According to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), tourism is the primary source of earnings for 49 of the world’s least developed countries. SNV works in the field of sustainable tourism, as it can make a considerable difference in alleviating poverty. SNV focuses on all aspects of sustainability: economic, environmental, cultural, and institutional (good governance).

SNV is currently promoting pro-poor sustainable tourism in 23 countries in Asia, the Balkans, East and Southern Africa,  West and Central Africa, and Latin America.

While expanding the economic possibilities of marginalised people, we also help to generate profits for the private sector. We do this by focusing on innovative forward and reverse market linkages (inclusive business) and create win-win situations for all parties involved.

Integrated Destination Development
SNV helps to create jobs for the local communities by supporting:
-enterprise development, such as product innovation and promotion;
-improving services such as accommodation and restaurants;
-protecting cultural assets, highlighting local events, and improving the production of souvenirs and handicrafts.
We also build capacities to empower local people and their communities to make their destinations more competitive.

For example, SNV Cambodia, works closely with various stakeholders to develop programmes and actions to attract more tourists and elicit a wider participation from poor people. With the participation of various stakeholders, SNV has created a tourism brand The Mekong Discovery Trail. Watch our films  

Engagement with the private sector
SNV recognises that engaging with private sector businesses is crucial to success. We now work with an increasing number of companies to strengthen their corporate social responsibility and inclusive business practices.

See how private sector involvement has increased tourism in Son La province in Vietnam.

Tourism Value Chain
SNV uses Value Chain Development as a way to analyse how to improve participation and inclusion of marginalised people within the economy. The tourism value chain identifies the sequence of multiple and complex products and services across sectors that are delivered to tourists. This helps SNV pinpoint market-based solutions to improve opportunities and earnings for the poor. For example, local fruit and vegetable farmers can be linked to an international hotel chain, and handicraft producers can improve their design and market share. 

Policy and strategy development, tourism governance
SNV collaborates closely with national, provincial and regional tourism authorities, enabling them to develop sustainable tourism in their environment. We do this at many levels: policy, legislation, regulations, planning, sustainable indicators, HR development, accreditations, and national marketing and promotion. SNV works with tourism business associations, training institutes and NGOs to improve their capacities to support tourism enterprises and local communities.
Find out how SNV was instrumental in creating a new law on tourism in Albania.

Partnerships
In 2005, SNV officially established a tripartite partnership with the UNWTO and the ST-EP (Sustainable Tourism for the Elimination of Poverty) Foundation. Priority countries where partnership activities are taking place include Albania, Bolivia, Cambodia, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Honduras, Kenya, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Peru, Rwanda and the United Republic of Tanzania. SNV also collaborates with national and international partners on tourism management and development, such as WWF,  GTZ, the Tourism Sustainability Council, and development banks and business organisations, such as the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).