Cultural heritage sites are considered as tourism magnates with social, cultural and economic values. Dearth of information on the perception of the visitors and the heritage managers on the impacts of development of tourism products has necessitated this research finding. The two heritage sites considered are of unique cultural values to Nigeria and the World. While Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove is listed on UNESCO Heritage List, Badagry Slave Trade Relics is a National Monument. Multiple research techniques employed in undertaken the study include field observation, questionnaire administration and Key Informant Interview. Total of 293 questionnaire were valid for descriptive analysis while the interview was subjected to thematic analysis. The field observation aids in identification of the tourism products complemented by knowledgeable source. Inferential statistics was used in testing the hypothesis. In-depth information on the tangible and intangible heritage resources into the study areas was revealed and documented. Identified tourism products were listed, categorized and their level of development were appraised. Demographic characteristics of the respondents and their perception on the impacts of tourism products were presented. Chi Square test shows that age, marital status, education, occupation and religion had significant relationship with total perception on tourism products development at P<0.01 and P<0.05. Research outcome will serve as blue print in the quest for appropriate model for sustainable tourism development in heritage sites. Heritage site managers, conservation administrators, tourists and other relevant stakeholders will benefit tremendously in the research output.
Keywords: Cultural heritage, Perception of visitors, Sustainable tourism, Tourism product.
Received: 30 March 2020 / Revised: 14 May 2020 / Accepted: 18 June 2020/ Published: 6 July 2020
This study contributes to existing literature on cultural heritage tourism with new methodology and formula. It is one of very few studies which have investigated impacts of tourism development on heritage resources with primary contribution to sustainable management. Perceptions of relevant stakeholders towards ensuring sustainable heritage resources management are documented.
Tourism is considered one of the important economic sectors in the world, and it enormously contributes to income and exports. The direct contribution of Travel and Tourism to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2018 was USD2,750.7bn which is equivalent of 3.2% of GDP and this forms basis for the forecast to USD2,849.2bn by the end of 2019 0 (World Travel and Tourism, 2019). In addition to this, tourism generated about 9 per cent of total GDP and provide more than 235 million jobs in 2010, representing 8 per cent of global employment. To picture the sheer scale of the sector’s contribution to employment, travel and tourism currently supports more than the auto manufacturing and chemicals manufacturing industries combined (WTTC, 2018). The tourism sector is also considered a friend of the environment relatively compared with the manufacturing sector, so it can lead to further sustainable development and a number of countries seek to develop the tourism sector to drive growth of green economy (Hastings, 2014). It is interesting to know that the 21st century global economy is being driven by three major industries of which tourism is one, others are technology and telecommunication. This explains the reason why millions of people travel yearly across the globe miles and miles away from their homes, in order to see the distant lands and experience their culture.
Cultural and heritage tourism, as a form of alternative tourism is one of the most significant and fastest growing global tourism segments (Alzua, O'Leary, & Morrison, 1998; Herbert, 2001) because of the tourists’ inclination to seek out novelty, including that of traditional cultures, history, lifestyles of a particular destination (Craik, 1997; Gnanapala, Lecturer, & Belihuloya, 2012; Williams, 1998). Furthermore, past studies suggest that the purpose of visiting cultural and heritage sites is to enhance learning, grow spirituality, satisfy curiosity, relax and get away from daily routines (Gnanapala 2015; Poria, Butler, & Airey, 2004; Timothy & Boyd, 2003) .
According to World Heritage Centre of UNESCO, there are 802 cultural World Heritage sites, and 197 are categorized as natural sites, 32 as mixed sites categorized as both natural and cultural sites (World Economic Forum, 2015). Heritage sites across the world are considered as tourism magnate with various attractions both tangible and intangible offering desirable products and services to the visitors. As a result of growing visit to Heritage site, United Nation on Education, Science and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has developed World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Programme (WHSTP) as a new approach based on dialogue and stakeholder cooperation where planning for tourism and heritage management is integrated at a destination level. WHSTP provides opportunities to value the natural and cultural assets, protect, and develop appropriate tourism mechanism. The Programme creates an international framework for cooperation and coordinated achievement across sectors in order to safeguard heritage and at the same time achieve sustainable economic development while offering unique, lasting and unforgettable tourism products for the visitors.
A tourism product can be defined based on the perspective of the authors. It can be seen as a composite product, as the sum total of a country’s tourist attractions, transport, and accommodation and of entertainment which result in customer satisfaction. Each of the components of a tourist product is supplied by individual providers of services like hotel companies, airlines, travel agencies. For instance, Holodova (2013) defined and categorized tourism products into various form based on their peculiar characteristics in such a way that they can be easily marketed and positioned appropriately. The author opined that heritage sites across the world are tourist attractions that possessed unique characteristics features offering lasting experience in form of product being consumed by the tourist thereby keeping their interest alive in enjoying their stay. For instance, some of the notable heritage sites that are tourist magnate mentioned by the author include TajMahal, the Great Wall of China, the Grand Canyon in Arizona, Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty e.t.c.
On the other hand, Dhiman (2013) definition and classification of tourism products revolved round distinctive characteristic features including inflexibility, inventory, inconsistency and intangibility. On the basis of these characteristics features, the author classified tourism products into four including Tourism Oriented Product (TOP), Resident Oriented Product (ROP), Background Tourist Elements (BTE) and Retrievable Tourism Product (RTP). Similarly, Dhiman (2013) recognized tourism potential of heritage sites, stressing that historical monuments, important pilgrimage destinations, archeological sites and other historical places attract tourists to visit a particular designation as retrievable tourism products with lasting memories of different kinds.
The importance of ancient monument as a tourism product have been highlighted by Edokpolo (2007). The author stressed that ancient monuments are highly valuable and informative in terms of socio-cultural, socio-economic and even technological activities of a particular society or group of people. He went further to state that the palaces of the Oba and his Chiefs are of historical importance.
Culture and heritage are often considered as the fundamental aspect underpinning a country national identity and sovereignty. Cultural heritage including historical sites, cultures and other invaluable assets are the distinguished elements that encapsulate a nation’s soul and spirit (Ahmad, 2006). These cultural properties, which are important component of the environment, may be viewed as religious and natural topographical landscape sites in form of relief features (hills, mountains, valleys, rock, outcrops, streams and rivers) that have been accorded significant historical and cultural relevance (Omisore, Ikpo, & Oseghale, 2009). There is therefore a need to ensure sustainable conservation and management of monuments and sites for economic, cultural, environmental and social values.
In an attempt to conserve, preserve and maintain unique cultural and historic features of cultural heritage sites, heritage managers and conservation practitioners are being confronted with numerous challenges. Encouraging heritage tourism can have far-reaching physical, environmental, socio-cultural, and economic negative as well as positive impacts (McKercher & Du Cros, 2002; Timothy & Nyaupane, 2009). Some of the identified problems have been listed to include trafficking, environmental degradation, insufficient funding, pollution, thefts and looting of museum, vandalism, Islam, Christianity, civilization, commerce, excessive litter, erosion or soil compaction, air pollution, illegal trade in artifacts, inadequate professionals and the closeness or proximity of these sites to urban centres thereby making the land occupied by them to attract high value for alternative investment (Aradeon, 1996; Omisore et al., 2009; Onyima, 2016; Timothy, 2011) .
In most cases especially in less-developed regions of the world the benefits of developing heritage tourism can be tremendous to the local communities. The most notable significant benefits of promoting tourism is that it can contribute to social and cultural well-being by reviving the cultures of the local communities which were lost or on the verge of being lost (Timothy, 2011). It is evident, that there is an existing opportunity for Africa to have a fairer distribution of tourist flows across the world, with the purpose of contributing to the alleviation of poverty in the continent (WTO, 2002c) . As a result, tourism has provided the justification for preserving cultural heritages that might otherwise have disappeared. Needless to emphasize the negative impact of advancing heritage tourism in heritage sites. Timothy (2011) reported that the physical fabric of the environment is one of the profound impacts of heritage tourism. Various researchers have equally share their views on the negative impact of heritage tourism on the physical or tangible heritage resources as reported in literatures (Austin, 2002; Fyall & Garrod, 1998; Timothy. & Boyd, 2003) . This category of researchers noted that excessive numbers or careless visitors cause serious damage to historic artifacts and ancient monuments.
Not all the impacts of heritage tourism are physical in nature. Socio-cultural impacts also arise when tourists reach the destination. The most deplorable socio-cultural impacts include forced displacement, tension between residents and tourists, cultural commodification (Timothy & Boyd, 2003; Timothy & Nyaupane, 2009) and the expansion of prostitution (Nyaupane, Morais, & Dowler, 2006). In addition, the expansion of drug addiction, physical assaults, and crime levels are also often considered with the negative impacts of heritage tourism (Haralambopoulos & Pizam, 1996). The expansion of tourism makes everyday life more expensive not only for tourists but also for residents as well (Timothy, 2011). Hence, if the integration between heritage tourism and conservation has to be possible as being encapsulate in WHSTP approach, heritage managers and other professionals should be able to mitigate these tourism challenges and protect local residents from any form of tourism exploitation (McKercher & Du Cros, 2002).
To attain sustainable tourist flows in the long-run, it is vital to explore ways to maximize the merits and minimize the demerits of tourism at the destination level (Kakiuchi, 2011). Paucity There is need for the heritage site managers to acknowledge both the beneficial and detrimental effects of promoting heritage tourism on local communities. Some studies have indicated that if much attentions are paid on the benefits of developing heritage tourism at the neglect of the negative impacts, there is tendency of moving to the edge of unsustainable heritage tourism development especially at the heritage site (McKercher & Du Cros, 2002). This assertion underpins this research study with the aim of exploring and assessing the impact of tourism product development on the two notable heritage sites in Nigeria.
The study sites were selected based on their unique characteristics features and importance to conservation and preservation of Nigerian cultural heritage resources. While Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove is one of the two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nigeria, Badagry Slave Trade Relics is listed as National monument.
The research outcome will provide opportunity for development of tourism products inconformity with the principle of sustainable tourism and successful incorporation of heritage conservation in the planning process as an important step in achieving sustainability.
Two hypotheses were considered to predict the outcomes of the research on the threat development of tourism products poses on cultural heritage conservation and perception of the respondents on the impact of tourism development.
1.1. Location of the Study Areas
The study was carried out at Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove and Badagry Slave Trade Relics.
1.2. Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove
Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove is located along the bank of Osun River in Osogbo Local Government Area of Osun State in South Western Nigeria. Its geographical coordinates are 7045’ 02” N and 4033’ 08” E. It covers an area of 75 hectares and is encircled by a buffer zone of 47 ha (IUCN, 2005). The sacred grove is situated on the margin of the southern forests of Nigeria on a raised parcel which is about 350 meters above sea level. In the east, it is bounded by Osun State Agricultural Farm Settlements. The grove is bounded in the North by Laro and Timehin Grammar Schools, the South by entrance of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) which runs parallel to form a western boundary (National Commission for Museums and Monuments, 2010).
The Osun- Osogbo sacred grove is a sacred forest that form part of Yoruba cultural tradition dedicated to Osun goddess of fertility. The sacred grove is an organically evolved cultural and landscape site associated with the Yoruba traditional religion and culture. The sacred grove is a Nigerian national monument and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2005.The Osun Osogbo Grove has a tropical climate with the rainy season (March – November) and the dry season (November – February). It is a protected area covered by riparian forest, dry high forest and derived savannah (Akinpelu & Adebowale, 2007).
1.3. Badagry Slave Trade Relics
The ancient city of Badagry was founded precisely in 1425. It is located along the ancient Slave Coast of West Africa, now known as the Bight of Benin. By 1600s this ancient city had become a thriving community reputed for trade in salt and saltpeter (Potassium nitrate) by evaporation at Gberefu beach which was soon to become known as the ancient slave port of Badagry. It became host to European Slave traders led by George Freemingo, a Portuguese slave merchant who came to Badagry around 1660s. By 1740 Badagry had become a thriving town for its sole industry - the slave trade. It grew to an important commercial centre flourishing on the export of slave trade through the creeks and lagoon and across the Atlantic to Europe and the Americas (Anago, 2016).
2.1. Population and Sampling Procedures
The types of tourism products and their associated development were identified by direct observation while Key Informant Interview was conducted to ascertain original state of the development (Nyamanga, 2008). Staff in three cadres of the establishment including managerial position (2), education officers in middle rank (3) and tour guides at the lower rank (3) were selected as Key Informants. Tourists' perceptions of on the impacts of tourism products development were assessed through the use of structured questionnaire administered to 10% of the tourists that visited both sites during the course of the study (June-August, 2018), out of which total of 149 and 144 was retrieved from tourists in Osun Osogbo Sacred grove and Badagry Slave trade relics respectively. The Key Informant Interview serves as basis to collect information on the state of development of these heritage sites complemented by direct observation.
2.2. Data Analysis
Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed as the statistical tools in analyzing the data collected. Data were coded, analyzed, interpreted and discussed based on the objectives of the study. The hypothesis on differences in tourists’ perception of the impact of the development of tourism was tested using T test. The statistical package that was employed for the analysis is SPSS Version 20.
3.1. Assessment of Cultural Heritage Resources being conserved in Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove and Badagry Slave Trade Relics
The study revealed in-depth information on the tangible and intangible cultural heritage resources observed in the study sites and the related tourism opportunities Table 1 .Table-1. Identified cultural heritage resources and related tourism products.
| Heritage resources in Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove | Tourism opportunities | Heritage resources in Badagry Slave Trade Museums and Relics | Tourism opportunities |
| Osun Osogbo Sacred Groove | Aesthetic | First storey building | Historic |
| Osun Osogbo Festival | Traditional belief | Algae tree monuments | Heritage |
| Fauna species | Scenic observation | Miracle well | Spiritual |
| Osun Osogbo Sacred River | Spiritual | Ceramics used in exchange for 40 slaves | Historic |
| Shrines, temples | Traditional worship | Chain | Historic |
| The Sculptures | Artistic and scenic | Clay Pots Bible translated by bishop Ajayi Crowther |
Historic |
| The suspended bridge | Historic | Palace, slave relics, museums, first primary school, statues of castrated slave | Education, sight-seeing and recreation |
Source: Field survey, 2018.
3.2. Categories of Tourism Products and their Level of Development at OOSG
The researchers went further to categorized the identified tourism products at the two sites based on Dhiman (2013) Table 2 and 3. The findings show that there are diverse tourism products including Hotels, Craftshops, Traditional shop, Food vendours, Bar, Canteen, Good Road, Transportation and commercial activities , Souvenir shops Market, Accommodation, Hospital and Health facilities, Boat, Museum , Point of no return, Attenuation well, Tunnel at the sea, palace, clubs, hostel , recreation center, eatery, night clubs/bars e.t.c. These are categorized into Tourism Oriented Product, Resident Oriented Product, Background Tourism Element and Retrievable Tourism Products Table 2 and 3.
Table-2. Categories of tourism Products and their level of development at OOSG .
| Tourism Oriented Product (TOP’s) | Description | Level of Development | |
| Hotels , Motels, Restaurants | Hospitality service | Developed to meet the standard of hotel categories as 2 stars (WTO, IH &RA, 2004) | |
| Tourist transportation (Taxis, Luxury buses etc.) | Taxis and luxury buses are commercial vehicles operated by individuals for transporting minimum of 4 passengers and maximum of 10 | Developed in accordance to Federal Road Safety Commissions | |
| Travel Agencies | They serve as travel intermediaries between the suppliers and tourists. They only facilitate travel reservation and documentation not packaging and itinerary | Undeveloped, operating below standard. They only serve as travel agents and not tour operator | |
| Operating below Shopping Malls, retail and shopping outlets |
These are owned by individuals. They are stocked with household commodities to meet immediate needs of the visitors only. They operate service between 7.00am and 7.00pm | Undeveloped, operating below standard shopping mall | |
| Food and Beverages Vendors |
These are hawkers and operators of lock up shops and eateries | Undeveloped | |
| Tourism Information Centers | Staff of National Commission for Museums and Monuments are assigned to the TIC offering conservation education to the visitors | Developed, they serve as local interpreters in the chain of tourist intermediaries | |
| Souvenirs Outlets | Local handicrafts are display for sales as souvenirs | Developed to meet international tourist demand for local handicraft | |
| Museums | Antiquities and other tangible cultural heritage materials are display in the Museum, visitors are guided by the staff of National Commission for Museums and Monuments. | Developed with trained tour guide and interpreters on site | |
| Temples | Deities of Ifa and Sopano are at the temple for the benefits of the worshippers and for spiritual consultation | Developed and the priests are inside the temples to offer spiritual session | |
| Gardens | Not developed | ||
| Theme parks | Not developed | ||
| Eco Clubs | Not developed | ||
| Resident Oriented Products (ROP’s) | |||
| Health Services | Both privately owned and government established health facilities are available | Developed as clinics, primary health center and State general hospital | |
| Public Parks | Not developed | ||
| ATMs | Automated Teller Machines are strategically placed for the benefits of the users to aid banking atransaction | Developed | |
| Petrol Pumps | Federal Government owned (Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation) and Independent marketers are involved in the sales of petroleum products | Developed | |
| Postal Services | Courier services, postage, electronic mails delivery are offered by both government and privately owned postal agencies | Developed. They engage in local and international service delivery | |
| Motor Park and Local Transport operators | Visitors from other neighboring communities have the opportunity to board vehicles at the motor park and garages | Undeveloped | |
| Background Tourist Elements (BTE’s) | |||
| Man Made | Sculptures and handicraft | Developed with local content | |
| Events | Osun festival is an international recognized cultural festival in celebration of deity of Osun river | Developed and recognized as international festival | |
| Natural Attractions | This include sacred forest, river and species of animals mostly primate | Developed with accessible tour guard, priest and interpreters | |
| Wildlife Sanctuary/the grove | The wildlife sanctuary/grove serve as habitat for Mona Monkey, white throated monkey, tortoise and birds that were sighted in the course of the study | Developed | |
| Retrievable Tourism Products | |||
| Heritage Sites | Grove and the associated features serve as heritage resources | Developed to international standard as UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| Historical Monuments | Sculptural and architectural design, the suspended bridge, the shrines are historical monuments | + | Developed |
| Important Pilgrimage Destinations | The grove is an important pilgrimage destination especially to the worshippers of Osun river goddess | + | Developed |
Source: Field survey, 2018.
Table-3. Categories of tourism products and their level of development at Badagry slave trade museums and relics (BSTR)
| Tourism Oriented Product (TOP’s) | Description | Level of development | |
| Hotels, Motels, Restaurants | These offer hospitality service to the visitors | Developed to meet the standard for 2 and 3-star hotel (WTO, IH & RA, 2004). | |
| Transportation services (Taxis, Luxury buses etc.) | Apart from road taxis and buses rescue boat and speed boat are available as cruise liner. | Developed in accordance to safety rules by constituted authorities. | |
| Travel Agencies, Tour Operators | Travel agents and tour operators serve as travel intermediaries in organisng and packaging tours for domestic and inbound international visitors | Developed | |
| Shopping Malls (PVR, FR Cinemas and various shopping centers) | Mini mart and shopping Centre are available | Developed to meet international standard | |
| Food and Beverages | The two notable food eateries are owned by Mr. Biggs and Sweet sensation |
Developed to offer local and international food | |
| Tourism Information Centers | Visitors are guided by the staff of the State Ministry of tourism assigned to the Centre | + | Developed |
| Souvenirs Outlets | This outlet is a local shop equip with items such as coconut pot, beads, necklace and other works of art | + | Developed |
| Museums | The names of museums at the site include Badagry heritage museum, Mobee slave museum, Seriki Abass slave Museum and Heritage Prison | Developed as historical monuments showcasing local artefacts | |
| Temples | _ | Undeveloped | |
| Gardens | Forest Garden | Developed | |
| at Gberefu Island for bird watching , game viewing and aesthetic values | |||
| Theme Parks | _ | Not developed | |
| Resident Oriented Products (ROP’s) | |||
| Health Services | Privately owned clinics, teaching and ggeneral Hospital established by Lagos State Government | Developed as clinic teaching and general hospitals | |
| Retail Shops | The shops are owned by individual and corporate organizations | Developed equipped with consumable | |
| Banks for foreign currency exchange | The three notable banks within the vicinity of the site include United Bank for Africa (UBA), First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) | Developed | |
| ATMs | Automated Tellers Machine for UBA, FBN, GTB | Developed | |
| Petrol Pumps | Operated by government and Independent | Developed | |
| Postal Services | Both private and government agencies are involved | Developed | |
| Motor Park and Garage | Motor park and garages to board vehicles to their destinations | Developed | |
| Background Tourist Elements (BTE’s) | |||
| Man Made | Sculpture, hut, ancient architectural buildings are man-made attractions | Developed. Tour guide and interpreters are readily available | |
| Events | Cultural events associated with the people of Badagry are displayed on request | Not developed | |
| Natural Attractions | Fringing forest, ocean front, Island and the wildlife resources | Developed | |
| Retrievable tourism products | |||
| Heritage Sites | Badagry heritage site | + | Developed as a National Monument |
| Important Pilgrimage Destinations | _ | Not developed |
Source: Field survey, 2018.
3.3. Thematic Analysis of the Interview with Staff of the OOSG and BSTR
The respondents provided information on five categories of tourism products offered at both sites. These are coded and arranged into five themes including 1. Accommodation 2. Recreational, adventure and cultural Tourism 3. Attractions (man-made and natural features) 4. Tourism services and tour guide 5. Transportation and accessibility Table 4.
Table-4. Thematic analysis of key informant interview.
| Respondents | Codes | Themes | Description of the theme | |
| 2 staff in Managerial 3 education officers 3 tour guides |
Opportunity for bedding, eating and drinking | Accommodation, food and drink service | Service readily available for visitors | |
| Conveyance and movement of visitors to and fro the destination | Transportation service | Public and private service available | ||
| Purchase of consumables and other house hold items | Retail Shopping outlets | Individual operators | ||
| Access to Information on the destination | Tour guide service/ICT centers | Tour guide and local interpreters are readily available at the ICT | ||
| Purchase of souvenirs | Sales of handicraft such as beads, cloth, clay pots e.t.c | Souvenirs shops are operated by individual and government. | ||
| Meting and interaction with the priests and Osun river goddess | Spiritual consultation | Available at OOSG and developed to meet the service of the people | ||
| Swimming, canoeing, boat cruising |
Recreation, relaxation | Rivers, ocean and Island are available with adequate provision for swimming, guide and safety | ||
| Visiting museum and cultural heritage tourism | Heritage conservation education | OOSG is a UNESCO Heritage Site while BSTR is a National Monument with various categories of museums stocked with artefacts | ||
| Source: Field survey, 2018. | ||||
3.4. Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Visitors in Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove and Badagry Slave Trade Museums and Relics
The socio-demographic characteristics of respondents revealed in proportion, 57.0% of the respondents were female, 52.3% were between the age group of 18-30 years of age and all of them are Nigerians while 73.4% were Yoruba tribe. In addition, 57%, 38.9% and 4.0% were single, married divorced or separated respectively. Furthermore, 51.7% of the respondents were student, 40.9% were employed, 2.7% were retired and 4.7% were currently unemployed. Finally, 48.3% were Christians, 31.5% practice Islam and 20.1% were traditional worshippers. In contrast to the figure obtained on the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents Badagry Slave Trade Museums and Relics, 60.4% of the respondents were male, 50.7% were between the age group of 18-30 years of age and 99.3% were Nigerians and 46.5% were Yoruba tribe. In addition, 53.5%, 41.0% and 4.9% were single, married, and divorced or separated respectively. Furthermore 42.4% of the respondents were student, 41.0% were employed, 2.1% were retired and 12.5 % were currently unemployed. Finally, 83.3% were Christians, 15.3% practice Islam and 1.4% were traditional worshippers Table 5.
Table-5. Socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents in OOSG(N= 149) and BSTR (N=144).
OOSG |
BRST |
|||
| Variables | Frequency |
Percentage |
Frequency |
Percentage |
| Gender | ||||
| Male | 64 |
43.0 |
57 |
39.6 |
| Female | 85 |
57.0 |
87 |
60.4 |
| Age range | ||||
| > 18 | 20 |
13.4 |
2 |
1.4 |
| 18 -30 | 78 |
52.3 |
73 |
50.7 |
| 31- 50 | 38 |
25.5 |
62 |
43.1 |
| 50 – 70 | 12 |
8.1 |
7 |
4.9 |
| Above 70 | 1 |
0.7 |
0 |
0 |
| Tribe | ||||
| Igbo | 5 |
3.4 |
27 |
18.8 |
| Hausa | 2 |
1.3 |
2 |
1.4 |
| Urobo | 2 |
1.3 |
2 |
1.4 |
| Yoruba | 110 |
73.4 |
98 |
68.0 |
| Middlebelt | 2 |
1.3 |
3 |
2.08 |
| Boki | 1 |
0.7 |
0 |
0 |
| Isoko | 1 |
0.7 |
0 |
0 |
| Udoma | 0 |
0 |
3 |
2.08 |
| Ijaw | 0 |
0 |
3 |
2.08 |
| Esan | 0 |
0 |
2 |
1.4 |
| Itsekiri | 0 |
0 |
2 |
1.4 |
| Edo | 0 |
0 |
2 |
1.4 |
| Marital Status | ||||
| Single | 85 |
57.0 |
77 |
53.5 |
| Married | 58 |
38.9 |
59 |
41.0 |
| Divorced or separated | 6 |
4.0 |
8 |
5.5 |
| Occupation | ||||
| Student | 77 |
51.7 |
61 |
42.4 |
| Employed | 61 |
40.9 |
59 |
41.0 |
| Retired | 4 |
2.7 |
3 |
2.1 |
| Currently unemployed | 7 |
4.7 |
18 |
12.5 |
| Entrepreneurship | 0 |
0 |
2 |
1.4 |
| Farmers | 0 |
0 |
1 |
0.7 |
| Religion | ||||
| Christianity | 72 |
48.3 |
122 |
83.3 |
| Islam | 47 |
31.5 |
22 |
15.3 |
| Traditional Worship | 30 |
20.1 |
2 |
1.4 |
Source: Field survey, 2018.
3.5. Perception of Tourists on the Development of Tourism Facilities at Osun Osogbo Sacred Groove and Badagry Slave Trade Relics
Analysis of data on the perception of tourists on the development of tourism facilities at Osun Osogbo Sacred Groove and Badagry Slave Trade Relics is presented in Table 6. Large percentage (79.5%) of the respondents in OOSG believes that the development of tourism facilities contributes to lasting economic development of the site while 67.3% believes that development of tourism facilities can create permanent jobs for local people and thereby drive the development of other related industries (73..3%). Perception of respondents on the positive impacts of tourism product development in BSTR are higher considered the three variables measured in OOSG. For instance, 80.6% of the respondents believe that the development of tourism facilities can contributes to lasting economic development of the site and 76.4% believes that development of tourism facilities can create permanent jobs for local people.
Table-6. Perception of tourists on the development of tourism facilities at Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove.
| Provision of tourism facilities | YES (%) |
NO (%) YES (%) NO(%) |
| Contributes to lasting economic development of the site | 79. |
19.2 80.6 16.0 |
| Create permanent jobs for local people | 67.3 |
32.0 76.4 19.4 |
| Drive the development of other related industries | 73..3 |
24.0 68.1 18.8 |
| Upgrade local infrastructures | 75.7 |
19.4 82.6 11.1 |
| Develops and will bring about souvenir production among the people of the community and environs | 81.8 |
17.6 77.1 15.3 |
| Generate money for the conservation and management of the sites | 81.5 |
17.1 79.9 12.5 |
| Bring about efficient use of natural resources | 82.1 |
17.9 79.2 14.6 |
| Encourages intercultural appreciation and communication between host communities and tourists | 78.1 |
20.5 84.0 9.0 |
| Cause degradation and loss of cultural values and heritage resources | 60.0 |
39.3 36.8 56.9 |
| Promote local peoples active participation in management of the site | 75.5 |
23.1 81.0 10.6 |
| Helps the inheritance of culture and gives better knowledge of traditional culture | 80.4 |
18.2 84.0 11.1 |
| Helps the protection and inheritance of the traditional culture | 72.8 |
25.9 76.2 16.1 |
| Visitation of tourists can have altered the unique culture of the host through cultural exchange | 62.0 |
2.8 74.3 6.9 |
Source: Field survey, 2018.
The responses of the visitors on the negative impacts of tourism facilities are expressed in two variables. These are degradation and loss of cultural values and heritage resources as indicated by tourists in OOSG (60%) and relatively few percentages of respondents in BSTR (36.8% shared the same assertion. The second area of perceived negative impacts is that development of tourism facilities can impact the cultural exchange of hosts which might lead to alteration of the unique cultural values OOSG (62%) and BSTR (74.3%).
3.6. T Test Statistics of Tourists’ Perception on the Impact of Development of Tourism in Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove and Badagry Slave Trade Relics
The study shows that there was significant difference in tourists’ perception on the impact of development of tourism in Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove and Badagry Slave Trade Relics (P<0.01) Table 7.
3.7. Relationship between Perception of the Respondents on the Impact of Tourism Development and Socio-Demographic Characteristics in Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove and Badagry Slave Trade Relics
The Chi Square test shows that age, marital status, education, occupation and religion had significant relationship with total perception on tourism products development at P<0.01 and P<0.05 Table 8. However, gender was statistically insignificant.
Table-7. T test of tourists’ perception on the impact of development of tourism in Osun Osogbo sacred grove and badagry slave trade relics.
| Variable | t |
df |
Sig. |
Decision |
| Perception | 99.61 |
292 |
0.00 |
Significant |
Source: Field Survey, 2018.
Table-8. Relationship between Perception of the respondents on the impact of tourism development and Socio-Demographic Characteristics in Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove and Badagry Slave Trade Relics.
Variables |
Gender |
Age |
Marital Status |
Education |
Occupation |
Religion |
Perception |
0.29 |
0.00* |
0.05* |
0.00* |
0.00* |
0.01* |
Note: *= Significant.
This study revealed information on both the tangible and intangible cultural heritage resources in Osun Osogbo Sacred grove and Badagry Slave Trade Museum and Relics. These tangible heritage resources are classified into monuments, historic buildings, local art crafts, Museums, temples, architectural and sculptural works. The intangible heritage resources include the popular Osun festival, dance and way of life of the people of Osun, Osun State and Badagry, Lagos State. The identified cultural heritage resources are categorized based on the definition of (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural organization) UNESCO (1972) and UNESCO. (2003). Tangible cultural heritage includes monument, groups of buildings, sites and cultural landscapes (UNESCO, 1972) while intangible cultural heritage includes the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills of communities and groups, and sometimes individuals, as well as instruments, objects, artifacts and cultural spaces associated therewith (UNESCO, 2003). These cultural properties, which are important component of the environment, can also be viewed in two perspectives, one as symbol of religion and two as natural topographical landscape sites in form of relief features such as forest (Forest garden at Gberefu Island in Badagry Slave Tarde relics) and rivers (Osun river). This support the view of Omisore et al. (2009) that natural landscape has religion and cultural relevance. For instance Osun Osogbo sacred grove serve as pilgrimage for the worshippers of Osun goddess Apart from natural landscape other cultural features such as sanctuaries and shrines, sculptures, festivals, grove, traditional arts and craft which fall under cultural and natural environment also possessed religion significant. This is consistent with Enemuo and Oduntan Oyinkansola (2012) who identified the cultural heritage resources as intangible and tangible cultural heritage resources with religion, social and cultural important. The cultural heritage resources in Badagry Slave Trade Museums and Relics are more of tangible heritage resources including Mobee Slave Museum, Seriki Abass Slave Museum, Mobee Slave Relics, Seriki Abass Slave Relics, Wawu Cannon, First Primary School in Nigeria, Cannon Gun, Grave Yard, Statues of Castrated Slaves, Slave Drinking Water Bowl, Historical Background of Badagry and Slave Trade in West Africa, First Storey Building, Algae Tree Monuments, Miracle Well, Baracoon, Ceramics used in exchange for 40 slaves, Chains, Slave Cells, Pots, Bible translated by Bishop Ajayi Crowther, Slave Route, Umbrella, Gins, Plates, Ceramics compared to what operates in Osun Osogbo Sacred grove where Osun festival is of great importance. This corroborate the findings of Anago (2016) that Badagry Slave Tarde Museums and Relics possessed cultural heritage resources that depicts complex and intricate level of transactions that exist between African chiefs and native heads that served as middlemen for Europeans during the slave trade era. Taylor (2000) opined that describing culture of a community is very complex since it includes knowledge, belief, art morals, law; custom and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as members of the society. Kroeber (2000) however expressed culture as the mass of learned and transmitted motor reactions habits, techniques, ideas and values and the behaviour. Leach (2000) in his work, defined culture as the components of accumulated resources which could be immaterial as well as material, that the people inherit, employ, transmute and add to and transmit. Going by the definitions of these authors (Kroeber, 2000; Leach, 2000; Taylor, 2000) on culture and its attributes there are indications that Osun Osogbo Sacred grove and Badagry Slave trade relics represent the cultural features of the people of Osogbo, Osun State, Badagry, Lagos State and western colonization in this part of the World . They are symbols of the past events, signpost that depict the historic, social and economic livelihood styles of the citizenry. This forms parts of the views of Ahmad (2006) that culture and heritage are often considered as the fundamental aspect underpinning a country or community national identity and sovereignty. The author went further to express that cultural heritage including historical sites, cultures and other invaluable assets are the distinguished elements that encapsulate a nation’s soul and spirit . According to Edokpolo (2007) ancient monuments are highly valuable and informative in terms of socio-cultural, socio-political, socio-economic and even technological activities, of a particular society or group of people. Ashworth (2008) opined that iconic architecture (buildings, landmarks, monuments) is particularly fascinating and serve as symbol of identity for a country, city or precinct or particular community. The author further explain that physical obtrusiveness of monuments and architectural buildings clearly display to visitors and residents that something serious is happening to a city.
In addition to cultural properties that are identified in the two sites, there are other features offering desirable services to the tourists and immediate communities. Maitland and Newman (2008) reported that visitors are not drawn by tourist attractions but by other assets such as quality of food, people and diversity of a destination. In this study, these features are categorized as Tourism Oriented Products and Residence Oriented Products that offering visitors various categories of services like accommodation, banking, security and hospitality services. Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove has facilities for shopping (Craftshops, Traditional material shop,) eating and drinking ( Food vending, Bar, Canteen) accessibility and transportation (Good Road and Transportation network). Similarly, Badagry Slave Trade Museums and Relics provide visitors with opportunities for safe and quick commercial banking and transactions in any of the banks (United Bank for Africa (UBA), First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Guaranty Trust Bank ( GTB), beaching along the coast, canoeing , boat cruising , wilderness or forest experience and aesthetic values (Gberefu forest), Health facilities, night clubs/bars. This support the findings of Oladeji, Agbelusi, and Ajiboye (2012) that heritage resources possessed aesthetic values that serve as attractions to the tourists.
In view of the development of Osun Osogbo Sacred grove as UNESCO World Heritage Site the primary purpose of visiting the site is to experience culture in term of spiritual consultation and worshipping of Osun river goddess. In this regards the monuments, the grove, shrines, temples and the priests meet the primary needs of the visitors while other categories of tourism products offer secondary needs to the tourists. This is in tandem with the views of Vengesayi, Mavondo, and Reisinger (2009) that object of attractions, associated facilities and people constituted attractiveness to tourism destination.
The findings showed that majority of the tourists visiting Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove and Badagry Slave Trade Relics were women. This is consistent with Woosnam, Alesinloye, and Maruyama (2015) who recorded higher female to male respondents in a study on solidarity at the Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove. According to Jucan and Jucan (2013) women worldwide involve in tourism whether it is through visiting, hosting or employment in the tourism destination sector. Most of the tourists in both sites were educated and were between the age bracket 18-30 years. Virtually all the tourists are Nigerians except in Badagry Slave Trade Relics where a Ghanaian was encountered.
Findings from the study showed the perception of tourists on the development of tourism facilities at Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove and Badagry Slave Trade Relics. They are of the opinion that the development of tourism facilities can contributes to lasting economic development of the site, that development of tourism facilities can create permanent jobs for local people and that development of tourism facilities can drive the development of other related industries. These points agreed with World Travel and Tourism Council (2014) that tourism is one of the engines of growth for Nigerian economy with a contribution of 3.20 per cent to national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and providing 2.70 per cent of total employment in 2013; and Yusuf and Akinde (2015) who noted that Nigeria tourism sector is growing and it is capable of generating employment and earning large amount of foreign exchange that rivalled agriculture and petroleum sectors.
Also, most of the tourists opined that development of tourism facilities can upgrade local infrastructures, can develop and will bring about souvenir production among the people of the community and environs, and that development of tourism facilities can generate money for the conservation and management of the sites. This corroborates Nwokorie (2016) that tourism in Nigeria contributes to incubating other business sectors that are targeted for growth and Godfrey and Clarke (2000) who discussed that tourism as a sector can bring about the necessary development needed for rapid growth of the economy of these developing nations.
Furthermore, they affirm that development of tourism facilities can bring about efficient use of natural resources, believed that development of tourism facilities can encourage intercultural appreciation and communication between host communities and tourists and that development of tourism facilities can cause degradation and loss of cultural values and heritage resources. In addition, they opined that development of tourism facilities can promote local people’s active participation in management of the site.
Finally, they agreed that the development of tourism facilities can help the inheritance of culture and give better knowledge of traditional culture, believed that development of tourism facilities can helps the protection and inheritance of the traditional culture and admit that visitation of tourists can help to impact the cultural exchange of hosts and tourists. This is consistent with Nilson and Thorell (2018) that the preservation of heritage resources is very important because the past can best be understood by studying tangible and intangible heritage that has been preserved over the generations.
Funding: This study received no specific financial support. |
Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. |
Acknowledgement: Both authors contributed equally to the conception and design of the study. |
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