THE ROLE OF MARINA RESORT ON THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF OLD CALABAR AREA OF CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

This study examined the role of Marina Resort on the socio-economic development of the old Calabar area of Cross River State. Nigeria. It examined the resort's contribution to the livelihood source of the study area. The study identified the existing livelihoods of the people, asses: ed the major attractions in the resort, and evaluated the impact of the resort on the livelihoods of the community. Data used in the study was generated from the field through semi-structured interviews (SSI) and onthe- spot field observation. F indings revealed among others that he resort has gainfully employed members of the community, empowered some and there is still capacity to empower more. On the whole, ‘he resort's impaci on the livelihoods of the community is marginal. In order to collect data in the field, Jour major objectives were put Jorward to guide the study: to examine the tourism support services in the marina resort, evaluate the rate of patronage, employment generation, and the socio-economic problems associated with the Marina resort. (ne hypothesis was tested which ry to investigate if or not there exists ny relationship between tourism Support services in the resort and the rate of patronage of the resort F indings revealed that the Marina Resort provides various tourism Support services which are used during recreation as ‘also evidenced in the result obtained in the tested hypothesis which shows a significant relationship between tourism Support services and the rate of patronage generated in the resort. It was also noticed that despite the employment generated in the resort, the resort is also associated with some socio-economic problems. This st: dy recommends that an effective framework should be put in place to avert the associated problems of the resort in Calabar.