IMPLICATIONS OF GLOBALIZATION ON SUSTAINABLE TOURISM GROWTH
AND DEVELOPMENT IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

IMPLICATIONS OF GLOBALIZATION ON SUSTAINABLE TOURISM GROWTH
AND DEVELOPMENT IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

THOMAS. P.Z. MPOFU

Globalization is a phenomenon that has permeated and influenced the whole spectrum of human activities.
One such activity is the tourism industry. This is due primarily to tourism’s geographical scale; its spatial
linkages, as well as increased tourist flows to all corners of the world, including Sub-Saharan Africa. While
the benefits that have accrued to several countries of the world are well known, the impact of globalization
on tourism growth and development to Sub-Saharan Africa has not been thoroughly studied. The main
objective of this paper, therefore, is to assess the extent to which tourism globalization has benefited Sub-
Saharan African countries. The study is based on secondary data sources. The paper submits that some Sub-
Saharan African countries have, through globalization, increased their revenues and foreign currency
earnings; created additional employment; introduced new technology in transport, communications and e-
commerce; and improved their tourism facilities and services to meet international standards. On the social
and environmental fronts, globalization has broadened people’s knowledge; created respect for indigenous
cultures; contributed to the protection and conservation of historical monuments as well as the physical
environments. Some Sub-Saharan countries have attracted multinational corporations through vertical and
horizontal mergers, takeovers and integrations. However, the paper also notes that tourism globalization has
not been a panacea. It has also brought negative impacts such as price increases in land values and basic
commodities; financial leakages and repatriation of foreign currency. Also, an influx of international
tourists has led to a change in some African cultural values, resulting in local communities losing their
cohesion and commitment to family life, religion and traditional customs. On the basis of the above
findings, the paper recommends that Sub-Saharan African governments should closely monitor the negative
impacts of the globalization process while continuing to reap the many benefits that accrue from this
phenomenon.