Create a 7 pages page paper that discusses benefits for countries with tourism-dependent economies outweigh the negative effects. Tourisms play a key role in the host country with studies showing that tourism is a big boon for many countries’ economies. However, some countries’ economies have ended up being completely tourism-dependent. A tourism-dependent economy refers to an economy of a country that is mainly supported by tourism activities or in general terms, tourism is the main economic activity (Dwyer and Forsyth, 2006, p.149).

To start with, the primary benefit of tourism is the economic gains made from the business to the locals and to the country at large. In some regions like Africa particularly in the Sub-Saharan region, tourism has been found to be a major source of revenue for the GDP of the countries in the area. Recent studies have shown that a 10% growth in tourism in some of the countries in Sub-Saharan Africa leads to a 0.4% increase in GDP per capita income. This is prompted by the fact that tourism creates ample job opportunities (either directly or indirectly) that enables local communities to support themselves and their families (Robinson, Heitmann & Dieke, 2011, p.63). Some people work as tour guides and in the transport industry with others working in hotels and lodgings facilities just to mention a few.

According to a study that was conducted in West Africa, an area where up to 75% of the worlds poor live in rural areas, tourism offers the locals tremendous economic opportunities since a number of the area residents work or sell products to the tourists who visit their ranges. Selling traditional products was found to be the most practical idea because tourists always look for souvenirs and products that relate to traditional activities. Therefore, it is clear that tourism creates employment either directly or indirectly, stimulates profitable local industries, hotels, and other lodging facilities, guide services, restaurants and food services, transportation systems, and handicrafts.