Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/30364 
Year of Publication: 
Dec-2008
Series/Report no.: 
Schriftenreihe des Promotionsschwerpunkts Globalisierung und Beschäftigung No. 26/2008
Publisher: 
Universität Hohenheim, Stuttgart
Abstract: 
The current paper analyzes the importance and potentials of the tourism sector for economic development. It is divided into four major parts. After a short introduction, section two presents some theoretical insights into the topic of economic development. Commenting on the most relevant components of the catching-up theory by Abramovitz (1986) and the structural change theory by Baumol (1967) and others, it could be realized that growth and the accompanying structural changes in the distribution of employment and GDP have their sources in the sector industry. But at the moment of incorporating the demand side explanation of structural change, the service sectors offer growth potentials as well. Furthermore, the basic characteristics and importance of the tourism sector for economic development and employment are emphasized, examining the so-called 'social capabilities' and the innovation potential within the process of economic growth of any nation. A short survey of literature concerning the contribution of this sector to economic growth makes clear that tourism should be considered not just from the perspective of the benefits, but also from the costs associated with it. Section three provides an analysis of the economic impact of tourism in a developing country, namely Colombia, based on time-series analysis and data gathered supported on the 'Tourism Satellite Account' Methodology. Some relevant indicators produced by the World Economic Forum through its 'Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report', are also evaluated. Finally, some conclusions are drawn with respect to the potentialities, as well as the challenges identified for the Colombian case.
Subjects: 
structural change
service sectors
social capabilities
economic development
tourism
Colombia
JEL: 
L83
L86
L88
O1
O54
Q01
Q5
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
292.23 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.