Estimating the economic impacts of tourism

An important component in assessing the merits of tourism focusing on the ecosystem is determining its economic impact in the designated area. This study uses a social accounting matrix to examine the economic effects of tourism in a Brazilian region. The matrix provides a systematic framework for synthesizing and displaying the data on a region's economy and estimating regional economic multipliers. Most of the inputs, commodities, and capital used in the region are imported. Therefore, monies tourists spend are used to pay for these imports and will generate only a small economic impact. Consequently, there is little incentive to stop current economic activities that are probably counter to ecosystem-based tourism. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.