Assessing the Tourism Potentials and Development Challenges in Cross River State South Senatorial District: A Case Study of Selected Sites in Calabar Municipality and Akpabuyo. 0 0
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60787/jete.vol8no1.88Keywords:
tourism development, stakeholder participation, tourism potentials, Cross River State, sustainable tourism, South Senatorial DistrictAbstract
This study assessed the relationship between the availability of tourism potentials, stakeholder participation, and tourism development in Cross River State South Senatorial District, with specific focus on selected sites in Calabar Municipality and Akpabuyo. Guided by two hypotheses, the study adopted a descriptive survey design, which enabled systematic data collection and analysis from a representative population. A total of 394 respondents, including government officials, community leaders, local tourism business operators, and residents, were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire validated by subject matter experts and pilot-tested for reliability (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.83). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze demographic data, while inferential statistics, specifically simple linear regression, were used to test the hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed a strong and statistically significant positive relationship between the availability of tourism potentials and tourism development. Similarly, stakeholder participation was found to significantly influence tourism development (R = .862, R² = .743, p < .001). These results led to the rejection of both null hypotheses. The study concludes that both the presence of tourism potentials and inclusive stakeholder engagement are critical to advancing sustainable tourism development in the region. Based on these findings, recommendations were made for infrastructure development, policy reform, inclusive participation, and strategic marketing to fully harness the tourism potential of Cross River State South Senatorial District.
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