Journal of
Hospitality Management and Tourism

  • Abbreviation: J. Hosp. Manage. Tourism
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-6575
  • DOI: 10.5897/JHMT
  • Start Year: 2010
  • Published Articles: 72

Full Length Research Paper

Enhancing the tourism value of Cross River state monoliths and stone circles through geo-mapping and ethnographic study (part 1)

Bassey Benjamin Esu1* and Samuel Ukata2
1Department of Marketing, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria. 2Department of Geography and environmental Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 28 November 2012
  •  Published: 31 December 2012

Abstract

Monoliths and stone circles are found in many places in the world. Information about their existence has been characterized by contrasting historical and anthropological explanations. The cultural value of monoliths and stone circles has attracted a wide array of experts and groups: historians, mathematicians, anthropologists, archeologist, culture seeking consumers, etc. The Cross River Stone Circles is one of the popular tourist in the State, Unfortunately, very little has been done in promoting the tourism value of this cultural attraction. This study seeks to gain sight into the nature and critical issues that would increase stakeholders’ attention toward the Cross River Stone Circles.  This study adopted an integrated research approach; exploratory and observational. The Emangabe Stone Circle was used as case study. This study has produced interpretative maps for tourist education, marketing communication collateral and inventory of the stones in the Emangebe Stone Circle. The researchers believed that the outcome of the study will bring added value, thereby increasing the marketing performance of the cultural and heritage site.

 

Key words: Monoliths, stone circles, ethnography, cultural value, heritage site, geo-mapping.