ABSTRACT
This research project investigated the relationship between religious tourism development and church growth in Port Harcourt. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, six hypotheses were proposed and data collected through the issue of 333 questionnaires to christain adherents in the city. The collected data was analyzed using Spearman Rank correlation. Th findings of the research showed that: there is a positive and significant relationship between religious tourism activities such as pilgrimages, crusades and retreats as forms of religious tourism and church growth. The findings also shows that there is a positive and significant relationship between religious tourism activities such as pilgrimages, crusades and retreats as forms of religious tourism and spiritual growth of churches. Based on the findings, we conclude that: Pilgrimages, Crusades and retreats as forms of religious tourism are a major factor in the growth of Churches. We further conclude that religious activities such as Pilgrimages, Crusades and Retreats are very important in the spiritual growth of churches. based on the findings and conclusions, we make the following recommendations: Churches are advised to hold more religious activities such as Pilgrimages, Crusades and Retreats in order to continue growing the numerical strength of churches. It is also recommended that churches can enhance spiritual growth by actively engaging in religious activities such as pilgrimages, retreats and crusades. Finally, it is recommended that the state authorities enhance the security and environmental cleanliness of Port Harcourt in order to continue encouraging religious tourism into the state as this will help to grow the economy of the state.
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
........... Natural church growth means taking leave of superficial pragmatism, simplified cause-effect thing, focusing on quantity, manipulative marketing methods and questionable “can do attitude” (Jan, 2015).
Furthermore the growth of churches has been a popular and holy debated topic among social scientist studying religion (Robin, Paul, & Donald, 1997). The role that religion plays to societal development cannot be ignored. The social impact of this growth is seen in the increase of the number of churches all over the country which establish nursery, primary and secondary schools even up to the high institution of learning; as well as providing job opportunities for many people. Recently, the activities of these churches have to a large extent led to a very surprising increase in membership strength and this is aided by the spread of church branches across the country. The church has a complex role as provider of spiritual experience and guidance, but also as curator and custodian of a unique heritage for a wider community than its congregation.
This is a problem faced by many churches around the world. Where these buildings locations and artfacts become the focus of an increased tourism industry too, the problems come sharply into focus. It is surprising that so little has been done to consider the visiting of rural church in the wider context of tourism, (Ian 2007: 71). Perhaps the church, too, has been reluctant to accept the mantle of tourism provision. Churches in Cornwall are very much a part of the regional heritage and tourism experience (Busby 2003). Nigeria is seen as one of the most religious nations in the world, different scholars have evaluated the subject of religious tourism development.
Religious tourism is that type of tourism whose participants are motivated either in part or exclusively for religious reasons (Gisbert, 1992). Most of the researches show that economic impact of religious tourism is considered as the positive factor while social-cultural and environmental impact of tourism are imagined as negative or at least neutral (Tosun, 2002). Despite having positive impact on tourism some other negative influence has been recognized and appear in different forms such as overcrowding, traffic jams lack of packing space or open space or even in term of crime increase and etc (Anderesk, 2005). Religious tourism helps to promote peace and unity among host communities, states and nations. It brings about improvement in the quality of life for both urban and rural dwellers, through the provision of leisure facilities, healthy relationships and interactions with others (Emeka, 2015:8).
According to Ermias (2014) identified the three major religions in the world to include Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. He further categorized them into segments: Christianity 33%, Islam 21% and Hinduism 14% respectively. Wotogbe (2012) also identified some religious groups which are Judaism, Christianity, Islam, African Indigenous Religious, Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Zoroastrainism and myriads of new Religious Movement in Africa. Religion can be said to be the second oldest institution that governs the social as well as personal behaviours of human beings by providing guidelines, laws and principles relating to interaction with fellow humans and the supernatural (Molley, 2002;6). Religious tourism will not only be brought into the limelight, but will also help in securing a prominent position for Nigeria in the world tourism map. Religious tourism if harnessed has the capacity and potential to boost the state revenue through the visit of both local and international individuals (tourist) from all over the world.
Religion or spiritual tourism definitely has growth potential since people are now seeking solitude and deeper meaning for life and it is also a basic motivation for human travel from generating region to a destination region such as churches, mosques, shrine and holy places either exclusively or partially for religious purposes. Adamolekun, (1999) in his book observed that the establishment of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has led to .............
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION1.4 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
1.5 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
1.6 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
1.4 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
1.7 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1.8 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES
1.7 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
1.8 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
1.9 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
1.10 DEFINITION OF TERMS
1.12 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY
REFERENCES
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 Introduction
Theories of Church Growth
2.1 Concept of Religious Tourism Development Activities
2.1.1 Definition of Religious Tourism Development
2.1.2 Types of Religion
2.2.1 Economic Impact of Religious Tourism Development
2.2.2 Environmental Impact of Religious Tourism Development
2.2.3 Socio-Cultural Impact of Religious Tourism Development
2.3 The Concept of Church Growth
2.3.1 Definition of Church Growth
2.3.2 The Role of the Church in the Society
2.3.3 Causes of Church Growth
2.4. Measures of Church Growth
2.4.1 Numerical Growth
2.4.2 Spiritual Growth
2.5 The Relationship between Religious Tourism and Church Growth
2.5.1 OPERATIONAL FRAMEWORK OF THE STUDY
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.0 INTRODUCTION
3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN
3.2 POPULATION OF THE STUDY
3.3 SAMPLING PROCEDURE AND SAMPLE SIZE DETERMINATION
3.4 DATA COLLECTION METHOD
3.5 VALIDITY OF THE INSTRUMENT
3.6 RELIABILITY OF THE INSTRUMENT
3.7 DATA ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSES AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
4.1 DATA PRESENTATION
4.2 ANALYSES OF RESEARCH QUESTIONS
4.3 DATA ANALYSES
HYPOTHESES TESTING
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
5.2 CONCLUSIONS
5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS
REFERENCES
QUESTIONNAIRE
Reference code: C080
Reference code: C080
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