Safety And Security as Predictor of Tourism Destination Preference on Tourist Satisfaction among Leisure Seekers in Cross River State

This study investigated safety/security as predictor of tourism destination preference on tourist satisfaction among leisure seekers in Cross River State. The study was undertaken to determine the extent to which safety and security predict tourist satisfaction among leisure seekers in the State. Specifically, the study examined the individual influence of these destination selection preference variables on tourist satisfaction. The study adopted the survey research design. The population of the study comprised leisure seekers and tourists visiting major tourism destinations and hospitality facilities within Cross River State. An estimated accessible population of 300,000 tourists was used for the study based on official tourism statistics. A multistage sampling technique involving purposive, stratified, and simple random sampling procedures was adopted to select a sample size of 747 respondents. Data were collected using a researcher-designed instrument titled Security as Predictor of Tourism Destination Preference and Tourist Satisfaction Questionnaire (SPTDPTSQ). Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and simple linear regression analysis at the .05 level of significance. The findings revealed that safety and security significantly predicted tourist satisfaction (Adjusted ???? 2 = .807, ???? =3124.91,p<.05). Based on the findings, the study concluded that tourism destination selection preference variables are strong determinants of tourist satisfaction among leisure seekers in Cross River State. The study recommended that tourism stakeholders, hospitality operators, and government agencies should improve tourism infrastructure, strengthen destination security systems, enhance transportation services, provide quality accommodation and cuisines in order to improve tourist satisfaction in Cross River State, Nigeria.