What role can tourism play in development?

The World Tourism Organisation argues that responsible tourism can play a significant role in eradicating poverty and meeting the millennium development goals. But is it right?

Governments across the developing world are working hard to expand their tourism industries, looking to reap the economic benefits of foreign visitors with strong currencies.

The UN agency for tourism – the World Tourism Organisation – argues that responsible and sustainable tourism can play a significant role in eradicating poverty and meeting the millennium development goals.

In this week's Focus podcast, we look at what, if anything, can be done to make tourism work for development.We hear from Colombia-based journalist and film maker Toby Muse, who reports from the town of Nazareth in the Colombian Amazon, which has banned tourists.

Amanda Marks, managing director and founder of UK-based Tribes Travel, which offers tours and holidays to Africa, Asia and Latin America, who explains what makes her company different from other operators.

And Kennedy Odede, originally from the Kibera slum, in Kenya, who is executive director of US-based charity Shining Hope for Communities, who explains why tourist visits to slums are morally wrong.

In the studio, Madeleine Bunting is joined by the director of Tourism Concern UK, Tricia Barnett, research fellow at the Overseas Development Institute and co-author of Tourism and Poverty Reduction: Pathways to Prosperity, Jonathan Mitchell, and president of the World Travel and Tourism Council, David Scowsill.

Source = guardian.co.uk