CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Air transport is relatively expensive when compared with other modes of transport like road, rail and water transportation. However, air transport is the fastest of these modes and the choice for medium and long distance movements for those in positions of authority and the rich. There is therefore, the temptation for governments in the developing countries to lay more emphasis on its provision and promotion at the expense of other modes that are more relevant to the needs of the governed populace. Increase in global wealth and life longevity and relative reduction in global level of poverty has made demand for corresponding author. Abbreviations: MMA, Murtala Mohammed Airport; DPH, design peak hour. Air transportation to be on the rise in the last two decades. In the UK, this debate has been heightened by the publication of a strategic framework for expansion of airport and runway capacity over the next 30 years (United Kingdom’s Department for Transport (DfT, 2003). Failure to accommodate this growth would have serious ramifications for tourism, the finance sector, and other businesses that rely on world markets (Darling, 2003). Aviation will thus continue to play an important role in the future prosperity of the Nigerian and world economies. However, transport infrastructures are quite expensive to put in place. In fact the decision to build one is very expensive too as resources are limited and there are several sectors of the economy that share these limited resources which must also be considered in resource allocation.

However, transport infrastructures are quite expensive to put in place. In fact the decision to build one is very expensive too as resources are limited and there are several sectors of the economy that share these limited resources which must also be considered in resource allocation. Building of airports or any such infrastructures can only be justified when the facilities are optimally utilized. Developing economy like Nigeria, air transport will not be a priority sub-sector of the transport sector in terms of resource allocation. Therefore, would it be justifiable to invest heavily in airports at the expense of road and rail, both of which are the prime carrier of the majority? Airport capacities already in place must be adequately utilized to remain meaningful for the allocated resources and to attract more.

Tourism over the years has proven to be a surprisingly strong and resilient economic activity and a fundamental contributor to economic growth of nations by generating billions of dollars in exports and creating millions of jobs (Yusuff and Akinde, 2015). Acknowledging these facts, many developing and developed countries today rely on tourism as an option for sustainable development of their nations. Tourism industry has now grown to be the world largest industry and one of its fastest growing economic sectors. The publication of World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC, 2014) showed that in 2013, travel & tourism’s total contribution to the global economy rose to US$7 trillion, about 9.5 per cent of global GDP, not only outpacing the wider economy but also growing faster than other significant sectors such as Financial and Business services, Transport and Manufacturing and its total contribution to employment was nearly 266 million jobs ADENIYI, Joshua Olu, Urban & Regional Planning Department, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State.Nigeria. OLUGBAMILA, Omotayo Ben, Urban & Regional Planning Department, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.Nigeria. OLAJIDE, Tosin Paul, Tosin Touch Planning Consult, Ijoka Quaters, Akure, Ondo State. Nigeria. about 8.9 percent of world employment. The sustained demand for travel & tourism, together with its ability to generate high levels of employment continues to prove the importance and value of the sector as a tool for economic development and job creation.

In the same vein, According to World Tourism and Travel Commission (1992), Tourism generates employment directly through hotels, restaurants, night clubs, taxes and sales of souvenir and other related items. Also, the supply of goods and services needed by tourism related businesses have been other sources of employment and income generation. In other words, indirect employment through tourism is enormous. Tourism is vital for many countries such as France, Egypt, Greece, Lebanon, Israel, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Thailand, the Bahamas, Fiji, Maldives, Philippines and the Seychelles, among others. Tourism brings in large amounts of income in payment for goods and services contributing an estimated 5% to the world Gross Domestic Product (GPD) and creates opportunities for employment in the service industries associated with tourism. These service industries include transportation services such as airlines, cruise ship and taxi cabs; hospitality services such as accommodation including hostels and resorts, guest chalets; and entertainment venues such as amusement parks, casinos, music venues and theatres.

1. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

 Airport capacities are increasingly getting smaller and needs to be expanded. DfT (2003) suggested that 90% of business travelers wanted the UK government to take to action to increase runway and terminal capacities at Heathrow. Following this, the case runways and terminals have been increased with the building of Terminal 5. In Nigeria, the same is the case as the Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA) and Port Harcourt Airport had their runways increased recently. Few industries have developed and grown as rapidly as air transport. Traffic congestion in both developed and developing countries is getting worse; as the capacity of networks cannot increase at a rate to match the increase in demand (Stephens, 2003). However, are the arguments for increasing and increased capacity justifiable, particular in developing countries where in most cases capacities are often underutilized but vaguely seen as over-utilized? Bubalo (2009) studied productivity of 58 European airports and its use of infrastructures, based on the annual and design peak hour (DPH) runway and terminal demand using benchmarking to know the role of capacity utilization in airport performance. To make airports comparable regarding the capacity of airport system to serve demand, Bubalo made effort to isolate peer group with productivity characteristics. He also proposed for the purpose of benchmarking a rule-of-thumb methodology for isolating an airport’s DPH.

In the light of the above, the study will do justice to: 1.What types of capacities exist in the airport? 2. What are the levels of these capacities utilization? 3. What are the effects of carrying capacity of Akure airport on tourism development? 4. What are the ways to improve carrying capacity of Akure for tourism development?

1. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between carrying capacity of Akure airport and tourism development.

The specific objectives will be:

1. To ascertain the level capacities that exists in the Akure airport.
2. To examine the levels of these capacities utilization.
3.  To examine the effects of carrying capacity of Akure airport on tourism development.
4.  To find out ways to improve carrying capacity of Akure for tourism development.

1. RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Rising from the research objectives, the following research questions will be address in the study.

1. What is the level capacity that exists in the Akure airport?
2. What are the levels of these capacities utilization?
3.  What are the effects of carrying capacity of Akure airport on tourism development?
4.  What are the ways of improving carrying capacity of Akure for tourism development?

1. STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESIS

H0 there is no significant relationship between carrying capacity of Akure airport and tourism development.

H1 there is significant relationship between carrying capacity of Akure airport and tourism development.

1. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This is of great significant as it will point out the inevitable relationship between carrying capacity of Akure airport and tourism. It will also help the government of Akure in Ondo State and the Airport officials to know the great benefit in the carrying capacity of Akure airport and tourism development. Ultimately, at the end of the study, measures will be suggested on how to improve the carrying capacity of Akure airport for tourism to thrive.

1. SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study is basically on the appraisal of carrying capacity of Akure airport and tourism development. The study is limited to Akure airport in Ondo State.

 1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

TIME CONSTRAINTS: One the challenges experienced by the researcher is the issue of time; the research will simultaneously engage in departmental activities like seminars and attendance to lectures. But the researcher was able to meet up with the deadline for the submission of the project.

FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS: Every research work needs funding; however lack of adequate funds might affect the speed of the researcher in getting materials for completion of the project.

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Airport

An airport solely serving helicopters is called a heliport. An airport for use by seaplanes and amphibious aircraft is called a seaplane base. Such a base typically includes a stretch of open water for takeoffs and landings, and seaplane docks for tying-up.

Capacity

Generally defines capacity as the number of movements per unit of time that can be accepted during different meteorological conditions. However, ICAO identifies that there are a number of variables in this definition that give rise to key performance capacity indicators such as: a. Maximum hourly number of movements possible during visual or low visibility meteorological conditions (VMC/IMC). b. Maximum daily number of movements possible between the core hours during visual or low visibility meteorological conditions (VMC/IMC). c. Average daily airport capacity measured as a moving average; and so on.

Development

Development is a process that creates growth, progress, positive change or the addition of physical, economic, environmental, social and demographic components. ... The identification of these traps enables relating to political – economic – social conditions in a country in an attempt to advance development.

Tourism

According to Goeldner & Ritchie (2012), primarily tourism is seen as when people visit a particular place for sightseeing, visiting friends and relatives, taking vacation, and having funs. Although, they might also enjoy their leisure time participating in various activities like sport, talking, sunbathing, taking rides, touring, reading, singing or relaxing and enjoying the environment. Considering the subject further, people participating in a business conference, convention, or any other professional activities will be included in the definition of tourism.