The COVID-19 pandemic has brought tourism to a halt. As governments rebuild their tourism sectors, the topic of concessions and partnerships models will become more important as countries look to diversify their revenue streams through tourism and beyond.
A major contributor to employment, foreign exchange earnings, and tax revenues for developing countries, tourism generates economic activity for small- and medium-sized businesses which supply goods and services both during construction and operations. Because of its strong development impact, particularly for low-income countries and fragile and conflict-affected countries, IFC works to promote development of critical infrastructure in places where there is often a shortage of business class hotels for potential investors.
Quality hotels, including retail and commercial real estate, encourage private sector growth and development of basic infrastructure like roads, power, and telecommunications.
In tourism, well-structured PPPs can play a key role in bridging the infrastructure gap and creating growth opportunities for local populations and businesses.