Africa: How should hotel industry practices contribute to pro-poor tourism?

The potential for tourism as a strategy for poverty-reduction in Africa will not be realised as long as the industry still operates in relative isolation from its host communities. Multinational hotel chains have a limited impact on local social-economic development as a result of the widespread use of subcontractors and casual labour. However, where employment is offered locally, hotel chains usually offer reasonable wages and working conditions according to this paper published by the National Labour and Economic Development Institute of South Africa.