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THE IMPACT OF TRANSPORTATION IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY (A CASE STUDY OF YOUNG SHALL GROW MOTORS)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

For age long decades, travelling has always been a part of man. People travel for various reasons ranging fromcommerce, education, pleasure, relaxation, exploration, events and even for the fun of it. Travelling for various purposes is associated with man (Walker and Walker, 2011:14). Travelling dates back to the existence of man (Ashamu, 2007:19). He added that it was in the course of travelling, tourism was discovered.Right from the prehistoric period to the Neolithic age precisely between 4000 and 5000 B.C, individuals travelled for the purpose of their safety and to fend for their needs.

One of the factors that contribute to the social and economic development of a nation is having a dependable and efficient transportation system.Storey (1969) and Dawson and Barwell (1993) assert that transportation enhances the regional development of a country, though it has a positive, negative and neutral effect on an economy. In the positive light, it triggers rapid development, in the negative it leads to migration, easy spread of diseases and while in the neutral, are cases where transport facilities do not contribute to productivity at all. Transportation helps in the wealth creation of an economy, even as it helps bring investors who will utilize the available resources of the nation; it equally helps in the exportation of goods and services. Transportation contributes in improving the standard of living of people because it helps to generate income for those who are into it and the residents of areas where this transport companies are situated (Lucas,1998).

Tourism cannot be fully achieved without transportation, as it is what drives tourism.Tourism and transportation are used interchangeably by people, but it is pertinent to know that there are two different things; as all tourists are travelers but not all travelers are tourists (Chadwick, 1994:65).

Road transportation is a very common means of transportation among Nigerians. Most Nigerians prefer traveling by road not because it is the safest, but tends to be the cheapest after water transportation. Bearing in mind that transportation and tourism are both linked together, road transport seems to be the best as it has support services that promote tourism like fuel stations, auto mechanics and even rest facilities (Culpan 1987, 547). Currently in Nigeria, there are many road transport companies competing for travelers; the competition is really much as we now have road transport companies going the extra mile to offer great services to their passengers in other to stay on top of the competition. These days we have cars with car conditioners, price reduction for families travelling with infants, etc.

However, the travel and tourism sector of Nigeria have been growing in limbs and bounds recently. Based on a report from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), this sector has greatly increased the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nigeria in the past few years. Furthermore, not minding the current recession, the travel and tourism industry is contributing to help revive the economy. Due to this, the government has embarked on measures to help sustain this industry and use it as a tool to achieve its 2020 vision (Jetlife 2012:7). Though the major challenge of Nigerian roads being in deplorable state still poses a challenge, and that is why this study aims at examining the impact of transportation in the tourism industry.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The deplorable state of Nigeria roads keeps posing a challenge on the success of tourism in Nigeria. Many tourists are discouraged due to the bad states of our roads. Some on imaging the risks of traveling on bad roads coupled with the after-effect of it on after such trips feel discouraged. Due to this, investors are discouraged from visiting tourist sites in Nigeria.

In addition, poor management of our transport system contributes to the problem of transportation in the tourism industry. The road transport companies of Nigeria have limitations ranging from employment of incompetent drivers, continued usage of worn out vehicles with worn out parts and poor services when it comes to the treatment of passengers. Also, problem of inconsistent transport fares; it is a known fact that there is no agency that controls the rate of transport fare in Nigeria. As a result of this, transport companies fix fares indiscriminately, whether in the face of fuel scarcity or not.

All these culminate to negatively affect the tourism industry of Nigeria and this study aims at examining the impact of transportation in the tourism industry.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

The main aim of the research work is to examine the impact of transportation on tourism in Nigeria; other specific objectives of the study are stated below as follows:

1.  To examine the relationship between transportation and tourism development in Nigeria.

2.  To determine the effect of transportation on the rate of patronage in most tourist centers in Nigeria.

3.  To investigate  the factors affecting the ease of transportation and the growth of tourism in Nigeria.

4.  To examine the roles of management in transportation efficiency in young shall grow motors.

5.  To examine the effect bad road on transportation in Nigeria.

6.  To proffer solution to the above problem

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The study came up with the following research question in order to ascertain the above stated objectives; the research questions are stated below as follows:

1.  Is there any relationship between transportation and tourism development in Nigeria?

2.  What is the effect of transportation on the rate of patronage in most tourist centers in Nigeria?

3.  What are the factors affecting the ease of transportation and the growth of tourism in Nigeria?

4.  What are the roles of management in transportation efficiency in young shall grow motors?

5.  What is the effect bad road on transportation in Nigeria?

RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

Hypothesis 1

H0: there is no mean difference in the responses of the respondents based on the level of experience that effective management helps improve transportation efficiency in young shall grow motors

H1: there is mean difference in the responses of the respondents based on the level of experience that effective management helps improve transportation efficiency in young shall grow motors

Hypothesis 2

H0: There is no significant relationship between transportation and tourism development in Nigeria.

H1: There is significant relationship between transportation and tourism development in Nigeria.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study is meant to inform, educate, sensitize and enlighten the general public, government and road transport company owners on the impact of transportation in the tourism industry.

This study aims at reminding the government-both state and federal of the ever-poor state of our roads and the need to look into putting them in good shapes.

Road transport companies like ‘The Young Shall Grow Motors” needs to review their services in other not to lose customers to their competitors and to equally promote tourism in Nigeria.

This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this topic and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other work or study.