ABSTRACT
Introduction ............................................................................................... 2 Faces of the Poor ....................................................................................... 2 Poverty Causes Fear and Vulnerability ..................................................... 8 Shifting Perspectives: Poverty as a Blot on Society .............................. 10 The Context of Poverty ........................................................................... 13 Can Tourism Help the Poor? ................................................................... 15 The Puzzle Between Poverty Reduction and Tourism Development ..... 18 References ............................................................................................... 22 Endnotes .................................................................................................. 23
INTRODUCTION
There are about 2 billion people living in poverty in the world. This chapter describes how they see themselves as poor, how they feel, and what their aspirations are. They share these common dilemmas: lacking food, feeling abandoned, and living in a state of vulnerability. The chapter also discusses if tourism can provide hope and opportunities for the poor. Finally, the chapter defines the relationship between tourism and poverty reduction as a puzzle, one that may provide resolution to this crisis.
