IMPACT OF TRANSPORTATION IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY

Abstract

This study was on impact of transportation in the tourism industry. Three objectives were raised which included: To assess the current system of road transport used by tourists in Owerri Municipal,  to assess the impact of transportation on tourism in Imo state and to examine coping strategies that are used by tourists to deal with challenging road transport system in Imo state. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from Imo state. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).

 Chapter one

Introduction

1.1Background of the study   

The state of natural attractions and tourism management has been the focus of much research over the years. Tourism affects all aspects of the natural environment. There is a need to study the “environmental inter-relationships…especially in ecologically sensitive areas such as small islands, reefs, desert oases, and tropical habitats” as these areas most often offer the “greatest tourism potential” (Inskeep, 1987, p 120). Degrees of impact vary according to the number of tourists, the resilience of the ecosystem to the pressure wrought by tourism, time, the changing fashions in tourism, and the transformational nature of tourism itself (Burns and Associates, 1989).  

Transportation links the various destinations and ferries people, goods, and services. Tourism is all about travel; and the role of transportation in its operation is vital. It is largely due to the improvement of transportation that tourism has expanded. The advent of flight has shrunk the world, and the motor vehicle has made travel to anywhere possible. This reality coupled with changing work patterns and innovative marketing has driven international mass tourism through the years.

Culpan (1987, p 546) identified transportation modes and management as the “important ingredients of the international tourism system,” acknowledging that linkage by air, sea and land modes is essential for the operations as well as the availability of support services such as fuel stations, auto repair, motels and rest facilities for land travel.

Advances in transportation have widely eased travel. It is attributed to the ease and accessibility of modern transport that has spurred the widespread growth of nature tourism within the United States and overseas (Honey, 1999). The increase in the number of visitors to what were once remote areas has resulted in degradation and damage of the resources prompting the need to re-evaluate the role of transportation in the exercise. Impacts of tourism development include soil erosion or compaction, clearance of vegetation to give way to roads and tourism facilities, recreation use of off-road vehicles, trail bikes, snowmobiles, horses, and even the trampling of pedestrians (Buckley, 1996). The careful planning of sensitive areas which includes the utilization of zoning to determine areas for facilities and tourist activities and to protect natural areas and discourage development, and the planning of roads, hiking and riding trails should be integrated into the natural environment (Inskeep, 1987).

Statement of the problem

Tourist attraction in Imo state is growing. According to Mjingo (2011), there are about 10,000 tourists in the city who need transport to go to tour site and travelling back home. But the safety of travelling for these tourists, most of them rely on the erratic road transport system, which is at stake most of the time. Mjingo (2011) also reports that Imo state has about  tourist sites.

But most of these tour sites have no proper transport arrangements for their tourists. University of Imo state (2008) observed that the tourists travel to various tour sites and back home with a lot of difficulty. When travelling from the outskirts of the city to their respective tour sites, tourists face the inconvenience of commuting unreliable road transport. This means that the future of transport system for tourists who use road transport system in Imo state is uncertain.

But on the other hand, University of Imo state (2008) argues that some road transport systems like peace transit have an orderly way of transporting both tourists and citizens within and out of the city, these public transits although expensive, provide safe and comfortable movement giving tourism a positive effect as the problem of transportation is reduced Those who use tour buses are mainly those attending private tour sites in the city. This group is privileged with less difficulty in travelling compared with their fellows who use road transport system. One would wonder what happened to tourists who face such transport challenges both personally and in their social activities. At the same time one would want to know what are the benefits enjoyed by tourists who use tour buses to travel over those who use road transport system

Objective of the study

Specific objectives of the study were as follows:

• To assess the current system of road transport used by tourists in Owerri Municipal.
• To assess the impact of transportation on tourism in Imo state.
• To examine coping strategies that are used by tourists to deal with challenging road transport system in Imo state.

Research hypotheses

The following research hypotheses were formulated

H1: there is no impact of transportation on tourism in Imo state.

H2: there are no strategies that are used by tourists to deal with challenging road transport system in Imo state

Significance of the study

The study contributes towards the on-going discussions and initiatives taken by various stakeholders towards providing reliable transport to tourists. The study also adds on information about the impact of poor transport system on tourism peace transit owners will use the available information to up their management of their transport systems, passenger treatment and proper management of their vehicles. Tourism organizers in Ebony will have a second look into the transport sector as a major factor in setting up a tourist event, as it will involve transporting tourists around. This study provides information on the impact of those challenges on tourists‟ tourism development especially in Imo state

Scope and limitation of the study

The scope of the study covers impact of transportation in the tourism industry. The study will be limited to Imo state

The following constraints were encountered in the course of this work. .

Lack of reliable data: The Respondents’ unwillingness to give out available and reliable data was major constrain in the course of the study.

Dearth of Research materials: The researcher was constrained in the search of research materials. Most current books and journals on the related area are not free, and so the researchers was limited to those materials she could afford.

Measure used to collect data: Secondary data would have been more appropriate for the post-evaluation analysis, but because it was difficult to separate and link percentage (%) increase in turnover to employee training, primary data was used.

Self-reported data: Self reported data was a major limitation of the study, because it rarely can be independently verified. The researcher had to take what the respondents said at face value. Nonetheless, with available data and judicious use of the limited resources, reasonable analysis was carried out to ensure that research findings add up to the body of knowledge.

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