CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction

Recreational sites are known for their important role in tourism attraction throughout the world. In development countries like Cameroon, very little is known of the recreational sites importance given that much work has not been done in this domain and the laxity of the city authorities to explore these recreational resources. Limbe as an attractive coastal town is yet to fully exploit these tourism potentials for it development. This study is aimed at identifying recreational sites in Limbe and examines the potentiality of the recreational sites to tourism development. This chapter presents the background to the study, problem statement, research questions, objectives and hypothesis, significance of the study and the scope and delimitation of the study.

 1.1 Background to the study

 There is growing interest in the demand for tourism activities in major cities across the world. Many countries rely on the dynamic features of the tourism and hospitality industry as a primary source for socio-economic development such as income or revenue generation, job opportunities, private investor’s involvement in tourism and community development. Tourism development is encouraged particularly among the developing countries where other forms of economic activities such as manufacturing or exportation of natural resources are not commercially viable (Amalu et al. 2017).

Tourism which involves the movement of people from one place to another has become a catalyst for economic development in most countries of Africa (Marconiller 2000; Ajake and Amalu 2012). Recreation centre could be described as a place that provides the means by which leisure quest and experiences are satisfied. In most cases, these centres are established to provide tourism products and services to teeming tourists’, residents or visitors (Amalu and Ajake 2014; Amalu et al. 2017).

In general term, recreation centres are places for relaxation, amusement and fun. It attracts visitors who have the quest for vacation. Roberts (2006) considered recreation centres as one of the vital tourism products in recent times. The increasing demand or quest for tourism activities in most cities in the world have not only aided economic growth but have at the same time encouraged the emergence of other tourism support services. These tourism support service outfits comprise of hotels, restaurants, drinking spots, communication facilities, fast food and beverage centres, financial institutions and the transport sector. There also make up a major component of the tourism industry as they provide essential services to tourists’ and visitors’ and contributes immensely in making their experience remarkable and worthwhile (Enang et al. 2016; Ajake et al. 2016).

In broad sense Johnson (2002) and Marconiller (2000) have highlighted the fact that leisure and recreation reflects the fundamental values and character of a region or destination in building great image. In recent times, scholars (Mowforth and Munt 2008; Zhang et al. 2006) have retorted that recreation helps to shape the character and wellbeing of people, families, communities and society at large. Recreation have been observed as one of the way of overcoming barriers to community development (Johnson and Calvin 2002; Lawson and Baud-Bovy 2006) through the number of visitors who appreciate available recreation facilities such as resorts, attractions, drinking spots, restaurants and hotels in most host communities.

In Nigeria, the establishment of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) which was targeted at promoting and boosting the growth of tourism has encouraged the development and rehabilitation of most existing recreation centres (Takon and Amalu 2013). Meanwhile, tourism and recreation centres such as the Obudu Mountain resort, Marina resort, Tanapa business resort, Eko Tourist resort, Yakari Game Reserve, Ikogosi Warm Spring, Ezeagu recreation centre amongst other tourism attractions have need for increased patronage (Eja and Ajake 2011; Amalu et al. 2012b; Amalu and Ajake 2015;

In Cameroon, recreational sites play a significant role in tourism development. Open spaces, especially urban green spaces have been attracting people for recreation, leisure, social interaction and job provision (Kimengsi and Fogwe, 2017). Recreational sites serve as integral parts of the physical infrastructure which is an indispensable pillar of overall economic and tourism development. This is observed in the situation where the activities carried out in the recreational sites by the tourists turn to contribute to generate income and employment and the growth of tourism development industries in Cameroonian cities.

Recreational sites have played a great role in tourism development in many rapidly evolving cities or towns of Cameroon and Limbe in particular, such that they increase tourism development as Parks and recreation space serve as a hub of social activity in the Municipalities of Limbe as people often spend their wealth when they gather together (Kimengsi and Fogwe, 2017). Restaurants and businesses located near the recreational sites report an increase in customers when games or event are held in these facilities (Kozak, 2003). During the festive periods and long term vacations, most people visit recreational sites for leisure alongside their families, as such, promoting tourism development. This study seeks assess tourist preference and contributions of recreational sites to tourism development in Limbe.

1.4 Statement of the  research problem 

Recreational sites have always been part and parcel of urban development assets that promotes tourism development. Limbe, a historically evolving town in the Southwest Region of Cameroon in terms of tourism, is richly endowed with popular recreational sites such as the Limbe Botanic Garden (LBG) and the Limbe Wildlife Center (LWC), Green forest parks, hotels, beaches, stadiums and play grounds; Seme beach, Bimbia slave trade village amongst others.  These sites have in combination contributed to the enormous touristic visits Limbe has experienced over the past decade. Because these recreational sites provide satisfaction and leisure to both national and international tourists, there has been a general increase towards greater participation in leisure, sports and recreational activities in particularly in Limbe. Increasing amount of leisure time, greater personal mobility, higher disposable incomes and health education have all contributed towards the increasing demand for sport and recreation facilities in Limbe. At the same time, these factors have also contributed to the development of tourism, to the extent that tourism has become one of the most rapidly growing sectors of the economy of Limbe and is also increasingly making an important contribution to its environs.

Moreover, in Limbe town, where majority of the people are stressed with work and other pressing issues they turn to look for ways to relax and reduce the stress of life. This make them to travel around recreational and/or leisure sites. Recreational sites in Limbe include parks, resorts and hotels, cultural centers, gardens, zoos among others. Recreational sites play a very important role in the promotion of tourism development in Limbe; as the services which these recreational sites offer attract tourist, hence, bringing about tourism development. However, these recreational sites face some problems such as management problems, lack of funding, inadequate staff, deterioration of infrastructure and inadequate promotional activities amongst others. All these problem hinder recreational sites in Limbe to promote tourism developments since touristic activities will slow down as they do not attract tourist because of the unattractiveness of the sites.

Thus, the student upon acquiring skills of tourism in the department of touristic sites, was motivated to recreational potential sites in promoting tourism development in Limbe. Other motivations behind the choice of this research project are to specialise in the field of tourism and be a tourism expert as the researcher proceeds with his study. The researcher also aims to determine why the tourism industry in Limbe faces inadequate growth and prosperity, despite the fact that Limbe is an ancient touristic town with lots of recreational sites such as parks, stadium, beach, botanical gardens and hotels.