Abstract

This paper aims to explore local people’s perceptions of the potential implications of cultural revitalisation through tourism in a developing world context. It also seeks to understand any influencing factors on the people’s views. This paper is based on a qualitative case study undertaken in Benin, Nigeria, which included 41 interviews with community members, heritage managers, and local government employees. The findings of the study show that the local people had hope for economic, social and cultural well-being because of cultural revitalisation through tourism. The views of the informants were mainly driven by the desire for economic development and better standards of living. Based on these findings, it may be suggested that to benefit local people and gain their support, cultural revitalisation should not only be about the re-creation of a static historic object just for the sake of preserving it. Instead, cultural heritage should be viewed as a living entity with economic value.