Development Assistance Network for Tourism Studies

Research and Event Summaries

Project Abstract

Currently a database of ongoing worldwide tourism development projects amounting to over US$ 9 billion in development assistance funds, the Development Assistance Network for Tourism Enhancement (DANTE) represents a major research initiative by GW's International Institute of Tourism Studies (IITS) over the past 18 months. This research proposal seeks seed money to build on the data collection by assessing the feasibility of creating a database driven website. The purpose of the website is to facilitate public, private and civil society sector organizations to address poverty reduction goals through sustainable tourism development. It will achieve this by creating a common platform for information exchange, coordination and shared experiences. The project will investigate, through knowledge and information exchange, the relationship between globalization, tourism, information and communications technology (ICT) and development assistance funding. Tourism is an important economic and social development sector for over 80% of developing countries yet the use of ICT applications are mostly restricted to the private sector, where development objectives are peripheral to profit making. There is need to investigate the opportunity to enhance the impact of tourism development assistance through the prospect of improved communication between stakeholders.

Faculty

Sheryl Spivack Elliot (PI), Associate Professor of Tourism and Hospitality Management
Norman Brenner, Assistant Professor of Management Science
Ginger Smith, Associate Dean, Academic Program Development, CPS; Associate Prof in College Professional Studies; Associate Professor of Tourism Studies

The GW Center for the Study of Globalization
2033 K Street, NW, Suite 230 • Washington, DC 20052 • Phone: (202) 994-5206 • Fax: (202) 994-5284
Email: gwcsg@gwu.edu • http://gstudynet.org/