Attainment of MDGs through tourism in the Central African sub-region: Implications for local economic development in Cameroon

This paper examines the role and contribution of tourism to local economic development and in the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals one and seven dealing with extreme poverty alleviation and environmental sustainability in the biodiversity endowed Central African subregion. The concept...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Albert N. Kimbu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Instituto de Investigación Social y Turismo 2012-04-01
Series:PASOS Revista de Turismo y Patrimonio Cultural
Subjects:
Online Access:http://ojsull.webs.ull.es/index.php/Revista/article/view/2182
Description
Summary:This paper examines the role and contribution of tourism to local economic development and in the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals one and seven dealing with extreme poverty alleviation and environmental sustainability in the biodiversity endowed Central African subregion. The concepts of sustainable tourism development and local economic development (in sub-Saharan Africa) are examined. Through field observations and semi-structured interviews with 21 tourism industry stakeholders in Cameroon, an analysis of tourism’s role and future in LED and in the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals 1 & 7 is undertaken. The core challenges presently inhibiting tourism’s development thereby limiting its contribution to local economic development and the attainment of these goals in Cameroon are identified and a framework within which tourism’s contribution can be increased is proposed.
ISSN:1695-7121