Case Study: Tourism

Jamaica

Con of Tourism in Jamaica:

• The behavior of some tourists clashes with the island’s traditional morals; people have a negative levels of violent crime and harassment
• The Great Morass wetland has been partly drained to reclaim land for hotels in Negril.
• There is cultural pollution/dilution; Jamaica has a problem with sex tourism and a problem with drugs.
• Many of the jobs are seasonal so people can become unemployed.
• Large TNCs such as Virgin Holidays organize the holidays and make most of the money – so the profits go out of Jamaica and into HICs – Economic Leakage.
• Land for the massive hotels takes away land from farmers. Water use increases – taking water away from local people.
• Tourist destinations attract more people – therefore businesses inland lose out. Inequalities with other parts of the country increase.
• Mass tourism has mostly affected the areas around Jamaica’s north coast resorts, east of Negril and as far as Ocho Rios. 
• They have become built up, congested and polluted. Most tourists arrive at Montego Bay’s international airport. 
• Their environmental impact on Jamaica begins here, although their journey this far has already made a difference to each person’s carbon footprint.

Basic Facts:

• Jamaica is the third largest of the Caribbean Islands, and the largest English-Speaking island in the Caribbean Sea

Pro of Tourism in Jamaica:

• Many of the 2.7 million people depend on tourism for all or part of their income. Direct employment in the industry amounted to 82,000 (7% of total employment)
• Tourism benefits many sections of the economy as people spend money in bars, restaurants and other local businesses. Tourism has a positive multiplier effect
• In 2019, Jamaica received 4.2 million annual tourists, doubling the number of visitors from 20 years ago. Travel and tourism accounted, directly and indirectly, for nearly 34 % of the Jamaica’s GDP. This has helped central and local government fund social policies.
• Jamaica is a relatively poor country- its GDP is only about US$5,582 per person per year in 2019, compared with the UK’s US$42,000.

Management for Sustainable Tourism in Jamaica

                Master Plan

• Limit the development of mass tourism to existing resorts such as Ocho Rios.
• Spread small-scale tourism to other parts of the island.
• Involve the local people more.

                Community Tourism 

• Local people running small-scale guesthouses. 
• This helps to bring tourists to less developed towns, such as Port Antonio, without mass tourism’s negative effects.

                Responsible Tourism

• This involves local people and aims to do as little harm as possible for example:
• Local guides: takes visitors off the beaten track attractions.
• Signposting local food and crafts- tourists are encouraged to buy from Jamaican traders.
• Employment of local staff – this occurs in smaller inland hotels, they also use locally grown food.
• Tourists and local people to communicate- this happens through Jamaican tourist board’s ‘Meet the People’ website initiative. This helps visitors and locals help each other, which is an important benefit.
• Educating tourists and locals- this helps them both avoid the negative impacts.