The effectiveness of tourism as an economic developmental model for underdeveloped countries - Research Paper Example

? The effectiveness of tourism as an economic developmental model for underdeveloped countries The effectiveness of tourism as an economic developmental model for underdeveloped countries One of the major reasons for underdevelopment in poor countries is lack of resources. However, majority of the poor countries are blessed with natural beauty and hence such countries can develop tourism as a major revenue source. For example, Seychelles, Botswana, Mauritius and Caribbean islands are some countries, which have lack of internal resources, but have beautiful beaches, seashores and landscapes. “The beauty of Seychelles is due to its naturally distributed flora and fauna in a sanctuary which was untouched for many centuries”(Seychelles flora and fauna, 2012). Botswana on the other hand is known as the land of diverse beauties. “Its natural beauty lies in its wilderness, wildlife and cultural diversity. Unique San rock art, geological wonders, and traditional art are additional attractions located in various parts of the country”(South Africa Explored, n.d.). “Elsewhere, the Mauritian landscape is adorned with almond trees, banyan trees with their aerial roots, majestic tamarind trees or the eucalyptus trees with a whitish trunk” (The Flora Of Mauritius, n.d.). “Any of the Caribbean - is a heavenly place to relax: white sandy beaches and emerald lagoons with coral reefs and the colorful dance of fish, the bright colors of tropical flowers and dense greenery of palm groves” (Caribbean islands, 2012). From the above descriptions, it is evident that Seychelles, Botswana, Mauritius and Caribbean islands are countries blessed with natural beauty. These countries can definitely develop tourism as their major revenue source. This paper analyses the effectiveness of tourism as an economic developmental model for underdeveloped countries taking Seychelles, Botswana, Mauritius and Caribbean islands as examples. Tourism as an economic developmental model for underdeveloped countries A notable feature of the Seychelles economy was the high per capita GDP of US$5,900 in 1992, some fifteen times the average of sub-Saharan Africa. The major source of economic activity is the tourist industry and tourist-related services in terms of employment, foreign earnings, construction, and banking. Earnings from the tourism sector are impressive, providing about 50 percent of Seychelles’ GDP (Seychelles - THE ECONOMY, n.d.). Unlike majority of the African countries, Seychelles is one of the most developed countries in the African region. Even though most of the African countries are blessed with dense forests and natural beauties, none of those countries exploited it as did by Seychelles. The administrators of Seychelles did everything possible to transform Seychelles as the tourist’s paradise in the African region. It should be noted that the administrators have developed the necessary infrastructure facilities for tourism development in Seychelles. Plenty of world class hotels and restaurants are available in Seychelles so that tourist may not face any problems in the country. Moreover, the government has liberalised the procedures for getting tourists visas to Seychelles. An international airport was opened at Anse Dejenner, Mahe in July 1971 by the government of Seychelles to encourage tourism. Since then, the number of tourists visiting Seychelles has been gradually increasing. “From a relatively small number of 3,175 tourists in 1971, the figure exceeded the 100,000 mark for the first time in 1990”(Gabbay and Ghosh, n.d., p.1). The number of tourists in has already been crossed the 200000 mark. The case of Botswana is also similar to that of Seychelles. “Tourism income at present is valued at around $240 million per year in Botswana” (Botswana, 2011). Plenty of game reserves with hunting and photographic safaris are available in available Botswana. Central Kalahari Game Reserve is the most famous park in the Kalahari Desert of Botswana. More than one million tourists are visiting Botswana every year. In short, Botswana is also concentrating heavily in the development of tourism as an economic revenue source. As in the cases of Seychelles and Botswana, Mauritius is also utilizing tourism revenue for economic development. “Tourism is considered to be the third pillar of the Mauritian economy which brings around 20 to 25 billion rupees in terms of revenue annually”(Tourism: an overview, n.d.). Excellent golf courses, beautiful beaches, and attractive landscapes are encouraging factors for tourists to visit Mauritius. In fact Mauritius administration has a separate ministry to look after the tourism activities in the country. It is estimated that more than 1300000 people visit Mauritius every year. Antigua is the most developed Caribbean island with the help of tourism followed by Bahamas and Barbados. More than 80% of Antigua’s economy is derived from tourism revenue whereas more than 50% of the economic revenue of Bahamas and Barbados are derived from tourism (Caribbean Region: Tourism, n.d., p.81). Environmental impacts of tourism Environmental impact of tourism is a controversial subject everywhere in the world. Many people believe that the efforts made for the infrastructure development facilities for tourism development may affect the environment in one way or another. In fact “tourism has the potential to create beneficial effects on the environment by contributing to environmental protection and conservation. It is a way to raise awareness of environmental values” (Environmental Impacts Of Tourism, 2001). “It is the environmental quality of a place that will determine the success of the tourism industry”(Thullen, 1996). So countries which are encouraging tourism may definitely spend more money for the protection of the environment. “Tourism -- particularly nature and ecotourism -- helps promote conservation of wildlife and natural resources such as rain forests, as these are now regarded as tourism assets”(Simm, n.d.). Countries, which depend heavily on tourism revenue, will definitely take necessary actions for maintaining animal preserves and marine parks. Such countries will never allow the deforestation process, which is labeled as a big environmental problem of the modern day. Agro-tourism is a kind of tourism in which the tourists take part in the agricultural activities in farms. It is a kind of sustainable tourism (Impacts of tourism, 1998). Ecotourism is another way of protecting the environment. “For ecotourism to protect the environment, the area allocated to it should be large enough to support the minimum critical populations of large mammals and the predators required to protect biodiversity” (Ikiara, 2008, p.28). In short, while encouraging ecotourism, countries forced to protect the natural habitat of the animals. Other positive environmental impacts of tourism include the “enhancement of public places, the protection and upgrading of valued places such as national parks and historical sites” (Baysan, 2001, p.219). Conclusions Underdeveloped countries can definitely promote tourism as a major revenue source. Agro-tourism and eco-tourism may not cause any harm to the environment. Countries, which encourage tourism, will be forced to preserve beauty of the environment to attract tourists. Conservation of wildlife and natural resources such as rain forests are some of the positive environmental impacts of tourism. 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