African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure

Vol. 2 (4) - (2013) ISSN: 2223-814X

The role of museums in sustainable tourism development-

the Black Heritage Museum, Badagry

1 2
Adeniji, P.O &. Ekanem E. A.
1,2
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT AND TOURISM STUDIES, REDEEMERS UNIVERSITY, REDEMPTION CAMP,
MOWE, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA.
Tel: +234 80 230 090 058. Email: aduk1012@yahoo.com

Abstract

The study examines the roles of museum to sustainable tourism development of the black heritage
museum with special focus on the development of Badagry. Most scholars have been writing and are still
writing on the need for cultural resource management laying emphasis on the role they play towards
national development and tourism economic growth. These cultural resources are not properly managed.
However, this mismanagement of cultural resources is becoming directly affecting the conservation and
preservation of our cultural resources. The purpose of this study, among others, is to examine how the
black heritage museum holding could be effectively utilized for sustainable tourism and to make
suggestions for better utilization of the slave relics for tourism promotion. One hundred structured
questionnaires were administered to both visitors and residents in Badagry. The chi-square correlation
and paired sample test methods of analysis were used to analyze the data collected. The findings of the
study reveal that the black heritage museum has played a role to the development of Tourism in Badagry.
There are also some unrealized developments such as the physical development. This research
concludes by recommending the way forward and suggests that general infrastructure development
should be ensured for better sustainable tourism development.

Keywords: Tourism development, sustainable, museum, economic, black heritage.

INTRODUCTION becoming increasingly important. This

importance is as a result of immense
A museum is a cultural institution, benefits derived from the industry (Okpoko,
particularly in Nigeria it has to do with 2006). Tourism connotes the mobilization of
collection, presentation and display of peoples cultural and natural resources
natural and cultural objects for the especially those aspects which made
advancement of knowledge. It is therefore a people unique from the other people via
treasure house of the human race as it what distinguishes Africans from non-
stores the memories of the people, their Africans (Andah, 1990).
cultural dreams and hopes (Bureaw, 1975).
It is through this collection and exhibition of Sustainable tourism on the other hand tends
materials that one creates links between the to meet the needs of the present tourists
peoples past and present, an views them and host regions while protecting and
avenues by which future generations can enhancing opportunities for the future
have an opportunity of seeing and (Okpoko, 2006). One way of supporting
appreciating the relics of the past and bring tourism in a sustainable manner is to
in tourism. provide local people with entrepreneurial
opportunities and also create some sense of
ownership within the local community.
The tourism industry is one of the fastest Sustainable tourism will ensure the
growing industries in the world and is utilization of those tourism potentials

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African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure
Vol. 2 (4) - (2013) ISSN: 2223-814X

(cultural and natural attractions) not only to The relevance of these slave relics in the
satisfy the wants of present people but also Black Heritage museum, Badagry towards
considering the future generations in such national development has provided the
development. It encourages the need for its proper utilization and
development of cultural and rural tourism to maintenance for both the present and
sustain local cultures and traditions. It seeks future. In preserving these slave relics in the
to utilize and make use of resources and the museum, one is ensuring its survival and
environment in a sustainable way and aim contributing to its management and efficient
to generate local economy by providing utilization as well as its economic growth
opportunities for employment and economic and community development for
development (Wall, 1997). sustainability (Okpoko, 2006).

However, museum and tourism are such LITERATURE REVIEW

close and inseparable and the relevance of
culture to the development of Nigerian Tourism is slow in emerging as a
tourism Alagoa, 1988 for example points out specialized sub-discipline of geography,
that cultural development on broad general economics, sociology, anthropology despite
terms would lead to the creation of strong a good number of researches on this
institutions and practices conducive to subject (tourism) over the last two (2) to
tourism on a scale and a type capable of three (3) decades in the above named field
forming a stable pillar of the economy. The (Okpoko, 2002). With regards to geography
foundation of tourism and economy is to be of tourism, Pearce in 1979 and 1989
found in the Nigerian heritage culture which identified six topics: Spatial patterns of
is embedded in the prehistory and history, demand, the geography of resorts, the
present practice and future expeditions. analysis of tourist movement and flows, the
impact of tourism and model of tourist
Museum is without doubt amongst the space. Gray 1982 sees contribution of
countrys most successful conglomerates economists to tourism research to be in
making its contribution to the Nigerian areas of measurement, cost benefit
industrial, commercial, economic analysis, resource allocation, the use of
development as well as national identity. public goods in the development of tourism
Museum which form part of our tourism and the balance of payment effects of
attractions can only and will continue to tourism. On the other hand, the
contribute to tourism development if tourism contributions of sociologists fall into four
is sustainable. Museum could be areas: the tourist, relations between tourists
sustainable for tourism activities if those and the local, the structure and functioning
resources (cultural materials) housed in of the tourist system and the consequences
them are effective and efficiently utilized of tourism (Cohen 1984). Anthropologists
through its exhibition and conservation. This also focus on the host populations while
should be done considering not only the archaeologists study the place of cultural
need of the present tourists and visitors, but resources in tourism development.
the future generations to come as well as Although the above named disciplines
the host communities (Pooley, 2003). discuss impacts of tourism economic,
cultural and environmental each of them
To considerable extent, museum promotes given its own perspective, emphasizes
tourism and its role in tourism and national different aspects of tourism. Geography
development cannot be overemphasized emphasizes its spatial structure, economic
because museums and museum collections as its economic attributes and sociology and
were and still remain in a sense of the birth anthropology as its social relationships
of systematic tourism and sustainable (Pearce, 1989).
development (Alagoa 1988, Andah 1990).
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Vol. 2 (4) - (2013) ISSN: 2223-814X

The league of Nations in 1937 A museum in its simplest form is a building

recommended that a tourist be defined as housing-collection of objects for inspection,
one who travels for a period of twenty-four study and enjoyment. The word museum is
hours or more in a country other than that in derived from the Greek word Museion. In
which he usually resides for purpose of its original Greek sense, it was applied to
pleasure (including visiting a country on the sanctuary dedicated to the Muses of
cruise vessel even if less than twenty-four Greek mythology (Okita, 1985). According
hours), health meetings or business. Later to Abun 1987, the muses were believed to
in 1963, the United Nations Conference on be nine virginal daughters of Zeus and
International Travel and Tourism held in Mnemosyne who were charged with the
Rome considered the recommendations of responsibility to protect and encourage art
the International Union of Official Travel and science, poetry, music, dance and
Organization (IUOTO) now the World history of the people of Greece. The
Tourism Organization (WTO). daughters of Zeus were also reported to be
good dancers and singers. In this way they
Significance of Study helped man to forget their sorrows and
anxiety.
The significance of this study is driven from
importance of museum for cultural resource Thus museum becomes associated with a
management laying emphasis on the role place mens mind found rest and aloofness
they play towards national development and for everyday affairs as well as a sense of
tourism economic growth. inspiration (Okita 1985, Taylor 1947).It
became the custom to establish shrines in
The mismanagement of cultural resources their honour in shady grooves often high on
is becoming directly affecting the the mountain tops, where the spirits of the
conservation and preservation of museum nine learned maidens of mythology might
objects. There is the need to promote inspire the artist to their highest
tourism development in the context of endeavours. Special cults and altars
sustainability. adorned with images were dedicated to
them, these became the gathering places
Objectives of Study for the lovers of art (Rowman and Littlefield,
2008).
Due to the significance of sustainable
tourism development in Black Heritage Purpose of Museum
Museum, this study aims at:
Examining how slave relics in Black Museums collect and care for objects of
Heritage Museum, Badagry are scientific, artistic, or historical importance
displayed and exhibited to attract and make them available for public viewing
potential visitors through exhibits that may be permanent or
Examining how the Black Heritage temporary. Most large museums are located
Museum holdings could be in major cities throughout the world and
effectively utilized for sustainable more local ones exist in smaller cities,
tourism. towns and even the countryside.
Making suggestions for better
utilization of the slave relics for There are many types of museums, from
tourism promotion. very large collections in major cities.
Categories include fine arts, applied arts,
craft, archaeology, anthropology and
Museum ethnology, history, cultural history, military
history, science, technology, childrens
museum, natural history, numismatics,
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Vol. 2 (4) - (2013) ISSN: 2223-814X

botanical and zoological gardens and ensure the protection of human health and
philately. Within these categories many the environment. Sustainable development
museums specialize further e.g. museums refers to development that meets the needs
of modern art, local history, aviation history, of present without compromising the ability
agriculture or geology. of future generations to meet their own
needs (WTTC, WTO, EC, 1995).
A museum normally houses a core
collection of important selected objects in its Walter and Noble 2000 pointed that tourism
field e.g. Archaeology museums specialize development is sustainable if it should be
in the display of archaeological artifacts. initiated through broad-based community
Arts museums known as an art gallery is a inputs, provide quality employment for
space for exhibition of art, usually in the community residents as well as establish
form of art objects from the visual arts, linkages between local businesses and
primarily paintings, illustrations and tourism, establish a code of practice for
sculpture (MacGregor, 2001). History tourism at all levels, based on internationally
Museums cover the knowledge of history accepted standards and introduce
and its relevance to the present and future. education and training programmes to
Maritime museums specialize in the display improve and manage heritage and natural
of objects relating to ships and travel on resources. Proper management of our
seas and lakes while Military and war cultural heritage such as museums and
museums specialize in military histories, monuments which form our cultural or built
they are often organized from a national attractions would lead to sustainable
point of view, where a museum in a tourism.
particular country will have displays around
conflicts in which that country has taken The entertainment value of the holdings of
part. Mobile museum is a term applied to the heritage museum cannot be
museums that make exhibitions from a underplayed. A detailed observation of the
vehicle, such as a van, while open air information embodied in the holdings of the
museums collect and re-erect old buildings heritage museum would help us greatly to
at large outdoor sites, usually in settings of supply some of the data we need in
re-created landscapes of the past. Others reconstructing the social history of our past
are science museums, specialized societies. The fact that the past and the
museums, virtual museum and zoological present can be a great help to the
parks. understanding of the present, in support of
this view Cleare 1989 asserted that the past
Sustainable Tourism Concept is a living component of present day life, this
identity of the past and the present is often
In the tourism literature, the concept closely associated with specific locations
Sustainability has been too closely and structures of museums. However, even
identified with environmental protection and without this an interest in the past is always
the use of present resources with a view to manifested in human societies. Almost on a
ensuring their availability for future similar note Rogers (1982) rightly pointed
generations. Any development will use out that the past is not dead. It is alive in our
present resources but hopefully in a nations prehistoric and historic site, ready
sensible way but sustainability has also to to reveal itself to those who seek its
embrace the requirements of the present counsel. Sensitivity to the past can be great
generations. The concept sustainable help to understanding the present,
development has continued to dominate emboldens more the social and cultural
every debate on development imperatives. relevance of Black Heritage Museum
It encourages the introduction of new or holdings to Nigerian history and society.
strengthening the existing regulations to
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Vol. 2 (4) - (2013) ISSN: 2223-814X

METHODOLOGY employed visited the Black Heritage

Museum most.
The research was carried out in the Black
Heritage Museum. A total of one hundred Table 3 above, shows that respondents
(100) questionnaires were distributed. The majorly visit the Black Heritage Museum for
questionnaires administered to the visitors sightseeing purpose at the percentage of
were retrieved completely with adequate 25.6% which is more than recreation of
supervision of the management body of the 34.7%, education at 22.8%, research at
Black Heritage Museum. Stratified random 3.0% and others at 3.0%
method of sampling was used. The data
collected were analyzed using qualitative From the above table 4, it can be concluded
and quantitative statistics and T-Test and that 45.5% of the respondents only visited
Pearson Chi-square were used to test the the Black Heritage Museum once as in
hypothesis. relation to other visitors who have visited 2
times (32.7%), 3 times (10.9%) and more
than three times having the lowest
percentage of 9.9%.
Scope of Study
From the figure 5 above, it shows that out of
The scope of the study is restricted to the 100 respondents, 52% considered the
Badagry local government area and will services of the Black Heritage Museum to
focus on the Black Heritage Museum. be good while only 3% indicated that the
services at the Black Heritage Museum is
Data Analysis poor. Two percent (2%) of the respondents
did not answer the question.
Data collected was analyzed and presented
using SPSS 17. Frequencies and From the research findings, it was observed
percentages. that sustainable tourism development has
helped develop Badagry in terms of
RESULTS AND DISCUSION economic prosperity. The presence of
sustainable tourism in museum practices
The above table 1 shows that out of the 100 has attracted both international and
respondents, 47.5% were under the age domestic tourists to Badagry.
group 18-25, 40.6% were ages 26-35, 9.9%
made of respondents in age group 36-45 In summary of the analysis and the result
while only 1.0% was above age 45. This findings, it is obvious that the Black Heritage
implies that visitors under the age group 18- Museum if properly marketed can bring in
25 years with the percentage of 47.5% more revenue for both the Badagry
unlike others visited the Black Heritage community and Lagos state at large but in
Museum more at the time of research. order for this to happen, there is need to
develop the basic infrastructures like good
Table 2 which shows the occupational roads and Electricity supply.
status of the visitors offer a valid
explanation that the individuals that were Based on the results obtained from the data
majorly private sector employed which gathered, a lot can be deduced to contribute
happens to be 30 (29.7%) while closely to different development of tourism in
followed by business persons with 23.8%, Badagry. The Black Heritage Museum can
civil service had 18.8% of the respondents, indeed bring more economic gains to the
managers were the lowest with 6.9% and Badagry community if it is properly utilized.
other status was seen to be 19.8%. it
therefore assert that private sector
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Vol. 2 (4) - (2013) ISSN: 2223-814X

From the results, more respondents are income and stimulating regional
uncomfortable with the available development at the destination area and the
infrastructures present at the destination country at large.
which none-the-less should be improved
upon. With the effective utilization (management)
and marketing of the Black Heritage
In finding the tourist visit as it contributes to Museum as well as other museums, Nigeria
the economic development of Badagry, will be placed among other African countries
three indexes has to be considered and as one of the tourist destination in the globe
analyzed and they include increased that is richly endowed with extensive
earnings, increase in foreign exchange cultural resources capable of creating
earning and international trade. For the demand, building tourist traffic and
increased earnings (table 4.2.3), the satisfying the travel needs of tourism with
calculated value for the chi-square is 1.099 the aim of creating wealth, reducing
with 1 degree of freedom and p-value 0f unemployment and poverty at the
.295. This was found to be significant at destination. In order to be well placed in the
0.05 level of significance (p>0.05). world tourism market and build substantial
Consequently, we reject the null hypothesis tourist traffic, there is the need to adopt the
and conclude that tourist visit has modern marketing concept which
contributed to increased earnings in understands its responsibility in identifying,
Badagry. For the foreign exchange earnings anticipating and satisfying customers
(table 4.2.4), the calculated value for the profitability.
chi-square is 2.788 with 1 degree of
freedom and p-value of 0.95. This was REFERENCES
found to be significant at 0.05 level of
significance (p>0.05). Consequently, we Abun, M. S. (1987) The Roles of Museum in
reject the null hypothesis and conclude that Tourism development in Nigeria, Nigerian
tourist visit contributes to the foreign Tourism, Vol. 1. No. 2
exchange earning of Badagry. Also, for the
international trade (table 4.2.5), the Alagoa, E. J. (1988) History, Culture and
calculated value for the chi-square is 0.73 Tourism Proceedings of the 7th Conference
with 1 degree of freedom and p-value 0f of Archaeological Association of Nigeria.
0.787. This was found to be significant at August 1998, University of Port Harcourt.
0.05 level of significance (p>0.05).
Andah, B. W. (1990) Tourism as Cultural
From the three economic indexes analyzed, Resources: Introductory comments (Ed).
it shows that tourist visit has contributed to Cultural Resource Management: An African
the economic development of Badagry. Dimension; Ibadan; Wisdom Publishers
Limited.
Conclusion
Burcaw, G. E. (9175) Introduction to
Considering the importance of museum as a Museum work, American Association for
veritable source of foreign exchange State and Local History: London.
earning and its growing importance in
reducing balance of payment deficit, it can Cohen, E. ((1984) The sociology of
act as a substitute to the oil sector, which Tourism, issues and findings, Annual
has for long remained the main stay of the Review of Sociology, 10pp. 373-92.
countrys economy. Thus museum
management as well as its development Cleare, H. C. (1989) Archaelogical Heritage
and marketing will play an important role Management in Modern World: Unwin
towards providing an alternative source of Hymen: London.
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African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure
Vol. 2 (4) - (2013) ISSN: 2223-814X

Gray, H. P. (1982) The Contribution of Rowman, F. & Littlefield, S. A. (2008)

Economics to Tourism, Annuals of Tourism Museums in Motion: an Introduction to the
Research 991, pp. 105-25. History and Functions of Museums.

MacGregor, A. (2001) (edd), The Origins of Taylor, E. B. (1970): The Essence of

Museums: The cabinet of Curiosities in Education: (Ed): The Concept of Education;
sixteenth and seventeenth century Europe, London: Routledge and Keyan Paul.
2nd edition, London: House of Stratus 2001.
Wall, G. (1997) Tourism Development
Okpoko, P. U. (2002) Tourism in Nigeria: Growth: The Challenge of Sustainability.
Nigeria: Afro-orbis Publications Limited. London; Routledge.

Okpoko, A. I. (2006) Fundamentals of Walter, J. & Noble (2002): A Manual for

Museum Practice; Nigeria: Afro-orbis Sustainable Tourism Destination
Publications Limited. Management, CUCUEM Project, AIT, 2000.

Okita, S. I. O. (1985) A temple for a Forum: WTTC WTO, EC (1995) Agenda 21 for the
The Quest for an African Museum; Museum Travel and Tourism Industry: Towards
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Publishing Co. Ltd. 7th session 19-30 April, 1999; New York.

Pooley, (2003) Literature Review, The

Planning and Development of Sustainable
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Rogers, T. (1982) Nature, Culture and

Identity in French Rural Tourism. French
historical studies.

TABLES FOLLOW

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African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure
Vol. 2 (4) - (2013) ISSN: 2223-814X

TABLE 1 Age distribution of Respondents

Frequency Percentage
18 25yrs 48 47.5
26 35yrs 41 40.6
36 45yrs 10 9.9
Above 45yrs 1 1.0
Total 100 100.0
Source: Field survey, 2010

Ages of Respondents

18-25 yrs
10% 1%
26-35 yrs
48%
41% 36-45 yrs
Above 45 yrs

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Vol. 2 (4) - (2013) ISSN: 2223-814X

TABLE 2: Occupational Status

Frequency Percentage
Civil Service Private 19 18.8
Sector Employed 30 29.7
Manager
Business Person 7 6.9
Others 24 23.8
Total 20 19.8
100 100.0
Source: Field survey, 2010

Occupational Status

Civil Service

Private Sector
Employed
20% 19% Manager

24% Business
30%
Person
Others
7%

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Vol. 2 (4) - (2013) ISSN: 2223-814X

TABLE 3: Reasons for visiting Black Heritage Museum

Frequency Percentage
Sightseeing 36 35.6
Recreation 35 34.7
Education
Research 3 3.0
Others 3 3.0
Total 100 100.0

Source: Field survey, 2010

Reasons for Visiting Black

Heritage Museum

Sightseeing
Recreation
3% 3%
23% 36% Education

35% Research
Others

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Vol. 2 (4) - (2013) ISSN: 2223-814X

TABLE 4: Frequency of visits to Black Heritage museum

Frequency Percentage
Once 46 45.5
2 times 33 32.7
3 times 11 10.9
More than 3 times 10 9.99
Total 100 100.0

Source: Field survey, 2010

Frequency of Visits to
Black Heritage Museum

Once

2 times
11% 10%
46%
3 times
33%

More than 3
times

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Vol. 2 (4) - (2013) ISSN: 2223-814X

Table 5: Assessment of the Service Rendered and Effectiveness of Activities at the Black
Heritage Museum.

Frequency Percentage
Unanswered Question 2 2.0
Very Good 17 16.8
Good 52 51.5
Fair 26 25.7
Poor 3 3.0
Total 100 100.0
Source: Field Survey, 2010

Assessment of the Services

Rendered and Effectiveness of
Activities at the Black Heritage
Museum
3% 2% Unanswered
17% Questions
26% Very Good

Good
52%
Fair

Poor

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