Article: Lecture to Focus on Tourism's Role in Reducing Poverty
Lecture to Focus on Tourism's Role in Reducing Poverty
April 25, 2008, ASU Insight, By Corey Schubert
The Megapolitan Tourism Research Center will feature a lecture on developing tourism and reducing poverty beginning at 10:40 a.m., April 28, at the Downtown Phoenix campus.
Robertico Croes will discuss “Tourism Development, Competitiveness and Poverty Reduction” in room 234 of University Center, located at 411 N. Central Ave.
The World Tourism Organization and the World Travel and Tourism Council are encouraging poor countries to engage in tourism expansion as a means to reduce poverty, since tourism industry jobs can provide incomes to unskilled and semiskilled workers. Unfortunately, there is little empirical evidence to quantify the true economic value of poverty reduction. The lecture will address some of this evidence.
Croes is an associate professor at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management and is the associate director of the Dick Pope Sr. Tourism Research Institute at the University of Central Florida. He has served as Aruba’s director of foreign affairs, a member of Aruba Parliament and as Aruba’s minister of economics, tourism and finance.
“Tourism can play a significant role in reducing poverty in developing and developed countries,” says Tim Tyrrell, director of the Megapolitan Tourism Research Center (MTRC). “Dr. Croes’ presentation will highlight this area of interest of MTRC, which aims to find ways to enhance tourism’s contribution to the public good.”
Croes holds a law degree from the University of Colombia, a master’s degree from the University of Southern California, and a doctoral degree from the University of Twente, the Netherlands. He is an applied economist and international political scientist with a research interest in international tourism demand and micro-states.
Croes has co-written publications with Manuel Vanegas, a faculty associate in ASU’s School of Community Resources and Development.
The Megapolitan Tourism Research Center, part of ASU’s College of Public Programs, researches tourism security, sustainability and social impact on a global level and brings results to local communities.
