Tourism and poverty reduction: theory and practice in less economically developed countries

Abstract

This paper analyses the evolution of the theory and practice of tourism development aimed at poverty reduction in less economically developed countries (LEDCs). It critically reviews two central early themes in this area: community-based tourism projects, and the focus on structural conditions and power relations between global players and local communities. The paper considers the potential strengths of tourism development for LEDCs and summarises the many new subject area developments. A review of papers within the Journal of Sustainable Tourism's special issue on tourism and poverty reduction follows and four main themes are explored: development agency strategies and approaches, governance and biodiversity conservation, the assessment of tourism impacts and value chain analysis and inter-sectoral linkages. Key potential topics for future research and action are outlined, including: (1) the use of new techniques measuring tourism impacts, (2) the roles of development agency governance and operational practices, (3) how inequitable power relations and weak governance can undermine efforts, (4) the importance of private-sector business practices that contribute to poverty reduction, (5) the value of multidisciplinary quantitative and qualitative research tools and (6) the need for linkages between academic research and practitioner interventions.

Keywords:

• poverty reduction
• sustainable tourism
• governance
• conservation
• value chain analysis
• development agencies

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Bernard Lane and Bill Bramwell for their detailed and constructive feedback on drafts of this paper.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Anna Spenceley

Dr. Anna Spenceley, based in South Africa, is the founder of Spenceley Tourism And Development cc (STAND), a consultancy providing a range of innovative solutions in sustainable tourism globally. She is chair of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) Tourism and Protected Areas Specialist Group, vice chair of the board of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and a research affiliate at the School of Tourism and Hospitality at the University of Johannesburg. Anna is the editor of the book Responsible Tourism: Critical issues for Conservation and Development and co-editor of the book Evolution and Innovation in Wildlife Conservation.  More information at: www.anna.spenceley.co.uk

Dorothea Meyer

Dr. Dorothea Meyer specialises in the political economy of tourism and the role of tourism as an agent for poverty reduction in less economically developed countries. At Sheffield Hallam University since 2004, she is director of the Tourism and Poverty Reduction Research Unit. Earlier work included being a marketing executive for the Malta National Tourist Office and a researcher/lecturer at the Technical University of Dresden in Germany. Her PhD at the University of North London in 2001 focused on power, networks and resident responses to tourism development. Following her PhD, she researched pro-poor tourism issues for the Overseas Development Institute in London. Recent research projects have been carried out in the Dominican Republic, Sri Lanka, Vanuatu, Thailand, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and South Africa.