Heritage resources as a driver for cultural tourism in Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria has outstanding and diverse heritage resources, products of its numerous ethnic groups. These heritage resources were created from human interaction with the environment. Under this guise, they have become a source of cultural identity and national pride. They are grouped as tangible and intangible heritages which are today a driver of cultural tourism—travel to experience unique traditional beliefs and practices. This form of travel does not only uncover unique heritage landscape but also allows the tourist to be immersed in intangible heritage processes—traditional rites, festivities, ritual enactment, etc. Such experience could not have been possible without tourism—the process through which culture can be consumed by tourists and positively exploited by host community. Therefore, this work is set to establish heritage resources as of the major reasons for cultural tourism in the country. To achieve the set goal, the paper will explore UNESCO enlisted heritage resources in Nigeria stating their significance and contributions to sustainable cultural tourism.