I’ve found a very interesting article on the World tourism website about an african UN project. Tourism and local green development schemes are studied as a tool to alleviate poverty.
“April 28, 2008, United Nations, UNWTO, is actively supporting African destinations which have the capacity to renew their tourism development after having recently suffered from internal crisis.
Among other activities, the Organization has agreed to convene a major Conference in September 2008 for investors, tourism stakeholders and airlines, in order to raise the awareness on the opportunities in this sector. This gathering will also include parliamentarians and local authorities and count on the support of international experts.
Further activities will range from supporting marketing efforts in foreign tourism markets, advancing UNWTO’s ST-EP Initiative (Sustainable Tourism – Elimination of Poverty), as well as facilitating the full reintegration of Côte d’Ivoire in the global tourism community and its return to an important role within UNWTO. The Organization will offer similar support to Mauritania.