Patrick, Michael
(2019)
Poverty Alleviation Through Tourism Activities: A Case of Amani and Uluguru Mountain Nature Reserves.
International Conference on the Future of Tourism (ICFT).
pp. 1-17.
ISSN 2507-7872
Abstract
Abstract
Tourism is one of the world’s fastest growing industry and for many countries,
especially those in the developing world it holds impressive economic potential. Both government and international donor agencies now promote the use of tourism to alleviate poverty among local communities. The Tanzanian government has embraced tourism as a meaningful and sustainable economic activity and diversification opportunity, which now ranks third after mining and agriculture in its contribution to the country’s gross domestic product. The study explores the perceptions of stakeholders on the opportunities that would be created for the local communities by opening up Tanzanian’s nature forest reserves for tourism activities. Data was collected through mixed methods involving in-depth interviews with government departments, local communities, quasi-government organizations and the Tanzania Tourist Board. Focus group discussions were also held with community’s member living adjacent to Amani and Uluguru nature reserves. The findings indicate that opening up Tanzanian nature forest reserves for ecotourism has the potential to alleviate poverty among the disadvantaged groups living adjacent to forest reserves through direct employment, small- and medium-sized enterprises, secondary (linkages/partnerships) and dynamic effects (sustainable livelihoods). The study concludes by cautioning that whilst pro-poor tourism may yield short- and medium-term benefits, in keeping with sustainability objectives, participants in the programme need to be mindful of forestry encroachment and come up with strategies to ensure the sustainability of the Tanzania forest reserves.
Keywords: Nature forest reserve; pro poor tourism; local communities;
ecotourism; Tanzania
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