TOURISM PATH WAY TO POVERTY ALLEVATION AND ECONOMIC

SUSTAINABILITY
Tourism is one of the strongest drivers of world trade and prosperity and yet,
alleviating poverty is one of the greatest global challenges. Despite turbulent times
for the worlds economy, these basic facts are unlikely to change. Focusing the
wealth creating power of tourism on people most in need, remains an immense task
and opportunity both at the same time.
THE SPECIAL POSITION OF TOURISM IN POVERTY ALLEVIATION
1.

The size and growth of the sector

In many countries, tourism acts as an engine for development through foreign

exchange earnings and the creation of direct and indirect employment. Tourism
contributes 5% of the worlds GDP. It accounts for 6% of the worlds exports in
services being the fourth largest export sector after fuels, chemicals and
automotive products. Tourism is responsible for 235 million jobs, or one in every 12
jobs worldwide.
In 2011, international arrivals grew by over 4% reaching 982 million, up from 939
million in 2010, in a year characterized by a stalled global economic recovery, major
political changes in the Middle East and North Africa and natural disasters in Japan.
2.

The relative importance of tourism in developing countries

Tourism in many developing and least developed countries is the most viable and
sustainable economic development option, and in some countries, the main source
of foreign exchange earnings. Part of this income trickles down to different groups of
the society and, if tourism is managed with a strong focus on poverty alleviation, it
can directly benefit the poorer groups through employment of local people in
tourism enterprises, goods and services provided to tourists, or the running of small
and community-based enterprises, etc, having positive impacts on reducing poverty
levels.
Tourism in the recent years has been characterized by two main trends; firstly, the
consolidation of traditional tourism destinations, like those in Western Europe and
North America; and secondly, a pronounced geographical expansion. There has
been a substantial diversification of destinations, and many developing countries
have seen their tourist arrivals increase significantly. Arrivals to developing
countries accounted for 46% of the total international arrivals in 2011. Tourism has
become a major player in the economy of developing countries.
Here are some facts:
In 2011, international tourism arrivals to emerging market and developing countries
amounted to 459 million.

Tourism is the first or second source of export earnings in 20 of the worlds 48 least
developed countries.
In some developing countries, notably small island states, tourism can account for
over 25% of GDP.

3.

The character of tourism

There are many characteristics of tourism as an activity which make it particularly

relevant to low income countries and to poor communities within them. These
include:
Its response to particular assets. Tourism places great value on some common
features of developing countries, such as warm climate, rich cultural heritage,
inspiring landscapes and abundant biodiversity. These strengths can be particularly
apparent in rural areas, which may have a comparative advantage for tourism while
being at a disadvantage in most other economic sectors.
Its accessibility to the poor. Tourism is a relatively labour intensive sector and is
traditionally made up of small and micro enterprises. Many activities in tourism are
particularly suited to women, young people and disadvantaged groups such as
ethnic minority populations. Many tourism jobs are potentially quite accessible to
the poor as they require relatively few skills and little investment. Some may also be
part time and used to supplement income from other activities.
Its connectivity. As so many different activities and inputs make up the tourism
product, which has a large and diversified supply chain, spending by tourists can
benefit a wide range of sectors such as agriculture, handicrafts, transport and other
services. Additional rounds of spending by those people whose income is supported
by tourism spread the economic benefit further (the multiplier effect).
Its linking of consumers to producers. Tourism, unusually, is an activity which
brings the consumers to the producers. The interaction between tourists and poor
communities can provide a number of intangible and practical benefits. These can

range from increased awareness of cultural, environmental, and economic issues

and values, on both sides, to mutual benefits from improved local investment in
infrastructure.
On the other hand, there are also negative aspects of tourism as a basis for poverty
alleviation, which require particular attention. The main ones include:
Unpredictability and fluctuations in demand. Tourism is very sensitive to
economic, environmental, and socio-political events affecting tourists willingness to
travel. In the absence of insurance cover and social security, the poor can be
particularly vulnerable to sudden downswings in demand. However, tourism
demand often bounces back quickly when circumstances change.
The seasonal nature of demand, which can be very peaked. This requires
good integration between tourism and other economic activities to provide a
sufficient year-round source of livelihood.
Impact on life-supporting resources. These include water, land, food, energy
sources and biodiversity. Their availability to the poor can be threatened by
competition and over use from tourism. Degradation of cultural assets and
disruption to social structures are parallel threats. Global issues of resource
depletion and environmental degradation may be as important as local ones,
including the long term effect of tourism on climate change and the impact of
adaptation and mitigation measures on travel patterns.
Weak linkages to the poor. The nature of tourism investment and lack of
engagement of the poor can cause much tourism spending to leak away from poor
destinations. The income that remains may not end up benefiting the poor, reaching
instead the better educated and well-off segments of society.
Tourism should not be seen on its own as the answer to the elimination of poverty
but it can make a powerful contribution. The potential to develop more tourism and
to channel a higher percentage of tourism spending towards the poor may be great
in some areas and quite small in others. However, given the size of the sector, even
small changes in approach when widely applied can make a significant difference.
Given an overall aim of increasing the amount of economic and other benefits
gained by the poor, the focus should be twofold:

To increase the size and performance of the tourism sector as a whole (size of the
cake)

through increasing, for example, the number of visits, length of stay and spend per
person.
To increase the proportion of spending in the sector that reaches the poor (share of
the
cake)

through specific action to enable and help the poor participate in tourism or benefit
from it indirectly.
In order to make significant contributions to the alleviation of poverty, it is essential
to work in the mainstream of tourism, which will require an emphasis on two key
challenges:
Engaging private sector businesses, including sizeable operations and
investors as well as small and micro businesses. This is where tourism wealth
is created and distributed. They should be helped to deliver more benefits to the
poor, through employment practices, local linkages and pro-poor tourism activities
and products, as well as to be more competitive.
Ensuring that tourism destinations as a whole are both competitive and
sustainable, addressing issues of resource management and the
relationship between tourism and other economic sectors. This approach
should be combined with working at the local level within communities in order to
engage with and reach the poor, to fully understand and address their needs, and to
create opportunities accessible to them. This must, however, relate properly to the
wider tourism context and the market.
10 Principles for pursuing poverty alleviation through tourism [1]

All aspects and types of tourism can and should be concerned about poverty
alleviation.
All governments should include poverty alleviation as a key aim of tourism
development and consider tourism as a possible tool for reducing poverty.
The competitiveness and economic success of tourism businesses and destinations
is critical to poverty alleviation without this the poor cannot benefit.
All tourism businesses should be concerned about the impact of their activities on
local communities and seek to benefit the poor through their actions.
Tourism destinations should be managed with poverty alleviation as a central aim
that is built into strategies and action plans.
A sound understanding of how tourism functions in destinations is required,
including how tourism income is distributed and who benefits from this.
Planning and development of tourism in destinations should involve a wide range
of interests, including participation and representation from poor communities.
All potential impacts of tourism on the livelihood of local communities should be
considered, including current and future local and global impacts on natural and
cultural resources.
Attention must be paid to the viability of all projects involving the poor, ensuring
access to markets and maximizing opportunities for beneficial links with
established enterprises.
Impacts of tourism on poverty alleviation should be effectively monitored.
Adapted from: Manual on Tourism and Poverty Alleviation, Practical Steps for
Destinations. UNWTO and SNV 2010. These principles acknowledge and have taken
account of previous, longstanding and highly relevant principles for pro-poor
tourism.
(e.g. Ashley et al, 2000; Pro-Poor Tourism Partnership, 2005)
The overview above can be likened to what we have in Nigeria, being that there is
urgent need to quickly alleviate the suffering of the masses. The APC government is
taking over leadership at a crucial period of the history of this country with reduced
revenue generation due to drop in oil prices and devaluation of the naira. Poor
infrastructure is also a bane in the progress of small scale industries with additional
challenge posed by high interest rates on funds lent to businesses by banks.

Despite all the antecedent challenges, a lot is expected in the next four years The
best is to look at the low hanging fruits. The quick wins. The easier but effective inroute to national growth and development. And this is developing our tourism
industry.
One wrong way of looking at this when we talk about developing tourism, we tend
to view it as a
total overhauling of the Nigerian landscape and building of sky scrapers like the
Burg Khalifa in Dubai or Twin Towers in the US. This is necessarily is not the way,
though will be an end point but not in the immediate.
I have pictured the development or the urgent rescue mission or better put revival
of the tourism sector of Nigeria into three cardinal goals which are namely;
Security: The world was recently jolted by the shocking news of how over 140
promising youths were killed in Kenya by religious extremists. The very recent
terrorist attacks in the US gay club, the current trend of shootings at resort centres
and Beaches in Africa etc. We are all so bothered about the continuous growth of
ISIS worldwide. Coming home, we are still faced with the menace of Boko Haram,
The Niger Delta Uprising speared by the Niger Delta Avengers, attacks from
suspected Fulani herdsmen and pipeline vandals etc. The question you might now
ask yourself is Nigeria ready to secure herself against this external and internal
aggression, with the combined responsibility of securing the lives and properties of
holiday seekers that might choose to spend time in our darling country? The answer
is NO!
Having lost over 20,000Nigerians to the onslaught of Boko Haram, the period
exposed the inadequacies of our security agencies, though recent revelation shows
serious compromise on the part heads of the countries security apparatus nut we
still cannot hide the fact that we have inadequacies in our security system. Painful
to note is that even the recent successes recorded against this sect does not show
sustainability as most of the dislodged insurgents cannot be traced, some have
even fund their ways to Lagos. A major breakthrough was recorded when one of the
leaders of the sect was found hiding in a church in Lagos. The immediate past
president at one time, gave an insight to their where about in an interview, where
he stated that they might have reintegrated themselves into the society. This
believe, is the worst thing that can ever happen to this country, reintegrating
terrorists into our society without proper identification and reorientation is like
postponing the evil day.
Justice must be seen to be served over all cases of alleged killings of all innocent
citizens. A section of government needs to follow all the cases up to a very logical
conclusion and ensure that the required punishment is melted out to the
perpetrators, as specified by law. This will serve as deterrent to others and help
reduce the horrible incidents that are on the rise.

We must ensure that our security personnel brace up to the challenge and demands
of the role they are expected to play. This can be achieved by taking them through a
process of (i) Re-orientation (ii) Payment of adequate emoluments (iii) Good welfare
packages (iv) Sane physical appearance (v) Encouraging children of well meaning
Nigerians to join the forces.
From the entrance of our borders, airports and seaports, we should have
presentable men and women who will give a proper projection of safety, peace and
tranquility. They must be seen to be approachable, presentable and capable.
Presently our security personnel, particularly the police are very unprofessional and
lack current people managing skills befitting of a country like Nigeria. It is high time
to stop playing politics with our Security. Government stance on all issues regarding
security breach, loss of life and properties, must not just be heard but seen and felt.
Various efforts to improve the nations security cannot be over emphasized. This is
the time in our country we must give serious thoughts to state policing. Local
intelligence is required for improved security, particularly in this country with poor
technological advancement in crime fighting. We all saw the effect of the Civilian JTF
in the fight against Boko Haram. In the early 2000, the setting up of local militias,
though not properly managed and was used for personal political gains, saw to the
routing of generally accepted forces of the underworld. If these resources are well
managed, we will have a detailed security update on all most troubled spots in
areas of economic importance in the drive towards growth in tourism.
France, just like Nigeria has very porous security network due to years of its open
door policy to citizens of its former colonies. A lot of this people have missed with
the populace but still carry the doctrines inimical to safe existence of the French
people. Hence, the increasing security breaches witnessed in the country of late.
Alongside the Tourism sector, The Security sector should also witness immense
growth and economic advancement due to the important role corporations set up in
this line, will play. Security companies will be licensed for bigger responsibility and
engagement and will be highly regulated more than what we see in the health and
financial sector because its failure or misuse might spell doom for the country.
Quick establishment of basic amenities: Here we want to particularly make
mention of Power and good road network. The best of places in Dubai wont be
appealing if the road network is unimaginable. Likewise areas in the USA, London,
South Africa etc. We need to identify easy exposed places which we need to ensure
that rehabilitation work begins there. Lagos has started a remarkable move in the
area, the recent light up Lagos project has rekindled the signature night life in
Lagos. Places that lead thro and fro our airports, seaports and waterways and
places with traditional and newly created markets.
Revamping Nigerias Cultural Heritage: A clear look at China, Japan, Korea,
England and major Asian countries, shows something very synonymous to the

citizens of these counties and their way of life, their Culture. Nigerians has a
penchant for picking on current trends, forgetting the heritage of their fore fathers.
We have countless traditionally prepared meals we no longer eat but abandoned to
the new love for Western meals and deserts. This country is blessed with beautiful
attires which we have left to take on the fashion bug that came with civilization. It is
said that the country has over 250 languages with over 60% of this gone into
extinction due to our youths embracing foreign tongues.
Our culture reveals our heritage and that is what the outside world will know us for.
Current trends happening in Oyo, Ogun, Osun and some other states in the western
part of the country has seen foreigners completely embracing our cultural heritage
and learning how to speak the language, musical instruments and social cultural
values. If few people could desire these, if well packaged and remolded, Nigeria
would be creating another industry to double job creation of banking and oil and gas
industry put together.
To further achieve sustainable development of Nigerians tourism sector, we need to
infuse a broad based connectivity between fundamental ministries in the country,
both in the Federal and state levels. At this point in the life of this country, local
governments also must be driven to perform with all necessary support and
funding. For the Local governments, they administrative offices must identify
specific areas that require face lift, to further project the area in better light and
attract tourist and likely investors.
The ministries to combine efforts in this new initiative are:

Tourism Ministry
Finance Ministry
Works and Housing ministry
Ministry for Power and Steel
Ministry of Police Affairs
Niger Delta ministry
Transport Ministry
All security and military apparatus of government

The listed agencies of government are to come together as an emergency

committee to handle deepening reforms to create a total overhaul of the Nigerian
tourism industry. They are to work hand in hand to promote sustainable policies to
ensure very conducive atmosphere for growth of Tourism. One major gift of nature
to Nigeria is water but we are yet to fully exploit this avenue to begin a sustainable
growth. That is one major reason why the Ministry of the Niger Delta is selected as
an important member of the proposed committee. The massive volume of water
mass in the Niger Delta is enormous. Trade and Tourism will aid the required
development in this area of the country. Bayelsa can be likened to a place in Italy
called Venice, this part of Italy has very little land mass but has been developed to
use its deficiency as a major area of strength with immense benefit to the area and

country as a whole. Reverse is the case in Bayelsa as the land is full or ruins and
poverty. The ministry of the Niger delta has serious role to play here. It is no longer
time to play politics with the development of the Niger Delta, It is no longer time for
propaganda. We must look at ourselves and tell ourselves the truth.
Lagos also has huge water mass but this resource is being poorly managed. Looking
at the water ways surrounding the third mainland bridge, it is pure eyesore. This
ought to be one of the best scenery and strength of the Lagos beautifying view but
is characterized by Shanks, refuse, and activities injurious to nature. We cannot
claim to support the fight against global warming with the current state of
environmental state of our water ways. The tour around our beaches in Lagos will
also make you weep. Individuals laying claim to this major resource which by the
provisions of the constitutions ought to be controlled by the government, has left
dire need to revamp the natural gift from God and turn them around for better
management and increased revenue generation.
The recent bill being sponsored by the Honorable Gbajabiamila, restricting
foreigners from securing employment in fields where qualification and competency
and Nigerians nationals can be ascertained, should be strongly supported as Nigeria
is suffering from serious revenue reduction owing to continued patronage of
foreigners for job roles Nigerians have equal, if not better, skills set and
qualifications. We intend to have various structures erected at vintage points to
beautify all identified places of economic importance and a lot o administrative
duties in the development of the tourism sector and will largely wish to depend on
local skill acquisition and provision of same. Nigerians must be allowed to benefit
directly from the process of developing their country.
These above ministries were selected in view of the effect of their contributions to
tourism due to the various sectors and areas they are connected to. They will form
the committee that will engineer the required growth in the tourism sector. Inputs
will be in areas of competence and strategic value addition. They will help drive up
the strategies to be expatiated below.

BLUE PRINT ON REVAMPING OF BASIC AMENTIES AND ALL INCLUSIVE

PARTICIPATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOURISM SECTOR
This is the step by step review of the strategy to achieve the required growth in the
tourism sector. Listed below, in developing the tourism sector, are the five cardinal
areas, the five basic aspects of the Nigerian economic system which will be involved
in the proposed development strategy in the tourism sector. With the ongoing
change mantra all over Nigeria, we must also not forget the fact that immediate
rejuvenation of the economy and job creation is very pertinent. This can only be
achieved if reasonable milestones are achieved in the five listed areas, arranged in
the level of importance below;

Finance
Security
Power
Road network
Transportation

FINANCE: Finance is one key part of the revamping project of the tourism industry
of the country. We have itemized a lot of projects to be carried out in order to create
an enabling environment for the industry to strive. We must ensure funding of these
projects are sought from sources that will be as cheap as it can be. We will need
assistance from the finance ministry who will assist in engaging fund managers
investors and practitioners who will help pump reasonable funds that will activate
necessary stimuli to revamp the tourism sector. We must also consider the
consequences of the input from the aforementioned sources as the expectation will
be reasonable return on investment (ROI). The ministry of finance will work
assiduously in ensuring that this is achieved but with little financial burden on the
tourists. We are planning to make Nigeria the cheapest tourist site in the world but
with one of the best facilities yet.
Telecom companies, banks and other private cooperate organizations will be
inculcated into this project as they will be consulted to channel their various
cooperate social responsibilities towards the rapid development of the tourism
sector. This will be strategically done so as to give immediate impact. The major
reasons for the huge investment in the sector is basically to create employment and
create basic amenities for the populace, this is also the core targets of companies
for embarking on CSRs.
Asides providing funding, we are of the opinion that major projects will be handled
locally and this might create inflation on the short run, the finance ministry will be
consulted to help manage the effect of the influx of funds in the economy. This is
the pertinent role of the finance ministry as we will depend on its guidance to fully
reshape the entire countrys docile money spinner. The tourism industry has been
given some serious support over the years, particularly in the creation of the
amiable resort centres, namely; Obudu Cattle ranch, Akodo beach, Lagos, Hotel
meridian, Calabar, IITA research centre, Ibadan etc. This are some but a very few
areas which we will need to improve upon for better results
There is an urgent need to stabilize power as most Nigerian homes lacks adequate
provision of electricity. 20% of the unemployed population of the country would
have secured a means of livelihood if Nigeria had stable power. Cost of running
businesses, that will foster growth in the tourism sector, would be cheaper, if power
was more stable.

The idea we are looking at is ensuring that we exploit all major avenues of
generating power to support business that will spring up in the course of revitalizing
the sector. We will seriously be looking at generating power for all the beaches and
Northern states in Nigeria using a wind mill because of the high wind pressure on
our beaches and states in the north. We will not only remodel the beaches to
become a world class relaxation spot, they will also provide electricity to serve their
immediate environment. The north will also become a power hub as the power
generated there will serve as a stimulant for commercial activities in these
locations. We look forward to reenacting what we have in Bora Bora, a beach resort
abroad which creates an awesome residential chalets with 24/7 accommodation for
willing couples on honey moon and vacation seekers. Denmark has just generated
over 140% of their required power needs via Wind Mills.
Security and it antecedent cost or consequences cannot be over emphasized. The
world is under siege and there is really no safe haven anywhere in the world. What
people now have is faith in the security apparatus of government. Since 9/11 and
the London bombing, the world has seen that the initially safe countries are very
vulnerable to the world threat terrorism. With the growing pangs of ISIL and
Nigerias local insurgency, Bokko Haram, we sincerely need to improve the faith of
the citizenry in the security of lives and property. We must see to it that the word
security of lives and properties is not a campaign statement or political
propaganda but that the word is seen as sacrosanct amongst Nigerians and a rigid a
guiding principle for government.
Security is national responsibility and it is only when the country is perceived to be
safe do we confidently beat our chest to claim that we are changing. On security we
have to connect with all major groups in the Nigerian society, particularly, those in
the transport industry from the water ways, the rail and road transporters.
The another major threat to peace in cities like Lagos, Port Harcourt, are gang wars
with members claiming to be members of cults which, before now, existed on
campus but have crept into our streets. This is definitely an off shoot of groups that
emanated from members of factions of major transport groups laying claims to
control of parks across the urban cities. The influence of the largesse from
politicians who use these youths to perpetuate evil deeds during electoral periods
has also added to the upsurge in violent clashes in the urban centers in the country.
The most important aspect of rejuvenating our security is a total re-orientation of
the Police. The Police are the ambassadors of the country and they have more than
many times put the countys name in disrepute. It is no complete fault of theirs, as
seen in recent investigative reports, citing instances from the Police Academy report
by Channels TV. We sure know that they have been abandoned to life and still given
weapons to protect us. Re orientating the police will begin with revamping their
lives. Starting from the homes we provide for them, the salaries they earn and the
training there are exposed to. Do we have a career path for the force that an

ordinary recruit can look up to? Do they see a reasonable future in the job? Do they
see life for their love ones after their demise in the course of duty?
This process will be replicated to all our other security apparatus with special
attention to those in all our points of entry and exit. These are where the war
against insurgency should begin from. Gone should be the days where our
immigration officials depend on the bribes and embarrassment they cause travelers
to survive. As it is, the Ministry of Tourism must work with all state governments on
this because there must be a, generally accepted, minimum standard which will be
devoid of sentimental approaches influenced by religion, ethnicity and political
affiliation
For improved generation of revenue from tourism, we must identify all areas of
interests, beaches, historic facilities, hotels, clubs etc. Since our major means of
transportation is by road, we, as a matter of urgency, need to gather a robust
census of all these places and ensure that the road network to at least 70% of these
centres are upgraded based on a scale of preference that will be set with
cognizance put to seize and revenue generation, before this administration is over.
This will be backed with tight collaboration with transport workers who will not only
be here to make money but to keep fun seekers safe. A data base will be kept of all
commercial vehicles that ply the roads leading to these places to narrow down
areas of concentration if any case of breach is recorded.
Transportation will be discussed next being that this cannot be linked with just road
alone, it is a means of moving from one point to the other and to ease this, will
make it more lucrative for the tourism industry to grow. All means of transportation
must be upgraded to allow room for fun seekers visit places with ease. The water
ways will get more attention here as well as the rail transport. These two means of
transportation will guarantee safety and speed. It will ease the pressure on road
network and upgrade the countries tourism status.
We intend to work with all unions in the transport industry as this is necessary to
ensure that the excesses of the members are put at bay. The NURTW fall under this
watch. The attitude and irrational behavior of members, the undeserving outlook of
garages they operate from, the ceaseless breaking of traffic laws which leads to
traffic jam and unprecedented cause of road accidents due to drunk driving and
poor automobile conditions must be a thing of the past.