Tapping into tourism is a good free-market way to flow some wealth around. But for a society to purposefully make its public policy one of actively promoting tourism is just plain stupid.
Outsiders invariably damage the places they visit, even if by accident or obliviousness - it's still damaging. The "damage" can be physical through wear-n-tear, can be social/cultural via changing local habits and behaviors, or can be secondary or tertiary.
On top of that, toruing is not an ESSENTIAL activity. The toursits (spenders) can - and DO - decide to cut back when times are tough.  Touring is a luxury. By a society hooking its wagon to tourism, it is hooking its wagon to non-essential luxurious behaviors. Behavior that is choice-based not need-based.
It is not wise for a locality to make tourism its bread and butter.