Impact of Financial Access on the Growth of Tourism Businesses in the Kambari Game Reserve, Mutum Buyi, Taraba State. Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of financial access measured through availability, affordability, and accessibility on the growth of tourism businesses in Mutum Buyi, Taraba State. The background to this study lies in the growing recognition of financial inclusion as a catalyst for rural tourism development. The study is anchored on the Social Capital Theory, which emphasizes the value of social networks, trust, and cooperation in facilitating access to resources and opportunities, including financial services, especially in underserved communities. A quantitative survey research design was adopted. Data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to a stratified random sample of 250 respondents, including tourism business owners, entrepreneurs, and financial stakeholders. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess the relationships between the independent variables and business growth indicators. Findings revealed that availability (β = 0.25, p = 0.001), affordability (β = 0.18, p = 0.001), and accessibility (β = 0.20, p = 0.002) of financial services significantly and positively influence the growth of tourism businesses, while the constant (β = 2.35, p < 0.001) shows strong baseline growth potential.The study concludes that financial access is a critical driver of tourism enterprise growth in rural settings. It recommends increasing the availability of financial outlets, introducing subsidized loan schemes to enhance affordability, and expanding digital banking services to improve accessibility. These measures are essential for fostering sustainable tourism development in Mutum Buyi.