Viability and Sustainability of International Tourism in Developing Countries

1
Viability and Sustainability of International
Tourism in Developing Countries

• DAVID DIAZ BENAVIDES,
• Division of International Trade in Goods,
  Services and Commodities, UNCTAD.

2
Is international tourism viable for developing
countries?

• Yes, if
• Tourism revenues are distributed evenly and
  equitably.
• Revenues per tourist increase over time.
• Revenues allow for sustainable use of natural
  resources required for tourism.

3
Uneven revenue distribution

• Internal leakages high import coefficient.
• External leakages control of inbound and
  outbound operations by integrated suppliers.
• Invisible leakages reduced multiplier effects,
  tax evasion, foreign exchange costs.

4
Reduced growth of revenues per tourist

• Monopsonistic practices against developing
  country hotels.
• Anticompetitive practices resulting from vertical
  integration.
• Discriminatory access to networks and display
  bias in GDS/CRS.
• Anticompetitive practices in air transport.

5
Issues of relevance for the GATS 2000
negotiations.

• Adequate coverage of commitments, to overcome
  current asymmetry.
• New disciplines to ensure sustainable development
  of tourism, covering anticompetitive practices.
• Full implementation of Article IV, to ensure
  effective access to and use of information.