Archive for category: Tourism

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How Eco-Tourism Is Supporting Poverty Eradication in Albania

Poverty Eradication in AlbaniaWhile Albania has made significant economic progress in recent decades, poverty remains a challenge in many rural communities. Across the country, however, innovative development initiatives like eco- tourism are creating new opportunities for economic growth and poverty eradication in Albania.

Although Albania’s economy has steadily expanded over the past two decades, many rural residents still struggle with unemployment, limited infrastructure and unequal access to education and public services. According to Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, people living outside major urban centers often face reduced economic opportunities and limited access to jobs, housing and education. Older people and members of minority groups are particularly vulnerable to poverty and social exclusion.

These challenges have made tourism an increasingly important source of economic opportunity. Albania’s tourism industry now plays a major role in supporting employment, particularly in rural regions where other industries remain underdeveloped. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the tourism sector supported approximately 269,000 jobs in Albania in 2023, accounting for nearly one in five jobs nationwide. As Albania’s tourism industry expands, many leaders see sustainable tourism as a promising strategy for poverty eradication in Albania.

Tourism in Albania

Known for its rugged mountains, protected national parks and Adriatic coastline, Albania is quickly gaining international attention as an emerging Mediterranean destination — offering a quieter alternative to the region’s often crowded seaside hotspots. Albania ranked fourth globally in 2023 for the largest percentage increase in international tourist arrivals, recording growth of 56% since 2019. To protect these ecosystems and the economic opportunities they provide, Albania is looking towards eco-tourism.

The World Bank states that the Albanian government is currently prioritizing “sustainable growth with a special focus on tourism” as part of its broader economic development strategy. In recent years, international organizations and government agencies have invested heavily in sustainable tourism initiatives designed to strengthen local economies while protecting environmental and cultural resources.

Job creation in Albania’s Heritage Communities

In southern Albania, eco-tourism and heritage tourism are helping transform communities that once faced economic decline and population loss. According to the World Bank, “for years communities across Southern Albania experienced sluggish growth and an exodus of residents, especially youths, seeking opportunity elsewhere.” However, investments in sustainable tourism infrastructure and cultural preservation projects have helped towns such as Berat, Gjirokastër, Përmet and Sarandë are now experiencing significant economic growth. 

Through initiatives like the Integrated Urban and Tourism Development Project (PIUTD), the World Bank helped restore and improve access to historic sites including Gjirokastër Castle, the Sarandë promenade and the Qafa e Pazarit bazaar. Workers rehabilitated nearly 200,000 square meters of public space through projects that repaired cobblestone streets, expanded hiking trails and improved lighting, sidewalks and visitor centers. These investments helped fuel a tourism boom across southern Albania, where tourist arrivals in Berat nearly quadrupled between 2019 and 2024, while arrivals in Gjirokastër increased sixfold.

Family-Run Guesthouses

Unlike large-scale resort tourism, locally owned businesses heavily drive Albania’s eco-tourism industry. The rapid growth of tourism has created new economic opportunities for local residents. Families have converted historic homes into guesthouses and bed-and-breakfasts, while entrepreneurs have launched cultural tours, hiking excursions and outdoor recreation businesses. Importantly, the World Bank states that this growth remains inclusive: “over half of the thousands of the new jobs created are held by individuals who are often excluded from the labor market, such as women, youth, and persons with disabilities.”

Moreover, tourism growth has expanded Albania’s tourism season beyond the summer months, creating more stable year-round income for local businesses. This has also encouraged some Albanians who previously emigrated to return home and invest in tourism enterprises, contributing to long-term community revitalization and further supporting poverty eradication in Albania.

Balancing Tourism and Conservation

Rapid tourism growth also brings environmental pressures, including risks to natural landscapes and biodiversity loss. In response, the Albanian government established a combined Ministry of Tourism and Environment in 2017 to better align economic development with environmental protection, ensuring that tourism expansion does not come at the expense of natural ecosystems.

Building on this approach, Albania expanded its protected areas in 2022 to cover 21.4% of the country’s territory, up from 17.5%. This expansion included the creation of the Albanian Alps National Park. Encompassing dramatic mountain scenery and valleys, the park is designed to strengthen biodiversity conservation while also supporting sustainable rural development and eco-tourism in surrounding communities.

The Albanian Alps attract thousands of international hikers each year, and encourage local communities to invest in environmentally conscious tourism services. Many guesthouses and agritourism businesses in these regions use locally sourced food, traditional architecture and small-scale accommodations that minimize environmental impact while supporting local agriculture and family-run enterprises.

Looking Ahead

As Albania’s tourism industry continues to grow, eco-tourism is emerging as one of the country’s most promising strategies for poverty eradication in Albania. From family-run guesthouses in the Albanian Alps to heritage restoration projects in historic southern cities, sustainable tourism initiatives are creating jobs, supporting local businesses and strengthening rural economies. While challenges related to poverty and regional inequality remain, Albania’s investment in sustainable tourism demonstrates how community-based development can create new economic opportunities for some of the country’s most vulnerable populations.

– Lucy Alexander

Lucy is based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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From Party Town to Ecotourism: Reducing Poverty in Vang Vieng

Poverty in Vang ViengA small and often overlooked country in Southeast Asia, Laos remains popular among backpackers and intrepid travellers seeking an alternative to highly developed tourist destinations. Nestled against the striking backdrop of the Karst mountains and vast expanse of paddy fields, Vang Vieng has long benefitted from tourist interest. However, it is only in recent years that the rural town has departed from its hedonistic party history to a model centred on ecotourism, with growing implications for local livelihoods and the reduction of poverty in Vang Vieng.

Background

Situated in central Laos, is providing an idyllic escape for respite between the cities of Luang Prabang and Vientiane. Laos is one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia, with World Bank statistics suggesting that 15% of the population lived below the national poverty line in 2024. Vang Vieng itself is located in the relatively wealthy Vientiane Province. Its poverty severity index of 0.5-1 indicates relatively low levels of extreme poverty; the low poverty rate is extremely significant considering its status as a rural town in a country that experiences regional economic disparities. The reduction of Poverty in Vang Vieng can partially be attributed to its sustained commitment to tourism and the economic opportunities for local people that the sector provides.

Tourism and Poverty Reduction

In Laos, tourism has become increasingly important to the economic welfare of the country, with 4.1 million tourists visiting in 2024, representing an increase of 21% from 2023. This rise in foreign interest has had a direct financial impact, bringing in $1 billion to channel back into the economy. These developments in tourism have had a tangible impact on the country’s GDP; in 2024 Laos recorded a GDP growth of 4.1%. According to the Laotian Times, tourism in Vang Vieng specifically created a revenue of $57.4 million in 2024 and the target for 2025 stood at $78.6 million. This sustained growth highlights the sector’s expanding role in generating income and strengthening economic resilience in communities like Vang Vieng.

Tourism’s Dark Past in Vang Vieng:

Tourism in Vang Vieng however, has had neither a linear or pleasant historical progression. Famed for its party reputation, backpackers in the 1990s flocked to the area to enjoy its lax approach to regulating drugs and unrestrained nightlife. Thirty years ago, a visit to Vang Vieng would have entailed a blur of mushroom laced nights and intoxicated days. This lifestyle undeniably harmed local environments and livelihoods, with the prolific drug culture compounding the impact of poverty in Vang Vieng.

A hedonistic party culture is by no means the darkest chapter of Vang Vieng’s past. The evolution of tourism in the area has been punctuated by a series of fatal tragedies. In 2011, 27 tourists died while tubing down the Nam Song river, a popular activity characterised by riverside bars and high levels of alcohol consumption. This event resulted in authorities officially banning the activity, although one can still participate in tubing with some companies in Vang Vieng even today.

The summer of 2024 saw Vang Vieng once again become the site of a serious incident, in which six tourists died in Nana’s Backpacker Hostel after consuming methanol-contaminated alcohol reportedly provided by staff. Lao authorities responded by closing down the hostel. It has since been reopened under a different name, illustrating once again a schism between official regulation and the reality of enforcing such measures.

Developments in EcoTourism: Transformation of Vang Vieng

Today, the region has largely reclaimed its turbulent past and has become home to a flourishing ecotourism industry that has been vital to the reduction of poverty in Vang Vieng. Despite the continued presence of certain high-risk recreational activities, tourists are now increasingly engaged in more regulated forms of leisure, such as hiking in Tha Hon Kham and visiting the Blue Lagoons.

Companies like Wonderful Tours Laos offer dedicated Eco-tours that allow travellers to enjoy the countryside safely and sustainably. Additionally, there has been a huge influx of eco-friendly hotels in the town, such as The Elephant Crossing Hotel. These hotels focus on sustainability, environmental protection, and creating community-driven job opportunities.

The transition to ecotourism has important socio-economic implications, particularly in terms of poverty reduction. According to the Vang Vieng District Authorities, the rate of poverty in 2017 in the area was just 2.03%.  Recent developments have generated employment, diversified income sources and increased local participation in the tourism sector.

For the Riverside Boutique Resort in Vang Vieng, a commitment to local Community and culture is central to its ethos. Indeed, the hotel prioritises the employment of Vang Vieng residents, ensuring that revenue generated through tourism goes to the local economy and supports local livelihoods.

Conclusion

A problematic and controversial past undeniably marks the history of tourism in Vang Vieng. Once sought out for its party scene and nightlife, the town has since undergone a significant transformation into a hub of ecotourism that has proved vital for local development and poverty reduction. Its metamorphosis serves as a model for other tourist destinations to keep sustainability and community central to their economic structures.

– Polly Laws

Polly is based in Cardiff, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Innovations in Poverty Eradication in Saint Lucia

Poverty Eradication in Saint LuciaThe island of Saint Lucia is one of the most highly coveted holiday destinations in the world. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, revealed the weaknesses of a tourism-based economy already susceptible to changing weather patterns and natural disasters. While the Saint Lucian economy has since recovered, international and grassroots projects continue in their efforts to fortify the tourist industry and develop innovations in poverty eradication in Saint Lucia through advancements in the agricultural sector in a bid to aid the most vulnerable groups in Saint Lucia’s society: women and young people.

Poverty and Gender Gap

 While rates of unemployment dropped to a historic low in 2024, and the percentage of households with internet access increased from 26.5% to 89.1% between 2010 and 2022, innovations in poverty eradication remain a necessity in Saint Lucia.

 Presently, 13,600 of Saint Lucia’s 183,600 population are living in poverty of less than $8.30 USD a day. Of those, the groups with the highest poverty rates are women and 0-14 years old, 8.5 and 13.5 respectively. Gender inequality exacerbates the issues for women as they receive on average salaries that are three quarters of the salaries that men earn.

Fortifying Tourism and Shifting to Blue Economy

 As part of ongoing efforts to drive economic growth, generate innovations in poverty eradication, fortify their tourism industry and secure increased levels of foreign aid and investment, Saint Lucia has been transitioning towards a blue economy. To do so, it has developed and implemented a National Ocean Policy, Strategic Action Plan and Coastal and Marine Spatial Plan, all of which work together across a 15-year timeframe to sustainably develop marine resources, protect ecosystems and manage the use of coastal and marine space. It is hoped that these initiatives will encourage the greater levels of international aid that is required to establish an attractive climate for foreign investments by helping mitigate the impacts of changing weather patterns.

These hopes have not been misplaced. The government of Saint Lucia has secured two major investment projects. These agreements are with the ATLAS Group and the Caribbean Hospitality Management Group, to construct a major luxury development and luxury residential venture respectively. Both projects will prioritize sustainability and integrate agriculture and education, according to local officials.

 These projects followed an initiative introduced by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to work closely with the government, private sector, and multilateral development banks to increase access to finance for women and youths in Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda. The Innovative Finance For Underserved Groups Programme ran between January 2024 and December 2025 and signified a total contribution of $584,437 USD.

Water For Resilience (W4R)

International and grassroots efforts have also targeted agricultural innovation and reforms. The UNDP, Canada and United Kingdom have collaborated to establish and fund Water For Resilience (W4R). This initiative supports vulnerable communities in the islands of Saint Lucia, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, helping them access sustainable water supplies and enhance their ecosystem conservation as part of improved water resources management. W4R focuses on supporting woman-led households, rural women farmers and youths, seeking to amplify their voices and limit the gender gap. Members of W4R collaborate with young farmers across the Marquis Watershed in Saint Lucia, an area of considerable importance as it serves as the site of construction for the major luxury development agreed with the Atlas Group.

The EnGenDER Programme

The UNDP, Canada and the U.K. have further tried to lessen the damage created by the gender gap through the establishment of the Enabling Gender Responsive Disaster Recovery, Climate and Environmental Resilience in the Caribbean (EnGenDER) programme. The objective of EnGenDER is to integrate gender equality and human rights based approaches into strategies that focus on disaster risk reduction and adaptation to changing weather patterns. The ultimate goal is to ensure equal access to disaster relief funds and environment solutions to all groups. EnGenDER also supports projects aimed towards aiding differently-abled people, such as the UN Aquaponics Project, which provided employment opportunities for more than 40 Saint Lucians living with disabilities.

Combined, these agricultural reforms and innovations in poverty eradication have strengthened the position of vulnerable groups in Saint Lucia. The increased access to sustainable water supplies, disaster relief and environmental solutions serves to aid poverty alleviation for rural women, as they now have greater economic stability and will be less impacted financially in the event of a natural disaster.

The National Schools’ Science and Technology Fair

There have also been highly promising innovations made at the local level, specifically by the youth of Saint Lucia. At the National Schools’ Science and Technology Fair 2025, students from Vieux Fort Comprehensive unveiled their ‘Pineapple Purification’ system, which sees pineapple waste become a natural water filter for farm pollution. The filtration system could potentially provide local farmers with a low-budget and sustainable solution to prevent the spreading of harmful bacteria, increasing their earning potential. According to Vieux Fort, The Global Environment Facility has expressed interest in expanding the scale of the project.

What Comes Next?

While strong progress has been made to shorten the gender gap, establish sustainable tourism and alleviate poverty levels in Saint Lucia, more is needed. More foreign aid, investment, support and attention are all required to ensure that Saint Lucia becomes a paradise not just for visitors and tourists, but for Saint Lucians themselves.

– Sean Welsh

Sean is based in Haywards Heath, UK and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Feeding a Tourism Boom: How Food Tourism Fights Poverty

Food Tourism Fights PovertyFood tourism is a growing trend in the travel industry, with travelers seeking out local culinary experiences as part of their trip. Because food is closely tied to culture and history, these experiences also offer travelers a way to learn about local traditions and connect with the communities behind them. In many places, there is resistance to tourists or migrants out of concern for protecting local ways of life.

Culinary tourism, however, offers a more accessible form of cultural exchange. By sharing food and culinary knowledge, refugees and low-income communities can earn an income while introducing others to their culture. Through cooking classes, food tours and shared dining experiences, food becomes both a point of connection and a practical route out of poverty, demonstrating how food tourism fights poverty in tangible ways.

The Growth of Food Tourism in Vietnam

As travelers increasingly look to connect with local culture through food, Vietnam has emerged as a key destination for food tourism. The country’s diverse regional cuisines, including widely recognized dishes such as pho, banh mi and bun cha, have gained growing international attention, making food a central part of the visitor experience. Culinary experiences now influence travel choices, with many visitors actively seeking out food tours, cooking classes and local dining as part of their itineraries.

In response to this demand, Vietnamese cities such as Ho Chi Minh City have begun positioning cuisine as a “language of tourism,” using food to enhance cultural engagement and destination appeal. Across the country, food tourism takes many forms, including guided food tours, cooking classes and home-based dining experiences. Locals transform everyday culinary practices into paid experiences through these activities, relying on local knowledge of regional cuisines and traditional cooking methods.

In doing so, food tourism creates accessible income opportunities in both urban and rural communities, linking cultural heritage directly to economic activity. One initiative that demonstrates how food tourism can support economic opportunity is STREETS International, a social enterprise based in Hoi An. Founded in 2009, STREETS combines culinary training with hospitality education through a free 14-month program for disadvantaged young people living in poverty.

The program provides classroom instruction, hands-on training, English-language education, supervised housing and access to basic needs such as meals and health care. Associated enterprises, including Oodles of Noodles and the Noodle House, provide participants with practical experience within the tourism sector. Through this model, STREETS supports pathways into employment and long-term economic independence, illustrating how food-related tourism initiatives can contribute to sustainable livelihoods in Vietnam’s hospitality industry.

Cooking Classes and Refugee Support

In the U.K., food tourism has also taken on a social role through initiatives like Migrateful, which uses cooking classes to support refugees and asylum seekers. Rather than having visitors consume and leave food behind, Migrateful centers the people behind the recipes. Participants lead public cooking classes, sharing dishes from their home countries while earning an income and building skills that support long-term employability.

Beyond economic support, the classes create a space where cultural exchange happens naturally, not through policy or debate, but through shared meals and conversation. For participants, this model offers practical economic support alongside confidence, language development and a sense of belonging. For attendees, it reframes migration through personal connection, demonstrating how food tourism fights poverty while encouraging understanding and inclusion.

Conclusion

Food tourism is more than a niche trend; it reflects a deeper shift in how tourism, culture and community intersect. At its heart, food tourism channels local food traditions and practices into meaningful economic activity, helping destinations not only attract visitors but translate cultural heritage into livelihoods. In places like Vietnam, cuisine plays a decisive role in destination choice and spending.

There, culinary experiences provide concrete income streams for small businesses and cultural practitioners while reinforcing cultural identity on the global stage. The World Food Travel Association estimates show up to 81% of international travelers seek local food experiences and spend 25–35% of their travel budget on food and drink.

When thoughtfully implemented, initiatives like STREETS International and Migrateful show that culinary programs can extend beyond meals to become catalysts for social and economic empowerment. By equipping participants with skills, income and confidence, these efforts demonstrate that cuisine can foster inclusion, cross-cultural understanding and sustainable livelihoods. In this way, food tourism fights poverty by feeding not just the tourism boom, but the communities behind the food itself.

– Iona Gethin

Iona is Exeter, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Migration to Hawaii

Migration to HawaiiBefore becoming the 50th United State, the islands that constitute the archipelago of Hawaii were first populated by South Pacific voyagers. These voyagers respected the land and sea for their agricultural and aquacultural benefits and eventually settled in the archipelago. In 1795, King Kamehameha united the various chiefdoms, and by 1810, the archipelago had become the Kingdom of Hawaii. In 1824, King Kamehameha II visited London in an effort to gain recognition for Hawaii as a nation-state, and in 1874, King Kalākaua became the first foreign leader to attend a state dinner at the White House.

By then, missionaries had also migrated to Hawaii and integrated into the government as the Reform Party. To gain control of Hawaii, the Reform Party forced King Kalākaua to sign the Bayonet Constitution, which shifted power from Native Hawaiians to landowners from the United States, Britain and Germany. The Kingdom of Hawaii ended in 1893 when wealthy businessmen who formed the Committee of Safety overthrew the government with the support of the U.S. Navy. The Committee of Safety then petitioned the United States for annexation, and Hawaii became a United States territory in 1898 and a state in 1959.

Present-Day Migration to Hawaii

Research conducted by the University of Hawaii revealed that in 2023, 80% of migrants to Hawaii were from other U.S. states. However, it also found that long-term residents are moving away, with about 58,000 residents leavingHawaii in 2023. Additionally, data from 2010 to 2023 show an increase in net migration to Hawaii that began in 2020 and reached its peak in 2021. Analysts attribute this surge to residents from other states taking advantage of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beyond migrants from the U.S. mainland, there is also a significant population of Asian and Hispanic residents. According to 2024 U.S. Census data for Hawaii, 43.5% of the population identified as white, 57.6% as Asian, 10.2% as Hispanic and 27.4% as Native Hawaiian. Hawaii Magazine reports that Asian immigrants from Japan, China, Korea and the Philippines arrived in the 1850s as laborers contracted by American and English sugar plantation owners. After completing their contracts, many remained in Hawaii to raise their families and provide opportunities for their children.

The Impact on the Native Hawaiian Population

When Hawaii became a United States territory, Native Hawaiians experienced denationalization through loss of land, military occupation, Christianization, assimilation and marginalization. In 1896, the native Hawaiian language was banned, resulting in many Native Hawaiians primarily speaking English. Denationalization also included the Americanization of schoolchildren, and those who did not conform were often directed into labor after grade school instead of continuing their education.

Currently, Native Hawaiians are a minority in Hawaii and experience lower socioeconomic status and higher education attainment rates compared to other groups. Migration from the U.S. mainland has contributed to rising living costs, and some Native Hawaiians have relocated to the mainland as housing prices increased. Increased migration has been linked to higher prices for goods and real estate, making affordable housing more difficult to obtain.

Ongoing Efforts 

In 2023, Hawaii experienced wildfires on Maui. Gov. John Green announced that he would not allow U.S. mainland buyers to make predatory offers to purchase land from local residents affected by the fires. The governor and the state attorney general placed a moratorium prohibiting the sale of properties damaged or destroyed by the wildfires.

In the aftermath of the wildfires, Bill 9 was introduced and signed into law in December 2025. Bill 9 phases out certain transient vacation rentals and returns apartment-zoned land to local residents. According to county data, 94% of units affected by Bill 9 are owned by non-Maui residents, and many do not reside in Hawaii. The law does not end tourism but aims to address housing availability for local residents. Rental units will be reclassified under hotel zoning.

Additionally, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) was established in 1978 to advocate for Native Hawaiians. OHA works to support the preservation of Native Hawaiian land and culture, promote economic sufficiency and expand access to education and health care. The organization supports initiatives that address health, affordable housing, culture-based education and financial empowerment.

Looking Ahead

While economic pressures and migration to Hawaii continue to shape the country’s future, recent policy efforts and longstanding institutions such as the Office of Hawaiian Affairs demonstrate ongoing work to address housing access, cultural preservation and economic equity. As state leaders balance tourism, development and community needs, these initiatives reflect steps toward protecting Native Hawaiian communities while supporting sustainable growth across the islands.

– Thirza List

Thirza is based in the United States and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Tourism Recovery and Poverty Reduction in East Africa

Poverty Reduction in East AfricaTourism has long played a central role in the economies of East African nations, and its recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic is contributing to job creation, foreign exchange earnings and pathways out of poverty for many communities. As international travel rebounds, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda are seeing increased visitor numbers, diversified tourism products and government strategies that link tourism growth to broader economic inclusion.

Background

According to recent data, Kenya’s travel and tourism sector is projected to contribute significantly to the national economy, supporting more than 1.7 million jobs and generating billions of dollars in visitor spending.  In Tanzania, tourism contributes a substantial share of GDP and employment, while in Uganda and Rwanda the rebound toward and beyond pre-pandemic visitor arrivals is generating increased demand for services and local goods.

Tourism’s economic impact in East Africa extends beyond park gates and resorts. Tourists who visit national parks, historical sites and coastal destinations create demand for accommodation, transportation, food, crafts and local entertainment, which in turn supports small-business owners, guides, artisans and farmers. In Kenya alone, tourism supports more than 1.2 million jobs directly and indirectly, helping households earn a steady income and community members pursue entrepreneurial opportunities.

Tourism and Poverty Reduction in East Africa

Tourism can reduce poverty by creating jobs, expanding incomes and increasing demand for locally produced goods and services. Studies indicate that tourism’s contribution to GDP in East African Community countries averaged nearly 10% before the pandemic, with higher shares in countries such as Tanzania and Rwanda. This economic activity generates important spillover effects beyond the travel sector, encouraging investment in infrastructure, agriculture, and small-enterprise development.

In Uganda, tourism’s share of GDP has increased since the pandemic, reflecting rising international arrivals and targeted marketing efforts.  Similarly, Kenya has embraced regional tourism strategies that encourage travel within East Africa, creating new opportunities for cross-border economic activity and community-level benefits.

Yet tourism’s poverty-reducing potential depends on how benefits are distributed. In many places, earnings from large lodges and luxury travel accrue primarily to foreign-owned companies or national revenue streams rather than directly to local communities.  A balanced approach must ensure that job quality, wages and local ownership are part of the sector’s growth, rather than just visitor numbers.

Government and Stakeholder Responses

East African governments are pursuing a range of strategies to ensure tourism supports broader economic well-being. Kenya is expanding air connectivity, digital visa systems and regional promotion to attract more visitors while encouraging spending in local enterprises.  Rwanda has diversified its tourism offer with conferences and business events alongside wildlife and nature tourism to boost revenues and create year-round employment.  Uganda is enhancing road infrastructure and e-visa platforms to make travel easier and more attractive for regional and international visitors.

Non-government stakeholders also contribute to inclusive growth through community-based tourism and eco-tourism initiatives. These models link conservation with economic benefits, enabling local populations to earn income from guiding, hospitality and cultural experiences while conserving natural resources.

Challenges and Considerations

While tourism offers important economic opportunities, it also presents challenges that can affect poverty outcomes. Many tourism jobs remain seasonal or low-wage, and without supportive policies, the sector’s growth can fail to uplift the poorest households. Infrastructure gaps, environmental pressures and competition from luxury tourism can also limit local benefit flows.  To maximize impact, governments and development partners must plan for workforce training, community ownership and equitable revenue sharing.

Conclusion

The recovery of tourism in East Africa offers a pathway to economic growth and poverty reduction when integrated with inclusive policy and community engagement. By focusing on employment creation, diversification of tourism products and regional cooperation, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda are leveraging tourism not just as a source of foreign exchange but as a tool for more resilient and inclusive development. Continued investment in skills training, infrastructure and equitable benefit-sharing will be key to ensuring that tourism’s rebound translates into real, sustainable economic gains for communities across the region.

– Sean Leung

Sean is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Everything To Know About Poverty in the Maldives

Poverty in the MaldivesThe Republic of the Maldives is an archipelago located in South Asia in the northern Indian Ocean. While its population is only approximately 530,000, the Maldives receives almost 2 million tourists per year. Since its first resort opening in the 1970s, the Maldivian economy has grown significantly thanks to its popularity amongst international tourists. However, poverty in the Maldives is an ongoing issue that requires attention.

Recent Progress 

Over the last decade, there has been a significant decline in poverty in the Maldives. From a 65% poverty rate in 2009 to an 11.7% poverty rate in 2016, improving quality of life due to flourishing tourism characterized the pre-pandemic Maldivian economy. Its ‘enclave economy’ means that each island has a specific use, for example, some islands are restricted to resorts, while others are strictly for certain industrial activities.

Alongside this, policies like mandating that at least 51% of a resort’s workforce must be Maldivian have resulted in a growth of the tertiary sector and an increase in wage employment. Not only have these developments significantly grown government revenue, but they have also improved the quality of life of most Maldivians. This is due to a greater number of households experiencing a stable source of income and growing welfare policies from the government. In fact, the government has strived to redistribute this wealth through infrastructure investment, like airports and public housing. 

Despite great economic progress in recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic revealed how fragile the Maldivian economy is; travel bans as a result of the pandemic caused a fall in real GDP by 33.6% in 2020, showing how the country’s economy was reliant on international tourism. In fact, resort-based tourism contributes to approximately 23% of GDP, meaning that it is at the mercy of factors beyond its control.

Environmental Threats

Tourism is not the only external factor threatening the economic stability of the Maldives; due to the islands’ low elevation above sea level, the country is extremely vulnerable to changing weather patterns. For example, a tsunami in 2004 caused damages worth 62% of GDP alongside unquantifiable damages like soil erosion and damage to fisheries, which had long-term effects on the recovery of the economy.

The unpredictable and inescapable nature of such events poses a constant threat to the Maldivian population. As a result, the Maldivian government has adapted its policies to strive for long-term security against these issues. An example of this, which the 2005 tsunami reinforced, is the construction of Hulhumalé, an artificial island currently being built 8 km from the capital city. With this, the government hopes to not only reduce overcrowding in Male, but also protect residents from the threat of coastal erosion – a dilemma that many smaller atolls are currently facing. With the Housing Development Corporation capping house prices and the coastline set 2 meters above sea level, its residents are protected from both economic and geological dangers.

On top of government policies, many NGOs have also contributed to assisting those living in poverty in the Maldives. For example, the Maldivian Red Crescent, founded in 2009, is the largest humanitarian organization in the Maldives, striving to protect the population from the socioeconomic challenges that arise from natural disasters. In 2024, it took significant steps in enhancing its emergency response resources, like organizing Anticipator Action workshops and signing a grant contract with the Japanese Embassy for the provision of emergency support vehicles. In fact, one can see the extent of its success in the Maldives through its recognition as an official member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in 2011.

Geographical Inequality 

The greatest factor that seems to be limiting the reduction of poverty in the Maldives is the socio-economic disparity between the capital Male’ and the atolls. Although all Maldivians have access to basic health care and education, the more advanced facilities are located in the capital, creating inequalities that translate to poorer job prospects and thus income disparity. In fact, approximately 10% of Maldivians in atolls are living under the international poverty line compared to only 1% in Male’.

Not only is there inequality between Male’ and the atolls, but even between the atolls themselves, some clusters experience much higher levels of poverty than others. For example, some atolls rely on fisheries as their main source of income, yet their profitability is limited by their poor infrastructure, such as a lack of storage and processing facilities. Even when considering non-monetary metrics, there is a clear disparity between the islands; Maldivians living in the atolls experience fewer years of schooling and lack access to basic resources like safe drinking water and sewer systems. 

Therefore, despite the responsiveness of the Maldivian government to the challenges faced, it continues to be an economy at the mercy of geographic and environmental factors. Furthermore, inequality between Male’ and the atolls is the main factor limiting the government’s ability to eliminate poverty in the Maldives. 

– Vittoria Cortese

Vittoria is based in Washington, DC, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Tourism Is Reducing Poverty in Albania

Poverty in albaniaTourism in Albania has grown rapidly in recent years and is becoming a powerful tool for reducing poverty and creating economic opportunity. Once seen as a hidden destination, the country is now attracting millions of visitors each year, bringing new income to communities that previously had limited employment options. Through investment in infrastructure, support for small businesses and community-based tourism projects, the industry is helping households earn a stable income and build more secure futures.

Rapid Growth in Visitor Numbers

Albania has shifted from being a hidden destination to becoming one of the Mediterranean’s fastest-growing tourism markets. In 2019, the country welcomed 6.4 million foreign visitors, which was considered a record year at the time. Since then, tourism in Albania has continued to grow rapidly.

By 2024, Albania attracted nearly 12 million international visitors, an 82% increase from 2019. Tourism in Albania also showed strong resilience after the COVID-19 pandemic. By 2022, tourist arrivals were already 5% higher than pre-pandemic levels, allowing the sector to recover faster than many competing destinations in the region.

This quick recovery helped protect jobs and restore income in tourism-dependent communities. The country has also expanded its tourism markets beyond a single source. Albania has established direct air connections and attracted visitors from the U.K., Germany, Italy, France, the U.S. and the Middle East. To meet growing demand, the number of hotels, rooms and beds increased more than tenfold between 2000 and 2019, while international seat capacity continued to rise after 2019.

While national statistics show a massive surge in arrivals, local hosts see this growth through their seasonal calendars. In an interview with The Borgen Project, Akeron, who runs a local Airbnb, explained that the season typically “starts in April and ends in the end of October.” During the peak months of July and August, his accommodations are usually “fully booked,” while June and September maintain high occupancy rates of “70-80%”.

Tourism Revenue and Economic Impact

Tourism has become a major financial pillar of Albania’s economy. In 2023, the sector’s contribution to GDP reached 565 billion Lek ($6.78) billion, a 37% increase from the previous peak in 2019. Estimates show that travel and tourism now contribute roughly one in every four Lek to the national economy.

Tourism has also strengthened Albania’s export earnings. Over the past two decades, tourism generated 38% of the country’s total exports. International visitor spending reached 464 billion Lek ($5.57 billion) in 2023, more than 45% higher than in 2019, bringing money directly into local communities.

This economic shift is felt directly at the household level. For Akeron’s family, the ability to host international visitors has provided a new level of financial security. “For my family, it has made a difference in the amount of money we can save and has helped us think about things we want to do for the future,” Akeron stated.

Job Creation and Social Inclusion

Tourism is one of Albania’s largest sources of employment. In 2023, the sector supported almost 269,000 jobs, representing around one in five jobs nationwide. These jobs range from hospitality and transport to food services and cultural tourism, offering work in areas where few alternatives exist.

Tourism growth has also supported inclusive employment. In southern Albania, more than half of the jobs created through heritage tourism projects are held by women and young people. Some initiatives have also created opportunities for people with disabilities, including maintenance roles at Gjirokastra Castle, helping improve household income, social inclusion and reduce poverty in Albania.

Additionally, tourism has encouraged return migration. Former residents are returning to historic cities such as Gjirokastra and Saranda to invest savings in guesthouses and hospitality businesses. In project-supported areas, the number of tourism-related businesses has more than doubled since 2019, showing how public investment can stimulate local entrepreneurship.

These roles often rely on a collaborative family structure to be successful. Akeron and his parents all maintain other full-time jobs, but they “work together” to manage the guesthouse. He explained the division of labor: “me with the online part and my mom with the cleaning and welcoming guests to make it work.” He also noted that for families where members lack regular employment, this business provides “a very good income.”

Tourism in Rural and Coastal Communities

Tourism has turned family homes into sources of income in many rural and historic areas. In cities such as Gjirokastra, Berat and Përmet, public investment in restoring castle sites and cobblestone streets has encouraged families to convert historic homes into bed-and-breakfasts, restaurants and guesthouses. In these areas, the number of tourism-associated businesses has more than doubled since 2019.

Rural tourism also supports artisanal and cultural income. Around 78% of people employed in the artisan sector are women and nearly half of handicraft businesses are women-owned. Small family-run homestays rely heavily on women’s labor and provide independent income, strengthening household stability.

Infrastructure improvements have helped extend the tourism season beyond the summer months. Projects such as the Saranda promenade have enabled year-round economic activity, stabilizing income for local workers and businesses.

Local hosts often act as a bridge to the wider community by encouraging guests to spend money at nearby businesses. Akeron noted that he frequently recommends “restaurants in the city and by the beach” to his guests. He specifically highlights a restaurant in his village “which serves only Albanian food,” illustrating how tourism income supports traditional culinary businesses.

Community-Based Tourism and Infrastructure Investment

Community-based tourism initiatives have helped ensure that tourism benefits stay within local communities. The Integrated Urban and Tourism Development Project, supported by the World Bank and the Albanian government, focuses on cities including Berat, Gjirokastra, Përmet and Saranda. The project aims to regenerate local economies by restoring heritage sites and upgrading public infrastructure.

This model encourages residents to become active tourism entrepreneurs by converting private properties into guesthouses, cafés and tourism services. Additional EU-funded programs have adopted bottom-up approaches that enable communities to shape tourism growth in line with local needs. Investment in transport and accessibility has supported this growth.

Albania has expanded air connections through low-cost carriers and the construction of new airports. Road networks, walking routes and heritage trails have also improved access to inland regions.

Remaining Challenges

Despite strong progress, challenges remain. Informal employment continues to leave many tourism workers without contracts or social protection, increasing vulnerability during economic shocks. Regional inequality is also visible, as northern areas such as Kukës continue to face high poverty and limited tourism development.

Beyond employment concerns, a significant hurdle is the “infrastructure missing from the government.” Akeron identified the “lack of water” as a primary issue, explaining that families often have only “1-2 hours a day” to fill storage tanks for basic needs like showering and washing dishes. He recalled a specific instance where the water supply failed while a guest “had just put on the shower gel.” While a neighbor was able to provide water to help, Akeron noted that these daily shortages create constant uncertainty for local hosts.

Tourism in Albania is proving that well-planned growth can do more than attract visitors; it can reduce poverty, create jobs and strengthen communities. By supporting family-run businesses, expanding infrastructure and promoting community-based tourism, Albania has allowed its residents to benefit directly from rising visitor numbers. While challenges remain, continued investment and inclusive planning offer a hopeful path forward, showing how tourism can be a powerful force for shared prosperity and poverty reduction in Albania.

– Aila Alsakka

Aila is based in Nottingham, UK and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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How Surf Tourism is Helping Fight Poverty in Bali

Poverty in baliBali, an island and province of Indonesia, is best known for its turquoise waves and world-class surf breaks, but behind the island’s booming tourism industry lies a more complex reality. While mass tourism has strained local livelihoods and the environment, surf tourism in Bali is quietly creating economic opportunities that help local communities escape poverty.

Tourism and Inequality in Bali

Over the past two decades, tourism has driven extraordinary economic growth in Bali. Before the pandemic, the island welcomed more than six million international visitors a year, generating jobs, foreign investment and global visibility. But this growth has not been evenly shared.

As tourism expands, wealth tends to concentrate in already-popular areas, widening the gap between those who benefit from the industry and those who are left behind. Developers have increasingly converted agricultural land, including Bali’s iconic rice terraces, into hotels, beach clubs and shops aimed at foreign tourists. For many rural and working-class communities, this shift has meant higher living costs, fewer traditional livelihoods and mounting pressure to adapt or relocate.

Surf Tourism in Bali

What surf tourism in Bali occasionally reveals is not a solution to poverty, but a different way tourism value can circulate at the margins. At Kima Surf, the surf camp embeds charitable work into its everyday operations. Kima Surf instructors bring children from the Bali Orphan Day Center into the water for surf sessions, while guests and staff take part in beach clean-ups that address the environmental pressures tourism generates.

Beyond the beach, Kima Surf supports initiatives such as the NF Kinder Foundation. The foundation funds health care, research and aftercare for families facing the high and ongoing costs of Neurofibromatosis, helping them avoid financial strain that could push them deeper into poverty. Similarly, Bali Green Surf School supports educational access by providing food, clothing, toys and essential school supplies to local orphanages, helping reduce material barriers to learning for children from low-income backgrounds.

Fundraising for SurfAid’s Make a Wave Challenge and awareness campaigns promoting disability inclusion in Bali also support groups that are often excluded from tourism jobs and social services. These interventions remain limited in scale and cannot offset the structural inequalities that tourism development produces; however, they illustrate how surf tourism can contribute, albeit incrementally and unevenly, to poverty alleviation. It eases access to care, skills and resources where state support is often insufficient.

What This Means for Poverty Reduction in Bali

Examples like Kima Surf and Bali Green Surf School show how surf tourism in Bali can intersect with poverty in ways that are often overlooked. Rather than transforming the economy or reversing gentrification, surf tourism can create smaller, more immediate forms of support. These include reducing financial vulnerability by improving access to health care and educational resources that might otherwise push families further into poverty.

These impacts are limited and uneven, but they matter in a place where tourism dominates everyday life. Surf tourism in Bali does not solve poverty. However, when its benefits reach local people, it can make everyday life more affordable for some families.

– Iona Gethin

Iona is based in Exeter, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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A Bright Future For Ecotourism In Madagascar

ecotourism in madagascarEcotourism in Madagascar is a promising strategy to improve the standard of living for citizens of one of the most impoverished countries in the world. If responsibly managed, ecotourism benefits local communities, the economy and the environment. The establishment of national parks creates job opportunities, provides an economic incentive to protect natural areas and its wildlife and benefits local communities both directly and indirectly. Several organizations and local communities support and implement projects creating ecotourism and nature-based tourism programs for these reasons.

A Quick Background on Madagascar

Madagascar suffers from environmental challenges and a struggling economy. It has the sixth-highest national poverty rate in the world at 63.9%. The country is famous for its rich biodiversity, with 90% of its plants and 85% of its animals being endemic to the island. Some well-known species endemic to Madagascar are the lemurs, and approximately 80% of the world’s chameleon species are found in Madagascar.

Madagascar is among the countries with the highest deforestation rates in the world, with some regions and protected areas experiencing annual forest loss rates of around 2–3% in recent years due to agricultural expansion and illegal logging. Deforestation affects the environment and causes massive habitat loss, which threatens biodiversity due to potential species extinction. Almost all of Madagascar’s lemur species are either endangered or critically endangered, according to the Duke Lemur Center. Agriculture makes up 70% of total employment, but low agricultural productivity and insufficient resources cause eight out of 10 people residing in rural communities to live in poverty.

What Is Ecotourism?

The International Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education.” Principles of ecotourism include minimizing impact on the area in use, promoting environmental and cultural awareness and respect, financially benefitting conservation efforts and local communities and partnering with the indigenous people.

The Need For Ecotourism In Madagascar

Ecotourism alleviates poverty by increasing wages, creating jobs and improving the economy. Tourism provides jobs for tour guides, tour company administrators, hotel staff and restaurant staff. Tour and resort administrative and general positions are not the only job opportunities created by tourism. Communities local to these parks and reserves benefit economically from shops, crafts and other goods supporting the tourism industry, encouraging the creation of small businesses by community members. It also alleviates the burden of poverty in villages surrounding parks and reserves by providing services including electricity, water and educational opportunities.

This kind of tourism offers an economic incentive to conserve the environment by generating revenue and employment without causing significant environmental damage. Supplying a tangible value to ecosystems leads to increased protected natural areas and safeguards areas without formal protection from deforestation and exploitation of natural resources.

Ecotourism in Madagascar safeguards biodiversity by protecting the habitats of its wildlife and preventing the extinction of endangered species. Establishing parks and reserves ensures protection for any wildlife in the area and their habitat. Tourists pay to see the rich biodiversity of Madagascar, adding tangible value to the wildlife and their homes.

Wildlife Madagascar

The Wildlife Madagascar organization partners with Malagasy communities to protect biodiversity while improving the livelihoods of community members. The community-based approach integrates local knowledge and experience with scientific and educational knowledge to create sustainable conservation solutions. Wildlife Madagascar educates farmers on optimal agricultural and forestry practices to improve food security and sustain natural resources. The organization also establishes sustainable and responsibly-managed ecotourism programs in communities to improve livelihoods and protect biodiversity.

Lemur Conservation Network

The Lemur Conservation Network works in Madagascar to save lemurs from extinction. Lemurs are the most endangered mammals in the world, with 98% of lemur species at risk of extinction and 31% critically endangered. The Network believes ecotourism to be a “win-win-win” for tourists, Malagasy citizens and lemurs, and provides grants and donations to ecotourism projects in Madagascar.

Community-Run Reserves

Communities across Madagascar establish their own community-run reserves to protect their natural areas and economically benefit from ecotourism. A member of the Betsileo tribe in southern Madagascar founded the Anja Reserve, which is popular for their ring-tailed lemurs. The Antanatiembo Reserve in the north is a locally-owned reserve comprising a dense bamboo forest housing bamboo lemurs, chameleons, insects and birds and a reforestation tree nursery.

Conservation Debates: Is Ecotourism Worth It?

Those against environmental conservation in Madagascar argue the legitimacy of protected areas without consent from locals and highlight the potential eviction of locals from newly established protected areas. They question whether locals can sustain their livelihood without the land they previously had unlimited access to.

In 2022, researchers conducted a study surrounding Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, Madagascar’s largest national park, to investigate the relationship between conservation and locals’ livelihoods. Their results concluded that livelihood improved for people in the surrounding villages due to the provision of jobs, electricity, water, increased income and improved education. Published in the SN Social Sciences, the study found a positive correlation between ecotourism and poverty reduction in surrounding villages.

The researchers determined that pre-existing socioeconomic inequalities within the surrounding villages caused villagers with low education and income levels to benefit less from ecotourism. Locals who speak multiple languages benefit from more employment options at the park and hotel, but to attain this education, they must attend schools outside their commune. Some villagers also reported the enforcement of stricter regulations for the collection of firewood within the forest on those without connections to the village chief or members of their community committee.

Conclusion

Ecotourism yields great benefits for the citizens, wildlife and natural areas of Madagascar. The revenue and job opportunities generated from ecotourism could alleviate poverty, improve livelihood in surrounding communities and economically incentivize the protection of wildlife and natural land areas. Malagasy people establish community-led reserves with support from conservation organizations to reap the economic benefits of ecotourism and protect their land from overexploitation of resources. In a country with a high burden of poverty and environmental challenges, ecotourism poses a multifaceted solution and a promising future.

– Sarah Merrill

Sarah is based in Matthews, NC, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr