A Parsimonious Description of Tourism Variables for the Assessment and Promotion of Tourism Development in Rural Rivers State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The major components of tourism development in Rivers State, Nigeria were summarized for purposes of assessing the tourism potential of the study area for rural development. To achieve this, a total of 30 tourism sites representing 43% of the settlements were selected from a population of 70 recognized centres in the study area using a Table of Random Numbers. Data was collected on eleven (11) key rural variables capable of aiding in tourism development. These were collapsed using the multivariate technique of factor analysis. The result yielded a four dimensional solution which were identified as Culture, Climate/rural industrialization, Carnival/Ecological, and Creek development. It was also revealed from the study that 21 of the 30 communities (70%) had above average factor score on the four major dimensions of tourism development. The spread however showed that only 19% fared very well on Culture; 28% on Carnival and Creek development while 23.8% was on Climate attraction. The four factors derived from this study represented the major dimensions of tourism potential in the study area upon which rural development interest should focus. It was concluded that more needed to be done especially in the area of showcasing the culture of the area. Improvement in road network was recommended to pave the way for increased
patronage of the material culture of the area.