Journal of Tourism & Hospitality
Open Access

A Study of the Perceived Security Problems of Tourism and Hospitality Practitioners in Ogun State Southwest Nigeria

Pius Agbebi^{* *}Correspondence: Pius Agbebi, Department of Ecotourism and Wildlife, Federal University of Ecotourism and Technology Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria, Tel: +08033779293, Email:

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Introduction

Achumba, et al. defines security and safety threat from two perspectives; firstly, is the state of being open or subject to danger or threat of danger, where danger is the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury. Secondly, is the state of being exposed to risk or anxiety, where anxiety is a vague unpleasant emotion that is experienced in anticipation of some misfortunes? These definitions of security and safety challenge underscore a major point that those affected by it are not only uncertain or unaware of what would happen but they are also vulnerable to the consequences when they occur.

The tourism and hospitality industry is one of the most vulnerable industries to cries. Crises have become more frequent and complex more than ever affecting the industry and other related activities. Hence, it is better to be prepared well to mitigate and minimize the potential effects of these crises, whether it is natural or man-made. The security threat posed by kidnappings and Boko Haram is very serious, but equally damaging is the distraction that the challenges of these crimes pose to the broader agendas of both federal and state governments.

The governor of Ogun State sometimes ago inaugurated the Board of Trustees of the Ogun State Security Trust Fund, STF, and while handing over some security gadgets and vehicles to security chiefs for the commencement of the task, saying, the government needed more than N₃ billion to fight security challenges. Amosun at the occasion, which featured launching and fund raising for the security Trust Fund, begged all the stakeholders to assist his administration in the fight against crime and criminalities in the state. In his speech, Amosun said that the state was experiencing high level of insecurity because of her large landmass and proximity to Lagos and neigh-bouring countries, adding that, N₃ billion had already been invested. He added that, Ogun State is peculiarly vulnerable to security challenges because of the porous nature of its border, saying that, for it to be effectively protected it requires “technology” and more security command posts. According to him, “we have procured 60 double cabin patrol Vans to be used as operational vehicles. These vehicles have been fitted with sophisticated communication gadgets that will facilitate easy communication between the operational base of the team and other point as well as with the control rooms of all security agencies”. He further disclosed that, the state government has paid for 10 Armoured Personnel Carriers, APC. While giving the hints on the workings of the squard, Amosun revealed that, the board headed by former Director-General, State Security Service, SSS, Kayode Are has come up with the modus operandi saying, about 30 mini-camps would be established across the state. He further said that, the board would need about two thousand men for the job, saying, the operation would need not less than 30 APC for effective policing of all the nooks and cranny of the state.

Literature Review

The concept of security and safety challenge connotes different meanings such as: absence of safety; danger; hazard; uncertainty; lack of protection, and lack of safety. According to Beland security and safety challenge is a state of fear or anxiety due to absence or lack of protection. In the context of this research security and safety challenge is defined as a breach of peace and security, whether historical, religious, ethno-regional, civil, social, economic, and political that contributes to recurring conflicts, and leads to wanton destruction of lives and property.

According to Wole, the security challenges have so much affected the country that the usual resilient consumer confidence which was one of the factors that kept the Nigerian economy going even in the face of uncertainty, confusion and unpredictability is fast changing and will be severely damaged by the recent insecurity feelings in the country.

Sunetra, et al. opined that ‘when tourists decide to travel to a particular destination, they look forward to a pleasurable experience in terms of a safe and comfortable journey, good accommodation and meals, interesting attractions and leisure activities. These are expectations or products which tourists are willing to spend money on.

Walker posited that hospitality and tourism industry is the largest and fastest growing industry in the World. The relevance of hospitality industry is further explained to include the ability to welcome, inform, comfort, secure and entertain in order to meet the varying demands of tourists through quality service delivery. Nigeria hospitality and tourism industry before now has experiences between 70 percent and 80 percent patronage for big industry and between 40 percent and 50 percent patronage for smaller industry. There are apprehensions that not many people would be willing to visit Ogun state and by extension Nigeria, especially at a time the country is unsettled and has security issues to be solved. Security remains one of the most serious problems affecting tourism and hospitality industry in Ogun State.

Objectives

The main objective of this study is to assess tourism, hospitality practitioners and security challenges in Ogun state. The specific objectives are,

• To examine the perceived damages that insecurity cause hospitality and tourism industry in Ogun state.

• To examine the perceived control measures to be put in place by tourism and hospitality practitioners in Ogun state to curb security and safety threats in the sector.

Materials and Methods

The study covered Ogun state which was created in February, 1976 with Abeokuta as the state capital, comprises the old Abeokuta and Ijebu provinces. It was one of the nineteen states created out of the former twelve state structures of 1976. The state shares an international boundary with the republic of Benin to the West and interstate boundaries with Oyo state in North, Lagos state in the South and Ondo state in the East. The Figure 1 below shows the map of Ogun state and the study areas.

Figure 1: Map of Ogun State showing the study areas.

The population for the study basically consisted of hotel and tourism practitioners, security personnel, guests of hotels and tourists centers in the study areas. For the purpose of this study, two hundred (152) respondents from security personnel, guests and management staff of hotels and tourists’ centers were selected. A multistage sampling technique was adopted; Stage one involved the stratification of Ogun State into three zones comprises of Ogun East, Ogun Central and Ogun West [4,5].

The population for the study basically consisted of hotel and tourism practitioners, security personnel, guests of hotels and tourists centers in the study areas. For the purpose of this study, two hundred (152) respondents from security personnel, guests and management staff of hotels and tourists’ centers were selected. A multistage sampling technique was adopted; stage one involved the stratification of Ogun State into three zones comprises of Ogun East, Ogun Central and Ogun West (Table 1).

Table 1: Socio-economic characteristics of respondents in the study area.

• Ogun central; Abeokuta-North, Abeokuta-South, Ifo, Ewekoro, Obafemi/Owode, Odeda and Ado-Odo/Ota LGA.

• Ogun East Egbado-North, Egbado-South, Imeko-Afon and Ipokia LG.

• Ogun West Ijebu-East, Ijebu-North, Ijebu-Northeast, Ijebu- Ode, Odogbolu and Ogun watersides Sagamu, Remo-North and Ikenne LGAs.

Stage two involved the selection of security outlets, tourist destinations and hotels from each senatorial zone through purposive sampling. Stage three involved the selection of respondents from each identified population in the study area. The total number of respondents was determined from the list of security personnel in each command areas, registered number of guests from selected hotels and tourists destinations, and management staff of the hotels tourism centres. There was a total population of 1,280 respondents in the selected study areas while the sample size was 152 using Yamane formula.

The researcher used questionnaire administration to collect primary data from the respondents. The questionnaire was divided into four sections to address the four objectives of the study; section ‘A’ described the socio-economic characteristics of respondents; section ‘B’ described tourism and hospitality practitioners in Ogun State; section ‘C’ identified the various damages that insecurity has caused, section ‘D’ examined the measures being put in place by tourism and Hospitality practitioners in Ogun State to combat the challenges of security and safety. The reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach's alpha value of 0.70 and 0.90 which indicated reliability of the instrument. The total Cronbach's alpha is reliable when all the measures are above the cut-off value of 0.70 as recommended by Nunnally and Bernstein. Variable measured were; gender, age, education, occupation, marital status, income, security experience, hotel patronage experience. The damages that insecurity has caused hospitality and tourism industry in Ogun State was measured by asking respondents to indicate their preferences using a profile of various structured questions on some possible damages (i.e. atmosphere of mistrust, retrogression, social dislocation, fear, anxiety, frenzy. revenue deficits. etc.) that security and safety challenges in Ogun State have caused hospitality and tourism sectors. This was rated on 5- point Likert scale of Strongly Agreed (SA)=5, Agreed (A)=4, Undecided (U)=3, Disagreed (D)=2, Strongly Disagreed (SD)=1. Control measured being put in place by practitioners was measured by requesting the respondents to make their preferences known using profile of various structured questions on measures being put in place by the stakeholders in Ogun state to combat the challenges of security and safety. This was rated on 5-point Likert Scale of Strongly Agreed (SA)=5, Agreed (A)=4, Undecided (U)=3, Disagreed (D)=2, Strongly Disagreed (SD)=1.

Data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS Version 22). The descriptive statistics used include frequency counts, mean, Percentages, and standard deviation, and inferential statistics include Analysis of variance. (ANOVA) and multiple linear regressions. Specifically, the socioeconomic characteristics data of the respondents were presented using descriptive statistical tools such as tables, figures, frequency, percentages, means, pie chart, bar chart, and standard deviation

Findings

From socio-economic characteristics of respondents in the study area, the majority of respondents were mostly male as they accounted for 65.4% (99), while the female which represented 34.6% (53) also made their contributions. The implication of this is that the security and safety threats in hospitality and tourism industry in Ogun State are major concern to both male and female. The majority of the respondents were between the ages of 40-50 years as they accounted for about 42.9%, and 28.6% of ages 30-40 years who were frequently involved in the patronage of hospitality and tourism outlets, and were more concerned with security threats around the State. The marital status of respondents in this case was expected to influence respondents’ level of satisfaction with the qualities of security and safety services in the hospitality and tourism outlets which could have positive or negative influence on the performance of the sector. It is also important to know that majority of the respondents are married as they accounted for 64.3% of the respondents that filled and returned the questionnaires. Also, 17.9% were single, 10.7% divorced, while 7.1% were widows. This shows that hospitality and tourism sector in Ogun State have enjoyed all categories of people with high records of patronage of married people. Concerning the educational levels of the respondents, it is pertinent to know that education is a vital point of note in enlightenment and tendency towards innovative in security services. There was undoubted strong relationship between education and level of security awareness of people. Above table clearly indicates that 10.7% of the respondents had postgraduate qualification, 53.6% had B.Sc/ HND, 25% had NCE/OND while 10.7% had WASC/GCE/ FSLC qualifications. The reflection is that majority of the respondents were well educated people who made meaningful impact on this questionnaire. On the issue of occupation of respondents, the table also showed that 33 were students respondents which represent 21.4%, 16(10.7%) were selfemployed, 82 (53.6%) were public servants, unemployed were nine.

The Table 2 below clearly explained the analysis of respondents’ positions on various damages arising from insecurity in the hospitality and tourism in Ogun State. The question on whether atmosphere of mistrust in hospitality and tourism sector is a damage arising from security and safety threats, 46 (30.4%) strongly agreed, 57 (37.5%) agreed to this assertion. However, 26 (17.1%) disagreed, 7 (4.3%) strongly disagreed while 16 which represents 10.7% of respondents remained undecided. The implication of this result was that there was quantum number of respondents who agreed to the statement giving a sample Mean of 3.54, and a standard deviation of 1.188. Hence, Mean ≥ 3.5. For the question on whether fear, anxiety and frenzy of tourists is a damage arising from security menace, 42 (27.9%) strongly agreed, 73 (48.2%) agreed to the assertion. 12 (7.9%) disagreed, 3 (1.8%) strongly disagreed while 22 (14.3%) remained undecided. There was substantial number of respondents who agreed to the assertion, giving a sample Mean of 3.68 and a standard deviation of 1.036. Thus, Mean ≥ 3.5. Furthermore, the question on whether retrogression in local and foreign investment in tourism and hospitality is a damage brought about by security threat; 87 (57.1%) strongly agreed, 56 (37.5%) agreed to the statement. However, only 6 (3.6%) disagreed, while 3 (1.8%) remained undecided paving way for a sample Mean of 3.84 and a standard deviation of 0.708. It is however clearly seen that majority of respondents agreed to this assertion. Hence mean ≥ 3.5. The question on whether closure of socioeconomic activities linked to hospitality and tourism is a damage that security menace has caused; 76 (50.0%) strongly agreed, 66 (42.9%) agreed to the assertion. 6 (3.6%) undecided while 3 (2.9%) and 1 (0.7%) disagreed and strongly disagreed respectively. This gave a sample Mean of 3.82 and a standard deviation of 0.753. The implication of this was that majority of respondents agreed. Thus, mean ≥ 3.5. For the question on whether low profit maximization in hotels and destination centre is a damage arising from security threats; 46 (30.4%) strongly agreed, 74 (48.2%) agreed to the statement. 13 (8.9%) undecided while 16 (10.7%) and 3 (1.8%) disagreed and strongly disagreed respectively. However, the result indicated that there was more respondents that agreed to the assertion giving a sample mean of 3.63 and a standard deviation of 0.991.

Table 2: Damages arising from insecurity in the hospitality and tourism in Ogun State.

The question on whether social tension is a damage being created by security threats; 24 (16.1%) strongly agreed, 57 (37.5%) agreed to this assertion. 16 (10.7%) remained undecided, while 44 (28.6%) and 11 (7.1%) disagreed and strongly disagreed respectively. The result showed that 53.6% of respondents agreed providing a sample of 3.52 and a standard deviation 1.234. The question on whether bad hospitality and tourism image is a damage arising from security threats; 57 (37.5%) strongly agreed, 69 (44.6%) agreed to the assertion. 5 (3.6%) undecided, 16 (10.7%) disagreed and 5 (3.6%) strongly disagreed. The result showed that 82.1% of respondents agreed giving a sample Mean of 3.96 and a standard deviation of 1.079. Hence mean ≥ 3.5. The question on whether dwindling of domestic and international tourism inflow into Ogun State a damage arising from security threats; 75 (49.3%) strongly agreed, 55 (36.4%) agreed to the assertion. 13 (8.9%) undecided, 7 (4.3%) disagreed and 2 (1.1%) strongly disagreed. The result showed that 130 respondents agreed while only 9 respondents disagreed with 25 undecided. There was a sample mean of 3.72 and a standard deviation of 0.878. Thus, mean ≥ 3.5. For the issue on whether a revenue deficit in tourism and hospitality is a damage brought about by security threats; 51 (33.9%) strongly agreed, 62 (41.1%) agreed to the assertion while 16 (12.9%) and 3 (1.8%) disagreed and strongly disagreed respectively. However, 20 (10.4%) remained undecided. The result showed that there was higher number of respondents who agreed to the assertion. This gave a sample mean of 3.56 and a standard deviation of 1.057. Hence Mean ≥ 3.5 (Figure 2).

For the issue on whether poor future investment by prospective hospitality and tourism investors is a damage arising from security threats; 57 (37.5%) strongly agreed, 69 (44.6%) agreed to the claim. But 8 (5.4%) remained undecided while 14 (9.6%) and 4 (2.9%) disagreed and strongly disagreed respectively to the claim. However, the result gave a sample mean of 3.92 and a standard deviation of 1.036. Hence Mean ≥ 3.5.

Figure 2: A 2D column chart showing the distribution of frequency of responses on the damages arising from insecurity in tourism and hospitality sector in Ogun State.

Source: Field survey, 2019

The Table 3 below illustrated the various measures that could be of assistance to reduce security threats to its barest minimum. The question on whether mapping out comprehensive security checks by hotels and tourism destinations by the practitioners will reduce security and safety challenge in the industry; 65 (43.2%) strongly agreed, 73 (47.9%) agreed, 1 (0.7%) undecided, 11 (7.1%) disagreed, 2 (1.1%) strongly disagreed. This result showed that huge number of respondents agreed to this assertion. The associated sample mean was 3.50 with a standard deviation of 0.873. Thence, Mean ≥ 3.5.

Table 3: Perceived measures to be put in place by the tourism and hospitality practitioners in Ogun State to curb the challenges of insecurity in the sector.

NB: Decision rule is that if Mean <3.0 the respondents disagreed. If 3.5 ≤ mean ≥ 3.0 the respondents are undecided. If mean ≥ 3.5 the respondents agreed.

For the question on whether introduction of security guard service checklist by hotels and tourism destinations will curb insecurity threat within the hotels; 76 (50.0%) strongly agreed, 68 (44.6%) agreed to this statement. However, 8 (5.4%) disagreed. The associated sample mean was 3.64 with a standard deviation of 0.790. Hence mean ≥ 3.5.

The question on whether effective handling of emergencies at hotels and tourism sites will reduce insecurity threat within the premises; 71 (46.8%) strongly agreed, 67 (44.3%) agreed, 3 (1.8%) undecided, 8 (5.4%) disagreed, 3 (1.8%) strongly disagreed. The responses showed that quantum number agreed to the assertion giving associated sample of 3.42 with a standard deviation of 0.883.

The question on whether storing and protecting vital hotel information will curb insecurity threat within the hospitality and tourism outlets; 83 (54.6%) strongly agreed, 61 (40.0%) agreed, 2 (1.4%) undecided, 4 (2.9%) disagreed, 2 (1.1%) strongly disagreed. The result showed that large number of respondents agreed to the assertion that if the organization stores and protects vital hotel information it will curb insecurity threat. Thus, the associated sample Mean is 3.63 with a standard deviation of 0.760. Hence, Mean ≥ 3.5.

Another question on whether maintaining security environment at hotels and tourism destinations will curb insecurity threats; 73 (47.9%) strongly agreed, 65 (43.2%) agreed, 4 (2.5%) undecided, 8 (5.4%) disagreed, 2 (1.1%) strongly disagreed. The result indicates that more respondents agreed to the assertion. Thus, the associated sample Mean was 3.38 and a sample deviation was 0.847.

The question on whether coordination of quality security services for customers will curb security and safety challenge within the sector; 75 (49.3%) strongly agreed, 66 (43.9%) agreed, 1 (0.4%) undecided, 9 (6.1%) disagreed, 1 (0.4%) strongly disagreed. The result clearly showed that there were more responses that actually support coordination of quality security services for customers to curb security and safety challenge within hospitality and tourism sector, giving associated mean of 3.48, and a sample deviation of 0.804.

The question on whether preparing and presenting security documentation and reports on periodic basis will reduce security and safety challenge in the hospitality and tourism industry; 76 (50.4%) strongly agreed, 73 (47.9%) agreed, 3 (1.8%) strongly disagreed. The result showed that 149 (98.2%) agreed to this assertion while very minute strongly disagreed. The implication is that very large number of respondents agreed. The associated sample Mean was 3.96 with a sample deviation of 0.598.

For the question on whether imbibing and implementing security policies within the hotel premises and tourists areas will reduce security and safety challenge in the industry; 60 (39.6%) strongly agreed, 78 (51.4%) agreed, while only 2 (1.4%) undecided, 11 (6.4%) disagreed, 1 (1.1%) strongly disagreed. This showed that majority of respondents (138) agreed that by imbibing and implementing security policies within hotels and tourists areas will reduce security and safety challenge in the industry. The associated sample Mean was 3.56 with a sample standard deviation of 0.847. Hence, Mean ≥ 3.5.

For the question on whether ‘intrusion detector’ systems will help to reduce security and safety challenge in the hospitality and tourism industry in Ogun State; 75 (49.3%) strongly agreed, 66 (43.6%) agreed, 1 (0.7%) undecided, 6 (3.9%) disagreed, 4 (2.5%) strongly disagreed. It was observed from the result that 93% of respondents supported the installation of instruction detector systems within the premises of the organization will reduce security and safety challenge in the in hospitality and tourism industry. The associated sample means was 4.34, and a sample standard deviation was 0.8880. The question on whether working with video surveillance such as close circuit camera (CCTV) will curb security and safety challenge in the hospitality and tourism industry in Ogun State; 69 (45.4%) strongly agreed, 66 (43.6%) agreed, 6 (3.6%) undecided, 9 (6.1%) disagreed, 2 (1.4%) strongly disagreed. The associated sample Mean was 3.58, and a sample of standard deviation was 0.894. Thus, Mean ≥ 3.58. For the question on whether mounting of’ bomb detectors’ at entry and exit points reduce security threat in the hospitality and tourism sector; 75 (49.6%) strongly agreed, 65 (43.2%) agreed, 1 (0.4%) undecided, 10 (6.4%) disagreed, 1 (0.4%) strongly disagreed. The result showed that 92.3% of respondents supported the idea of mounting bomb detector at the entry and exit points to reduce security threats in the hospitality and tourism sector giving associated sample mean of 3.70 and a sample standard deviation of 0.816. For the question on whether effective guest checking and registration reduces security and safety threat in the tourism and hospitality sector; 61 (40.4%) strongly agreed, 69 (45.4%) agreed, 10 (6.1%) undecided, 11 (7.1%) disagreed, 1 (1.1%) strongly disagreed. The result showed large number of responses in support of effective guest checking and registration. The sample associated mean was 3.66, with a sample standard deviation of 0.906. Hence, Mean ≥ 3.5. The question on whether strong security synergy with communities by stakeholders in hospitality and tourism business will curb security threat in the sector in Ogun State; 62 (41.1%) strongly agreed, 77 (51.1%) agreed, 6 (3.9%) undecided, 6 (3.6%) disagreed, 1 (0.4%) strongly disagreed. The result showed that more respondents agreed to the assertion that strong security synergy with communities by stakeholders in hospitality and tourism business Ogun State will reduce security threats. The associated sample mean was 3.42 with a sample standard deviation of 0.737.

For the question on whether policies and procedures for handling external emergency security such as fire outbreak, bomb threats etc; 61 (40.4%) strongly agreed, 80 (52.5%) agreed, 5 (3.2%) disagreed, 6 (3.9%) strongly disagreed. The data showed that respondents were favourably disposed to having policies for handling external emergency security will surely alleviate the menace of security threats in the hospitality and tourism outlets. Therefore, the associated sample mean of 3.42 with a sample standard deviation of 0.713. For the question on whether determination of quick response to security documentation and reports on periodic basis will reduce the menace of insecurity in the tourism and hospitality industry; 64 (41.8%) strongly agreed, 80 (52.9%) agreed, and 8 (5.4%) disagreed. Respondents to this assertion massively agreed to the fact that quick response to security documentation and reports on periodic basis will drastically reduce the menace of insecurity in the hospitality and tourism sector in Ogun Sate. There was associated sample Mean of 3.98, and a sample standard deviation of 0.733. For the question on whether personnel involvement in security matters in hospitality and tourism sector in Ogun State will curb the security threats; 41 (26.8%) strongly agreed, 51 (33.2%) agreed, 2 (1.1%) undecided, 55 (36.1%) disagreed, 4 (2.9%) strongly disagreed. This result showed that average respondents agreed to the assertion giving associated sample mean of 2.55, and a sample standard deviation of 1.297. Hence Mean ≤ 3.5.

The figure below is a 2D column chart showing the distribution of frequency of responses from respondents on the control measures to be put in place by hospitality and tourism practitioners in Ogun state to curb the various security and safety threats being experienced by the sector. The respondents overwhelmingly agreed to all the suggested palliative measures as indicated in the 2D column chart (Figure 3).

Figure 3:A 2D column chart showing the distribution of frequency of responses on the practitioners’ control measures of insecurity threats in Ogun state.

Source: Field survey, 2019

Test of hypothesis

H₀: There is no significant relationship between security and safety challenge and the control measures that tourism and hospitality practitioners intend to put in place (Table 4).

Table 4: Security threats versus practitioners control measures (Chi-Square Tests).

The results of the hypothesis test of relationship between security and safety threats in hospitality and tourism industry in Ogun state and the practitioners’ control measures are contained in Table 4. Results revealed that there was a significant relationship between stakeholders’ control measures to be put in place and security threats in tourism and hospitality industry in Ogun state. This finding was confirmed by the Chisquare test results (X²=3473.036^a>X²=9.488, p<0.05) as shown in the above table. This implies that security threats in hospitality and tourism in Ogun state are associated with practitioners’ control measures.

Discussion

The findings from the study revealed that the majority of respondents were mostly male as they accounted for 65.4% (99), while the female which represented 34.6% (53) also made their contributions. The implication of this is that the security and safety threats in hospitality and tourism industry in Ogun State are major concern to both male and female. Also, there were more male patrons than female which was largely due to the fact that female has much domestic role to play at home than their male counterpart, hence little time to visit hotels and recreational centres. The majority of the respondents who were between the ages of 40-50 years accounted for 42.9%, and 28.6% for ages 30-40 years who were frequently involved in the patronage of hospitality and tourism outlets, and were more concerned with security threats around the State.

It was revealed that there were various damages arising from insecurity in the hospitality and tourism sector in Ogun State which required swift attention in order to raise the hope of impressive turnover of tourists at their destinations, and sustainability of the business. It was equally revealed that quantum number of respondents agreed to the various measures that could be of assistance to reduce security threats in hospitality and tourism sector to its barest minimum which among others include; mapping out comprehensive security checks in the organization, introduction of security guard service checklist, effective handling of emergencies at the hotels and tourism sites accordingly, storing and protecting vital hotel information, maintaining security environment at hotels and tourism destinations at all times, coordination of quality security services for customers at all times, preparing and presenting security documentation and reports on periodic basis, working with video surveillance such as Close Circuit Camera (CCTV), imbibing and implementing security policies within the hotel premises and tourists areas, establish strong security synergy with communities, etc.

The study further revealed the illustration of distribution of frequency of responses from respondents on the damages that usually arise from insecurity in hospitality and tourism sector in Ogun State using 2D column chart. This illustration showed that respondents vehemently consented to these damages with high percentage. This implied that there is need to urgently address this menace. Also, it was unveiled that the frequency of responses from respondents on the control measures to be put in place by hospitality and tourism practitioners in Ogun State to curb the various security and safety threats being experienced by the sector were strongly agreed to.

Finally, it was revealed that there was a significant relationship between practitioners’ control measures to be put in place and security threats in tourism and hospitality industry in Ogun State. This finding was confirmed by the chi-square test results (x²=3473.036^a>x²=9.488, p<0.05). This implied that security threats in hospitality and tourism in Ogun State are significantly associated with practitioners’ control measures.

Conclusion

It is obvious from the literature that security and safety challenge is key to the growth and development or otherwise of hospitality and tourism sector in Ogun State and Nigeria at large. Thus, the success of hospitality and tourism in any country is a function of excellent security systems put in place at various locations where tourism potentials are available, and every nooks and crannies of the country. The safety of lives and properties of tourists is of paramount importance. Tourists’ inflow into various destinations tends to increase impressively as a result of positive security situation in that environment.

However, it was recommended that all hotel and tourism practitioners in Ogun State should strive to: (1) mapping out comprehensive security checks in the organization (2) introduction of security guard service checklist (3) effective handling of emergencies at the hotels and tourism sites accordingly (4) storing and protecting vital hotel information (5) maintaining security environment at hotels and tourism destinations at all times (6) coordination of quality security services for customers at all times (7) preparing and presenting security documentation and reports on periodic basis (8) working with video surveillance such as Close Circuit Camera (CCTV) (9) imbibing and implementing security policies within the hotel premises and tourists areas, establish strong security synergy with communities.

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