ABSTRACT

This study investigated the problems and prospects of tourism development in Abia and Enugu states using Nike Lake Resort, Enugu and National War Museum, Umuahia as case studies. The study specifically identified the problems impeding tourism development in Abia and Enugu states and established a relationship between the problems and location. Four objectives, four research questions and four (4) hypotheses were formulated for the study. A total of 151 respondents were selected through 'S. stratified random sampling technique from a population of 243 in the studied areas. The instruments used for data collection were questionnaire and interview schedule. Relevant data were collected and coded and descriptive (percentages) and inferential (chi-square test) statistics were used to the analyze data. The findings of this study suggested that inadequate infrastructure and facilities, inadequate promotion, insufficient funds, low level manpower, security and safety measures, poor perception of tourism and noninvolvement of the host communities were the problems affecting tourism development in the areas studied. Conversely, the study showed that the prospects of tourism development were; partnership with the various stakeholders, the provision of infrastructural facilities, manpower planning programmes, embracing advances in technology and adoption of sustainability type of development. Based on the findings from the study the researcher recommended that government in collaboration with other stakeholders should provide adequate infrastructural facilities, overhaul funding mechanism, improve security and safety, and embrace advances in technology and the adoption of sustainable strategy in tourism development.