TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES OF CULTURAL LANDSCAPE SITES WITHIN THE URBAN SPACES

Abstract

Tourism patronage depends largely on the quality of both man-made and natural environment and that is one of the pull factors for tourism. The development of tourism comes with its challenges and especially on the environment because the environment is the base for all tourism activities. Where there are several benefits of tourism, from the social to the cultural benefits, to the local communities, state and the nation as a whole, its effect on the environment cannot be overlooked as these, in most cases are adverse and gradually depletes the environment which may destroy the essence of tourism if not nipped in the bud. On the other hand, tourism can be used to create positive benefit to the environment through conservation and preservation awareness and the promotion of environmental values and many more. It is therefore, the position of this paper to examines the environmental challenges ongoing within the Osogbo urban space which hosts the Osun Osogbo grove, a cultural landscape and a UNESCO world heritage site and how development of the site for tourism outside of the annual festival can improve the environment and foster conservation. Using the quantitative method of data analysis of questionnaire administration, research reveals that environmental challenges are real and palpable within Osogbo urban space which is not good for tourism development. Poor waste management processes, deforestation and encroachment as some of the major environmental issues on the research site. The paper makes recommendations based on the findings to help support the development of tourism, the conservation and preservation of the common heritage of the Yoruba race.