Originally Posted by JPB
In time yes tourism will be important to build up the economies but remember flying BA, staying in the Sheraton and drinking imported beers will put virtually nothing back into the local economy. Try to stay in a local B&B and buy only local food and drink
I disagree with this, even though this is a popular myth propagated by Lonely Planet crowd. Same self-delusion fairy tale as fair trade teas and Body Shop shampoos.
Hotels and tourism employ thousands of local people - if you think this is "virtually nothing", try talking any of those people giving up their wages (I am sure they wouldn't mind, it's "virtually nothing" isn't it?)
Oh, and how flying with a third-world airline (rather than BA) and subsidizing its corrupt, overstaffed, incompetent operation is more socially responsible?