Resumo

DE BEER, A  e  DE BEER, F. Reflections on pro-poor tourism in South Africa: challenges of poverty and policy in the search for a way forward. JCMAN [online]. 2011, vol.8, n.1, pp.591-606. ISSN 1815-7440.

This article argues that the promotion of entrepreneurship is important to achieve success with pro-poor tourism in South Africa. To promote entrepreneurship, a good understanding of the milieu in which poor communities find themselves is needed. Pro-poor tourism is discussed as an approach to development for the developing world, and South Africa in particular. The sustainable livelihood approach is indicated as a framework that provides an understanding of survival strategies in poor communities and can help to put pro-poor tourism in a better position and guide it towards successful implementation. While a useful legal framework exists, some improvements to policies and an integrated approach to implementation and management, is suggested. In some instances initiatives and support for economic development related to local economic development and pro-poor tourism are evident. The article concludes by noting that assets are available, beneficial policies are in place and some successful case studies illustrate what can be done. Strong leadership is, however, needed to make a success of pro-poor tourism and to bring all relevant elements in line and implement a coordinated and focussed effort to make the plan work.

Palavras-chave : pro-poor tourism; asset-based development; tourism policies; poverty alleviation; community; sustainable livelihood framework.

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