Corporate Social Responsibility in Tourism and Poverty Reduction

Duc Dao, Hanh

4. term

Tourism, Master

2011

2011-05-31

73

Turisme er en vigtig vækstmotor i mange udviklingsområder, men gavner ofte ikke de fattigste på grund af økonomiske lækager og skæv fordeling. Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan virksomheders samfundsansvar (CSR) hos turoperatører kan bidrage til fattigdomsreduktion i Sapa. Med udgangspunkt i en økonomisk tilgang til CSR, der prioriterer lokal beskæftigelse, indkomstforbedringer og uddannelsesmuligheder, kobles CSR sammen med pro-fattige turisme samt begreber om myndiggørelse og deltagelse. Studiet anvender et kvalitativt casestudie og bygger på semistrukturerede interviews med fem turoperatører i Sapa (Green Sapa Tour, Topas, Cuong Huong L.T.D, Royal og Holiday) for at analysere deres opfattelser af CSR, deres engagement i økonomiske ansvar og deres indsatser for at styrke lavindkomstgrupper. Analysen lægger vægt på kontekstuelle forhold—såsom kulturel mangfoldighed, lokal filantropisk kultur og korruptionsrisici—der former både muligheder og begrænsninger for CSR. Afhandlingen vurderer forskellige CSR-strategier og initiativer gennem interessent- og deltagelsesrammer og overvejer, hvordan fordele kan nå udsatte husstande. Samtidig anerkendes centrale kritikpunkter af CSR i udviklingssammenhænge (manglende kontekstualisering, fragmenterede indsatser og udelukkelse af fattige fra beslutninger), og der peges på veje til, at CSR i turismen mere effektivt kan skabe konkrete gevinster for arbejdstagere og lokalsamfund i Sapa samt informere fremtidig praksis og forskning.

Tourism is a key driver of growth in many developing contexts but often fails to benefit the poorest due to leakages and uneven distribution. This thesis examines how corporate social responsibility (CSR) practiced by tour operators can contribute to poverty reduction in Sapa. Adopting an economic approach to CSR that prioritizes local employment, income gains, and educational opportunities, the study links CSR with pro-poor tourism and with ideas of empowerment and participation. Using a qualitative case study design, it draws on semi-structured interviews with five tour operators in Sapa (Green Sapa Tour, Topas, Cuong Huong L.T.D, Royal, and Holiday) to analyze their perceptions of CSR, their engagement in economic responsibilities, and their efforts to support low-income groups. The analysis pays close attention to contextual factors—such as cultural diversity, a philanthropic culture, and corruption risks—that shape both the possibilities and limits of CSR. The thesis assesses different CSR strategies and initiatives through stakeholder and participation frameworks and considers how benefits may reach poor households. While recognizing prominent critiques of CSR in development (limited contextualization, fragmented initiatives, and exclusion of poor people from decision-making), it identifies ways tourism CSR can more effectively deliver tangible gains for workers and communities in Sapa and inform future practice and research.

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Tourism, Poverty Reduction

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