HOSPITALITY FACILITIES AND THEIR IMPACT ON BUSINESS TOURISM: A CASE STUDY OF CONFERENCE HOTELS IN KADUNA STATE

Business tourism, particularly the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) sector, has emerged as a significant driver of global tourism development. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO, 2022), business-related travel contributes approximately 22% of international tourism receipts, underscoring its role in national and regional economic transformation. Hospitality facilities — including accommodation, conference halls, catering, information technology infrastructure, and security — are central to this growth, as they determine both the capacity and competitiveness of destinations. Scholars argue that “hospitality facilities are the backbone of business tourism” (Rogerson, 2017, p. 278), as they provide the essential infrastructure for corporate gatherings, trade fairs, and networking events. In Nigeria, Kaduna State presents an interesting case study due to its strategic location as the gateway to Northern Nigeria, coupled with its historical role as an administrative and industrial hub (Adebayo & Iweka, 2020). Conference hotels such as Hamdala Hotel, Crocodile Hotel, and Fifth Chukker Polo & Country Club have become pivotal centers for regional and national events. However, despite these developments, challenges such as inadequate ICT infrastructure, inconsistent service delivery, and security concerns persist. These constraints limit Kaduna’s potential to compete with other Nigerian states such as Lagos and Abuja, where hospitality facilities are more developed (Bakare, 2021). This study investigates the relationship between hospitality facilities and the growth of business tourism in Kaduna State, employing a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative surveys of 250 respondents with qualitative interviews from hotel managers and event organizers. Regression analysis revealed a strong correlation between the adequacy of hospitality facilities and business tourist satisfaction, with ICT services and conference halls emerging as the most critical determinants. As Parasuraman, Zeithaml, and Berry’s (1988) SERVQUAL model emphasizes, tangibility and reliability significantly influence perceptions of service quality — a finding consistent with this research. The findings contribute to the literature on hospitality and tourism by highlighting the importance of continuous investment in modern facilities, particularly in ICT-enabled conference technologies, to boost competitiveness. The study concludes that upgrading hospitality facilities will not only enhance tourist satisfaction and repeat patronage but also solidify Kaduna’s standing as a viable business tourism destination in West Africa. As one participant noted during interviews, “business tourists no longer come for hotels alone, they come for the full package — reliable internet, seamless service, and secure environments” (Hotel Manager, 2025, Interview Data). This paper thus adds value to tourism scholarship and practice by situating Kaduna State within the broader discourse of MICE tourism development in Africa. It recommends strategic public–private partnerships, targeted infrastructure investments, and staff capacity-building initiatives to strengthen the competitiveness of Kaduna’s conference hotels. By doing so, Kaduna could leverage its cultural diversity and geographical advantage to become a hub for sustainable business tourism in Nigeria.