Use of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) Equipment in the Hotel Sector of Nigeria’s Tourism Industry

Abstract

This study investigates the perceptions of selected university staffers of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), among other professionals who may patronise hotels during their leisure or official travels on their choice of hotels based on the availability and use of ClosedCircuit Television (CCTV) equipment. The study adopted a mixed research method for data
collection.100 staff members of the NOUN from its 8 faculties comprising teaching and nonteaching staff were selected as respondents for the study, based on random and stratified sampling techniques. In addition, 16 research participants from the tourism industry and academia were recruited for the study, using the snowballing technique. A questionnaire survey
and semi-structured/in-depth interview technique designed based on the technological determinism theory were used to retrieve requisite information from the respondents and research participants. The administered questionnaires gave a return rate of 89% when analysed using tables. The interviews were content analysed. The study found that virtually all staff members of NOUN patronise hotels in Nigeria for various purposes. Even though most respondents and participants were not sure if the deployment of the surveillance equipment in focus would prevent crime, they affirmed that the availability of CCTV equipment at the hotels they stayed in gave them a sense of safety and security. They inferred that CCTV technology deters criminals and would-be criminals. NOUN staff were especially emphatic that deploying CCTV cameras in hotels is not an invasion of their privacy, as the cameras are restricted to open places. Nonetheless, the study recommends that as a matter of policy hotels without CCTV equipment should be made to install such equipment to enhance the safety and security of guests
and staffers and for the prevention of crimes.