THE ROLE OF RELIGION ON TOURISM INDUSTRY IN NIGERIA

1.1 Introduction

Since religious adherents and tourists frequently share spaces, they both contribute to giving these spaces meanings and maintaining the sacred quality of locations that welcome both casual and ardent visitors. The tourism sector contributes significantly to the economies of all nations by creating jobs, incomes, tax revenues, and foreign exchange. While travelers contribute to the GDP and the economic income, all of these features are the result of their visits to the destinations.

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of technical terms.

1.2 Background to the Study

Several scholars have addressed religion as a universal phenomenon, including J.S. Mill, Emile Durkheim, and E.B. Idowu. It originated roughly 2,000 years ago, making it as old as mankind. Since neither religion nor travel would be possible without people, it follows that people engage in both activities. According to a study, understanding a person's religion is essential for building strong relationships with them because it serves as the center around which all other aspects of their lives revolve. The wave of westernization appears to be driving African religion—in particular, its practices and acts to extinction because of these factors (Awolalu & Dopamu, 2005: 278).

African customs, beliefs, and values have become extinct or epileptic due in part to the arrival of white people and the introduction of Christianity, their own religion. Africans have been duped into believing that our African religion is no longer valuable, interesting, or worthy. Dopamu & Awolalu, 2005: 284). African religion is marked by many difficulties. A case where the priesthood is hereditary and it is found that the person has left to continue his education when it comes to his turn is an excellent example.

Recent research has shown that one of the economic sectors with the fastest rate of growth is tourism. A study conducted in 2003 by Mani found that the tourism industry in the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and the United States, as well as certain African nations like Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa, grew at a rate of four percent per year. He went on to say that the rise in visitor arrivals has led to an expansion in the tourism industry. Empirical evidence suggests that tourism accounts for roughly 10% of an economy and employs roughly 10% of the global labor force (Mirbabayer & Shagazatova, 2009).

Furthermore, the World Tourism Organization (WTO) projects that, compared to 567 million in 1995, there will be 1.7 billion foreign tourists visiting the world by 2020 (ILO, 2001). Nonetheless, Nigeria's singular culture presents a significant obstacle to the expansion of the travel and tourism sector. Nigeria's economy, which benefits from abundant natural resources and a pleasant climate, all help to make the tourism sector extremely successful.

Due to the numerous ways in which religion influences tourism, its influence on its development is quite wide. International and domestic tourists alike find religious sites to be appealing travel destinations in many countries across the world. In order to attract and retain visitors, the success and expansion of these tourist destinations depend on how well they are maintained. Because of how often visitors come, religion has up until now kept tourism destinations relatively active.

1.3 Statement of the Problem

Investigation revealed that over time, it has been observed that our African religion is gradually vanishing. This has a big effect on the tourism industry in Nigeria. The advent of Christianity and Westernization have destroyed our values, beliefs, and customs. Consequently, tourist locations connected to these religions have been closed.

Similar to this, the government of Nigeria has little to no interest in funding and maintaining tourist attractions because the country is a mono-economy. Furthermore, Nigerians do not treat visitors with much hospitality. Through our words and deeds, Nigerians often frighten foreign visitors, deterring them from coming to the country or returning. All these culminate in the problems associated with the impact of religion on the development of tourism and hospitality industry of Nigeria; and this study seeks to proffer solutions to them.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study 

The main aim of this study is to examine the role of religion on tourism industry in Nigeria. Other specific objectives of the study are stated below as follows:

1. To investigate on the contribution of living faith church to the development of tourism and hospitality industry of Nigeria;
2. To examine the relationship between religion and tourism development in Nigeria;
3. To examine the effect of Christianity on tourism and hospitality development in Nigeria;
4. To determine the factors affecting the tourism and hospitality industry of Nigeria; and
5. To proffer solution to the above problems.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with the following research questions so as to ascertain the above stated objectives. The research questions are as follows:

• Is there any the relationship between religion and tourism development in Nigeria?
• What is the effect of Christianity on tourism and hospitality development in Nigeria?
• What are the contributions of living faith church to the development of tourism and hospitality industry of Nigeria?
• What are the factors affecting the tourism and hospitality industry of Nigeria?

1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: Religion has no significant effect on the development of the tourism and hospitality industry of Nigeria
• H1: Religion has a significant effect on the development of the tourism and hospitality industry of Nigeria. 

1.7 Significance of the Study

This study is meant to inform, educate and enlighten the general public, government and policy makers on the role of religion on tourism industry. This study aims at educating the general public on the importance of religion on the development of the tourism and hospitality industry of Nigeria. It is meant to remind the general public that they have a role to play in development of the tourism and hospitality industry of Nigeria.

This study is additionally meant to serve as a reminder to Nigeria's government that they bear a disproportionate amount of the responsibility for the growth of the country's tourism and hospitality sectors. It is intended to motivate them to work hard to accomplish this.

Finally, policy makers contribute equally to the realization of religion's role in the tourism sector. It is anticipated that policies promoting the growth of Nigeria's tourism and hospitality sector will be developed.

1.8 Justification of the Study 

The research will shed more light on those who are religiously inclined and also examine and demonstrate the religious practices that have drawn people as part of tourism. The research is focused on the religious activities and events that take place in the "living faith World" (Winners Chapel Head-quarters) located in Idi-iroko, Out, Ogun State, Nigeria.

1.9 Definition of Terms 

Tourism:

The relationship of phenomenon arising from voluntary travel and stay of an individual away from his/ her usual place of residence to a pre-determined destination in search of pleasure, leisure etc and are not connected with any remunerated activity.

Tourist:

This is an individual that is involved in tourism activities. According to MCINTOSH and Gupta (1999).

Visitor:

It is someone travelling from his place of usual residence to another place, but not primarily for tourism activities but enjoys such activities during his stay (UNESCO definition of tourism 2001).

Tourist Attractions:

These are the physical and natural images or activities that motivates people (tourists) for visit.

Tourist Destinations:

These refer to the places where the tourist attractions are located or sited.

Religion:

These are set of rules that are taught which govern one to follow and to worship his/ her creator spiritually.

Hotel (Hospitality Industry):

It is an establishment that renders the services of food and drinks, accommodation to people (tourists) who are willing and able to pay for the services rendered to them by the establishment.