Solidarity at the Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove—a UNESCO World Heritage Site

A study of the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove reveals that tourists perceive significantly higher emotional solidarity with local residents compared to how residents view tourists. This finding was derived using the Emotional Solidarity Scale (ESS), which demonstrated strong psychometric properties and consistent factor structure in this context outside the USA. The research highlights the nuanced relationship between visitors and locals during events like the annual Osun-Osogbo Festival, offering insights into emotional dynamics in tourism development, particularly in Global South settings.

Woosnam, K. M., Aleshinloye, K. D., & Maruyama, N. (2015). Solidarity at the Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourism Planning & Development, 13(3), 274–291. https://doi.org/10.1080/21568316.2015.1104380