Interesting atricle which looks at the future development and role of tourism in Africa. It could make a potentially huge difference to the life of local communities and the development of the country as a whole but of course this needs to be a carefully managed process in which the needs of the community needs to be paramount.
============
"Tourism is the biggest industry in the world - and Africa has exactly 4% of the market for it. What the continent has in its favour, though, is the one commodity that all the world’s less developed countries share (and developed countries envy): an unspoilt environment, great climate and rich cultural traditions. These happen to be the very attractions that tomorrow’s eco-conscious tourist will be seeking out. Yet they are being massively underutilised by most African countries."
Dawie de Villiers, a former South African cabinet minister who is now deputy head of the World Tourism Organisation (WTO), says the continent’s governments must place tourism at the heart of their growth policies. “Tourism has the potential to be a powerful tool in antipoverty and pro-poor development strategies,” De Villiers told delegates at a recent conference. “We believe that the economic and development strength of the tourism industry should be more effectively mobilised in the fight against poverty.”
"De Villiers, a former South African cabinet minister for tourism, warns that not all tourism is good. In particular, he stresses that local communities must benefit and the industry must be effectively planned if it is to be sustainable."
http://www.businessinafrica.net/features/tourism/393143.htm
Discuss this here
VSL Blog - Sierra Leone blog for Travel Articles, feedback from trips and general musings about Sierra Leone
1 comments:
Tourism is a useful tool when done with a plan. Consider for a moment the following,a few examples of control and orginization in tourism and uniqueness. This town has set a tone that is followed through out the region. All of the old traditions are practiced, in traditional attire, the homes have been restored and can not be modernized on the outside. The entire area is of old (old by the USA standards). The town is Williamsburg, Virginia (USA)read what they are saying about themselves today ----- "Over 4,000,000 people visit the Williamsburg area every year to experience the award-winning, authentic, interactive tours of the times and lives of our colonial ancestors, not to mention the great dining and quality shopping found throughout the Historic Triangle." These types of Numbers would require a lot of coordination, advertising and planning. Look at other successful areas with many visitors Orlando, Florida the entire town is spotless, and suitable for families with children this is very appealing. The city has done an excellent job of planning. Another city to study is Cancun, Mexico they have invited college kids to a small part of the city giving them all they could want in that one space, never encourage them to mingle with the locals (just bring the locals in to work daily)in the real part of town. And then they made an oasis for vacationers, They have created such a wonderful place it is now the place to go. Let's not forget Jamaica how many visitors go there? These places take the time to advertise them selves to the masses. People will come to safe exciting areas, where the citizens are welcoming and the town is inviting. Offering certian levels of service and maintaining the levels to assure each guest recives equal treatment. There are areas in South Africa, Jordan, Saudi Arabia,and the UAE which have made the achivements. The Western coutries will have to take a gamble on themselves, develop the infrastructure and provide a welcoming enviornment and we will come, we will bring our vacation dollars and some of us will even consider making our home down the street from you.
http://www.williamsburg.com/index.cfm
http://www.orlandoinfo.com/
http://www.jamaicans.com/
http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/timessquare/
Post a Comment