NGOs, Tourism and Development

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have taken on a prominent role within the tourism industry to generate wider sustainable development. Their foundations and purpose can be conceptualized as being located with development as opposed to purely business and market paradigms, nevertheless they are often manifestations of private initiatives. The chapter addresses how this novel scenario strengthens some roles and creates new dilemmas for NGOs, and explores NGOs’ potential to open up new approaches and solutions to ever increasing complex global issues by entering innovative partnerships and alliances. However, the chapter emphasizes that NGOs must ensure that these efforts draw on past experiences and established knowledge, and ensure who has access to the solutions and with what consequences. It is imperative that NGOs continuously experiment to pursue different ways of engaging in social transformations and development; and to organize themselves differently and stand for an alternative way of thinking development through sustainable tourism.