muazu, 2010, Bako,2012,Adeyemi 2012). Most of these works focused on identifying, classifying and analyzing destinations attractiveness , nevertheless there exist a gap about knowing the touristic value of some natural and ancient potentials in Kaduna state , this study will therefore assess these potential in the state to determine there challenges in its development with the view of making recommendation for improvement.

1.3 Objectives Of  The Study

The aim of this study is to assess tourism development potentials values in Kaduna state, with a view to making recommendations for improvement. Below are the specific objectives;

1.        Ascertain the constrains of the development of tourism potentials in Kaduna State.

2.        Identify the tourism potentials available in the state.

3.        Identify the prospects of tourism potentials in Kaduna State.

4.        Make appropriate recommendation’s in enhancing tourism  in Kaduna state.

1.4       Research Questions

The research will address three fundamental questions

1.      What constrains the development of tourism potentials in the state?

2. What are the tourism potentials available in the state?

3. What is the prospects of tourism potentials in Kaduna State?

1.5     Scope And Limitations

The study is focused on the assessment of tourism potentials. The study will further ascertain the constrains of the development of tourism potentials in Kaduna State, identify the tourism potentials available in the state, and identify the prospects of tourism potentials in Kaduna State. The study will be carried out in  Kaduna State.

1.6      Significance Of The Study

This study will enable policy makers to assess tourism as a tool for development in the state, so that challenges can be identified and recommendations may be made towards more effective Tourism development.

It will serve as a relevant document for individuals, government, and corporate organizations interested in developing tourism.

This study will also contribute to knowledge, which will be useful to researchers in tourism development studies