PERCEIVED FACTORS AFFECTING THE PATRONAGE OF DOMESTIC TOURISM IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA
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Date
2022
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Elizade University Journal of Research in Hospitality and Toursim Management
Abstract
The study assessed the perceived factors affecting the patronage of domestic tourism in Osun
State, Nigeria.The natural, historical and man-made facilities in the State are enough to
support domestic tourism but not properly harnessed. The research adopted quantitative
method and utilised primary data to administer questionnaire to eight strata of respondents in
27 tourist destinations. Travel characteristics of respondents were represented through a line
graph. Data were analysed using linear regression and Pearson correlation. Results on the
educational background of the respondents revealed that 63.9% had tertiary education, with
most of the respondents (26.6%) earning between ₦31, 000 – ₦50, 000. The occupational
distribution of respondents showed that students and private employees comprised of 13.2%
each, as 50.70% of the respondents are in the age level of 20-39 years. Majority of the
categories of respondents travelled for pleasure and leisure purposes, followed by visiting
friends/ relatives as well as other purposes, and lastly travelling for business purposes.
Findings from the study showed that there was a strong, positive and statistically significant
correlation between residents‘ level of awareness and domestic tourism activities (r = 0.966, n
= 371, p = 0 .000). The level of patronage of domestic tourism was significantly influenced by
the socio-economic characteristics of respondents with regards to education, income,
occupation, and age. There was also a strong, positive and statistically significant correlation
between level of accessibility of tourist destinations and domestic tourism patronage (r =
0.706, n = 371, p = 0.005). Findings of the study show that respondents were more involved in
domestic tourism activities for pleasure/leisure purpose. Education, Income, Occupation, and
Age had a positive influence on patronage or participation of the residents of the state in
tourism related activities, as poor accessibility also affects patronage. The study concluded
that socio-economic characteristics of Osun state residents such as education, income,
occupation, and age had a positive influence on participation in tourism related activities
particularly pleasure/leisure, and recommended better accessibility in terms of good road and
signage for direction to tourist destinations.