Strengthening hotel safety protocols through routine inspections: Evidence of regional compliance disparities in Cross River State, Nigeria

This study examines how routine inspections strengthen hotel safety protocol compliance in Cross River State, Nigeria, with particular attention to regional disparities in enforcement. A mixed-methods design was used, combining questionnaires administered to 531 hotel staff, interviews with hotel managers and regulatory stakeholders, direct observations and Cross River State tourism bureau inspection records for 2020-2024. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and a two-way analysis of variance within the General Linear Model framework, while interview and observation data were thematically analysed to contextualise the statistical patterns. The results show a marked spatial imbalance in inspection frequency, with the Southern zone accounting for most recorded inspections and showing stronger observed compliance practices than the Central and Northern zones. In contrast, year-to-year variation in inspection frequency was not statistically significant. The study demonstrates that inspection effectiveness depends not only on the existence of safety regulations but also on consistent enforcement, institutional capacity and hotel-level safety culture. The findings offer evidence-based guidance for strengthening inspection coverage, prioritising lower-compliance zones and improving safety governance in emerging tourism destinations.