TABLE OF CONTENT
Title page
Approval page
Dedication
Acknowledgment
Abstract
Table of content
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
1.2 Statement of problem
1.3 Objective of the study
1.4 Research Hypotheses
1.5 Significance of the study
1.6 Scope and limitation of the study
1.7 Definition of terms
1.8 Organization of the study
CHAPETR TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
CHAPETR THREE
3.0 Research methodology
3.1 sources of data collection
3.3 Population of the study
3.4 Sampling and sampling distribution
3.5 Validation of research instrument
3.6 Method of data analysis
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
4.1 Introductions
4.2 Data analysis
CHAPTER FIVE
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Summary
5.3 Conclusion
5.4 Recommendation
Appendix
Abstract
Tourism become an engine for economic development and plays a great role towards socio-economic changes. According to Nigerian sentiment the pilgrim centers or redemption camp used to visit by number of tourists to earn virtue. This research project is however more in tune with the essence of tourism to developed and developing economies of the world. It seeks to particularly examine the subject matter of tourism and its socio-economic contributions to Nigeria. The theoretical framework for this paper is premised on the theoretical ideology of functionalism. Its research methodology is founded on the social survey method for a research design; data were collected from respondents both online and offline with the aid of structured questionnaires. The empirical part involved the use of qualitative research method which includes interviews and observations. The findings of this study revealed that the coastal line of Lagos as a tourist attraction has a positive socio-economic impact on the people of the area in terms of job creation, income generation, infrastructural development and other positive elements.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
- Background of the study
Tourism is the largest and fastest growing industry in the world. It accounts to about 7% of world capital investment with revenue predicted to rise up to 1.550 billion dollars by the year 2015. Africa has a meaningful share in the growing international tourism trade in terms of both tourist arrival and receipt. The importance of Nigerian tourism industry lies in its tourism resources in generating foreign exchange. The Central Bank of Nigeria revealed that the geometric increase in Nigerian tourism industry in which a total number of 828,906 tourists was registered in 2007 and about 900 billion tourist arrive worldwide has made tourism industry one of the most vibrant industries of the world, especially from the economic point of view. Nigeria has a land mass of about 365,000 square miles and she is a country of magnificent site, a wide range of fauna, excellent place for vacation, exploration and sightseeing. Man as a traveller is known since time immemorial. Initially their travel was for the quest of food followed by shelter. Generally with the passage of time their travel turned to several new dimensions-travel as an adventure, travel as hobby, for relaxation, to enjoy natural beauty, as a pilgrimage, to acquire knowledge on historical aspects and archaeological sites. Travel sometimes is associated with adventure and sometimes for religious purpose by visiting pilgrimages or by taking holy dip. All these are to quench the thirst of mind. Thus, travel or tour has a very important position in human life and ultimately tourism that is movement of people within their own country or across the national border became one of the largest and gainful industries in the economic domain of human life (Dasgupta and et al. 2007). Pilgrimages are not a destination only for our religious faith but they also strengthen our national unity and promote brotherhoodness also. Now the time has to come when these should be used to earn foreign exchange also keeping guarded our cultural heritage. On domestic front Pilgrim Tourism can be very helpful for regional development, employment generation, and can enroot again the cultural values. Many modern social evils, which are caused by materialism, can be cured with the help of religious tourism. Religious tourism generates revenue in a way as no other kind of tourism does. It has a distinct edge over other kinds of tourism due to the pull of huge crowds in the form of tourists (Chattopadhyay 2006). Pilgrim tourism to holy places (tirtha-yatra) is an ancient and continuing religious tradition of the Culture of Hindus. Here religion, as a cultural dimension, assumes the vital role and central focus of tourism in which the tourists (pilgrims) from all strata of the Hindus participate. In pilgrim tourism, the dimension of religion forms the basis of tourism of pilgrimage by offering the reward of purification of the soul and attainment of objectives related to the problems of mundane existence. Hindus from time immemorial were attracted to their numerous holy sites spread throughout India. Pilgrimage is thus a pan-human and pan Indian phenomenon, the meaning of which within the traditional structure of each religion, if not, within castes and communities. Man as a traveller is known since time immemorial. Initially their travel was for the quest of food followed by shelter. Generally with the passage of time their travel turned to several new dimensions-travel as an adventure, travel as hobby, for relaxation, to enjoy natural beauty, as a pilgrimage, to acquire knowledge on historical aspects and archaeological sites. Travel sometimes is associated with adventure and sometimes for religious purpose by visiting pilgrimages or by taking holy dip. All these are to quench the thirst of mind. Thus, travel or tour has a very important position in human life and ultimately tourism that is movement of people within their own country or across the national border became one of the largest and gainful industries in the economic domain of human life (Dasgupta and et al. 2007). Pilgrimages are not a destination only for our religious faith but they also strengthen our national unity and promote brotherhoodness also. Now the time has to come when these should be used to earn foreign exchange also keeping guarded our cultural heritage. On domestic front Pilgrim Tourism can be very helpful for regional development, employment generation, and can enroot again the cultural values. Many modern social evils, which are caused by materialism, can be cured with the help of religious tourism. Religious tourism generates revenue in a way as no other kind of tourism does. It has a distinct edge over other kinds of tourism due to the pull of huge crowds in the form of tourists (Chattopadhyay 2006). Pilgrim tourism to holy places (tirtha-yatra) is an ancient and continuing religious tradition of the Culture of Hindus. Here religion, as a cultural dimension, assumes the vital role and central focus of tourism in which the tourists (pilgrims) from all strata of the Hindus participate. In pilgrim tourism, the dimension of religion forms the basis of tourism of pilgrimage by offering the reward of purification of the soul and attainment of objectives related to the problems of mundane existence.
- STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Religious tourism is one of the earliest forms of tourism that was practiced by people travelling to holy sites. This form of tourism could be traced way back to the dawn of humanity. According to Biblical accounts, sacred religious sites were visited by admirers or people who shared the same faith and fellowship while exploring the holy sites. Today, these religious sites have become part of the cultural landscape within their environs and now constitute major players in the tourism market; thus, improving the economy of host communities. Cities like Mecca, Rome, Jerusalem etc continue to attract millions of visitors on a yearly basis. Nigeria is a country with many different religions. The good number of the people are Muslims, but there is also a large Christian community and many different ethnic religious communities. Thus, religious pilgrimages and travels are significant motivations today. Although many Nigerians profess either Christianity or Islam, they have continued to practice some of the older religious traditions like ancestor worship and the belief in deities. It is in view of this that the researcher is necessary.
- OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The study has one major objectives; which is divided into general and specific objective; the general objective is to examine the socio-economic contribution of religious tourist activities; the specific objectives are;
- To examine the effect of religious tourism on the socioeconomic development of Nigeria
- To ascertain if there is any significant relationship between religious tourist and socio economic growth in Nigeria
- To examine the socio-economic contribution of religious tourist activities on economic growth
- To proffer suggested solution to the identified problem
- RESEARCH QUESTION
The following research questions were formulated by the researcher to aid the completion of the study;
- Is there any significant relationship between religious tourist and socio economic growth in Nigeria?
- Is there any effect of religious tourism on the socioeconomic development of Nigeria?
- Does religious tourist activities contribute to the socio economic growth of Nigeria?
- RESEARCH HYPOTHESES
The following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher to aid the completion of the study;
H0: There is no significant relationship between religious tourist and socio economic growth in Nigeria
H1: There is a significant relationship between religious tourist and socio economic growth in Nigeria
H0: Religious tourism does not have any effect on the socioeconomic development of Nigeria
H2: Religious tourism does have an effect on the socioeconomic development of Nigeria
- SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
It is believed that at the completion of the study the findings will be of great importance to the Nigeria tourism sector as the findings will be of great importance to the management of Nigeria tourism sector as the study seek to explore the socio economic development of Nigeria as a result of tourist activities. The study will also be of great importance to researchers who intend to embark on a study in a similar topic as the findings of this study will serve as a pathfinder to further research. The study will also be of great importance to students, teachers, academia’s and the general public as the study will contribute to the pool of existing literature and also contribute to knowledge on the subject matter.
- SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The scope of the study covers the socio economic contribution of religious tourist activities on Nigeria economic growth, but in the course of the study there are some factors that limit the scope of the study;
AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study
TIME: The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.
FINANCE: The finance available for the research work does not allow for wider coverage as resources are very limited as the researcher has other academic bills to cover.
- OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS
Tourism
Tourism is travel for pleasure or business; also the theory and practice of touring, the business of attracting, accommodating, and entertaining tourists, and the business of operating tours
Religion
Religion is a social-cultural system of designated behaviors and practices, morals, worldviews, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics, or organizations, that relates humanity to supernatural, transcendental, or spiritual elements
Economic contribution
An economic contribution is defined as the gross changes in a region’s existing economy that can be attributed to a given industry, event, or policy.
Tourism
Tourism is travel for pleasure or business; also the theory and practice of touring, the business of attracting, accommodating, and entertaining tourists, and the business of operating tours
1.9 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY
This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows
Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), statement of problem, objectives of the study, research question, significance or the study, research methodology, definition of terms and historical background of the study. Chapter two highlight the theoretical framework on which the study its based, thus the review of related literature. Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding. Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.
