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@article{194963,
        author = {Abisola Sokale and Solanke Abayomi S. and Al Ameen Olalowo},
        title = {COMMUNITY-BASED TOURISM (CBT), A STUDY OF ITOLU COMMUNITY, ILARO, OGUN STATE.},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {10},
        pages = {6833-6843},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=194963},
        abstract = {The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to a random sample of 50 respondents drawn from the Itolu community. The instrument employed a five-point Likert rating scale, and data were analysed using descriptive statistics including frequency counts, percentages, and cumulative percentages via SPSS. Findings revealed that CBT in Itolu is at an early but promising stage of development. On the cultural dimension, respondents recorded moderate and divided perceptions of CBT's impact, with the maintenance of traditional practices and customs attracting the highest positive consensus (38% combined agreement), while historical site conservation (36%) and cultural identity awareness (38%) remained contested. High undecidedness across cultural items ranging from 28% to 36% indicated that a substantial portion of the community has not yet experienced or observed sufficient tourism activity to form a definitive judgement on its cultural value. On the economic dimension, the most perceptible benefit was direct financial gain from participation in cultural displays and hospitality services (48% agreement), followed by direct business benefits from tourist visits (42%). However, broader income generation, micro-enterprise stimulation, and demand expansion for local goods and services remained unevenly distributed, reflecting the classic leakage and concentration dynamics associated with early-stage CBT programmes in developing countries. The study concluded that Itolu Community possesses significant cultural assets including the Erifu sacred water confluence, the Ile Odu'a shrine complex, and a rich repository of Yoruba traditional heritage that position it as a viable CBT destination. Yet, the absence of formal governance structures, benefit-sharing mechanisms, community tourism education, and infrastructural investment has prevented these assets from generating widespread, equitable developmental outcomes. The study recommends the formalisation of CBT governance at the community level, the development of structured and authentic cultural tourism products, the expansion of participatory programming, and the establishment of transparent revenue-sharing frameworks. Without these interventions, CBT in Itolu risks generating pockets of benefit for a few while leaving the majority of community members as peripheral spectators rather than active beneficiaries of the tourism economy.},
        keywords = {Community-Based Tourism, Cultural Heritage Conservation, Economic Benefits, Itolu Community, Ilaro, Ogun State, Nigeria, Sustainable Tourism, Participatory Development},
        month = {March},
        }