Cultural Heritage Assets and Constraints to Tourism Development: A Case Study of Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

This study explores the potential of cultural heritage assets for tourism development, using the ancient Benin City in Edo State, Nigeria, as a case study. Despite its historical significance, particularly the Oba's Palace and the renowned Benin Bronzes, the city’s tourism sector remains underdeveloped. Using a survey design, data were collected from a non-probability sample of 100 respondents (50 tourists and 50 residents/operators) at three primary cultural sites: The National Museum, The Oba of Benin’s Palace, and the annual Igue Festival. The study employed descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) and thematic analysis to address four objectives: 1) to identify Benin City's key cultural heritage assets; 2) to analyze the relationship between the local culture and the sites' appeal; 3) to assess the contribution and constraints of heritage sites to local development; and 4) to determine factors influencing tourist preference. Findings confirm that while the sites contribute positively to local economic activity, their full potential is hindered by poor public services and the low ratio of international visitors to domestic tourists. The results align with recent literature identifying infrastructural deficiencies and insecurity as major barriers to tourism growth in Nigeria. The study recommends urgent public-private sector collaboration to upgrade infrastructure and implement effective visitor management systems for sustainable growth.