ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to determine the effect of visa restriction on the choice of travel destination among intended travellers from Umuahia municipal, Abia State. The objectives of the research were to ascertain the causes of visa restriction imposed on intended travellers from Umuahia municipal, to determine the forms of visa restriction experience by intented travellers from Umuahia municipal, to establish the relationship between visa restriction and travel destination. Methodology used for the research was survey research design. The population for the study consist of 103. Sample size is same as the population since it is not very large, a non-probability sampling techniques was used. It is called convenience sampling which allows only accessible respondent to be used for the study. Questionnaire was used to generate the data. Simple descriptive statistics such as mean, percentage, frequency distribution were used to analyze the data generated for the research. The findings of the analysis revealed that the causes of visa restriction imposed among intended travellers from Umuahia municipal are incomplete information, invalid travel insurance, invalid passport, false travel document, insufficient explanation for the purpose and circumstances of the planned stay, error in date of birth, any alteration directly or indirectly, insufficient document like lack of fund and unknown reason with grand mean of 2.8. Majority of the respondents agreed that visa denial through bad records like criminal record or misinformation given outrageous visa requirement, being allowed limited time to the particular country depending on the type of visa applied for and restricted movement within target country as the forms of visa restriction experienced with grand mean of 3.3. The study also found that there were relationship between visa restriction and travel destination with a grand mean of 2.7 which is above the decision rule. Based on the findings, the study concludes that Umuahia travelers had adequate knowledge that false travel document, invalid passport, invalid travel insurance, incomplete information, insufficient explanation for the purpose and circumstances of the planned stay, error in date of birth, any alteration directly or indirectly, insufficient document like lack of fund and unknown reason causes visa restriction imposed by immigration’s on intended travellers among Umuahia municipal. Also, too much stress are involved in obtaining visa. Access, accommodation, attractions, activities and amenities are key elements to tourist destinations. The study recommends that visa issuing authorities should provide a guide for visa applicants when completing visa forms as this will eliminate issues such as incomplete applicant information and wrong application format which are one of the reason given for visa restrictions experienced. Countries should devise means of enforcing visa duration of visitors as this would invariably reduce the level of restrictions experienced as a result of checking illegal immigration. Visa issuing authorities should give consideration to first time visa applicants as any unfavorable outcome might affect their overall attitude towards traveling.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title
Page i
Approval
Page ii
Certification iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgement v
Tables
of Contents vi
List
of Tables viii
List
of Figures ix
Abstract x
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of Study 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem 3
1.3 Objective of the Study 4
1.4 Research Questions 4
1.5 Significance of the Study 5
1.6 Scope of the Study 5
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 Introduction 7
2.1 Conceptual Framework 7
2.1.1 Visa
7
2.1.2 Types of Visa 10
2.1.3 Visa Restriction 12
2.1.4 Reasons for Visa Denial 13
2.1.5 Visa restriction and economic consequences
in Umuahia and Africa at large 16
2.1.6 Tourism 17
2.1.7 Types of Tourism 18
2.1.8 Forms of Tourism 20
2.1.9 Classification of Tourism 22
2.1.10
Concept of Tourism Destination 23
2.1.11
Key Elements of Tourist Destination’s 23
2.1.12
Types of Tourism Destination 24
2.1.13
Factors which aff ect choice of
destination among Umuahia Travelers 28
2.2 Theoretical Framework 29
2.2.1 Random Utility Maximization (RUM) Model of
Migration 29
2.2.2 Migration system and Network Theory 31
2.2.3 Unifying Migration Theory 32
2.3 Review of Related Empirical Studies 34
2.4 Summary of Literature Review 36
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design 38
3.2 Study Area 38
3.3 Population for the Study 39
3.4 Sample and Sampling Techniques 39
3.5 Instrument for Data Collection 39
3.6 Validation of the Instrument 40
3.7 Reliability of the Instrument 40
3.8 Data Collection Techniques 40
3.9 Data Analysis Techniques 40
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULT AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Presentation of Analysis 42
4.2 Major Findings 49
4.3 Discussion of Findings 50
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary 53
5.1.1 Restatement of the Problem 54
5.1.2 Description of Procedures Used 54
5.2 Conclusion 55
5.3 Recommendations 55
5.4 Suggestion for Further Studies 56
REFERENCES 57
APPENDIX 61
LIST OF TABLES
Table 4.1
Demographic characteristics of respondents 42
Table 4.2 Number
and percentage of respondents who have applied for visa before now 44
Table 4.3 Number
and percentage of respondents who have travelled outside Nigeria 44
Table 4.4 The
percentage number of respondents who have experienced visa restriction 45
Table 4.5 Causes
of visa restriction imposed on intended travellers from Umuahia 45
Table 4.6
Distribution of respondents according to what they considered as forms
of visa restriction
experienced 47
Table 4.7
Relationship between visa restriction and travel destination restriction
experienced 48
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Types
of tourism 18
Figure 2 International
tourism 19
Figure 3 Domestic
tourism 20
Figure 4 Forms
of tourism 20
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Visa restrictions
represent an important
hurdle to and
deterrent against unwelcome visitors
that is binding
before visitors even
arrive at one’s
borders. First, there is
the additional cost
and hassle of
applying for the
visa before travel
either via post, which
can take weeks
or months, via
employing a professional
visa service provider or
in person, which
implies travelling to
the embassy or
one of the
few Consulates and often
queuing, possibly for
hours until served.
Second, the issuing consulate or
embassy can of
course, and sometimes
does, deny the
application without giving any
reason to Umuahia applicant. As Torpey
(1998) has put
it: “Passport and
visa controls are the
‘first line of
defense’ against the
entry of undesirables.” Yet, visa
restrictions are likely
to deter both
welcome and unwelcome
travellers. They will deter
foreign businessmen and
businesswomen as well
as foreign tourists and
other travellers to the
detriment of the
domestic economy. Neumayer
(2010) for an analysis
of the effect
of visa restrictions
on bilateral trade
and foreign direct investment stated that already the
League of Nations
in the inter-war
period and, after
world war II, the
Council of Europe
reminded nation-states that
visa restrictions inhibit international trade and tourism
(Salter 2003). By imposing visa restrictions on foreign travellers, countries
are thus, in some sense, damaging themselves and denying themselves of certain boast
mainly in the tourism sectors and developments of the country entirely.
Many countries use
visa restrictions as
a mechanism to
prevent entry to unwelcome
travellers. The cost
and hassle of
obtaining a visa
represent an important hurdle for
many travellers, as
it forces them
to submit an
application to the
consular office of their
intended destination, which
can ask for
processing fees, impose
long waiting times, and
possibly deny the
visa with or
without giving any
reasons. Political,
economic, and security
matters use to
lie behind entry
restrictions of people
at country borders (US
Office of Immigration
Statistics, 2010). However,
all these regulations present
indirect, but clear
effects on other
people (and economic)
flows, as, for example,
the arrival of
tourists.
Tourism may be defined as the
movement of the people from their normal place of residence to another place (with
the intention to return) for a minimum period of twenty-four hours to a maximum
of six months for the sole purpose of leisure and pleasure. Tourism is a social, cultural and economic phenomenon which
entails the movement of people to countries or places outside their usual
environment for personal or business/professional purposes. These people are
called visitors (which may be either tourists or excursionists; residents or
non-residents) and tourism has to do with their activities, some of which imply
tourism expenditure (United Nations World Tourism Organization, 2008). According to WTO (1993) “Tourism encompasses the activities of persons traveling and
staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one
consecutive year for leisure, business, and other purposes.” The Rome conference (1963) defined tourism as ‘a
visit to a country other than one’s own or where one usually resides and
works’. This definition, however, did not take into account domestic tourism,
which has become an important money-spinner and job generator for the
hospitality industry. The United Nations World Tourism
Organization (1995) helps us break down the definition of tourism further
by stating tourists can be: Domestic (residents of a given country
travelling only within that country), Inbound (non-residents travelling
in a given country) and Outbound (residents of one country travelling
in another country). Tourist
destination according to Popescu and Rotariu (2012), is defined as a
geographical area that has a critical mass of development that can satisfy the
objectives of the tourist. A tourist destination is a country, state, region,
city or town which is marketed or markets itself as a place for tourists to
visit. Also Srinivas refers broadly to
destination as an
area where tourism
is a relatively
important activity and where the economy may be significantly influenced
by tourism revenues. The
destinations are well defined geographically and understood by the tourists as
unique entities and exhibit several core provisions (Zygmunt 2013). These
provisions are accessibility, attractions, package activities, and auxiliary
services. According to WTO (2000), a destination is a unique place where a
visitor spends at least one night and exhibit tourism products such as
attractions, support services, and tourism resources complete with defined management,
physical and administrative boundaries, and a well known image.
It is estimated that
seventy percent of tourists visit the ten major tourist destinations while
thirty percent share the other destinations. It is, therefore, indicative of
the intensity of competition for the less known destinations (Biganoa, 2004).
WTO differentiates the tourist destinations into several world blocks; the
Americas, Europe, the Pacific, East Asia, Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
However, it is possible to differentiate the American region into North America
and South America because the two blocks have very distinct but different
ecological, socio-cultural, and economic orientation (Vengesayi 2003). For
instance, South America is recognized for its biodiversity whereas North
America is not.
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
The tourism industry has of recent witnessed
a lot of restrictions and travel bans imposed on those that want to travel. Many
Countries have visa restrictions and travel ban in order to check and control
the inflow of visitors in and out of their country and to prevent illegal immigration
and other criminal activities thereby forcing travelers to apply for a visa and
allows the authorities to vet potential visitors. In recent times, the tourism
industry has witnessed a lot of restrictions and travel bans imposed on
tourists. An overview of visa restrictions in Nigeria would reveal the problems
that contribute to the bad economy of the nation. Visa restrictions are likely
to deter foreign visitors from affected countries who might want to develop the
nation (Nigeria) and boost its economy. Visa restrictions also reduce the flow
of tourist, business people and other travelers and thereby damage a Country's tourism
industry, reduce its trade as well as its scientific, cultural and other exchange
with foreign countries (Neumayer, 2005).
This study is set out to address reasons why
Umuahia travelers are being denied visa to travel to their desired destination.
Visa restrictions could take the form of outright visa denial with or without
reason, restricted access within the host countries, travel ban etc.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The major objective of this study is to assess
the effect of visa restriction on the choice of travel destination among
intended travellers from Umuahia municipal, Abia State, the study sought:
i.
To ascertain the causes
of visa restriction imposed on intended travellers from Umuahia.
ii.
To determine the forms of
visa restriction experience by intended travellers from Umuahia.
iii.
To establish the
relationship between visa restriction and travel destination.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The following are the main questions the
research was based on
i.
What are the causes of
visa restriction imposed on intended travellers from Umuahia?
ii.
What are the forms of
visa restriction experience by intended travellers from Umuahia?
iii.
What are the relationship
between visa restriction and travel destination?
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The research work will be beneficial to
the following;
Airlines:
Airlines will benefit from this study in the
sense that if travel ban is abolished among travelers there will be influx of
people willing to travel which will lead to massive profit of the organization
thereby increasing their business.
Researchers:
Researchers will benefit from the study of
this work as they will not find it difficult to research/teach on this topic as
it will be a plus to more research on this particular aspect.
Host
community: It will be a great help to the host community (Umuahia
travelers) in understanding the various reasons for visa restrictions and if
the findings are implemented they will try to avoid visa denial by agencies
Stakeholders
in the travel/ tourism industry: The findings of
the study will be useful to stakeholders in the travel and tourism industry as
they would have full knowledge of the reason why visa agencies deny tourist
visa and measures will be put in place to avoid such denial.
Country/State/Government:
Nigeria, Abia state and government will
benefit by influx of tourists which will improve the internally generated
revenue (IGR) of the government.
How
beneficiaries will know: Beneficiaries will know
of this knowledge through seminars, flyers, radio/television broadcast,
internet such as Facebooks, Instagram etc.
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This study focused on evaluating the
effects of visa restrictions on the choice of travel destination among intended
travellers from Umuahia municipal, Abia State. In order to actualize this work,
Umuahia, Abia State was used as research center base because of those who intend/embarks
on various trips. The study focused on understanding extend in which visa
restrictions affect the choice of travel destination among the respondents. The
study was limited to the effect of visa restrictions on the choice of travel
destination and tried as much possible not to bring other effects into view.
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