Promoting tourism in developing economies: challenges and prospects

Abstract

To be sustainable, tourism in all economies and especially in developing nations, must be economically viable. It thus needs to be carefully promoted and strive to meet the needs of society, while also protecting the environment and cultural heritage upon which it relies, and in this way, it will continue to deliver benefits without disadvantage to current and future generations. This research paper attempts to explore the current challenges and prospects of promoting tourism in developing economies. This paper shows clearly that the present challenges include inter alia, the following: (a) Government inability to formulate and implement progressive policies on tourism (b) the current fight against terrorism (c) unequal distribution of power and influence within the cultural divide (d) structural imbalances in overall development pattern in developing economies (e) cultural clashes. In terms of prospects, this paper identified the following-(a) alleviation of poverty (b) employment opportunity (c) development of collective community income (d) equitable management of resources between tourists and local people (e) the issue of corporate social responsibility. Finally, the paper discussed at length some important measures the Government in developing economies must adopt to promote tourism.