Where is 'the poor' in pro-poor VCA? - A review of applying pro-poor VCA in a coastal tourism destination in the Northeast of Brazil

Abstract

The recent adoption of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by all UN member states in 2015 brought a shift in the international community's focus from pro-poor towards inclusive growth. This transition acknowledges the importance of equality and social justice in poverty reduction strategies. In tourism literature, researchers call for inclusive development of tourism where marginalised groups involved in tourism production and consumption share the benefits equally (Scheyvens & Biddulph, 2018). This chapter focuses on one such marginalised group, the poor, and attempts to examine how and to what extent Pro-Poor Tourism (PPT) research drives inclusive growth and promotes social sustainability. For this, it is necessary to review the research methodologies and tools currently used and explore more innovative approaches for future studies. This chapter therefore aims to critically evaluate pro-poor Value Chain Analysis (VCA), a frequently used PPT research method, and to examine the extent to which it contributes to inclusive and socially sustainable tourism development. By analysing a case study in a coastal tourism destination in the Northeast of Brazil, the chapter makes recommendations for scholars and practitioners on how to enhance the value of pro-poor VCA as a more inclusive method.