ABSTRACT
Chapters 1 and 2 discussed the growth of interest in tourism as a tool for poverty alleviation, while also drawing attention to the theoretical underpinnings of pro-poor tourism. While many claims are now being made about the potential of tourism to deliver greater benefi ts to the poor, as noted in Chapter 1, there is a need for caution. Some advocates of tourism are also prone to exaggerate claims for what tourism can achieve. These claims extend well beyond rosy economic projections for tourism earnings, with some suggesting that tourism is a universal panacea for overcoming poverty, inequality and even confl ict (see IIPT 2004). Thus Chapter 3 takes the discussion on tourism and poverty to another level, focusing on major critiques of tourism in developing countries that emerged in the 1970s and continue to this day. Table 2.3 labelled these the ‘Critical Perspectives’. These critiques are multifaceted, coming from local activist groups formed to oppose the cultural erosion and social disruption they see occurring in the wake of major tourism developments, through to sociologists exposing the core-periphery relationships that have developed when foreign investors reap the majority of the rewards of investment in developing country tourism hotels and resorts.
