Author(s)

W. Nzeda Tagowa

Abstract

Tourism as one of the world’s fastest growing industries has the potential to enhance sustainable development by its propensity to promote accelerated growth, income increase, improved transportation and conservation of ecosystems, among other variables. Tourism attractions abound in Africa and Nigeria has more than fair share of tourism potentials. Most tourism attractions in Nigeria are located in the rural areas. Rural tourism can therefore be utilized as a tool for sustainable development. This paper reviews the development of tourism in Nigeria in general and specifically undertakes a case study of Sukur World Heritage Site in Adamawa State, Northeastern Nigeria, as an example of rural tourism for sustainable development. The paper highlights Sukur development plan and advances strategies for utilization of the site for sustainable development. Such strategies surround the central objective of community participation and environmental protection and preservation, while taking cognizance of the risks involved in the development of a tourism site of the like of Sukur Cultural Landscape. Keywords: rural tourism, landscape, sustainable development, cultural tourism, community participation, pro-poor management. 1 Introduction The universally accepted meaning of tourism is that it involves a \“network of activities of persons who travel and stay in destinations outside their homes and

Keywords

rural tourism, landscape, sustainable development, cultural tourism, community participation, pro-poor management