The Influence of Religion on the Development Tourism and Hospitality Industry in Ekiti State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This research work examined the Influence of religion on tourism and hospitality industry in Ekiti State. The objectives of the study are to: investigate the understanding of people about religion, to examine the relevance of tourism on religion and to identify the challenges to the development of religious tourism. The descriptive research design of survey type was used in this research work. The simple random sampling technique was used to select the sample used for the study. A total of Two Hundred (200) questionnaires were administered on the respondents and One Hundred and Sixty Five (165) questionnaires were returned to the researcher. The data obtained was therefore analyzed using counts, graphs and charts. Findings from the study revealed that people have a fair perception of towards religious tourism and also claimed that their religion encourages tourism development s it contributes to its growth through various activities they involve in. It was also revealed that tourism industry has contributed immensely to religion and national integration in the country. However, tourism faces a lot of challenges which can be attributed to; unfavourable government policies, un-involvement of professionals in the field of tourism and also environmental degradation and change. Based on the facts obtained in the study, it was therefore recommended that; the government of the day should invest heavily in the tourism and hospitality sector to mitigate the effect of economic hardship experienced in the state and the country at large. Government should create favourable environment to investors in the tourism sector by reducing tax accrued to tourism centres and professionals in the field of tourism sector by reducing tax accrued to tourism centres and professionals in the field of tourism and hospitality management should be involved in governance i.e. where policies relating to tourism in the country are at stake in order to make sustainable decisions. Infrastructural development should be put in place so as to improve service delivery and raise the standard of Nigerian tourism.