Motivation and Other Considerations in Tourist Destination Choice: A Case Study of Nigeria
Abstract
This study aims to explore the motivations for tourists' choice of diverse tourism environments in a Third World country, Nigeria. Results obtained from a questionnaire survey of 376 tourists randomly sampled from seven tourism destinations in Nigeria show that the most prominent motivations for tourist destination choice are self-actualization in an appreciative, educational or cultural context and leisure/recreational pursuits. Attractiveness of destination, quality services, facilities/amenities, favourable location and accessibility of centres also emerged as important considerations in tourist destination choice. Motivation for tourism differed significantly amongst tourists groups in various destinations, and also between domestic and foreign tourists groups when compared with aχ2test at 0.05 significance level. The implications of the disparities in motivation between visitors in various destinations and between domestic and foreign tourists for destination planning, marketing and management are highlighted.