Tourism in Africa
Tourism in Africa | May
2011 | Do the positive effects of tourism in Africa outweigh the negative effects? | Jo-Anne Mc Alister Student Number: 11028468 Lecturer: Avasha Rambiritch |
Tourism in Africa
Tourism is a fast growing economic industry, particularly in Africa, which, as a developing continent, has a vast amount of potential. Studies done have shown that tourism is a growing industry worldwide. It grows at an average of 10%-15% annually (Miller quoted in Wikipedia-Ecotourism, 2009). Studies have also shown that the growth of the tourism industry has had a positive effect on countries’ economies. Although tourism does help bring revenue into countries, there are, however, many negative effects associated with tourism. There are economic, environmental and cultural implications, both positive and negative, that arise as a result of tourism. It needs to be decided whether the positive effects of tourism outweigh the negative effects.
Economic Effects
Tourism’s primary benefit is the revenue that it can generate for a country, particularly the local areas. Studies done in Sub-Saharan Africa have shown that a 10% increase in tourism in a country leads to a 0.4% increase in GDP per capita income (Fayissa, 2007). According to studies done in West Africa, there has been a 6.5% growth per annum on the number of tourists between 1950 and 2006 (Odularu, 2008). Up to 75% of the world’s poor live in rural areas (Nedelea, 2008). It is in these areas where the majority of a country’s cultural sites, national parks and national heritage sites lie. This creates ample job opportunities that enable the local community to support themselves and their family. Because the sites attract tourists, the locals could use this opportunity to work or sell products. Selling traditional products would be the most practical idea because tourists are always looking for souvenirs and the making of these products is a traditional activity that has
2011 | Do the positive effects of tourism in Africa outweigh the negative effects? | Jo-Anne Mc Alister Student Number: 11028468 Lecturer: Avasha Rambiritch |
Tourism in Africa
Tourism is a fast growing economic industry, particularly in Africa, which, as a developing continent, has a vast amount of potential. Studies done have shown that tourism is a growing industry worldwide. It grows at an average of 10%-15% annually (Miller quoted in Wikipedia-Ecotourism, 2009). Studies have also shown that the growth of the tourism industry has had a positive effect on countries’ economies. Although tourism does help bring revenue into countries, there are, however, many negative effects associated with tourism. There are economic, environmental and cultural implications, both positive and negative, that arise as a result of tourism. It needs to be decided whether the positive effects of tourism outweigh the negative effects.
Economic Effects
Tourism’s primary benefit is the revenue that it can generate for a country, particularly the local areas. Studies done in Sub-Saharan Africa have shown that a 10% increase in tourism in a country leads to a 0.4% increase in GDP per capita income (Fayissa, 2007). According to studies done in West Africa, there has been a 6.5% growth per annum on the number of tourists between 1950 and 2006 (Odularu, 2008). Up to 75% of the world’s poor live in rural areas (Nedelea, 2008). It is in these areas where the majority of a country’s cultural sites, national parks and national heritage sites lie. This creates ample job opportunities that enable the local community to support themselves and their family. Because the sites attract tourists, the locals could use this opportunity to work or sell products. Selling traditional products would be the most practical idea because tourists are always looking for souvenirs and the making of these products is a traditional activity that has
References: 1. Ashley, C., 200. The Impacts of Tourism on Rural Livelihood: Namibia’s Experience. Working Paper 128. London: Chameleon Press. 2. Fayissa, B., Nsiah, C., Tadasse, B., 2007. The Impact of Tourism on Economic Growth and Development in Africa. Department of Economic and Finance Working Paper Series, August 2007. 3. Nedelea, A., Okech, R., 2008. Developing Rural Tourism in South Africa. Bulletin UASVM, Horticulture, 65(2), pp. 256-261. 4. Odularu, G. O., 2008. Does Tourism Contribute to Economic Performance in West Africa?. Anatolia: An International Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Research, 19(2), pp 340-367. 5. The Ruffor Maurice Laing Foundation, 2002. National Red Lists. [online] Available at: http://www.humboldt.org.co/humboldt/mostrarpagina.php?codpage=30000113 [Accessed 22 May 2011]. 6. Wikipedia, 2009. Ecotourism. [online] Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecotourism [Accessed 19 May 2011].