Geospatial Analysis for Optimal Hotel Site Selection in Minna Metropolis

Abstract

The hotel industry significantly contributes to national economies, particularly in tourism centres. It is a source of employment, generating numerous jobs. However, many African countries, such as Nigeria, face a shortage of hotels due to their spatial distribution. Proper scientific planning, therefore, requires careful consideration of influencing factors before constructing new hotels. This study employed Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and Geospatial Technologies (GIS and Remote Sensing) to assess hotel site suitability in Minna Metropolis. Based on expert advice and existing literature, the study identified five key factors influencing hotel site suitability: Land Use Land Cover (LULC), Slope, Elevation, the spatial distribution of existing hotels, and Road Network Analysis. These factors were weighted using the Analytical Hierarchical Process algorithm and combined using the weighted overlay tool in ArcGIS 10.8 software to create suitability map with four classes: Highly suitable, moderately suitable, less suitable, and Not suitable. The study revealed that over 50% of the city (more than 76 square kilometers) is at least moderately ideal for hotel development. LULC, the density of existing hotels, and road networks were the most influencing factors in hotel site suitability. This research is valuable for researchers and professionals in the hotel industry.