DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRIES IN NIGERIA: A PANACEA FOR POVERTY AND UNEMPLOYMENT REDUCTION
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Date
2016-04-13
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JOURNALS HUMANITIES AND EMPERICAL SCIENCES VOL.5
Abstract
Review of development of tourism and hospitality industries in Nigeria on impact
of poverty and unemployment reduction has been made. The results indicated
that tourism sector of Nigeria has been an important sector for many decades in
generating foreign exchange and employment in the country. It is a growing
sector with huge potentials for investment and development in tourism sector is
not growing and information on the demand and supply ideas of tourism is poor.
Tourism cannot provide employment and income to all the people in a destination
and but it can be a panacea for economic development. But where there are
potentials to develop this sector, there is scope to provide opportunities to a
larger number of people, given its labour intensive nature. The result clearly
indicates local areas adjacent to tourism destinations appear to have a
comparative advantage in employment and poverty reduction and should
gradually move to specialize in their activities. Although not examined by the
present study, it can be said that tourism can also provide income and
employment opportunities in other sectors e.g., public transport, wildlife safari,
elephantrides, tour guides, restaurants, furniture, and various types of shops etc.
In many places local people are able to perform cultural shows, and besides
earning incomes some are able to promote their local culture as well. It is argued
that tourism employs a relatively high proportion of women and thus contributes
to gender equality. Tourism can help the poor improve their livelihoods, but this
will require concerted efforts – strategies that help establish strong linkages with
the tourism sector. Scope also exists to provide more training to local people so
that they are able to get better paid jobs. Overall, the study results clearly indicate
that tourism contributes to the local economy providing direct employment and
indirectly by purchasing food and nonfood items from local producers.