Patronage of Tourist Sites at Jos North LGA Plateau State
Chapter One
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The objectives of the study are;
- To review the concept and technique for analysing tourism destination patronage.
- To analyse patronage characteristics of tourism destinations in Jos.
- To identify factors motivating choice of tourism destinations.
- To identify factors militating against tourism patronage in Jos.
- To make recommendations for improvement of tourism destinations patronage in Jos.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
INTRODUCTION
Our focus in this chapter is to critically examine relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and furthermore recognize the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps.
Patronage: Concept
Patronage is the business that comes into an establishment generating revenue. Patronage can come in the form of customers, other businesses or companies; it can also be seen as business or activity provided by a patron. The patron in tourism context refers to the tourist who patronizes a destination. The facilities, attractions and publicity of a destination affect its patronage. Low patronage of a destination affects the usage of destination facilities and the morale of workers who depend on the tourism industry for their employment and sustenance. Patronage of tourism destinations has been very low in developing countries. This lukewarm attitude to tourism is to some extend a reflection of low patronage by proprietors of tourist‟s destinations. To a large extend, tourists in some cases are not aware of the diversity in term of such destinations, as publicity through print and visual media are not sufficient. Potential tourists therefore may not be fully harnessed, if they are not aware of the location and richness of tourist destinations. This is one of the major problems confronting tourism in developing countries (Ogunbodede, 2012).
TOURISM DESTINATION
The key characteristic of tourism is the fact that tourist travel away from the place they usually live in, to destinations. The concept of tourism destination is relatively clear: it is the place to which people travel, the end of the journey. Tourism destination has been defined differently in different tourism literatures some of these definitions are; 23 According to Keyser (2009), a tourism destination is a defined spatial area made up of a mix of tourism resources, created facilities and support services and infrastructure, which are managed, marketed and consumed under a single brand identity. Destinations are places towards which people and where they choose to stay for a while in order to experience certain features and characteristics, a perceived attraction of some sort (Leiper, 1995: 87). The European Union define tourism destination as an area which is separately identified and promoted to tourists as a place to visit, and within which the tourist product is co-ordinated by one or more identifiable authorities or organizations. The world tourism organization also define tourism destination as a physical space in which the visitors spend at least one night and is made up of tourism products such as support services and attractions, and tourism resources with physical and administrative boundaries that defines its management, images/perceptions of market competitiveness (world tourism organization, 2003). The following points can be drawn from the definitions: i. Destinations are defined geographical/spatial areas. ii. Destinations are the location of a mix of tourism resources, products and facilities used by tourists. iii. Destinations are unique entities that can be marketed under a single identity. iv. Destinations are managed by one or more authorities/organizations. Destinations are outlets for tourists desired to travel to experience places, people and environments away from where they live. People‟s views about the tourism experience and resources available at the tourism destination draw tourists from originating areas or markets along routes to the destination or tourist receiving area.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitute of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine patronage of tourist sites at Jos North local government of Plateau state using ministry of tourism in Jos, Plateau state as case study form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain patronage of tourist sites at jos north Local government area of Plateau state
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of patronage of tourist sites at jos north Local government area of Plateau state
Summary
This study was on patronage of tourist sites at jos north Local government area of Plateau state. Four objectives were raised which included: To review the concept and technique for analysing tourism destination patronage, to analyse patronage characteristics of tourism destinations in Jos, to identify factors motivating choice of tourism destinations, to identify factors militating against tourism patronage in Jos and to make recommendations for improvement of tourism destinations patronage in Jos.. The study adopted a survey research design and conveniently enrolled 80 participants in the study. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from ministry of tourism in jos, plateau state. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
Tourists are increasingly following special interests and regarding their trip experience as adventurous, recreational and educational. A successful destination should be able to identify tourist‟s interest and expectation, and to ensure the expectations are met or exceeded so as to attract more patronage and to also prolong their length of stay. If the recommendations proposed by the study are effected, in addition to developing the abundant tourism potentials in Jos, the destination will become a tourist haven in Nigeria, attracting both domestic and international tourists in large number which will therefore improve the socio-economic conditions of its people.
Recommendation
Policies and facilities favorable to both the young and the old should be implemented in other to attract tourists of all age group. A viable destination should be attractive to tourists of all age group, contrary to the findings in this study, where majority of the tourists are of the younger class (20-39 years). This is not good for the destination as certain group of tourists may feel discriminated from the destination.
Due to the frequent reoccurrence of crisis in Jos, the cultural festivals celebrated were cancelled and tourists in this study recorgnised cultural festivals as part of the factors motivating them to visit the study area. Therefore, as a way to revitalize the festivals, the state government through the state tourism board should partner with hospitality providers and the attraction centres to encourage the availability of cultural entertainment at hospitality facilities and attractions in other to show case and promote the culture of the people giving the fact that this is one of the essences of the festivals celebrated in Jos.
The prevalent means of information dissemination about Jos as revealed from the study are through relations and friends which lacks reliability and wider coverage, hence advertisement through mass media (internet, visual and audio media) should be intensify for a wider and reliable publicity of the destination. In the light of the above, the service of tour operators should be encouraged to boost the image of the destination. Their services which includes, provision of information, organization of trips and entertainment will bridge the gap and serve as link between the tourism industry and the outside world, thus promoting the destination image and attracting tourists to Jos.
References
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