Cultural tourism and socio-economic regeneration of rural communities: the Apo festival of Bono Takyiman, Ghana

Abstract

Tourism has been part of humankind since time immemorial. People visit destinations for educational, religious, medical or entertainment purposes. Tourism includes short-term travel of people to destinations outside their communities. It is an important income generation and source of employment in many countries. In many former European colonies, some historical sites and events still attract thousands of visitors who like to get the first-hand information about the past. An important event that attracts thousands of visitors to rural Ghana is cultural tourism. It takes place when people visit specific destinations to attend, observe, learn or enjoy cultural events of an ethnic group. Ghana is endowed with a variety of festivals which attract local and foreign visitors. This study investigated the socio-economic impact of the annual Apo festival of Bono Takyiman. This qualitative-ethnographic research employed interviews and participant observation in the investigation. The study found that the Apo festival as a cultural tourism has a positive impact on the socio-economic development of the Bono Takyiman Municipality. In view of its positive impact on communities, the paper recommended to the local authorities to make the product more attractive for cultural tourism to contribute to the socio-economic regeneration of the countryside.

Paragliding festival: understanding stakeholder perception of environmental attitudes and tourism performance

“…In a related study, Okonkwo and Odey (2018) found the “love for the natural environment” was a motivator for the choice of a festival tourism destination. Furthermore, a Quan-Baffour (2020) study on the Apo festival in a Ghanaian context confirmed socio-economic impacts on the rural community, while Adongo and Kim (2018) found disparities with regard to stakeholder involvement in the organisation of festivals. Curiously, these studies (Adongo and Kim, 2018; Okonkwo and Odey, 2018; Quan-Baffour, 2020) in the contexts of developing countries neglected how participants evaluated environmental attitudes towards the natural environment.…”

“…Furthermore, a Quan-Baffour (2020) study on the Apo festival in a Ghanaian context confirmed socioeconomic impacts on the rural community, while Adongo and Kim (2018) found disparities with regard to stakeholder involvement in the organisation of festivals. Curiously, these studies (Adongo and Kim, 2018;Okonkwo and Odey, 2018;Quan-Baffour, 2020) in the Paragliding festival contexts of developing countries neglected how participants evaluated environmental attitudes towards the natural environment. Notably, other similar studies (Alonso-Vazquez and Ballico, 2021; Mathew and Sreejesh, 2017;Wut et al, 2020) have established direct relationships between festival attendees' values and eco-friendly behaviour, in contexts.…”

“…Moreover, studies on festivals in developing country contexts (e.g. Abbasian et al , 2021; Adongo and Kim, 2018; Eyisi et al , 2021; Quan-Baffour, 2020) have neglected issues relating to environmentalism. This has created a scenario of limited and under-represented voices on environmental issues in the event tourism development agenda (McClinchey, 2020; Tuckett, 2018).…”

Sustainable tourism development activities and planning systems in Vhembe district, Limpopo province, South Africa: A comprehensive eco-touristic and sustainability perspective

“…However, the situation is caused by the overwhelming number of flimsy local organizations and ineffective system guidelines for properly allowing the residents; this is related to their Zimbabwe case study. Although some underdeveloped rural areas struggle to feed their residents and draw visitors, social and traditional entrepreneurs are essential in creating fresh ideas, organizations and businesses to see an opportunity for the region (Mottiar, Boluk, & Kline, 2018;Stone & Stone, 2020;Ali et al, 2022;Quan-Baffour, 2023). The latter is consonant with Ringo's (2019) study of the desirable foothold IK has in Tanzanian cultural tourism endeavors.…”

Management of cultural tourism in Ban Toon, Muang District, Phayao Province, Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…These closures resulted in a loss of revenue for the neighborhood. As a result, those who supplied tourist-related services either changed the type of work they were doing or moved to work somewhere else (or both), leaving previously dependent regions on tourism with few other options for income ( Kofi Poku Quan-Baffour, 2020 ).…”