Influence of Community Perception on Tourism Acceptability of Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove, Nigeria

Abstrakt

The influence of community perception on tourism acceptability in Osun Osogbo Sacred
Grove (OOSG) was investigated using questionnaire and in-depth interview. The population of the
study consisted of the local communities around the grove from which 200 respondents were
randomly selected. Data collected were analysed descriptively (frequency, percentages, means and
standard deviation) while the hypotheses of the study were tested using Multinomial Logit
Regression. The OOSG has various attractions amongst which festival (4.59) had the highest mean
score followed by historical buildings and monuments (4.46) while sculpure had the least (3.75).
Tourism activities in OOSG have created both positive and negative perceptions of tourism
development among the local communities as measured through the economic and social
perceptions of the impacts. The mean score ranking showed that employment opportunities (4.11),
increase in income (3.97) and improved public security (3.93) were economic impacts while social
impacts were increased entertainment (4.15), positive influence on cultural activities (4.08) and
increased residents pride in indigenous culture (4.05). The negative influence on cultural activities
and increase in prostitution were the negative perceptions of the host community that have
significant effects on tourism acceptability (p<0.05). The need to sensitise community stakeholders
in tourism of its potential positive impacts is essential and effective measures should be developed to
address the negative impacts in order to ensure sustainability of the destination.