Sustainable event tourism in Abia State, Nigeria: The past, the present, and the future

Kirjoittajat

• Nneoma Grace Ololo University of Nigeria, Humanities Unit, School of General Studies and Hospitality & Tourism Studies Department
• Okechukwu Obishike Anozie University of Nigeria, Humanities Unit, School of General Studies and Hospitality & Tourism Studies Department
• Ogechi Ivy Anyanwu University of Nigeria, Hospitality & Tourism Studies Department

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33351/mt.162876

Avainsanat:

event tourism, sustainable development, sensitisation, community festival, Abia State

Abstrakti

Events constitute both an integral component of the tourism experience and a critical part of human society. This paper discusses the relationship between events and sustainability in the tourism context. Sustainability in the event tourism context refers to the sustainability of events fundamentally grounded in the three pillars of sustainability – economic, socio-cultural, and environmental. Adopting a case study approach, this paper examines the Ekpe cultural festival to understand its contribution to sustainable tourism development in the past, present, and future, particularly in this 21^st century where global and Western influences abound. While the event can be holistically examined under the three pillars of sustainability – economic, socio-cultural, and environmental – attention is paid to the socio-cultural impact. Findings revealed that the past was filled with men and women who understood the importance of upholding cultures void of Western influences, while the present has been challenged with global and Western interferences. As a result, the capability of sustaining the festival for the future has been questioned. The paper, therefore, suggests that the sustainability of the event lies in awareness creation, planning, and collaboration for future generations.