A sustainable development approach to assessing the engagement of tourism enterprises in poverty alleviation

Abstract

Tourism is a significant or growing economic sector in most countries with high levels of poverty on a global scale. Consequently, previous studies have suggested that tourism enterprises could and should play an active role in reducing poverty. This paper analyses the engagement of tourism enterprises in poverty alleviation. First, different sustainable development approaches are considered as regards increasing the contribution of this stakeholder to poverty alleviation, including corporate social responsibility. Second, empirical studies on the impacts of tourism organizations on poverty published since the year 1999 are critically analysed in order to generate an empirical research framework embracing the following issues: geographical scope, tourism scope and study methods. Third, there is an integrative discussion of empirical evidence from the literature regarding the contribution of private tourism enterprises and other tourism organizations to poverty reduction. Findings suggest that their contribution to poverty alleviation is linked to voluntary social responsibility initiatives and the organization size. Additional findings are shown regarding economic, socio-culturaland environmental impacts. Recommendations for future research and public policy implications are also provided, which could be of interest to other industries.