Anthropologists, Development and Tourism Networks Encounters and Shadows of a Colonial Past

Anthropologists have long held contrasting viewpoints about their relationships with governments and about how far they should work with them and other stakeholders involved in ‘development.’ Such divisions also occur among anthropologists and social scientists working on tourism’s role in development, and when they are prepared to work in matters related to tourism policy, management and planning, their positions may contrast greatly with those of (others) expatriates and local personnel, for example, in NGOs and aid agencies, and with attitudes of consultants and government officials. Indeed, even academics from the same discipline, but in different countries, may have quite different perceptions of their role. When tourism projects are being set up, time should be set aside to build relationships and a common understanding of stakeholders’ positions and what is entailed and expected of them. In this process, it is important for social scientists to listen to other stakeholders and to be reflexive of their own positions and activities.