Assessment of Tourism Potential for Sustainable Developmentinthe Coastal Communities of Akwa IbomState, Nigeria
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Abstract
Nigeria stands a great chance of surviving the current economic meltdown facing the entire globe if it could focus more on tourism by forging a symbiotic partnership with foreign countries for culture and tourism in developing and marketing their potentials to boost patronage of local and foreign tourists. This research sought to assess tourism potential for Sustainable Development in the Coastal Communities of Akwa Ibom State. The study was descriptive in nature and adopted multi-stage sampling techniques involving purposive and snow ball with each of the LGA being used as a cluster with thirty five (35) respondents selected from each of the clusters, while the remaining fifteen (15) respondents were chosen from the same population, based on their fair knowledge of the subject matter which makes a sampled population of 400 respondent. The result shows that indeed the estuarial corridor of Akwa Ibom State is richly blessed in tourism potentials and can develop tourist industry. As such, the researchers recommend a declaration of state of emergency in the tourism subsector of the State economy. This will lead to holistic development of tourism infrastructure across the State and a comprehensive tour guide and calendar of tourism based cultural festivals. Also, the researchers recommend the development and production of a standard Tourism Development Master-plan for Akwa Ibom State.
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