Tourism and Poverty

Harrison, David H. and Pratt, Stephen (2019) Tourism and Poverty. In: A Research Agenda for Tourism and Development. Edward Elgar, Cheltenham, UK, pp. 109-124. ISBN 978-1788112406

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Abstract

There is a long held belief that tourism can be a passport to development and can also alleviate poverty. Although international tourism has grown markedly since the 1950, the promised benefits of tourism and its potential to reduced poverty has come under question. This chapter reviews the definitions of poverty, noting both absolute and relative measurements; single indices and multi-dimensional criteria. The chapter then assesses, from a macroeconomic perspective, the extent to which tourism can contribute to poverty reduction. The overwhelming conclusion is that tourism can indeed improve the lives of residents of destination areas but that equality may have to be sacrificed for growth. Who benefits from tourism depends on the type of tourism involved, the prevailing wider environment at the destination, and the ability and commitment of governments to extend tourism’s benefits as widely as possible. Lastly, the chapter discusses the mechanisms of how poverty can be alleviated through tourism. Directions of future research are suggested.

Item Type:	Book Chapter
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor
Divisions:	Faculty of Business and Economics (FBE) > School of Tourism and Hospitality Management
Depositing User:	Fulori Nainoca - Waqairagata
Date Deposited:	21 Apr 2020 02:24
Last Modified:	14 Feb 2021 22:03
URI:	https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/12099

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