TOURISM’S CONTRIBUTION TO POVERTY ALLEVIATION: A COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVE FROM ZIMBABWE
Abstract
Taking a micro-level approach, this study questions whether the positive impacts of tourism often claimed at the macro level do indeed trickle down to the grassroots level to lift local people out of poverty. A case study of the local community in Victoria Falls urban area compares the perspectives of local residents and key decision-makers in the community. The extent to which tourism development has affected seven signifiers of poverty alleviation are examined: accessibility improvement (transport and communication), prices of goods and services, entrepreneurial training, income-generating projects, employment opportunities, general quality of life and household income. Most of the local community felt tourism development is having a positive impact and contributing to poverty alleviation, especially in terms of improving local facilities. However, there are variations, with entrepreneurial training and the prices of goods and services.
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejsss.v0i0.124
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