ABSTRACT
This study was on the role of event planning in promoting cultural tourism in Nigeria. Three objectives were raised which included: To ascertain what should be done to make festival tourism event better in Ofala festival in Anambra state, to ascertain the benefit of event planning in promoting Ofala festival in Anambra state and to find out the role of event planning in promoting cultural tourism in Ofala festival in Anambra state. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from Ofala festival in Anambra state. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
A number of cultural activities exist in Nigeria, which create unique creative spaces for producers of the arts as well as conducive interactive spaces for tourists and connoisseurs. Many of these cultural activities have been in practice from time and have given the country an acclaim as being culturally super-active.
Tourism as an industry and discipline does not only have to do with the accommodation, catering, transportation, entertainment, visitor attractions (i.e. theme parks, amusement parks, sports facilities, museums, natural attractions, etc.), but also events through event tourism, which is an area of tourism yet to be harnessed (Omoregie, 2012). In recent times, events have become popular as a means of entertainment and social interactions in urban and rural towns. It has spurred various individuals and corporate bodies into an event organization and management in order to exploit its economic and socio-cultural benefits. Events are celebrated daily in different parts of the world in different forms and for different reasons, either as festivals, meetings, conventions, trade exhibitions and fairs.
Throughout history, in cultures all over the world, people have gathered to celebrate for numerous different reasons and events have always been a central element of human society. Even though events have been an integral part of human nature for thousands of years, it has only recently developed into a real business. It has become a part of the tourism industry as a key element of special interest in tourism, and around the world, units for event tourism are increasingly being established within tourist organizations. As the phenomenon has grown into becoming a possibility of doing business, numerous opportunities for professionalism have come to exist and event organizing firms are popping up everywhere (Gertz, 2004)
In the 21st century, planning and organizing of cultural festivals has taken into account the “functional role” of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in the cultural life of a people and a community. As it stands out, ICH is a major new development in the heritage world and is receiving international and regional debates from renowned tourism and art scholars. Although many people have long conceived heritage that is primarily consists of tangible objects like fixtures, clothing and buildings that was transmitted to them, many of these heritages are preserved in museums, homes, and historic places. It is therefore the belief of many communities and peoples around the world that this constitutes only part and not whole of their heritage, similarly, they also believe that representations such as knowledge, customs and tangible ideas are equally important for cultural identity (Davis, 2010: 4).
The main purpose of cultural heritage conservation has been to remember past history, events, culture, people, values and traditions. In European and American preservation between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, there was an absolute focus on tangible heritage such as buildings and monuments. Historically, the preservation of heritage was considered a Western interest. These notions have changed and heritage is now defined as a reserve that must be sustained and made available to all through international policy. In the last fifteen years, through the influence of these policies, there has been a shift especially towards the preservation of intangible cultural heritage and the obligation and probability of it to accomplish all the characterizations of economic, cultural, social and natural resources
Therefore, cultural strategies in the planning and organizing of cultural festivals which takes into consideration the management of ICH were not noticed in the Convention. Based on this background the researcher wants to investigate the role of event planning in promoting cultural tourism in Nigeria using of Ofala festival in Anambra state as a case study
Statement of the problem
However, this study will scrutinize the relationship between culture and festivals, the main factors involved in cultural festivals, the impacts of event tourism and also the partnership between the parties involved in the organization and planning of cultural events. Furthermore, in the case of intangible cultural heritage, it can be inferred that many events use the local culture to attract visitors, but this does not bother local residents neither does it affect the focus towards organizing cultural festivals. Consequently, this research is worthwhile for event planning in promoting cultural tourism in Nigeria. The research findings will assist to understand the limitations and what should be done to make festival tourism and event planning better, also to increase the benefits for all parties involved in event tourism and planning
Objective of the study
The objectives of the study are;
- To ascertain what should be done to make festival tourism event better in Ofala festival in Anambra state
- To ascertain the benefit of event planning in promoting Ofala festival in Anambra state
- To find out the role of event planning in promoting cultural tourism in Ofala festival in Anambra state
Research hypotheses
The following research hypotheses are formulated
H0: there is no benefit of event planning in promoting Ofala festival in Anambra state
H1: there is benefit of event planning in promoting Ofala festival in Anambra state
H0: there is no role of event planning in promoting cultural tourism in Ofala festival in Anambra state
H2: there is role of event planning in promoting cultural tourism in Ofala festival in Anambra state
Significance of the study
The study will give a clear insight on the role of event planning in promoting cultural tourism in Nigeria using of Ofala festival in Anambra state as a case study. The study will be beneficial to students, lecturers, Ofala festival in Anambra state and the ministry of tourism. The study will educate many in promoting cultural festival. The study will also serve as a reference to other researcher that will embark on the related topic
Scope and limitation of the study
The scope of the study covers the role of event planning in promoting cultural tourism in Nigeria. the study will be limited to Ofala festival in Anambra state.
Limitations/constraints are inevitable in carrying out a research work of this nature. However, in the course of this research, the following constraints were encountered thus:
- Non-availability of enough resources (finance): A work of this nature is very tasking financially, money had to be spent at various stages of the research such resources which may aid proper carrying out of the study were not adequately available.
Time factor: The time used in carrying out the research work is relatively not enough to bring the best information out of it. However, I hope that the little that is contained in this study will go a long way in solving many greater problems.
This material content is developed to serve as a GUIDE for students to conduct academic research
THE ROLE OF EVENT PLANNING IN PROMOTING CULTURAL TOURISM IN NIGERIA
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