The Role of the Tourism Sector in Expanding Economic Opportunity

Abstract

Tourism's current role in expanding economic opportunity in developing countries presents a paradox. Resolving this paradox offers tourism companies the potential to play a leadership role within the industry and the business community as a whole. On the one hand, the past decade has seen marked growth in the attention paid by policymakers, development experts, and industry leaders to the contributions made by the tourism sector in many countries, especially in the developing world. For example, within the United Nations (UN) alone, the UN Commission on Trade and Development promotes the importance of tourism to Least Developed Countries; the UN Environment Programme promotes sustainable tourism; and the UN World Tourism Organization Is not only exclusively devoted to tourism, but has even created an international foundation to enhance its contribution to development (Sustainable Tourism - Eliminating Poverty, or ST-EP). There are also some widely-cited examples of individual tourism ventures and companies - both large- and small-scale operators - that partner with communities and bring economic prosperity to remote areas. These include local business linkage initiatives for sourcing fresh produce and crafts, training community tour guides and other local tourism workers, and providing health care services and education programs to surrounding communities.