Tourism is one of the main exports of the 50 least developed countries (LDCs). But at the same time, leakages (repatriation of profits) in this sector total up to 85 per cent in some African LDCs, more than 80 per cent in the Caribbean, 70 per cent in Thailand and 40 per cent in India.

In order to minimize leakages and to promote sustainable growth and poverty alleviation, it is now essential for tourism destinations and local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to increase their autonomy, and to include all tourism stakeholders.

To deal with this issue, UNCTAD has developed the e-Tourism Initiative, with the aim of helping developing countries, and particularly the LDCs, to make the most of their tourism potential. (Activity Report 2007 available).