CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
Cultural
tourism is a rapidly growing phenomenon and has become one of the largest
industries in the world. The impact of cultural tourism varies extremely. On
one hand, it plays an important and certainly positive role in the
socioeconomic and political development in destination countries by, for
instance, offering new employment opportunities. Also, in certain instances, it
may contribute to a broader cultural and understanding by creating awareness,
respecting the diversity of cultures and ways of life. On the other hand, it is
a tool to create jobs (IdanreEcocultural tourismMasterplan). Cultural tourism
has been a major driver of socio-economic development in Western society; it is
an alternative strategy for sustainability and diversification of economy for
important policy of a good government. There are many western nations such as
U.S.A, United Kingdom, Canada that have utilized the benefit of cultural
tourism to sustain their economy. However, over the years, cultural tourism
sector has been experiencing disdain in Nigeria. The Nigeria economy solely
relies on crude oil with total neglect of other sectors such as cultural
tourism and agriculture which are the mainstay of a good economy. Over–
concentration on oil sector has a great implication for the survival of Nigerian
economy. The nonchalant attitude of government towards the development of the cultural
tourism sector has been major challenge facing the sector in Nigeria. Mass cultural
tourism in and from industrialized countries is a product of the late 1960s and
early 1970s. Since then a number of interrelated developments in the world
economy, such as overall economic growth and various other socio-economic
changes, government policies, technological revolution, changes in production
processes and new management practices have converted part of the industry from
mass cultural tourism to so-called “new cultural tourism”.
The
latter connotes the idea of responsible, green, soft, alternative and
sustainable cultural tourism, and basically refers to the diversification of
the cultural tourism industry and its development in targeted, niche markets.
Competition in the new cultural tourism is increasingly based on
diversification, market segmentation and diagonal integration (BGL Research and
Intelligence). In recent times, cultural tourism is one of the largest
industries that has contributed to the socio-economic growth of many countries
especially countries where cultural tourism is the mainstay of her economy,
World Cultural tourism Organization (WTO, 1998; cited in Eja et al., 2012).
Despite the fact that that industry is a vehicle for promoting cultural
exchange that enhances international understanding and goodwill among the
diverse peoples of the world, it is also a catalyst for enhancing many country
destination employment opportunities, foreign exchange and infrastructural
facilities (ESCAP, 2002; cited in Eja et al., 2012). The development of cultural
tourism as a critical sector of the economy has gradually assumed a centre
stage in the economic agenda of most nations of the world. In the past few
decades, international attention on cultural tourism as a critical sector of
the economy has greatly increased. This is in view of its capacity to quickly
stimulate income growth, generate foreign exchange and contribute to domestic
earnings of government through fees and taxes (Vanguard Newspaper, June 24,
2011). The interest in cultural tourism by the Nigeria’s government started way
back in the 1960s with the Obasanjo’s regime in 1976 establishing the Nigeria Cultural
tourism Board (NTB) now Nigeria Cultural tourism Development Corporation (NTDC)
via Decree No. 54 of 1976 reviewed to Decree No. 86 of 1991 and giving it a
‘preferred sector’ status respectively. Master Plan on cultural tourism
development in Nigeria started in 1982 with a cultural tourism development
policy first rolled out in 1990. To further consolidate the quest for quality
service delivery in the cultural tourism industry, the government created the
Federal Ministry of Cultural tourism and Culture to actualize the dream of
catching up with the global train in cultural tourism development (Munzali,
2011). Cultural tourism has become a major source of economic diversification
for many countries, underpinning the service sector and forging effective
backward and forward linkages with the rest of the economy, allowing new
employment and income earning opportunities. Although the developed countries
account for a higher proportion of global cultural tourism, many developing
countries are beginning to take advantage of the huge opportunities offered by cultural
tourism. However, only developing countries with effective natural and man-made
cultural tourism supporting and enhancing infrastructure have been able to develop
their cultural tourism sector and seize the attendant advantages. The need for
economic diversification in most developing countries is overwhelming because
of their defining mono-cultural economic characteristics where only one or two
commodities dominate exports and provide the bulk of foreign exchange from
which these countries could reconcile their internal and external balances. Cultural
tourism is one concept that may not really invoke the desired passion and
attraction among Nigerians. The reason for this could be the high level of
poverty prevalent in a country where the people live from hand to mouth and
have little left for other secondary activities like cultural tourism. However,
cultural tourism is not an issue that is limited to Nigeria but is a language
of the international community where people save money in order to visit places
of attractions to fulfill their dreams (Jiboku and Jiboku, 2010). The important
roles of the cultural tourism sector as the main instrument in socio-economic
development of any nation cannot be overemphasized. Although some of the
tourist centres in Nigeria are not well developed to promote socio-economic
development, the only way to realize the important roles of cultural tourism is
through a well developed, packaged and promoted tourist attraction (Tunde,
2012). The Nigerian Government is increasingly recognizing the need to develop
this industry especially now that the country is trying to diversify her
economy. The present government has called for the promotion and exploitation
of other sectors that could contribute to economic development and cultural
tourism has been recognized as a high profile among them. Apart from petroleum
and agriculture, cultural tourism is another sector that could help in turning
the Nigerian economy around (Dalat, 2010). Nigeria is a country richly endowed
with a wide range of natural and cultural resources relative to other nations
in Africa and on global level most of which are largely untapped. These
resources fall into protected ecosystems (game reserves and recreational
parks), protected landscapes or natural sceneries, cultural sites, coastline,
traditional festivals and historic relics and monuments (Ekechukwu, 1990;
Okoli, 2001 cited in Enemou et al., 2012).
1.2 Statement
of the problem
Undoubtedly,
cultural tourism and the hospitality industry can be said to be a basic revenue
generator for the operators in the business and the country in which they
operate. Nigeria as a country is no exception. Although the cultural tourism
industry in Nigeria cannot be said to be fully developed, it is still in its
developing stage. Meanwhile, since its independence in 1960, Nigeria as a
country has been dependent on the oil sector. So, the cultural tourism sector
has been neglected, until recently when the new democratic government
identified cultural tourism as a strategic venture that can boost the economy
of Nigeria as a country (Nigeria hospitality, 2010; cited in Ogbonnikan, 2012).
It is against this backdrop that this study explores management of cultural
tourism for socio economic-development in Nigeria.
1.3 Objectives
of the study
1. To
ascertain the significance of cultural tourism to sustainable development.
2. To
ascertain the socio-economic impact of cultural tourism to sustainable development.
3. To
access the challenges of cultural tourism in Nigeria and its impact on
sustainable development.
1.4 Research question
1. How
significant is cultural tourism to sustainable development?
1.5 Research hypothesis
Ho:
Cultural tourism has no significant impact on sustainable development.
Hi:Cultural
tourism has significant impact on sustainable development.
1.6 Significance of the study
Nigeria
is one such country seeking to diversify its economy away from crude oil
production to maximize employment and income generating opportunities. Nigeria
has huge cultural tourism potentials, especially given its natural and
diversified landscapes but lacks effective and cultural tourism supporting and
enhancing infrastructure. While cultural tourism affords huge employment and
income generating opportunities, its impact on bio-physical environment is well
acknowledged hence the emphasis on sustainable cultural tourism (Ayeni and
Ebohoh, 2012).
1.7 Scope/Limitations of the study
This study on the assessment
of the significance of cultural tourism to sustainable development will cover
various approaches to the study and its impact on the area of study.
Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the
efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature
or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire
and interview).
Time
constraint- The
researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work.
This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.
1.8 Definition of terms
Cultural
tourism: Is the subset of cultural tourism concerned with a country or region's culture, specifically the lifestyle of the people in those
geographical areas, the history of those people, their art, architecture,
religion(s), and other elements that helped shape their way of life.
Development:The act of developing or the state of being developed
Sustainable
Development: Is development that meets the needs of the present, without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.