ANALYSIS OF TRANSPORTATION DETERMINANTS AND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

The impact of transport factors on the development of the tourism industry in Southwest Nigeria is the focus of this in-depth study. Culture, technology, government regulations, infrastructure, and climate change are all transportation determinants that may affect the region's booming tourism industry, and this study used multiple regression analyses to isolate their individual effects. A random sampling method was employed, resulting in a robust dataset from 761 respondents, representing diverse demographics and travel preferences. The rich cultural heritage of Southwest Nigeria emerged as a significant draw aimed at both home and foreign vacationers, influencing their choice of destinations and activities. The results shows that the adjusted R square (R2) is 0.747, which means that the five (5) factors account for 74.7% of the variable in explaining the criterion, which is patronage. Moreover, technology emerged as a transformative force, reshaping the travel experience through digital platforms, online booking systems, and information dissemination channels. Government policies were identified as crucial determinants, providing the regulatory framework that underpins the tourism sector. It is imperative to make concerted efforts towards the development of additional tourist centres across the states in order to minimize the disparities in visitor patronage. This can be achieved through collaborative endeavours among the states, aimed at formulating a comprehensive policy framework for regional tourism development