Exploring the impacts of religious tourism on development: (A case study of Redemption Camp, Mowe, Ogun State, Nigeria)

Abstract

The Redemption Camp is unarguably one tourism destination that has fascinated many among the Christian and non-Christian folks. Religious sites are among the most visited tourism destinations in the world; people have visited Redemption Camp in their thousands and millions in recent times more than any known tourism destination in Nigeria. The evidence for these realities is attributed to the selfsustainable status the Camp has attained over the years and the increased rate at which it continues to attract visitors. Development in terms of infrastructure and socio-economic activities in Redemption Camp and the neighbouring host communities is evident, arising primarily from tourism activities. This reality underpins the impacts of religious tourism on the development. The study x-rays development, as enhanced by the activities of religious tourism in the Redemption Camp, Mowe, Ogun State, Nigeria. The research employs participant observation, unstructured interviews and key informants interviews. The key informant interviews elicited facts on Redemption Camp as a religious tourism destination while the unstructured interviews examined visitors’ attitude as religious tourists. The study specifically identifies the role religious tourism played and is still in the development of Redemption Camp as well
as the spill over effects on the residents and the host communities. Factors that enhanced religious tourism activities in the Camp include the provision of efficient transportation mode, stable electricity, comfortable accommodation and clean water supply. Tourism
attractions within the camp which have earned the camp its self-sustaining reputation are: the Redemption Resort, The Redeemer’s High School. Redeemer’s Maternity Centre, Banking Institutions, Open Heavens International Centre, Emmanuel Park and the main auditorium which sits over two million attendees. It is recommended that, with the growing spate of expansionary activities in the Redemption Camp, the management should ensure necessary precautionary measures in place to guard against disrupting the environmental harmony the redemption camp is known for.

Key words: Tourism, Religious tourism, Development, Redemption Camp