Investigating the Role of Transport in Supporting Tourism Development in Cross River State

Tourism is a growing economic sector in Nigeria, and transport accessibility is widely acknowledged as a fundamental prerequisite for tourism development and visitor satisfaction. This study investigates the role of transport infrastructure and services in supporting tourism development in Cross River State, home to Nigeria's annual Calabar Carnival and several biodiversity heritage sites. A descriptive survey design was employed, with data collected from 180 tourists, tour operators, and state tourism officials through structured questionnaires and key informant interviews. The study examines road connectivity to tourist sites, airport service quality, inter-city transport linkages, and tourist perceptions of transport adequacy. Findings indicate that while the Calabar Airport has seen improvements in recent years, ground transportation linkages between the airport and key tourist attractions remain inadequate, with most visitors relying on expensive private hire vehicles. Road conditions leading to natural reserves such as Afi Mountain and Cross River National Park are described as poor to impassable during rainy seasons. The study recommends the development of a tourism transport master plan for Cross River State, the provision of dedicated tourist shuttle services, and targeted investment in access roads to heritage sites. It also calls for collaboration between the State Tourism Bureau and the Ministry of Works to coordinate infrastructure development. These findings provide strategic guidance for tourism-driven transport planning in the South South zone. Keywords: tourism transport, Cross River State, tourist accessibility, transport infrastructure, Calabar.