Evaluating State Government Financial Contribution to Tourism Development in Cross River State

ABSTRACTThe aim of the study was to assess government investment in evaluating state government financial contribution to tourism development in Cross River State. The study formulated three objectives and two hypotheses. The essence of this study was to assess government investment in tourism development in Calabar, Metropolis. Cross River State. The findings in the study revealed that government investment in tourism development in the state isn't as affective as it is expected. The study further revealed that government budgetary allocation for the period under review, experienced a fluctuation, as such, stunted the development process of tourism in the state. More so, the study discovered that rather than experiencing a continuous appreciation in the amount of money allocated to the sectoral budget of tourism in the state, the allocation experienced a depreciation. The findings insinuate that this negative trend the sector is experiencing, if continued, will hamper tourism development in the state, bearing in mind that the sector's development in the state has only just begun. Furthermore, the study revealed how effective government investment is in the state as well as the challenges faced by government in actualizing the development of tourism in the state. It was recommended among others that a considerable step up of allocation for tourism should be made in order to improve on a conscious and attractive packaging of tourism infrastructures through efficient provisions.vi