Tourism and Economic Development in Nigeria: A Critical Assessment of the Obudu Mountain Resort, Cross River State 2008-2018

The Obudu Mountain Resort has been in existence for a long time and has gained prominence as a tourism destination both domestically and internationally. Despite its lofty attainments, it cannot be said that the resort has met the standards required for its status. Thus, the problem which this study has been confronted with is making a rigorous attempt to interrogate the debilitating factors which has restrained this resort from advancing to its expected goals and result-oriented profit margin. Primary Data for the study were collected through archival materials, interviews, and participatory observations. Secondary sources utilized include newspapers, internet sources and journals. Given the comparative research methodology which sought to ascertain the achievements of this tourism destination in Nigeria, the study discovered that the resort was highly deprived of adequate financial support since economic development deserves adequate financial investment. The research posited that what is currently invested cannot produce the expected revenue to ginger the very vital economic development of Cross River State of Nigeria. Keywords: key words, Development, Diversification, Economic Growth, Tourism DOI: 10.7176/JTHS/48-03 Publication date: March 31 st 2020