Abstract
This study investigated issues relating to host community perception of
Irefin Palace for sustainable heritage tourism development in Ibadan,
Oyo State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study determined residents’
perception of developing Irefin palace for sustainable tourism, factors
influencing tourists’ patronage of the palace and residents’ percveption
on the importance of heritage tourism. Questionnaire was used to gather
data. Eighty respondents selected by purposive and simple ransom
sampling techniques participated in the study. Findings of study include
10 perception indicators of developing Irefin Palace for heritage tourism.
These include heritage tourism is alien to our culture, Irefin Palace and
its design are too old for preservation, heritage tourism lead to under-
utilization of the Palace and others. Findings also reveal four factors
influencing tourists’ patronage of Irefin palace. These are lack of
awareness, poor state of the palace, absence of tourism supporting
ameities at the Palace, absence of professional tour guide. Other findings
are 12 indicators of perceived importance of heritage tourism. These
include provide employment opportunities, provide revenue for
government, be a source of pride for the community among others.
Based o the findings, three recommendations were made.