THE ROLE OF TOURISM ACTIVITIES ON POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN ENUGU STATE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1  BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Tourism is an enterprise that provides a nation with a lucrative chain of economic opportunities. Tourism is described by Mathieson and Wall (1982) as "temporary travel of people to destinations outside of their workplace and normal place of residence, the activities they engage in while there, and the facilities given to meet their needs."

The role of tourism as a valuable force for poverty reduction has been formally recognized by international agencies and governments for some time (UNWTO, 2013). From the global perspective, tourism is estimated to contribute to global GDP in 2011 was US $6.3 trillion to 255 jobs (WTTC, 2011). This makes tourism the largest industry that transfers resources from rich people to poor. The development of tourism in Africa and other developing world depends focusing primarily on natural capitals such as wildlife, natural landscape, virgin beaches, and water body and natural forest. That means most tourists are attracted to natural attractions like mountains, beaches, wildlife and others. 

Poverty is a global issue that impacts countries, states, and individuals in various ways. It has an effect on individuals at different periods and stages in their lives on multiple levels and depths. There is no country that is fully impoverished. The biggest distinction is the severity and widespread nature of the phenomenon (Akeredolu, 2005). Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Latin America have the highest levels of poverty and, as a result, the lowest levels of social growth, constant crime, high levels of instability, and a poor standard of living (World Bank, 1996) However, Nigeria's high level of poverty, which has been chronic, is becoming concerning (Aluko, 1995). Poverty has pushed Nigeria into the unfortunate position of becoming one of the world's poorest countries (Anyawu, 2007), to the point that no country, organization, culture, or family can function efficiently without implementing some kind of poverty reduction strategy. Nigeria has a history of making such attempts, but she remains one of the world's poorest countries, ranking in the top 25 (World Bank, 2002). Alleviating poverty in Enugu through tourism activities will prove to be a huge transformation for Nigeria as a whole.

1.2   STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

Poverty is one of the major issues facing not only Nigerian states but also countries of the world at large. In Nigeria the growth rate of poverty has been on the increase, over the years, the rate at which people are constantly living under the average cost of living is quite alarming. Identifying various solutions and implementing these solutions would go a long way in achieving SDG 1 of the sustainable development goals (No Poverty). This study proffers tourism activities as a crucial part of poverty alleviation.

1.3  OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1.      To determine whether or not tourism activities can aid in alleviating poverty.

2.      To evaluate challenges facing tourism development initiatives in poverty alleviation in Enugu State.

3.      To identify actions to reduce challenges facing tourism activities in poverty alleviation in Enugu State.

1.4  RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1.      Can tourism activities alleviate poverty?

2.      What are the challenges facing tourism development activities in Enugu state?

3.      What possible actions can be taken to reduce challenges facing tourism activities in Enugu state?

1.5  SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will help the government realize a different way to alleviate poverty in Enugu state and perhaps extend such to other states in Nigeria. It will be helpful to researchers who wish to extend the scope of this research to other states in Nigeria and other tourism activities as they apply to the various states.

1.6  SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study covers tourism activities in Enugu state and how these activities can be used by the government to alleviate poverty in Enugu state.

1.7  LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The limitations of this study were mainly financial resources and time. The researcher did not have enough funds and time to widen the scope of this study to other states in Nigeria.

1.8  OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

1.      Tourism: it simply refers to visiting places of interests in countries or states.

2.      Poverty: A state of being completely poor in quality or insufficient in amount.

Poverty Alleviation: Reducing or lifting people out of poverty.