Assessing the contribution of Cultural Heritage sites to Tourism Development: a case study of Oldupai and Alaitote footprint area, Tanzania.

• Main Authors: Rumishael P. Njau, Juliana Losaru
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: AfricaJournals 2017-01-01
• Series: African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure
• Subjects: development Culture; heritage; tourism; East Africa
• Online Access: http://www.ajhtl.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_15_vol_6__1__2017.pdf

Olduvai Gorge is a site in Tanzania that contains the earliest indication of the existence of human ancestors. Paleoanthropologists have found literally hundreds of fossilized bones and stone tools in the area dating back millions of years, leading them to conclude that humans evolved in Africa. Equally important, at Laetoli, west of Ngorongoro Crater, hominid footprints are well-preserved in volcanic rock estimated to be 3.6 million years old and these represent some of the earliest signs of mankind in the world. However, the importance of cultural tourism has not been in the least effectively investigated in Tanzania as a country. The contribution of cultural sites forms the basis as to why they should be conserved, protected and managed for sustainable tourism. This study focuses on the contribution of cultural Heritage sites to the development of tourism in specific areas in Tanzania. There is need to developed and further recognize the importance of Cultural heritage as a tourism generating market to help supplement other tourism attractions in order to serve the increasing demand for cultural heritage product from both domestic and international travelers.