PATTERN OF PATRONAGE OF TOURIST CENTER IN NIERIA, A CASE STUDY OF EKITI STATE
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1
BACKGROUND
TO THE STUDY
Tourism
as an industry is fastly becoming one of the most popular and profitable
industry the world over which no country, state or localities (especially those
endowed with tourism potentials) can afford to neglect. Its economic power is
an indispensable promotion to the development of any nation.
It
is either the backbone on one of the three fastest growing industries in
countries like Kenya, Indonesia, United States of America, Canada, France,
United Kingdom, Morocco, the Bahamas and Barbados. In Organisation for Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD) member countries international tourism
constitutes one of the principal service industries, contributing to the value
of international trade than insurance, maritime transport or civil aviation.
Expenditures on tourism constitute the largest single item in the world trade.
In OECD member countries, it is treated as an economic activity in its own
night and not an adjoint to other sectors of the economy.
Being
a service industry, tourism can be subjected to empirical studies just like any
industry. Its social and economic impacts on surrounding areas or periphery can
therefore be measured. This is exactly what this research is all about. It uses
the regional development theories or models of Gunner Myrdal (1957); Circular
and Cummulative Causation, Albert Hirschman (1958), Polarization and Spread
Effects and John Friedmann (1966); Core Periphery to examine the problems and
benefits that Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort Centre (also known as Ikogosi Tourist
Centre) has brought infused or divulged into the host state, taking
Ikogosi-Ekiti as a case study.
Tourism
is no longer an obscure industry all over the world. Its status in
international trade is such that no serious-minded country can afford to ignore
it. Many researchers, international, national regional as well as individual
researchers have been conducted on the subject. Many authors, therefore, have
one thing or the other to say on tourism.
According
to Femi Olokesusi (1989), tourism is a form of recreation that requires leaving
home for some other places, whether near or far. When such movements are
confirmed within the country of the origin, it is referred to as “domestic
Tourism”. On the other hand, when people travel from their countries of origin
to another for recreation-related activities, such tourism is referred to as
international; tourism.
In
the words of Sangari Abdulmunin (1991), tourism, by the simple definition could
mean the movement of a person from his abode to another of leisure.
The
Oxford English Dictionary, Second Edition, Volume 18 defines tourism as the
theory and practice of touring; travelling for pleasure. Also, the business of
attracting tourists and providing for their accommodation and entertainment,
the business of operating tours.
The
definition of both “tourism” and “recreation” is needed at the onset because as
claimed by Olekesui (1989), people often misconstrue recreation for tourism.
Tourism in its simplest form can be defined as recreation that involves
travelling while the contemporary, recreation is an activity performed during
leisure that does not involve travelling.
Recreation
is therefore defined as a refreshment or comfort produced by something
affecting the senses or body. It is further defined as the action of recreating
(oneself or another), or fact of being recreated by some pleasant occupation,
pastime or amusement or a means of recreating oneself by a pleasurable exercise
or employment. A recreationist is therefore seen as one who pursues a
recreation.
According
to Randle, tourism can either be domestic, intermediate or international. By
domestic, he meant national citizens who wish to spend their holiday in the
country while by intermediate, he refers to intra-continental tourism.
Olokosusi (1989) also agreed with him on the classification of tourism. He
however identified only two, viz: domestic and international tourism. Tourism
thus classified is based on the origin and/or destination of the travelling
recreationist.
Bryden
(1972) defined tourism as the sum of the phenomenon and relationships arising
from the travel and stay of non-residents, in so far as they do not lead to
permanent residency and are not connected with any earning activity.
While Wall et al (1985) indicated that tourism
involves the movement of people away from their place of permanent abode and
their temporary sojourn in other locations
OBJECTIVE
OF THE STUDY
The aim of this research is to assess seasonal
variation in patronage level of tourism centres in Ekiti State.
The specific objectives are to;
i.
explore and develop inventory of
tourism centres in Ekiti state.
ii.
Socio economic characteristics of
the staff and tourists in the tourism centres.
iii.
examine tourism patronage and
activities of these Centre’s.
iv.
Identify problems of these Centre’s
and make recommendation.
1.4
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
For the purpose of meaningful research work the following research
questions will be carried out.
i.
what role is tourist centre playing
in national development.
ii.
How will you rate the level of
patronage of this tourism centre.
iii.
Is the centre equip with all the
facilities needed
iv.
What is the average income generated
in the centre annually?.
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