Assessing private sector as a panacea for destination development:A case study of the hospitality industry in Calabar, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper aims to assess private sector as a panacea for destination development in Calabar. Major private sectors that are involved in the development of hospitality industry were used for this study. The checklist and questionnaire were the methods used for data collection in this study. One hypothesis was tested using the multiple regression analysis. The result from the data collected indicates that the private sector have significantly contributed towards destination development in Calabar. The data collected on the socio-economic impact of the private sector on destination development shows that the private sector have significantly impacted socioeconomic development through employment generation, increase in government revenue, good security and it has encouraged the emergence of other tourism support services in the area. However, in spite of the tremendous impact of private sector efforts towards the development of hospitality industry in Calabar, their activities are challenged by various factors such as insecurity, political instability among others in Calabar. Nevertheless, adequate measures must be put in place to address the challenges faced by private sector in a bid to provide essential services to visitors in Calabar.

Gaze and Narratives on Heritage Values: Discarding the Views of Host Communities in Africa

“…In addition, other studies like Eja and Abonor (2017) and Nwankwo (2013), etc. are of the view that waterfalls have great tourism values if purposefully harnessed in that regard.…”

Tourism Management: A Panacea for Sustainability of Hospitality Industry

“…Effective destination management is germane to the success of tourism sector and the sustainability of hospitality industry (Goffi et al, 2019). Iwara et al (2017) indicated that effective destination management improved the provision of modern facilities, accommodations, amenities, security and continuous improvement of services offered in the destination, thereby providing memorable tourist and visitors experience as well as increasing tourist/visitors influx in the destinations which results in increased revenue generation for the sustainability of the hospitality industry. Paresashvili and Maisuradze (2016) emphasized that ensuring the availability of required technology and internet facilities in the destination enhances tourist experience and enables tourist and visitors to have information/data on the quality of services, amenities and attractions as well as images of the destination which could motivate tourist to visit the destination.…”

“…Also, proper destinations management is significant towards enhancing tourist/visitors experience, attract repeat visit and increase the revenue generation potential of the destination as well as sustainability of the hospitality industry (Brebbia and Pineda, 2012). Iwara et al (2017) highlighted that regulators and state tourism management agencies should focus attention on the management and development of tourism attraction sites because of its potentials towards enhancing the sustainability and growth of the hospitality industry. Furthermore, adequate management of tourist transportations systems as well as tourism intermediaries could improve tourist experience, visitors' patronage and sustainability of the hospitality industry.…”

“…Aligning with this finding Timareva et al (2015) indicated that destination management enhances tourism development and impact on the performance of hospitality firm. Similarly, Iwara et al (2017) indicated that effective destination management improved the provision of modern facilities, accommodations, amenities, enhanced security and continuous improvement of services offered in destinations, thereby providing memorable tourist and visitors experience as well as increasing tourist/visitors influx in the destinations which results in increased revenue generation as well as sustainability of the hospitality industry. Furthermore, the study result was supported by Zemla (2016), that effective destination management enhances the development of the destinations, tourism supply, facilities/infrastructure, improve services and attract repeat visit by tourist and visitors to the destination.…”