The present study explores the effect of a pandemic on home-based tourism and tourists' decision to appreciate and patronize local indigenous sites, theater, and other tourism activities. An increase in the global spread of COVID-19 pandemic and incessant rise in deaths especially in renowned destinations, travel restrictions and subsequent closure of international tourist sites; have pulled Nigerian tourists’ motivation away from international destinations. A survey of 250 frequent Nigerian travelers reported their cultural experiences before and during the pandemic and their decision to patronize Homebased tourist-oriented activities. Major reasons for the push from international destinations by respondents were fear of COVID-19 infection, fear of death and stigmatization. Major reasons for pull were the low rate of spread, low deaths, and local traditional remedies availability. While the former were major push factors identified, the latter were perceived as pull factors. However, respondents never considered facilities, weather, and airfares. Thus, this research significantly models local indigenous tourist sites' projection and cultural activities as tools for revitalizing home-based tourism in the post COVID – 19 era. It calls on government, tourism industry and private firms to turn attention towards the revitalization of local indigenous tourist sites and cultural activities to attract tourists to enhance sustainable home-based tourism development.

Gender-Based Violence is an issue of high global concern and has serious implications for every aspect of women’s lives. The aim of the study was twofold, to increase awareness and knowledge of community members on the contexts in which GBV occurs through the narrative based methodology. It also sought to generate community actions and stem the tide of gender-based violence in Akai Effa and Idundu, Cross River State. The work used a creative narrative based research methodology to explore the contexts in which GBV and inequalities occur. The study had several phases including advocacy visits, production of films, film tours, and the formation of neighbourhood committees. The film “Women of our Land” was a collage of various scenes from different authors produced by DreamBoat Theatre for Development Foundation including; Tess Onwume’s ‘The Broken Calabash’ and ‘The Reign of Wazobia’, Edisua Yta’s ‘Because I am a woman’ and ‘Wives, mothers and daughters’ TV, and radio serials, Liwhu Betiang's ‘The First Stone’, Data Phido’s ‘Rainbow City’ and Chris Nwamuo’s ‘The Substitute’. The film (an enter-educate strategy) was used as a starting point for dialogues in the communities. About three hundred community members were involved in Akai Effa and Idundu and the project ran for six months. Findings identified the following factors as manifestations of gender-based violence in the communities: Domestic violence especially wife battery, sexual abuse, harassment and rape of young girls, restriction placed on women's economic activities, loss of land, assets, and properties, forceful ejections, and young girls denied opportunities to go to school. It is recommended that an extension of project time is essential to allow for adequate behaviour change and stamp out GBV in our communities.

Calabar, a coastal town in South-South Nigeria, has had a long-standing history of cultural tourist-oriented theatre performances. And today, its image as a tourist city has grown in leaps because of the Christmas Festival (A 32-day entertainment art and cultural events) it hosts annually plus other tourism products or attractions that complement the festival. Carnival seems to be a major attraction. Other attractions are not emphasized. This study explored how tourism-oriented theatres can be developed to add to existing attractions and increase varieties for tourists. The study used a combination of research methods including experiential theatre performances, participant observation, and focus group discussion. Findings show that local culture and arts and creative industries i.e., theatre can be used to promote destinations and enhance their attractiveness. They can help build the image of the city and promote indigenous arts and culture. This research significantly models the utility of theatre in the service of tourism and urban development. Some key recommendations this research makes include, the collaboration of the tourism industry, the performing arts sectors, and private business owners. Creating demand and market for specially packaged theatre products for tourists working with travel agencies to ensure that theatre is taken from the mainstream to the tourists.

Calabar, a coastal town in South-South Nigeria, has had a long-standing history of cultural tourist-oriented theatre performances. And today, its image as a tourist city has grown in leaps because of the Christmas Festival (A 32-day entertainment art and cultural events) it hosts annually plus other tourism products or attractions that complement the festival. Carnival seems to be a major attraction. Other attractions are not emphasized. This study explored how tourism-oriented theatres can be developed to add to existing attractions and increase varieties for tourists. The study used a combination of research methods including experiential theatre performances, participant observation, and focus group discussion. Findings show that local culture and arts and creative industries i.e., theatre can be used to promote destinations and enhance their attractiveness. They can help build the image of the city and promote indigenous arts and culture. This research significantly models the utility of theatre in the service of tourism and urban development. Some key recommendations this research makes include, the collaboration of the tourism industry, the performing arts sectors, and private business owners. Creating demand and market for specially packaged theatre products for tourists working with travel agencies to ensure that theatre is taken from the mainstream to the tourists.

This study investigates the nature of tourism site infrastructure and how it affects patronage in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State. The specific objectives of the study are to assess the security level, availability of leisure aid, recreation facilities, quantity and quality of historical artifacts, location ambiance, skilled tour guides and their effect on visitor patronage. The study is supported by Qualitative and inferential research design methods to ascertain the predictability of tourist patronage. A sample of one hundred and twenty-five (125) respondents were systematically selected for the study and questionnaires administered. The multiple nonlinear regression test statistic was deployed for validating the hypotheses developed for the study. Results show that security level, leisure and recreation, historical artifact and requisite accommodation were statistically significant in impacting a positive/direct influence on visitor patronage, while location ambiance and skilled tour guides were not statistically significant. It concludes that changes in visitor patronage can be accounted for by changes in tourist site infrastructure, but that location ambiance and skilled tour guides are not sufficient pull-factors for visitor patronage in Calabar Metropolis. It recommends among other things, government and private sector involvement in archeological research, security facilities, affordable accommodation for activities and oppressive use of mass media in portraying the historical significance of the area.