The Contributions and Challenges of Sustainable Tourism Development in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study identified the major challenges of tourism development in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. Questionnaire survey was adopted to collect data for the research. A cross-sectional study design with qualitative and quantitative approach was used. Both primary and secondary data were used. The target populations were selected using purposive sampling method. Hotel managers in Calabar were contacted with copies of questionnaire for the survey, since they are the direct tourist operators and they have stable population. Data were analyzed to draw inferences and make conclusions using both qualitative and quantitative approach. The hypotheses were tested using appropriate statistical technique. Findings revealed that destruction of natural resources in destination, lack of funding for tourism development destination, lack of funding for tourism development and resources competition from other sectors were given less priority given that tourism investment, insufficient investment incentives and lack of policy supports were the major challenges in Calabar. Based on the findings, the study recommended that government should invest on tourism resorts to encourage local and foreign investors to participate in establishing and managing tourism resort in Calabar. Besides, dilapidated tourism infrastructures should be renovated to enhance constant patronage from tourists.