Assessment of the Management of Heritage Tourism at Benin City Moat, Edo State, South South Nigeria

This study assesses the management of heritage tourism at the Benin City Moat in Edo State, South South Nigeria. The Benin Moat system, one of the world's largest earthworks constructed by human hands, is a UNESCO Tentative World Heritage Site and a pivotal attraction for cultural heritage tourism in the South South zone. The study adopts a descriptive survey design with questionnaires administered to 120 tourists, 10 community heritage custodians, and officials from the Edo State Tourism Board. Variables assessed include site interpretation quality, physical condition, visitor management, community integration, and visitor awareness levels. Findings reveal that 59 percent of tourists were unaware of the moat's UNESCO Tentative status prior to visiting, indicating significant marketing and education gaps. Physical maintenance of the moat precincts is rated as poor by 64 percent of respondents, with encroachment by residential and commercial developments noted as a growing concern. Official heritage interpretation panels and guided tour services are largely absent from the site. The study recommends development of a formal Benin City Heritage Management Plan, training and certification of community heritage guides, and installation of interpretive signage along moat access points. Advocacy for full UNESCO World Heritage inscription is also strongly recommended as a means of attracting international conservation support and funding. Keywords: heritage tourism, Benin Moat, Edo State, cultural conservation, UNESCO World Heritage