The effectiveness of tourism as an economic developmental model for Research Paper

The effectiveness of tourism as an economic developmental model for underdeveloped countries - Research Paper Example Earnings from the tourism sector are impressive, providing about 50 percent of Seychelles’ GDP (Seychelles - THE ECONOMY, n.d.). Unlike majority of the African countries, Seychelles is one of the most developed countries in the African region. Even though most of the African countries are blessed with dense forests and natural beauties, none of those countries exploited it as did by Seychelles. The administrators of Seychelles did everything possible to transform Seychelles as the tourist’s paradise in the African region. It should be noted that the administrators have developed the necessary infrastructure facilities for tourism development in Seychelles. Plenty of world class hotels and restaurants are available in Seychelles so that tourist may not face any problems in the country. Moreover, the government has liberalised the procedures for getting tourists visas to Seychelles. An international airport was opened at Anse Dejenner, Mahe in July 1971 by the government of Seychelles to encourage tourism. Since then, the number of tourists visiting Seychelles has been gradually increasing. â€Å"From a relatively small number of 3,175 tourists in 1971, the figure exceeded the 100,000 mark for the first time in 1990†(Gabbay and Ghosh, n.d., p.1). The number of tourists in has already been crossed the 200000 mark. The case of Botswana is also similar to that of Seychelles. â€Å"Tourism income at present is valued at around $240 million per year in Botswana† (Botswana, 2011). Plenty of game reserves with hunting and photographic safaris are available in available Botswana. Central Kalahari Game Reserve is the most famous park in the Kalahari Desert of Botswana. More than one million tourists are visiting Botswana every year.... This paper offers an thorough analysis of the effectiveness of tourism as an economic developmental model for underdeveloped countries taking Seychelles, Botswana, Mauritius and Caribbean islands as examples. One of the major reasons for underdevelopment in poor countries is lack of resources. However, majority of the poor countries are full of natural beauty and hence such countries can develop tourism as a major revenue source. For example, Seychelles, Botswana, Mauritius and Caribbean islands are some countries, which have lack of internal resources, but have beautiful beaches, seashores and landscapes. Unlike majority of the African countries, Seychelles is one of the most developed countries in the African region. It should be noted that the administrators have developed the necessary infrastructure facilities for tourism development in Seychelles. Plenty of world class hotels and restaurants are available in Seychelles so that tourist may not face any problems in the country. Moreover, the government has liberalised the procedures for getting tourists visas to Seychelles. The case of Botswana is also similar to that of Seychelles. Plenty of game reserves with hunting and photographic safaris are available in available Botswana. As in the cases of Seychelles and Botswana, Mauritius is also utilizing tourism revenue for economic development.Antigua is the most developed Caribbean island with the help of tourism followed by Bahamas and Barbados. Underdeveloped countries can definitely promote tourism as a major revenue source.