Tourism and Poverty Reduction - Tourism and Development: Concepts and Issues - page 118

4 Tourism and Poverty

Reduction

Regina Scheyvens

Introduction

For several decades, researchers have sought to untangle the relationship
between tourism and poverty. While many agree that this relationship
exists, some are in opposite camps, asserting either that tourism entrenches
poverty or that tourism can contribute to poverty alleviation. It is the latter
view which will be explored, in the main, in this chapter, focusing particu-
larly on the period from the late 1990s onwards which saw the emergence of
so-called 'pro-poor tourism' (PPT). To set the enthusiasm around the poten-
tial of PPT in context, the chapter begins by looking back briefly at how, over
time, researchers have conceptualised the relationship between tourism and
poverty. Selected tourism initiatives which are attempting to reduce poverty
are then discussed, followed by a section reflecting on the constraints
to tourism alleviating poverty in practice. To conclude the chapter, ways
forward in terms of tourism providing a more comprehensive approach to
poverty alleviation are suggested, highlighting the important role that devel-
oping country governments have in setting the context within which tour-
ism occurs in their countries.

Conceptualising the Relationship between
Tourism and Poverty

Views of tourism and its potential to alleviate poverty have varied con-
siderably over time. Therefore, the purpose of this first section is to explain
the main changes in views from the 1950s through to the present, with
changes from modernising views to critical perspectives, and then alternative
views on tourism development.

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