HOTELIERS Your role is to argue for the expansion of the tourist industry, emphasising the importance of tourism for

local employment. The key arguments are related to: Hotels are the primary form of tourism development in Alchemia with many hotels being built along the coasts with associated facilities such as golf courses. The occupancy rate was 60% in 2010. The National Tourism Development Plan provided guidelines on land management, architectural design and eco-friendly practices geared towards attracting foreign investment. Under the Environmental Protection Act, hotel developers are required to submit Environmental Impact Assessment reports. Under the Tourism Fund Act, hotels contribute to a tourism fund for infrastructure development. Hotels provide: o Employment for local people o Investment opportunities o Tax revenues for government o Opportunities for small enterprises in the area

Other information: The Alchemian economy depends heavily on the services sector for job creation. In 2010, 300 000 people were employed in the service sector. The hotel, trades and restaurant subsector account for more than a third of the total for the services sector. In 2010, the average monthly earnings was MR 16 000 against only MR 8000 in 2000 which is double that of ten years ago. (MR: Molra = Alchemian currency) It is interesting to note that the services sector not only provides more employment but also the highest average pay of MR 19 600 against MR 11 700 for secondary sector. The subsector with the highest average earnings is Electricity and Water Supply with MR 24 800 while the subsector with the lowest average earnings is Textile with MR 8200.