GEOGRAPHY OF TOURISM FREE TEXTBOOK

Introduction………………………………… …..…………. 1

Course Objectives…………………………… …..………… 1

Working through this Course……………… …..………….. 1

Study Units………………………………… …..………….. 2

Assignment File……………………………… ….………... 2

Final Examination and Grading…………… ….………….. 3

Salient Points ………………………………… ….……….. 3

Final Advice ……...…………………………… ….………. 3

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Introduction

HCM 145 is on Geography of Tourism. Our major concern here is with geography as it relates to tourism professionals. An attempt has been to provide all the essential features of the geography of Nigeria that you may need in your profession. We have touched on the concept of geography, only peripherally in this book.

In the unit on Biodiversity: Landscape, Environment and Ecology, we have discussed, besides the geographical features of Nigeria, the variety of its flora and fauna wealth along with the environmental concerns.

The unit on Seasonality and Destinations defines the concept of seasonality. It describes mainly the relationship between the destinations and their seasonality from the point of view of tourism.

The unit on Map and Chart Work deals with the importance of maps and charts for tourism professionals. It also describes the language used in maps and charts and tells you the method to read maps and charts to your benefit, etc.

Course Objectives

As a potential tourism professional you will wonder at the variety and range of questions/queries that may be put across to you by an itinerant tourist (particularly to Nigeria) regarding the landscape, ecology or environment of this country even including questions concerning the state of transportation and road network system. In order not to avert or try to dodge such queries but instead, be able to provide replies that will satisfy potential tourists the necessary information you require has been provided in this course. Thus, by the time you have read this course fully, you should have sufficient knowledge in areas such as:

1. Geographical features

2. Ecological varieties

3. Environmental concerns in Nigeria

4. The road network and

5. Transportation

Working through this Course

In order to complete this course, you are required to read all the study units as well as other suggested materials. While it is not necessary for you to read them, in order to complete the course successfully, it will be to your advantage if you can. Each unit contains a Self Assessment

Exercise by which you can assess your own progress. At various points

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HCM 145 COURSE GUIDE

in the course, particularly at the end of each unit, are TMAs (TutorMarked Assignments). Such assignments are supposed to be attempted and their answers mailed to your Tutorial Facilitators.

Study Units

This course is made up of 12 units broken into modules as follows:

Module 1

Unit 1 Nigeria‟s Biodiversity (Landscape, Environment and

Ecology)

Unit 2 Seasonality and Destinations

Unit 3 Map and Chart Work

Unit 4 Nigeria‟s Location

Unit 5

Module 2 Nigeria: Relief and Drainage

Unit 1 Climate of Nigeria

Unit 2 Nigeria Vegetation

Unit 3 Modes of Transport in Nigeria

Unit 4 Demand for Recreation I

Unit 5

Module 3 Demand for Recreation II

Unit 1 Site Evaluation

Unit 2 Visitor and Site Monitoring and Control