The Tourism–Foreign Aid Nexus in Vanuatu: Future Directions

Abstract

Juxtaposing foreign aid and tourism in the scholarly discourse on tourism in developing countries is rarely attempted. This article examines the independent Pacific island nation of Vanuatu where both tourism and foreign aid are major contributors to development. Interim findings summarising the views of development practitioners are included in this paper. Tourism is the country's key economic sector and is considered well placed to aid Vanuatu's pursuit of the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals, and to assist with alleviating poverty and enhancing livelihoods for its indigenous people; the ni-Vanuatu. However, foreign aid interventions in tourism in Vanuatu have largely been reactive, piecemeal and ad hoc. This is chiefly due to significant barriers preventing tourism from being viewed by donors as a legitimate agent for development. Unless the tourism sector can validate its sustainable development credentials it will fail to persuade donors to have a changed perspective, and will remain disconnected to the delivery of foreign aid.

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