Exploring the Impact of Indigenous Culinary Heritage on Sustainable Hospitality Practices in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Okey Reuben Okechukwu, Ogbonna Jacinta and Ocheola Innocent Ewaoche
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Okey Reuben Okechukwu: Federal College of Education Technical, Department of Education
Ogbonna Jacinta: Department of Hospitality Management Federal College of Education (Technical)
Ocheola Innocent Ewaoche: Federal College of Education Technical , Department of Education

A chapter in Proceedings of the International Conference on Sustainable Business and Entrepreneurship (ICSBE 2025), 2025, pp 242-250 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract This study investigates the nexus between indigenous culinary heritage and sustainable hospitality practices in Ebonyi State, Nigeria a region renowned for its cultural diversity and growing tourism sector. Despite the global emphasis on sustainability in hospitality management, the integration of indigenous culinary traditions as a driver of sustainable practices remains underexplored. The research examines how traditional food systems, local ingredient sourcing, and cultural culinary narratives can enhance environmental sustainability, economic viability, and socio-cultural preservation in hospitality establishments. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 50 hospitality managers, surveys of 200 tourists, and participant observations in 10 hotels and restaurants across urban and rural areas of Ebonyi State. Structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the relationships between key varia-bles: Indigenous Culinary Heritage (ICH), Sustainable Hospitality Practices (SHP), Tourist Satisfaction (TS), and Community Economic Empowerment (CEE). Findings reveal that ICH significantly influences SHP by reducing food waste, promoting eco-friendly sourcing, and fostering cultural authenticity. These practices, in turn, enhance both TS and CEE. The study underscores the potential of leveraging indigenous culinary heritage to develop a unique and sustainable hospitality model that aligns with global sustainability goals while preserving lo-cal identity.

Keywords: Indigenous Culinary Heritage; Sustainable Hospitality Practices; Tourist Satisfaction; Community Economic Empowerment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:advbcp:978-94-6463-930-8_17

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DOI: 10.2991/978-94-6463-930-8_17

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