Entrepreneurial Orientation, Opportunities and Eco-Tourism Development in Bayelsa State: A Strategic Perspective

Akoloh, Josephine Timipre; SADIQ, Ibrahim Safiya

doi:10.5281/zenodo.21394005

Akoloh, Josephine Timipre International Institute of Tourism and Hospitality, Yenagoa, Nigeria
SADIQ, Ibrahim Safiya Yaba College of Technology, Lagos

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21394005

Abstract

This research investigates the influence of entrepreneurial orientation in promoting ecotourism development in Bayelsa State. Nigeria. The study investigates the relationship between entrepreneurial skills:- risk-taking, competitive aggressiveness, customer/ecus, creativity, and pro activeness and their influence on the long-term growth of eco-tourism firms in the region. The study explains how these entrepreneurial elements might contribute to Bayelsa State's economic, social, and environmental growth by conducting a thorough examination of current literature and empirical data. The findings show that a strong entrepreneurial focus considerably improves the performance and feasibility of eco-tourism ventures. Entrepreneurs with a risk-taking mindset can seek undiscovered prospects in eco-tourism development, whereas competitive aggressiveness motivates them to differentiate their services and attract tourists in a competitive market landscape. Furthermore, a customer-focused strategy promotes visitor happiness and loyalty, which leads to repeat visits and favorable word-of-mouth. Also, creativity emerges as a vital aspect in developing distinctive eco-tourism experiences, which boosts tourist engagement and the destination's appeal. Pro activeness helps entrepreneurs to foresee market trends, adjust to changing environmental conditions, and quickly capitalize on new possibilities. Finally, creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem in Bayelsa State has the potential to stimulate eco-tourism development while also driving economic growth, supporting environmental protection, and improving community well-being. To fully capitalize on entrepreneurial ability, authorities must prioritize enabling infrastructure, financial access, skill development, capacity-building initiatives and stakeholder participation.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Buckley. R. (2009). Environment a! impacts of ecotourism. Annals of Tourism Research. 36(4). 791-1019.

Buckley, R. (2012). Sustainable Tourism. Research and Reality. Annals of Tourism Research. 39(2). 528-546.

Dallen. J., & Boyd, S. W. (2017). Cultural tourism in a changing world: Politics, participation and (representation. Routledge.

Ebi, B. I. (2019). Tourism development in Bayelsa State: Prospects and challenges. International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Reviews, 9(2). 1-16.

Gberevbie, D. E. (2013). Assessment of Tourism Potentials in Bayelsa Stale, Nigeria. European Journal of Business and Management, 5(31). 119-127.

Hall. C. M. (2010). Tourism and Social Change. London, UK: Routledge.

Honey, M. (2008). Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who Owns Paradise. Washington. DC: Island Press.

Izibili M. O., & Salome, S. (2017). Potentials of tourism development in Bayelsa State. Nigeria. International Journal of Innovative Research and Advanced Studies, 4(3), 160-165.

Lumpkin, G. T., & Dess, G. G. (2001). Linking Two Dimensions of Entrepreneurial Orientation to Firm Performance: The Moderating Role of Environment and Industry Life Cycle. Journal of Business Venturing, 16(5). 429-451.

Magigi, W., & Ramadhani, H. (2013). Enhancing tourism industry through community participation: A Strategy for poverty reduction in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Journal of environmental protection, 4, 1108-1122.

Morris, M. H., Kuratko, D. F., & Covin, ,1. G. (2008). Corporate Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning.

Ogbalor, O. (2018). Ecotourism potentials of mangrove forests in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Environmental Research, Engineering and Management, 74(1). 56-63.

Olofinnade. O. M., Oluwunmi. A. D., & Aderinto, B. (2017). Domestic tourism potentials and development in Nigeria: The case of Bayelsa State. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa. 19(7), 51-65.

Osabohien, R., Efobi. U. Missbahuddin, S., & Osabuohien, E. (2020). Oil-driven and economic diversification opportunities in the Niger Delta region. Resources Policy, 66, 101630.

Oyeyiola, K., Ibe, A. C., & Otukoya, A. (2018). Mangrove resources and management in Nigeria: Issues and challenges. In Mangrove Ecosystems: A Global Biogeographic Perspective (pp. 277-300). Springer.

Parks and Recreation Management (2012). Heritage tourism and museum management. Northern Arizona University. USA, p.3 Online Lesson [http://www.prm.nau.edu/prm300].

Scheyvens, R. (2002). Tourism for development: Empowering communities. Pearson Education.

Shane. S. (2003). A General Theory of Entrepreneurship: The Individual-opportunity Nexus. Cheltenham. UK: Edward Elgar Publishing.

Weaver. D. B. (2008). Ecotourism. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Weaver, D. B., & Lawton, L. J. (2014). Tourism Management. Hoboken, N.I: John Wiley & Sons.

Wales, W. J., Gupta, V. K., & Mousa, F. T. (2013). Empirical Research on Entrepreneurial Orientation: An Assessment and Suggestions for Future Research. International Small Business Journal, 31(4). 357-383.

World Tourism Organization. (2010). Tourism satellite account capacity building Program, workshop II. World Tourism Organization. Manila. Philippines. Asia.

World Tourism Organization. (2019). UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. Madrid. Spain: UN WTO.