Safety and Security Assessment of Tourist Destinations: A Field Study in a Nigerian Geopark

Abstract

In the travel industry, safety and security are imperative and any attraction sites which ignore these tasks stand to lose out on the intense competition for tourists. One way to ensure that safety and security are satisfactorily provided is to regularly assess and seek the perceptions of stakeholders. Studies that make such an attempt, particularly in a Nigerian Geopark are relatively underrepresented in the literature. This study therefore evaluates safety and security situations at a large geopark and one of the most visited tourist destinations in Nigeria. Through direct observation, an on-site assessment of safety and security measures was undertaken by experts. The assessment instrument was designed using an empirical adaptation of standards which have been suggested in the literature. In addition, members of the site management were interviewed on various outcomes of the field study. Generally, the safety and security architecture in the study area appeared to be insufficient as the management seemed restrained to be too proactive for fear of scaring wildlife and visitors. Besides, the management did not consider the site to be under any serious threat as no major accident and/or crime has been recorded in the last decade. The study concludes that safety and security approaches in the study area do not reflect standard measures but rather cautious approach and an overly dependence on a supposed good past record. The result of this study can facilitate standard practice for safety and security in tourist destinations. This study fills the knowledge gap by providing information on the Nigerian experience regarding safety and security of Geopark in the Global South.

Enhancing safety measures at the Kintampo Waterfalls in Ghana: A post-disaster evaluation

“…Two bulbs were not functioning, thus making the area seem darker at night. The findings strengthen Badiora et al (2022) study in Nigeria, revealing that providing bins, fire extinguishers, first aid boxes, and lighting systems at tourist destinations is essential for ensuring visitors' safety, convenience, and well-being.…”

“…While safety is widely defined as insulating people from unintended consequences of any involuntary kind, security is considered protection against a person or item that intends to harm another. A few instances of recognized safety risks in national parks include becoming lost in the forest, being bitten by a snake or insect, falling, and getting harmed (Badiora et al, 2022). Security and safety are not the same things, despite their relationship.…”

“…It is essential that any security measures used at the site be discrete and do not interfere with visitors' peace and comfort (Cró et al, 2018). Badiora et al (2022) researched to evaluate the safety and security procedures of tourist destinations at Geopark in Nigeria. To collect data for the study, direct observation and interviews were used.…”

“…In recent years, safety and security precautions have grown in importance as deciding factors for tourists when selecting a location. For example, places that are viewed as hazardous lose their allure to tourists and, therefore, their patronage (Badiora et al, 2022;Chen et al, 2020). It is abundantly clear that tourists are sensitive to safety and security conditions at a location, given the fall in tourist numbers Egypt, Tunisia, and Cameroon have seen as a result of recent terrorist acts (Mabon and Mason, 2022).…”