Knowledge Creation, Retention, Exchange, Devolution, Interpretation and Treatment (K-CREDIT) as an Economic Growth Driver in Pro-Poor Tourism

Abstract

On the basis of the premise that information asymmetry perpetuates a vicious cycle of economic deprivation and poverty, this article argues that technology-facilitated knowledge flow mechanism subsumed into pro-poor tourism value chains can serve as eco-friendly and economical instruments in poverty alleviation efforts. In evolving a framework for such a mechanism, the semantic appropriateness of knowledge management (KM) as a concept is scrutinised and a more robust term is suggested. Capacity-building and last mile connectivity are identified as critical issues for knowledge-driven pro-poor tourism interventions. These are discussed from the perspective of contemporary paradigms in development thinking and a framework for dynamic and interactive indigenous knowledge systems is proposed. Stakeholders' responsibilities as benign intermediaries in the knowledge-driven pro-poor tourism value chain are highlighted and a case is made for basing such interventions on economically sustainable models.

Keywords:

• pro-poor tourism
• knowledge
• infostructure

Notes

http://www.unwto.org

http://web.worldbank.org

http://icommons.org/2007/04/28/access-to-knowledge-too