Prospects and Challenges of Historical Sites in Tourism Industry: A Case Study of Zungeru Historical Sites, Nigeria

Abstract

This research work dwells on the prospects and challenges of historical sites in tourism development. A study of Zungeru historical sites, in Niger State shows that Zungeru is blessed with numerous historical properties of tourism, research and educational significance to the state and the country at large. However, despite its unique value and history, the sites were not given attention for the development, promotion and adequate conservation of their noteworthy properties.   The study identifies various historical sites in Zungeru, examines the current developmental status of the sites and investigates the growth potentials as well as ascertained the challenges associated with the development of the sites.  Primary source of data collection was employed through the use of questionnaire as data collection instrument. Niger State Tourism Board, Wushishi Local Government Tourism Committee, tourists who visited the site and residents constituted the study population from which samples of 130 respondents were drawn for the research.  Meanwhile, only 114 questionnaires were retrieved and utilized for analysis.  The result shows that all the identified historical sites were available at the study area, ranging from the railway relics, and military cantonment among others. It was further deduced that the sites were not developed and relevancy of the relics, cultural background of the sites, prevailing excitement by visitors and others were acknowledged as prospects of the sites.  The challenges associated with the growth and development of the sites included poor management effort by the concerned agencies, inadequate funding, inadequate awareness creation and others. Conclusively, Zungeru houses several historical sites of noteworthy values but all the sites were in a poor state of development as a result of the lack of funding and poor community attitude towards the sites, among other factors.  Finally, recommendations were made to include development of the site by concerned agencies; sensitization and orientation exercise should be carried out to educate the public.