Assessment of the Role of Heritage Tourism in Community Development in Arochukwu, Abia State, South East Nigeria

This study assesses the role of heritage tourism in community development in Arochukwu, Abia State, South East Nigeria. Arochukwu is home to the Long Juju Slave Route, a site of profound historical significance drawing both domestic and diaspora heritage tourists. Despite its cultural importance, the community development impact of heritage tourism in Arochukwu has been unevenly distributed and insufficiently leveraged. A mixed-method research design is adopted with questionnaires administered to 150 community residents and heritage tourists, supplemented by in-depth interviews with local government tourism officials and community leaders. Impact dimensions assessed include income generation, employment creation, cultural revitalisation, infrastructure improvement attributable to tourism, and resident attitudes towards tourism development. Findings indicate that heritage tourism generates significant economic activity during peak visiting seasons, yet 62 percent of community residents report that economic benefits are concentrated among a small number of formal tourism operators, leaving the wider community minimally advantaged. Cultural revitalisation effects are perceived positively by 78 percent of residents, particularly among youth engaged in traditional storytelling and craft production. The study recommends development of a community benefit sharing agreement for heritage tourism revenues in Arochukwu, community guide training programmes, and a dedicated local tourism cooperative. Collaboration with the Abia State Tourism Authority for heritage site investment is also proposed. Keywords: heritage tourism, community development, Arochukwu, Long Juju Slave Route, South East Nigeria