CULTURAL TOURISM SITES IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA: POTENTIALS AND CHALLENGES
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Date
2023
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The Department of Theatre Arts, University of Abuja, Abuja
Abstract
Cultural tourism is the exploration and experiencing of cultural manifestations such as indigenous cultural practices rooted in the peoples’ cultural festivals, carnivals, arts centres, arts exhibitions, museums, theatre and so on. Cultural tourism serves as an alternative to the dwindling revenues from oil and gas sector in Nigeria. Despite the huge potential inherent in cultural tourism, its development has not been given adequate attention by both the private sector and the state government. The Nigeria cultural policy states that the federal government of Nigeria shall promote domestic tourism and provide facilities for its promotion. However, this is not the reality in cultural tourism development and promotion in Kwara State. The position of the cultural policy on cultural tourism promotion is not the current reality as the state government failed to set up attractions for various available cultural sites to aid the promotion of cultural tourism in Kwara State. Given this, the paper examines issues relating to the development of cultural sites and effective cultural tourism promotion in Kwara State, Nigeria. The paper Employs the descriptive method and interview instrument to interrogate reasons for low patronage of cultural sites in Kwara State. The paper reveals that low patronage of cultural sites is due to the non-availability of attractions with a beautiful ambience which can attract the local and international tourist, inadequate infrastructural facilities and lack of private sector involvement in the running of tourist sites. The paper concludes that cultural tourism relies on provision of infrastructures, effective promotion and efficient management of both human and material resources to promote cultural diplomacy and national development.
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Keywords
Keywords: Cultural Tourism, Tourism Promotion, Management, Cultural Policy, Challenges.
Citation
Rufai-Ahmad, K., & Atteh, F.Y. (2023). Cultural tourism sites in Kwara state, Nigeria: Potentials and challenges. New Frontiers: A Journal in the Humanities, 3 (1), 215-230.