CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Tourism sector according to David Diaz Benavides (2001) is probably the only services sector that provides concrete and qualified trading opportunities for all nations, regardless of their level of development. According to him, the sector also provides an uneven distribution of benefits, which is threatening the social, economic and environmental sustainability of tourism in some developing countries (Benavides 2001). Tourism has become a major source of economic development and diversification for many developing countries. Tourism for Nigeria is yet to become a channel of employment creation, income generation and revenue mobilization for a country with over 170 million people. Although, the developed countries account for a higher proportion of global tourism, and many developing countries are beginning to take advantage of the huge opportunities offered by tourism. (Ayeni & Ebohon 2012)
Nevertheless, this is only possible among the countries that have all it takes to promote tourism. The huge advantages in tourism can be achieve with the availability of natural, manmade, cultural, and enhancing infrastructure supporting the growth and development of tourism in the country. Most developing countries like Nigeria for example practise monoeconomy, which means the country generate bulk of her foreign exchange from a particular economic product “crude oil”. However, many of these countries are beginning to see the importance of tourism and the needs for economic diversification. Nigeria has always being known as a petroleum exporting country, she is one of the largest producers of petroleum. And the country’s main stay is crude oil. However, the country has decided to join the trial to diversify her economy from the production of crude oil in other to create more employment opportunities and to generate more foreign income. (Ayeni & Ebohon 2012)
Tourism is not limited only to activities in the accommodation and hospitality sector, transportation sector and entertainment sector with visitor attractions, such as, theme parks, amusement parks, sports facilities, museums etc., but tourism and its management are closely connected to all major functions, processes and procedures that are practiced in various areas related to tourism as a system. Also, tourism industry involves the functions of planning, organizing, coordinating, training and monitoring-evaluating at all levels (international, national, regional, local). Therefore, tourism integrated into the functional unit of the economy (Simoni & Mihai, 2012).
Although people had always travelled not only for leisure purposes or for relaxation, there had also been those who had travelled for entertainment and business purposes, either to a meeting, conference, workshop, event and etc., and these people or tourists had contributed to the growth of the destinations they had visited directly or indirectly, and at large developed the event tourism industry as a whole.
One will agree that tourism whether on a large scale or low scale, in no small measure affects the host community. This is particularly evident during the period of the events and sometimes afterwards. Tourism is an economic sector able to offer a significant contribution to the economic growth of a region and to the labor market, and creates occupation opportunities directly and indirectly through the supply of goods and the necessary services for tourist activities. Moreover, tourism produces social benefits to the region (i.e. small and medium-sized enterprises’ development, creation of new jobs, improvement of infrastructure etc.). Culturally, tourism is considered as an element of community enrichment; this is attributed to the meeting of different cultures. Also, tourism can positively contribute to the maintenance of natural environment by protecting, creating or maintaining national parks or other protected areas.
In the past tourism in Ogun State has only been focused and concentrated at the Olumo Rock which located at the state capital Abeokuta but with time other towns with tourist attraction sites began to spring up and have also developed into world renowned sites. Apart from the Olumo Rock, other tourist destinations that have sprung up around the state includes the Osuuru spring and the Atapele rock of salvation at Imeko-Afon, the shrine of Bilikisu Sungbo (the final resting place of the biblical Queen of Sheba) at Oke-Eri, Sodeke Memorial Cenotaph and so on. One important fact about tourism in Ogun State is that most of the tourism sites have some form of religious significant to the people of the area and as such they can be regarded as a religious tourism site. Example includes the Atapele rock and the Bilikisu Sungbo shrine. Aside from these well-known tourism sites that are scattered around the state the are some potential tourism sites that are yet to be keyed into and developed by the state. For example the Oyan river dam and the Federal University of Agricultural Abeokuta (FUNAAB) zoo park.
Nigeria is a rich country when it comes to tourism because, the country is blessed with all it takes to be a tourists’ destination. The country’s tourism potentials range from natural, manmade, and cultural attractions but they lacks management, enhancing and supporting infrastructure around the attractions for easy access and development. However, this area is the business potential in the country now. Many benefits have been set out for local and foreign investors that believe in the industry (Ayeni & Ebohon 2012). Sustainable tourism concept is used to harmonize and reconcile issues of intergenerational equity, the goals of economic growth, environmental protection, and justice. It recognizes the need for fairness between local individuals and groups, and between hosts and guests (Mbaiwa 2005).
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
One of the problems of tourism in developing countries is the problem of durability of the tourism sites. By durability we refer to the longevity of the tourism sites. This can be achieved through maintenance of the sites to prolong their usage and increase their importance to tourism in the area.
Also the problem of disintegration or breakdown of tourism phenomena. Here the focus is on the natural and human processes that causes their breakdown and how or what method can be employed to slowdown or curb this processes. Safety is of paramount interest in all we do and as such safety is another focus of the report work. So the question that arises is how safe are this sites to human patronage as such the safety gadget in place at the tourism site must also be considered. Finally, is the problem that has to do with impact and vices of tourism on the people living in the areas under study. This problem could have risen as a result of the activities of the tourist or their habit in and around the tourism site and can also impact not only on the people but also on the tourism sites and location.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The main objective of this study is to examine the Impact of tourism activities to the local community: A case study of Olumo rock Abeokuta. The specific objectives of this study include the following:
1. To ascertain the perception of people on tourism activities in Olumo rock Abeokuta.
2.
To find out the economic effects of tourism activities in Olumo rock on the community.
3.
To examine the problems and challenges of tourism in Abeokuta Ogun state.
4.
To suggest ways of improving tourism in Abeokuta Ogun state.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The relevant research questions related to this study include the following:
1. What are the perception of people on tourism activities in Olumo rock Abeokuta?