Local perceptions of tourism development and socio-cultural impacts in Nigeria

ABSTRACT

There is a shortage of literature on the nature of tourism development and the socio-cultural impacts in Nigeria, making it challenging to identify and discuss strategies for building on positive aspects. Unplanned tourism leaves local people aggrieved, whilst planned tourism may provide economic benefits and help to revive their culture. Although tourism development in Nigeria is affected by terrorism and insecurity, the government is willing to develop the industry. Therefore, research is needed to understand tourism development and socio-cultural consequences. This paper reports on a study conducted in Southeastern Nigeria, which confirmed that tourism is in the early development stage, and the local people noted that significant adverse impacts are not observable. The paper proposes strategies for addressing potential negative socio-cultural impacts, including being realistic, working together, creating equal opportunities and education/awareness. This paper provides valuable information for planners and developers on possible ways of developing resident-friendly tourism destination.

KEYWORDS:

• Socio-cultural impacts
• tourism development
• planning
• local perceptions
• Southeastern Nigeria

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all the participants in Southeastern Nigeria who took time to share their indigenous knowledge of the peoples’ culture and tourism development in the region. This research project was conducted in line with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research and was approved by the Murdoch University Ethics Committee (with approval number: 2018/009).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The Murdoch International Postgraduate Scholarship (MIPS) supported the fieldwork for this research, attracted by the first author of this paper for a four-year higher degree by research programme .