2008年-世界发展银行全球_Local_Economic_Development_and_Tourism_4页_1mb

Summary of Local Economic Development and Tourism

Core Content

This document discusses the World Bank's evolving role in tourism development, particularly its focus on Local Economic Development (LED) through tourism. It highlights four key approaches to using tourism as a tool for economic growth and community empowerment in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

Main Points

• World Bank's Shift in Tourism Focus:
  The World Bank reduced its involvement in tourism during the 1980s, leading to a decline in tourism-related lending. However, by the mid-90s, the trend reversed, and the Bank began to prioritize LED-based tourism projects, especially those that combine environmental sustainability and social responsibility.

• Community-Based Tourism:
  Standalone community-based tourism projects, such as Chalalan Ecolodge in Bolivia and Salar de Uyuni, have shown sustainability and profitability. These projects have contributed to local economic development and community empowerment. However, their impact is limited in terms of scaling and generating multiplier effects.

• Investments in Destination Cities:
  The World Bank has focused on enhancing tourist destinations by improving infrastructure, promoting cultural heritage, and supporting small businesses. Projects like the Copan Valley in Honduras and Puerto Limón in Costa Rica demonstrate how such investments can stimulate sustainable tourism and improve the quality of life for residents.

• Micro-Credits and Training:
  Micro-credit programs play a crucial role in enabling small tourism enterprises to grow. These programs often include technical assistance in areas such as language, marketing, and cultural understanding. The Fundación PRODEM in Bolivia is an example of an institution that has supported micro-enterprises in the tourism sector.

Key Information

• Chalalan Ecolodge (Madidi National Park, Bolivia):

  • Started in 1992, received significant donor support.
  • Achieved annual revenues of US$280,000 and doubled visitor numbers from 1999 to 2007.
  • Emphasized community involvement and cultural preservation.
  • Not replicated elsewhere, despite its success.

• Copan Valley Project (Honduras):

  • A $12 million credit project to develop cultural and ecological tourism circuits.
  • Included infrastructure upgrades, management plans, and capacity development.
  • Supported 68 entrepreneurs, mostly women, and benefited over 25,000 people indirectly.
  • Improved municipal governance and tourism branding.

• Puerto Limón Project (Costa Rica):

  • A port-city tourism development initiative.
  • Aimed to transform the city from a mere transfer point into a must-visit destination.
  • Rehabilitated the historic city center and created tourist-friendly spaces.
  • Boosted local employment and income generation.

• Geotourism Maps and Circuits:

  • A concept broader than ecotourism, focusing on sustaining geographic character.
  • The Vilcanota Valley Project in Peru and Guatemala's coffee farms are examples of geotourism initiatives.
  • The World Bank supports these efforts through technical assistance and funding.

Conclusion

Tourism can be a powerful driver of local economic development, especially when it is community-based, destination-focused, or supported by micro-credit programs. While standalone projects can be successful, they often struggle with scaling and sustainability. The World Bank has increasingly emphasized human capital development, technical assistance, and environmental and social responsibility in its tourism initiatives. These approaches have helped poverty reduction, empowerment of local communities, and enhanced cultural and environmental preservation in the LAC region.

References

• Hawkins, Donald E. and Shaun Mann (2007). "The World Bank's Role in Tourism Development." Annals of Tourism Research, Vol. 34, No. 2, pp. 348-363.
• Ba, Demba and Shaun Mann (2006). "Tourism: An Opportunity to Unleash Shared Growth in Africa." Africa Private Sector Development, The World Bank.
• Brida, Juan Gabriel, Juan Sebastián Pereyra and María Jesús Such Devesa (2007). "Evaluating the contribution of tourism on economic growth." Working Paper Series, Social Science Research Network.
• Malky Harb and Candido Pastor Saavedra (2007). "El Efecto Chalalan: Un Ejercimiento de Valoración Económica para una Empresa Comunitaria." Conservación Estrategica, Numero 2.
• Ashley, Caroline (2008). Comments on a proposed tourism development project for Jamaica.

Authors

• Tatsuji Hayakawa: Consultant with the Urban and Water cluster
• Monica Rivero: Consultant with the Finance and Private sector cluster
• Tova Maria Solo: Senior Urban Specialist with the Sustainable Development Department
  All affiliated with the Latin America and the Caribbean Region of the World Bank.