SAFETY COMPLIANCE WITH DISASTER-RISK PROTOCOLS AMONG TOURISM OPERATORS IN DESTINATION CROSS RIVER, NIGERIA

This study examined safety compliance with disaster-risk protocols among tourism operators in Destination Cross River, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted, using questionnaire and interview checklist data obtained from 384 respondents drawn from tourism operators, tourism-sector employees and relevant government agencies. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance were used to assess disaster-risk measures, compliance confidence, communication channels and variation in compliance levels. Findings showed that the main measures provided by authorities were disaster preparedness, prevention and mitigation (42.7%), disaster-risk assessment (27.1%), disaster recovery (16.7%) and disaster-risk reduction (13.5%). Operators reported uneven confidence in compliance and response, with 38% somewhat confident, 30% very confident, 23% not very confident and 9% not confident at all. Social media (37%) and radio/television (28.6%) were the leading emergency communication channels. The ANOVA result showed no significant difference in compliance levels among operators (F = 0.005114, p = 0.945317). The study contributes destination-level evidence on tourism safety governance and recommends stronger training, drills, communication and institutional monitoring.