Contribution of Faith-based Activities to Tourism Development in two Religious Sites in Southwest Nigeria

Faith-based activities are dynamic rituals that can bring about spiritual satisfaction. The perceived efficacy of these activities greatly influences the number of faith participants visiting religious centres. Although these activities are primarily practiced as religious obligations, they have helped to precipitate travel and the rise of tourism service industries. These include accommodation, transportation, food, drinks, souvenirs, spiritual objects (anointing oil, ritual mantels, handkerchief, cross emblem, rosary tesbihu (prayer beads), praying mat, and candles) and the likes, which enhance tourism expenditure and income. This study examines the contribution to tourism development of faith-based activities, in two religious centres in south-western Nigeria. Ethnographic methodologies were adopted for the study, supplemented by focus group discussions, direct observation, and in-depth interviews. The data collected were analysed thematically using descriptive analysis. Research results show that economic, social and spiritual benefits can be derived from faith-based activities. These have strong implications on religious tourism development in the study area and the country at large. The study recommends that concerted effort by relevant stakeholders should be made to harness the potential of these faith-based tourism activities and utilise them optimally to boost tourism development in the region and the country. The outcomes of this study can be replicated in other growing economies across the globe where faith-based activities promote increasing interest and visitation

Preservation and conservation of Cross River Monoliths for tourism development

Heritage and conservation have gained currency in academic and professional discourses on tourism and resource preservation across the globe. Today, many developed and some developing economies regard heritage as a very significant component of tourism. Literary documents on studies conducted in Gambia, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and UK are cases in point. In southeastern Nigeria, there are numerous unique heritage sites that can be harnessed for tourism development. Although they showcase universally accepted cultural expressions, the majority of them are poorly managed and preserved. They also lack necessary facilities that can keep tourists for an extended period. This explains why Nigeria fails to attract visitation to her heritage sites. The study adopted a descriptive design and used interviews, direct observation, focus group discussion and literary sources to examine the state of Cross River monoliths in Nigeria; their preservation and conservation practices, and how these can be harnessed for tourism development. Research results revealed that heritage sites have a lot of potentials to boost the economy if the tourism value is harnessed. The study recommends, amongst others, the combination of traditional and modern conservation mechanisms for the preservation and conservation of monoliths. It also advocates that the management plans for the monolith sites should seek to balance the interest of conservation with those of local communities living in the area