Tourism Development in Nigeria: Implications on the ...

Icheke Journal of the Faculty of Humanities Vol.17. No.3 October, 2019 www.ichekejournal.com

Tourism Development in Nigeria: Implications on the Environment 259

Tourism Development in Nigeria: Implications on the Environment

By

Ibimilua, Foyeke Omoboye

Department of Geography

College of Education

Ikere-Ekiti Ekiti State

[email protected]

Abstract

Tourism is one of the largest and first growing industries in the

world. Tourism as an industry is capable of improving socio-

economic and the environmental status of any nation of the world

at large. The quality of the natural and man-made environment

however is important to tourism. The relationship of tourism with

the environment is complex. It entails many activities that can have

adverse environmental effects. Many of these impacts are linked

with construction of infrastructures such as roads, airports and

tourists facilities like hotels, shops and restaurants. These can

gradually destroy the environmental resources on which tourism

depends. On the other hand, tourism impacts positively on the

environment by contributing to environmental protection and

conservation and even to the economic importance. In this paper, the

positive and the negative impacts of tourism are discussed and

preventive steps towards sustainable tourism are proposed.

Key words: Environment, Environmental Impacts, Sustainability and

Tourism.

Introduction

The roots of concern about the human impact on the environment

can be traced back to ancient civilization (Hardy, Beeton and Pearson, 2002).

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The philosophy of the earth being viewed as a living goddess was revealed

by Greek literature. However, the dominant view of the environment was

centered around human’s mastery of nature. It was believed that people

could conquer the environment and use its resources for human progress.

This is viewed as the imperial or anthropocentric perspective on the

environment and this has dominated human thinking to the present day.

The concern about the quality of the environment and the future of tourism

industry has increased as the impact of tourism becomes more glaring.

Tourism is seen as one of the world largest economic activities and the

environment on which much of it depends is an important economic asset.

Munt and Mowforth (2003) observed that the tourism industry

highly relies on the natural resources of the environment and this has

significant environmental, cultural, social and economic impacts, mostly in

an adverse manner. These negative impacts from tourism occur when the

level of visitor use is greater than environment’s ability to cope with this

use within acceptable limits of change. Uncontrolled conventional tourism

posses potential threats to many natural areas around the world. It can put

enormous pressure on an area and lead to impacts such as soil erosion,

increased pollution, discharge into the sea, natural habitat loss, increased

pressure on endangered species and heightened vulnerability to forest fires.

It often puts a strain on water resources and it can force local populations

to compete for the use of critical resources.

Jinwel and Xianrong (2018) examined the perceptions and attitudes

of local residents in china about tourism development. Their findings

shows that tourism development is a major pre-requisite to participation in

tourism. Hence, tourists form positive attitudes towards places with

tourism development. Similarly, Kobi, Alon and Noam (2018) perceived the

forest as a leisure, recreation and tourist space and part and parcel of

nature-based tourism. Using an Israeli case study, they found out that

spatial processes have transformed Israeli’s forest to larens of leisure,

recreation and tourism. They inferred that a cordial relationship exist



between tourism and the environment. In essence, a conducive

environment is a requirement for sustainable tourism.

However, the need for sustainable tourism that can generate

substantial economic benefits without impacting the environment is very

paramount. On this Note, Schaffer, (2016) investigated the preparedness of

regional destinations for new and developing markets. He concluded that

ill-preparedness for markets can lead to low levels of tourist satisfaction,

reduced re-visitation, as well as fewer word – of – mouth recommendations.

He noted that all these can affect the growth and development of tourism

negatively. Hence, he recommended service provision and resource

allocation for existing markets as strategies for sustainable tourism.

Tourism Development and the Environment

One of the phrases most frequently used by tourism marketers to

describe a destination is 'un-spoilt'. The desire to escape to a seemingly

untouched environment is strong for many tourists and generally tourism

takes place in nature-based attractions and other attractive environments.

For instance, Unnur (2013) used the concepts of tourist gaze and the

romantic wilderness ideology to assess the historical development of

nature-based tourism in Iceland. He found out that the development of

nature-based attraction can create a widespread demand, interest,

patronage and participation in tourism. Similarly, using tourism

satisfaction index model and the expectancy – disconfirmation framework,

Elizabeth, Raymond, Alexandru and Amare (2016) found out tourism

development is required for the achievement of tourist satisfaction and

sustainable development. They identified a strong correlation between

satisfaction and loyalty.

Tourism development in many places has led to deterioration in

environmental quality. In many locations tourism development has taken

place with little regard for the natural environment, while it is recognized

that tourism is an important contributor to the economy, the growth of

tourism has prompted debate about environmental consequences and the

desirability of further development. The effects of mass tourism and



increasing awareness of the human impact on environment in the 1960's led

to a general realization that nature is not an inexhaustible resource. In his

own assessment of the impacts of tourism, Young, (1973) identified that

tourism has contributed to the physical deterioration of natural and built

environment. Other studies such as Krippendorf (1987): The Holiday

makers, Wood and House (1991): The Good Tourist has pointed out the fact

that total international tourists numbers have risen rapidly at global and

regional scale and there has also been a switch to more environmentally

sensitive form of tourism such as wildlife tourism, and eco-tourism, which

brings with it major environmental concerns (see also Zurich, 1992;

Godwin, 1996; Ceballos-Lascurian, 1996; Fennel 1999; Weaver, 2002; Orams,

1995; Nepal, 1997; Murphree, 1993; Samndong, 2005; and Western, 1989).

In some destinations, the environmental effects of tourism however

have led to direct threats to the industry as the success in attracting tourists

leads to negative impacts on the attractiveness of the environment. On this

note, Gossling (2002) pointed out that tourism contributes to changes in the

land use, energy use, extinction of wild species, and the geographical

spread of diseases. In a related Study, Hassan, Lynn, Lim and Ryan (2019)

investigated the understanding of local stakeholders on their spending on

nature – based tourism as well as the availability of environmentally

friendly tourism attraction. Results from their study shows that ecotourism

has impact on the environment.

Mieczkowski (1985) viewed the environment as a combination of

biotic and abiotic components. Tourism and environment are closely

linked. Environmental conservation is at risk without tourism. Infact, a

symbiotic relationship exists between tourism and the environment i.e. if

the environment deteriorates it will directly impact on tourism. Also, in the

absence of an attractive environment, there would be little tourism. In a

related study, Maria, Pablo and Jose (2013) provided a thematic and

chronological analysis of issues surrounding tourism and economic

development. They found out among other factors, that the relationship

between tourism and growth depends on the country’s degree of



specialization in tourism. Hence, they suggested the judicious use of

environmental resources for the attainment of sustainable tourism and

economic development.

The relationship between tourism and the environment is complex

but may be viewed from three perspectives i.e. tourist - environment

interactions, tourist-host interactions and host -environment interactions.

The major environmental impact of tourism however include inappropriate

development, pollution, wear and tear, overcrowding and traffic

congestion, loss of natural habitat and effects on wildlife. Positively too,

tourism has impact on the environment. These include conservation of

redundant or historic buildings for alternative uses, enhancement of local

environments and protection of wildlife.

Moreover, there is current and growing concern about the impact

that some forms of tourism developments are having on the environment.

There are examples from almost every country in the world, where tourism

development has been identified as being the main cause of environmental

degradation. In Spain, overbuilding of tourist accommodation in coastal

areas has caused water pollution. In India, Taj Mahal is suffering wear and

tear from visitors. It should be noted that it is not only tourism development

which degrades an environment. Poorly planned industrial and

agricultural expansions have also had disastrous consequences in some

locations.

It is now recognized that the world is facing major environmental

degradation (see Amir, 2013; Gosling, 2002; Williams and Shaw, 1991;

Baldus and Cauldwell, 2004; Bob, 1996; Brundtland, 1987; and Fatubarin,

2009). International attention is being given to acid rain, ozone layer

depletion and consequent global warming. Other problems include poor

agricultural practices and overpopulation which destroys fertile land, as

well as unwise use of chemical and fertilizers which pollutes water sources.

What was recognized as local problems are now attracting global attention

(Inskeep, 1991). Although, tourism is not responsible for all these problems,

however, it has become a major contributor in some countries and without



a management scheme to control the problems, tourism will suffer.

Governments are making greater efforts to limit degradation through

encouraging ‘environmentally friendly’ practices. In relation to tourism,

researches have shown that large volumes of visitors tend to create

proportionally larger environmental impacts than smaller number of

visitors (Holden, 2000; Kramer, Van and Johnson, 1997; Leonard and

Carson, 2006; Lepp and Gibson, 2003; and Mieczkowski, 1985).

There is no doubt that the way in which tourists use the environment

today will have consequences for its future use – and perhaps availability.

More emphasis is being put on developing small-scale tourism as a more

‘environmentally friendly’ alternative to mass tourism. For example,

Rehema and Alexander (2013) noted that small-scale tourism can improve

the livelihood of tourists. Specifically, they acknowledged the role of

conservation of natural resources in the improvement of the local livelihood

of the host community. Using Amani Natural Reserve in Tanzania as a case

study, they examined the benefits of small-scale tourism resources on the

host community and they found out that tourism resources are beneficial

economically, psychologically and socially. Hence, they recommended

conservation and management of local resources in order to enhance

peoples’ participation in small-scale tourism.

Ibimilua (2005) identified poverty as the major hindrance to

environmental sustainability. He noted that the poor do more damages to

the environment and bear most of the negative consequences. Also, tourism

has negative impacts on the environment. Among them are ecological

disturbances, aesthetic pollution, noise pollution, air pollution as well as

damage to archaeological or historical sites. These problems are aggravated

by insecurity, low technological advancement, ignorance, as well as

inadequate infrastructural development at tourist attractions. These are the

major cogs in the wheels of sustainable tourism.

Price (1996) noted that as a consequence of global environmental

concerns, tourism planners are now more aware of their responsibilities to

future generations for the careful use of the environment. This is because



of the very close relationship or link between the environment and tourism.

Many features of the environment are attractions for tourist and tourist

facilities and infrastructure comprise some aspects of the built

environment. Thus, tourism development and use of an area generate

environmental impacts. Hence, it is essential that these relationships be

understood in order to plan, develop and manage the resources concerned

properly. In a related study, Stuart, Jerry and Jennifer (2013) examined the

influence of environmental influence (among other factors) on the

prediction of resident satisfaction with sustainable tourism development.

They found out that a significant relationship exist between tourism

development and the environment. Consequently, they suggested that

environmental dimension should be included (among other

considerations) in the planning and monitoring of sustainable tourism

development.

The Self-Destruction Theory of Tourism

The need for environmentally friendly tourism due to the impact of

tourism is identified in the environment as self-destruction theory of

tourism. According to the theory, tourism in a given situation develops and

declines in a cycle manner in four (4) phases (Hall and Page, 2002). In the

first phase, a remote and exotic place provides a peaceful rest and relaxation

and offers an escape for the rich who would like to live in isolation from the

resident population. In second phase, tourism begins to develop in a way

that a middle class would get attracted for their visit. Tourism facilities are

developed in order to accommodate the influx of upper and middle class

visitors. Furthermore, the urban development accompanied with tourism

development transforms the original character of the place from escape

paradox into just another city visiting moderate number of tourists. With

the opportunity of earning more than ever before, the local residents

become tourism employees in many cases leaving agriculture and

traditional work culture. The inevitable interaction between the residents



and increasing number of tourists leads to a variety of negative social

consequences.

Moreover, the excess of supply over demand due to increased tourist

accommodation capacity leads to deterioration in product and price and as

a consequence rich tourists divert elsewhere. In the third phase, man

tourism development occurs, attracting a crowd of lower standards of

social behavior and economic power, causing socio-environmental

problems and further degradation of the tourist destination.

Last at the fourth phase, all tourists exit as the place sinks under the

weight of social fiction and solid waste, leaving behind neglected tourism

facilities such as littered beaches and a resident population that cannot

return to its old way of life.

Towards Sustainable Tourism

Sustainable development is defined as “meeting the needs of the

present without compromising the ability of future generations to meeting

their own needs” (WCED, 1987).

The environmental impacts of tourism are becoming more obvious,

there is need for initiative to minimize impacts and foster the more

sustainable tourism at the same time. There is need for the government to

put in measures to conserve the resources of the environment through

various measures aimed at preventing biodiversity loss and deforestation.

There is need to regulate carrying capacity. It is the threshold of tourist

activity beyond which facilities are saturated (physical capacity), the

environment is degraded (environmental capacity) or visitor enjoyment is

diminished (perpetual and psychological capacity).

Oyetola (2008) identified some of the challenges of sustainable

development in Nigeria as destruction of the environment for economic,

industrial, military, petrochemical and infrastructural facilities. Also, he

posited the major constraints to sustainable funds, community

rehabilitation capacity, as well as inadequate enforcement and

implementation of environmental laws and regulations.



Hassan et. Al. (2019) opined that tourism is a catalyst for sustainable

development. Hence, they emphasized the development of tourism

attractions for the benefit of sustainable development. Also, there is need to

recover tourism sites towards conservation. Significant planning should be

made towards resue of beaches, and other attractions. The awareness about

the environmental problems can be raised by bringing both the people and

tourists in a close contact with nature and the environment, it could be

enhanced by implementing sustainable tourism. Incorporation of the

principles and practices of sustainable consumption can promote the

conscious behavior and activities to preserve the environment. By

implementing this approach, tourism can generate substantial economic

benefits without creating any serious environmental or social problems.

Also, natural resources on which tourism is based will be conserved for

continuous use in the future.

Conclusion

The development of tourism resources at local, national, global level

is indeed a good one embraced by all. The main goal of revenue generation,

creation of jobs, increase in income and improvement of life condition

cannot be overemphasized. However, the overall development of tourism

has greatly affected the natural resources and has brought both positive,

negative, ecological and social consequences. The environmental impacts

of tourism sector is seen in depletion of natural resources, pollution,

deforestation, biodiversity loss, ozone layer depletion as well as climate

change.

Tourism has the potential to increase public application of the

environment at the same time bring about environmental problems.

Therefore, for tourism to be worthwhile, it must incorporate the principles

and practices of sustainability.



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