ALTERNATIVE TOURISM AS A DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Alternative tourism is the 'new way of thinking' within tourism planning. It
implies an indigenous and integrated approach based on the principles of a sustainable
development. It has been heavily criticised, for instance as being a small-scale solution
to a large-scale problem. Moreover, many authors see it as an idealistic contribution.
This paper discusses its relevancy as a development strategy in developing countries.
It is concluded that the choice of strategy is a complex one with many constraints.
Serious limitations such as lack of capital and expertise, may take the invitation of
international tour operators the only development option. Therefore, the tour operators
have the best powers of negotiation, and thereby restricting the government's ability to
determine development strategy. Alternative tourism requires a controlled,
considerate, regulated and slow/thoughtful process - factors that often do not coincide
with the tour operators commercial motives.