REALITY OF TOURISM MANAGEMENT: BUSINESS VIABILITY AND TOURISTS’ BEHAVIOUR IN PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

Resumo

Though ecotourism is popularly perceived as the fastest growing sector of tourism and a spinner of benefits the reality of its viability and growth is relative to site and yet to be ascertained in many areas. The purpose of this study is therefore to explore the reality of tourism managements in Plateau State, Nigeria with the aim of ascertaining the sponsors of ecodestinations; perceived viability of tourism activities; and tourists’ behaviour towards gate fee increments in Assop falls, Naraguta Tourist Village, Jos National Museum and Zoo, Rayfield Resort, Pandam and Jos Wildlife Parks which are functional ecotourism destinations in Plateau State.Ten communities bordering these ecodestinations were selected based on ownership and impact on tourism site. Listing of households in selected communities was done and ten percent of households in each community were sampled. Information for the study were elicited using three sets of structured questionnaire. In all, 410 households were sampled. Fifty percent of staff of each ecodestination was also sampled while 40 tourists were sampled in each ecodestination. A total of 240 tourists and 335 staff respondents were interviewed. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics while Chi square was used to test for relationships. Results revealed that most destinations in Plateau State are sponsored by either federal or state governments, except Assop fall that is sponsored by na individual. The Naraguta tourist Village has many sourvenir operators that operate on household basis who rely solely on the business. Provision of more facilities and increase in gate fee Will improve the financial standing of the destinations and make them financially independent, however payment of N150.00k and N100.00k gate fees by adults and children respectively can only be realistic in Pandam Game Reserve, Rayfield Resort and Assopfall. Majority of the tourists are willing to pay increased fee of N100.00k (Adult) and N50.00k (children) but majority are not willing to pay N150.00k (Adult) and N100.00k (children) respectively. Chi square tests showed significant relationship (p<0.05) between age class, destination, and willingness to pay increased N150.00k and N100.00k gate fee for adult and children respectively. All tourist respondent and majority of both household (97.07%) and staff (89.85%) respondents perceived that tourism hás contributed towards economic development in the Plateau State.This paper has given an insight of the reality of tourism business in Plateau State, Nigeria. It shows that it is not every tourism venture that is profitable as tourists have limits to the amount of gate fee which they are willing to pay.