The paper discussed pro - poor tourism, which generates a net benefit for the poor, but not only economic benefit, but also actively participates in the creation of a positive socio-cultural environment, as well as in the protection of the human environment. The paper defines pro poor tourism as an instrument for accelerating economic development, pro - poor tourism strategies, and factors influencing pro - poor tourism. Furthermore, the role of tourism in poverty reduction, tourism as a factor of sustainable development, new challenges in the fight against poverty, the ethical component of tourism, and new views on tourism were analyzed and explained. The paper presents the positive and negative influences of pro - poor tourism, as well as examples of good and bad practice of conducting pro - poor tourism. The last chapter dealt with the question of whether pro - poor tourism reduces poverty, problems in the implementation of pro - poor tourism strategies, opportunities to increase the participation of the poor local population, and suggestions for further development of pro - poor tourism.