LI Hui-qin1,3, HOU Lin-chun2, YANG Shu-wang1, J. R. Brent Ritchie3
1. School of Economy and Management, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China;
2. Public Management School, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China;
3. Haskayne Business School, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N1N4, Canada
Abstract Pro-poor tourism(PPT) is a hot issue of overseas tourism research. Based on analysis of some related concepts, this paper made a comprehensive review on theories, practices, research methods, case areas and international organizations' roles of PPT. In theoretical research, proposal of PPT was rooted in such four theories as liberal/neo-liberal, critical, alternative development and post-structuralism. PPT is an approach of tourism development, following seven main principles:participation, balanced approach, holistic livelihoods approach, distribution, flexibility, commercial realism and cross-disciplinary learning. Compared with sustainable tourism, ecotourism and other ideas, PPT has paid more concerns on the poor. Approaches of PPT have no standard in the world. However, natural tourism, heritage tourism, agricultural tourism and community-based tourism have been testified effective in developing countries and areas in practice. PPT is significant for the poor while it is not a panacea for the poor in practice. Only under reasonable planning and wellcontrolled can PPT impose great sustainable positive impacts on both economic and non-economic livelihoods of local people. Development of PPT has benefited aids and funds from international organizations (World Bank). Government always makes some policies safeguard the interests of the poor. Private businesses have more flexible in investment and seasonality, these advantages can ensure the poor participation in PPT. Due to difficulties and deficiency in collecting data, most methods of PPT research are quantitatively in macro scale. Case study areas mainly concentrate on some developing countries in Africa, South America and Asia. Therefore, researches on urban poverty, micro-view research (aim to the poor and their families) and Chinese cases of PPT should be strengthened in the future.
2015, Vol. 30 
