11. Tourism: Job Creation, Entrepreneurship, and Quality of Life

While there are some criticisms about the impact of tourism on quality of life for local residents, evidence shows tourism normally creates livelihood opportunities and economic growth. Many of the jobs created in the tourism industry do not require high levels of training or education, making the sector especially effective in combatting poverty. Tourism also creates many opportunities for microentrepreneurship and as the barriers to entry for most of these small businesses are low, tourism can provide opportunities for individuals to escape poverty by creating their own employment. Interviews with employees and microentrepreneurs throughout SEA were presented. Employees generally felt the jobs they chose to take were better options than their other livelihood opportunities and did not feel exploited by their employers and many workers had plans for the future. The microentrepreneurs also felt their choice of occupation was their best option, and often the personal freedom and flexibility of owning one’s own business were as important to the entrepreneurs as were the financial rewards. In general, the individuals interviewed shared in the opinion tourism was good for the country as well as for themselves as it provided additional choices of how to make a living. Also, an exploration of the intangible benefits tourists seek and often obtain was made.