Leter of Consent for Interview and Questionnaires format

University of Greenwich
Business School
Department of Marketing, Event & Tourism.
Old Royal Naval College
Park Row
Greenwich
London SE10 9LS
Telephone: +44 20 8331 8000
24th April,2010.


Mr J. M. Umeakuka.
Chairman ,
Anambra State Tourism Board,
Akwa.
25/04/2010

Dear Sir

Letter of consent for interview


My name is Umeokoli Peter, and I am currently preparing my thesis as part of a Masters degree in International Tourism Management at the University of Greenwich, England. My thesis aims to examine whether the development of tourism can be a solution to rural-urban migration, and the village of Ezinifite will be used as a case study focus.

I am planning to conduct interviews with several key local respondents for their views on why people migrate from Ezinifite to urban areas, what problems this causes for the town, and whether there is potential for tourism development to play a role in reversing this trend of rural-urban migration. I am very interested to hear your views on this topic and would be grateful if you would agree to take part in an interview. I am visiting Ezinifite on … dates… to carry out the interviews and would like to organise a meeting time and place that is convenient for you. The interview will last approximately 30 minutes.
The interviews will be recorded, but I guarantee that your views will remain anonymous and will only be used for the purposes of academic research. The results of the study will be made available to you.
I look forward to hearing from you shortly.

Your sincerely

Peter Umeokoli

Sample
Key local respondents
(a) Village head (3)
(b) Farmer (1)
(c) Transport owners association (1)
(d) Community president (1)
(e) Traditional ruler of Ezinifite (1)
(f) Oil mile industry (1)
(g) Bar/restaurant (1)
Urban respondent
(a) Tourism board officers (2)
(b) town Planning authority (1)




















Interview

(A) Migration
1. Can you describe the population changes you have noticed in Ezinifite in recent years?
Prompts:
- have you noticed the population increase or decrease?
- Have you noticed a change in the number of men and women?
- Have you noticed a change in the prosperity of the town?
- When did you notice these changes? Are they still happening now?

2. What do you think are the causes for these changes?
Prompts:
- why are people leaving town?
- What is the economic situation in Ezinifite?
- What is the employment situation in Ezinifite?
- What is encouraging people to migrate to urban areas?

3. What kinds of problems has Ezinifite experienced since these changes?
Prompts:
- are there enough working men?
- are there enough young people? IS there an ageing population?
- what does this mean for the town?
- Has the economy suffered?

4. How do you feel about the situation in Ezinifite?
- does this affect you personally?
- does this affect your business/organisation?


(B) Present Tourism in Ezinifite

5. What do you think are the main industries in the town?
- what makes money?
- What contributes to the economy?

6. What is the largest employer?

7. Do you think that Ezinifite currently has a tourism industry?
Prompts:
- is there anything in Ezinifite that attracts visitors?
- where are these visitors from?
- why are they coming here?
- how long do they stay?
- where do they stay?

8. Can you describe to me any festivals in Ezinifite?
Prompts:
- where are the festival visitors from?
- how long do they stay?
- how many people do you think it attracts?
- how does this festival benefit local economy?
- Do you consider this festival to be a ‘tourist attraction’?
- Do you think it has the potential to attract more visitors from here and abroad?

(C) Tourism as a solution to rural-urban migration.
9. What other aspects of Ezinifite could attract tourists?
- community
- natural features
- local products
- local festivals/events

10. Do you think tourism would have the potential to reverse the trend of rural-urban migration?


(D) Potential tourism developments product.
11. What are your views about the potential of the following tourism products for the town?
(ask about each in turn)
Farm Tourism
Local crafts demonstrations
… a third product?
- do you think any of these tourism products would attract domestic visitors?
- International visitors?
- Do you think they have the potential to contribute significantly to the local economy?
- Do you think they have the potential to reverse – or at least reduce - rural to urban migration?

12. If not tourism, what else do you think would help to reverse rural to urban migration?