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World Bank- testing tourism support in Africa?
The story so far…seeing tourism as a fundamental method for growingeconomies, the World Bank helped shape and create our tourism world in the 1960’s and 70’s. Bali, Tunisia, Morocco, Dominican Republic,Kenya,Mexico,the Gambia amongst many other countries benefited from World Bank Tourism loans. Then, the bank turned the tap off. “No more tourism” said the World Bank in 1979.
Well, of course that’s not quite true. Everything is relative after all.Currently the bank’s global portfolio of projects with tourism components is around (only) $3bn. And it looks like all this “Pull our horns in” approach is set to change, even if only in Sub-Saharan Africa where about a third of these projects lie. But it’s a start. Why? How can the bank avoid it? is a more germane question. But why now? And why Africa?
Here’s the reasoning…Because tourism brings the client to the product and can offer direct opportunities to the poor, more if countries can develop “Value Added”: Because tourism is (still) growing: Because SS Africa still offers opportunities: Because the gang’s there at the party (UN-WTO, UNESCO, USAID, UNDP, UNEP, UNCTAD, UNIDO, WTO, DFID, USAID, MCC, GTZ, SNV, NORAD, JICAWWF, CI,AWF even Bill and Warren with their billions: But, mainly because the bank is already invested, ($1bn+) and Africa could be the “High Rollers” big win. Don’t forget tourism offers big, quick gains and MDG’s aren’t going to be achieved without it.
So, how is it to be done? Simple. Private/Public partnerships will leverage the initial investment and create big growth. The bank will assess the product, the market and the impacts, develop some shared visions with the PS (Private Sector) and strategies, design implement and monitor projects. Hey presto, leveraged loans, shared visions – partnerships for profits. Great development gains.
Let’s hope it works this time, some focussed tourism thinking and long-termcommitment would be a very good start. http://www.worldbank.org/afr/aftps.
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