Hospitality Tourism Impact on Socio-Economic Development in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the impact of hospitality tourism and socio-economic development in Rivers State, Nigeria. The development of hospitality tourism has become very crucial in economic diversification and changing paradigms of development in this 21st century. Nations that have keyed into the changing development would attest its multiplier effect on their economy, ranging from revenue generation, job opportunities, foreign exchange earnings, poverty alleviation and economic diversification. In this study, a field survey approach was adopted, that is, non-experimental design. The stratified random sampling technique was used to select one hundred (100) hotels and guest houses for the study from three senatorial zones of Rivers State. Data were obtained through the use of semi-structured questionnaire administered to five hundred (500) respondents among who are the managers, subordinate staffs and guest who were randomly selected from the sample size? The research question and the specific objective were analysed with descriptive statistical techniques of simple percentages and frequency distribution tables. The results revealed that hospitality tourism (hotels) have direct and indirect impacts on the lives of the people in Rivers State through job creation and revenue generation. It concluded that hospitality tourism have impacts on socio-economic development in Rivers State, which in turn promotes and enhances economic development in the area. Therefore, the study recommended that regular social events eg cultural days and exhibitions should be organised in the state to attract visitors and tourists that would make use of the hotels and guest houses. This will enhance socio-economic benefits and better living standard in the study area.