Adoption of Integrated Coastal Zone Management in Tackling Beach Resort Destination Challenges in Suntan Beach Badagry Nigeria

The importance of Nigeria’s tourism industry lies in its tourism resources generating foreign exchange [1]. One of the main factors behind the success of Nigerian tourism is its natural beauty. The country is located along the South Atlantic Ocean and it is blessed with a wide range of water resources. This study examined the issues surrounding the planning and management strategies adopted in Badagry Local Government Area for coastal tourism development. The study adopted a questionnaire as the research instrument, which was specifically used to gather views from a large number of tourists regarding the activities, planning and management of Suntan beach. The likert scale pre-coded responses were included in the questionnaire. Three different sets of questionnaires were designed for the following target groups: tourist/ visitors, host community members, and catering outfits, hotels and tourism related establishments. A total of 100 copies of the survey questionnaire were administered within the Badagry community, to tourists at the beaches and 50 copies of questionnaire were distributed among the hospitality related outfits, government and private agencies operating within the area. It also utilized a mix of purposive and convenience sampling in order to conveniently administer questionnaire to tourist visit the beaches. To test for relationships between two sets of observation, and to measure the amount of similarity and variations, correlation analysis was applied. It was also applied to determine if these tourists with different demographics background have different responses for the facilities and service of the beaches, hotels and restaurants. The one-way ANOVA was also used to test for differences among three or more independent groups, as applicable in the type of data gathered and the hypothesis to be tested. The study found that there is no significant relationship between coastal tourism management and tourism planning in Suntan beach. This must have resulted in the deplorable situation of the beach tourism facilities and the beach environment. It also found that any positive change in socio-economic factors will lead to increase in the development of the built environment in the area. The research has demonstrated the need for responsible and sustainable coastal tourism development, planning and management in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State. This also requires a coherent tourism policy framework to guide and drive action and appropriate bodies to see that the policies are implemented. To strengthen policy frameworks for sustainable coastal tourism, it should be ensured that development policies accurately identify the role of sustainable tourism and that sustainability aims are mainstreamed in updated tourism policies. Similarly, coastal tourism opportunities and challenges should be clarified in national tourism policies and strategies. Specific emphasis needs to be placed on destination-level sustainable tourism planning and action, and wider policies and legislation needs to be pursued to support transparent land use planning and tourism development processes.