ABSTRACT

Previous chapters have highlighted the complex relationship between tourism and poverty alleviation, with Chapter 3 explaining why a number of commentators are convinced that tourism often entrenches poverty. In this chapter, the contention is more audacious: poverty attracts tourists. At fi rst this may seem nonsense: we know that the majority of the world’s tourists travel to Europe and North America, not to the least developed countries of the world like Bangladesh and Burkina Faso. We also know that a great number of tourists seek relaxation in comfortable if not luxurious surroundings when they holiday. How could poverty possibly be appealing?