Decentralization as a remedy for the globalization effect in tourism

4.1 Challenges in tourism development projects

4.1.2 Decentralization as a remedy for the globalization effect in tourism

According to Crook and Severrison, cited in Johnson (2001 :523), democracy and decentralization are often presented as necessary conditions for effective rural development.

They produce effective systems of governance according to Blair, et al. (cited in Johnson (2001 :523). However, the relationship between democratic decentralization and poverty reduction is not entirely clear. Studies that preceded the establishment of the World Bank conclude that there was no consistent connection between pro-poorness and democracy. While the worst performers tend not to be democracies, democracy does provide the same kind of safety-net. There are non-democracies among the best performers (Moore and Putzel, cited in Johnson 2001223). These authors further declare that "The notion that there is a predictable or general link between decentralization of government and the development of 'pro poor' policies or poverty alleviating outcomes clearly lacks any convincing evidence. Those who advocate decentralization on these grounds, at least should be more cautious".

Johnson (2001 :524) advocates that it is worth building on these conditions because democratic activities are instrumentally good and have intrinsic benefits for the rural poor. Johnson (2001) states that though there are unsuccessful stories to report, there are cases where three conditions have been met. In the amplification of these conditions, Rodrigo (2004: 1) maintains that decentralisation is aimed at promoting empowerment at a local level. Rodrigo indicates that decentralisation has a wide range of elements but evidence suggests that three conditions must be met. These are:

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Significant responsibilities and powers for local servIce delivery should be devolved to democratically elected local authorities (Local government) in line with capacities and potential, based on a principle of subsidiary (political) decentralization.

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Resources, through own revenues (especially local taxes) and grants from

higher level government, sufficient to meet those responsibilities should be devolved to local governance (fiscal decentralisation).

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Proper channels to encourage strong accountability between elected

representatives and local bureaucrats and between elected representatives and their electorates (institutional decentralisation).

Mapetla and Rembe (1989:58) contend that for a country to embark on decentralisation, possession of some form of legal framework within which the system should operate is a necessary condition. The role of the framework is to reflect the nature of decentralisation in a country, the form that decentralisation will take, the institutions and structures to be created, and how these relate to each other and/or central authorities. They maintain that the amount of law required for a deconcentration type of decentralisation is relatively less than that for devolution.

According to Humbleton (2002), the transition to an internationalized world has not been easy nor is it likely to become easier. For those who lead and manage cities, promises of free trade, open borders, industrial restructuring, mobility of technology transfer and electronic communication create opportunities but pose major challenges for globalization.

According to the 2004 final report for the MDTP, municipalities are being overwhelmed with requests, many in the form of unfunded mandates, to implement regional and or national policies. Their lack of capacity will frustrate them and result in a less than acceptable implementation response. In addition, the individuals that make up municipalities, at both political and official levels, are driven by local concerns and priorities. These are invariably focused around improving the distribution of resources among previously disadvantaged individuals and communities, (MDTP final report 2004).

Local government development projects should focus on public empowerment, participation and community development. Their outcome is to deepen community development (Ntsime, 2004). Local government cannot succeed independently as public participation is heralded as the most important source of strength for a municipality. Ntsime (2004) gives an example of the Bolivian government which enacted the public participation Law in 1994 with the intention of strengthening prospects for sustainable development through public service delivery. This promotes the element of ownership among community members.

The UNDP report (2002) states that developmental local government is perceived to be an important first step in creating regular predictable opportunities for citizen-state interaction.

Public participation promotes effectiveness. Sustainable education is attained through participation. Cultural dimension is observed in public participation and promotes sustainability in any development programme. In this case, decentralisation is a remedy in tourism projects. According to SD Dimensions (1991), decentralized systems of public administration and government decision making motivate participation at the local level.

People in the rural areas are likely to support development initiatives when these take into consideration the views and expressed needs of the targeted beneficiaries. Community-based tourism should not be seen as an end in itself, but as a means towards empowering poor communities to take over their resources, to tap their potential and to acquire the skills necessary for their own development.

Botswana community-based tourism serves as an example of local communities taking the future into their own hands. Local communities see tourism as an accessible development alternative, which enables them to improve standards of health and education and their general quality of life without having to sell off their natural resources (Twyman, 2003:26). This initiative seems to be in line with Ntsime's (2004) idea that the government needs to recognise the core values, ethics and types of leadership needed for sustainable development to take place. This can be done by embracing development principles that are embedded in key legislations and policies. The government cannot expect the ruraL poor to successfully manage their natural environment in the most economically viable and environmentally sustainable

manner, if policies and strategies are not followed, and proper guidance of environment education is not given to local authorities.