Mary-Ellen Kimaro

University of Namibia

`Pro-poor tourism and corporate social responsibility in the private tourism sector – Rhetoric and practice allied to Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) tourism value chains’

 In Namibia the tourism private sector undertakes efforts seeking to operate in a socially responsible manner by incorporating company’s ‘values’ and ‘standards’ in the corporate behavior that impact on employees, community and the environment around them. The aim of Mary-Ellen’s research is to scrutinize the quality strategies and implementation directed towards poverty reduction. The research intends to examine the integration of social and environmental concerns in business operations by tourism establishments in the private sector. Mary-Ellen evaluates causes and effects of initiatives that had or have on individual livelihoods. The findings intend to offer ways and means that may enhance, improve and sustain the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) participation in the tourism industry in Namibia.