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The Caribbean
TDM 458Ara Pachmayer
Main Geographical FeaturesTropical location: between 5 and 30
degrees north of the EquatorSheltered from strong trade windsSignificant and diverse maritime and
hydrological resources – in addition to oceans - reefs, ship wrecks, etc.
Diverse relief and ecological habitatsTropics, volcanic islands, beaches, deserts
Mild and reliable climatic conditions
Stretches about 2,000 miles from north to south (Florida to South America)
Consists of about 32 countries; each made up of several individual islands
Strategic location between North and South America (proximity to US & Canadian Market)
Location in summer hurricane region
Main Geographical Features
Map of Caribbean
Warm blue waters an average of 76F year round Many of the countries have evolved into
water-sport destinationsThey refined the luxury, all-inclusive
holiday conceptHeavy dependence on tourism
About 25%-75% direct and indirect employment is in tourism
The Caribbean
The Caribbean
Generally, single-destination “stay-puts”, but inter-island air travel and island hopping tourism is increasing
Leading cruise region in the worldExpanding wedding and
honeymoon tourism (Romance Tourism)
Bareboat self-charters and crewed yacht cruising are also important
Historical Factors
Originally settled by peaceful Arawak Indians
Followed by Fierce Carib IndiansEuropean exploration about 500
years ago, led by Spain; destruction of Caribs, Arawaks and their cultures Dominica - only island with a remaining indigenous
population
European colonization, exploitation, and mercantilism (mostly France, England, Spain and the Dutch)
Historical Factors
Introduction and establishment of plantation economy (sugarcane, banana, distilleries); Resulted in the region’s incorporation into
global economy through trade)Forced slave labor from West Africa to
support labor-intensive plantation economiesSimilar to the USA
Led to current Afro-Caribbean heritage in the forms of music, dance, language, religion, etc.
Historical Factors
Importation of indentured (domestic) labor from Europe, India and South AsiaSome regions still retain the cultural
influence of immigrants in the regionEuropean settlement in the region
during the wave of migration in the late 19th century
Political partitioning of the region between European countries in the late 1800s - English, Dutch, French and Spanish
Historical and Political Factors
Different policies affected socio-cultural landscape - Martinique and Guadalupe are overseas French territories
US influence - other US territoriesProhibition in the US and origins of
Caribbean cruise industry (booze cruises)
Post WWII economic diversification from traditional agriculture and expansion of the Tourism sector
Some Factors Central to Caribbean Tourism
Mild, pleasant, reliable climateUniquely attractive hydrological
resource baseRich, abundant, diverse natural
and cultural resourcesHospitality of the resident
population, despite their history of colonization and exploitation
Some Critical Factors
Proximity to the North American MarketLinguistic AssetsDollar zone, easy use of credit cardsPolitical Stability, foreign investmentsAffordability, competition among
destination and tourism service providers
Extensive marketing and promotion
Regional Cooperation
Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO)http://www.onecaribbean.org/aboutus/ http://vimeo.com/16897755
Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA)http://www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com/
Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI)http://www.ustr.gov/trade-topics/trade-devel
opment/preference-programs/caribbean-basin-initiative-cbi
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM)http://www.caricom.org/
MicrostatesA Microstate is a country or sovereign state
with less than 1 million peopleMicrostates have small land area - less
than 1000 square kilometers of land Typically limited resource and economic
baseThere are numerous island and non-island
microstates around the worldCaribbeanOceaniaIndian OceanEurope
Tourism on Island Microstates
Tourism tends to dominate the economies of island microstates (measured in terms of tourism receipts accounting for more than 10% of export earnings or 5% of GNP)
Most Caribbean countries are considered Island Microstates
About 12 of these Caribbean microstates have tourism-dependent economies
Hence tourism can overwhelm, and lead to many severe adverse social, economic and environmental impacts
Tourism: The Irritant Industry
Although tourism is big business in the Caribbean basin, it has serious drawbacks: The invasion of poor communities by affluent tourists
result in a rising sense of local anger and resentment by the locals
The intervention of local governments and multinational corporation removes opportunities from local entrepreneurs in favor of large operations and major resorts, e.g., Club Med
Selected Impacts of Tourism in the Caribbean
Social: drugs, crime, prostitutionEconomic: Leakage, dependency,
urbanization, alienation of land, economic demonstration effect, high costs, inflation, land speculation
Environmental: pollution, excess carrying capacity, land use conflicts
Overview of Tourism in Caribbean
2011 - 20.8 million visitorsGrowth 1.6% 2000 -10…stagnant
(not much growth as we learned last week)
2011 - $23.9 billion in tourist expenditure
$1,150 per visitorExpenditures up from 2010 but per
visitor expenditures down by $30/visitor
OVERVIEW OF SOME DESTINATIONS IN THE CARIBBEAN
Puerto RicoAmerican territory, cruise ship hub,
airline gateway to the Caribbean and Latin America
Beach, forest and cultural resourcesProximity to USVIMajor hotel construction and
renovations3.7 million arrivals 2010 (no stats -
2011)$3.6 billion
Dominican Republic
Has some of the best beaches in the Caribbean
Expanding tourism marketing in Europe, North, and South America
Major resort beach developmentAmong the fastest growing destinations in
the Caribbean 2000-20064.1 million arrivals (2010), 4.3 million
(2011)$4.2 billion (2010), $4.35 billion (2011)
JamaicaDiversified product: golf, beaches,
mountains, fine resorts, music festivals, wedding and honeymoon tourismVery popular as an all inclusive resort
destinationMain resorts include Montego Bay, Negril,
and Ocho RiosRecent violence and increase in crime
threaten to undermine tourism1.9 million arrivals (2010), same in 2011$2 billion (2010), same in 2011
Cayman IslandsDive tourism and
international bankingPioneered strict rules for
coral reef protectionConsiderable cruise tourismFairly up-scale and expensive
destination
The Bahamas
Has about 700 islands, many labeled “paradisical”
Major tourism is concentrated on Grand Bahamas, Nassau/Paradise Islands
Off-shore international bankingGambling, Casinos and cruise tourismProximity to the USA - only 160 miles from
Florida1.37 million arrivals (2010), 1.34 million
(2011)$2.1 Billion (2010), no stats for 2011
BermudaBermuda consists of 150 islands and
islets, of which 20 are inhabitedThe country is divided into 9 ParishesTotal land area is 55 Square Kilometers
with a population of about 62,000Population density is 1127 people per
square kilometer (compared to Japan = 326, US = 26 and Bahamas = 27)
BermudaProximity to North America influences
tourismAbout 600 miles from the eastern
seaboard87% of tourists are from the USAPer capita income is higher than USA Tourism is the main employer,
contributes 33% to GNP
BermudaTourist receipts in 2008 - $550 million
Down to $466 million in 2011Air arrivals in 2008 - 350,000Cruise arrivals in 2008 - 280,000During peak tourist season, ratio is
about 10 tourists per 1 resident - High Irritation Index
Bermuda video
Go to Bermuda promotional videohttp://www.youtube.com/bermuda#p/
u/7/_jfILNAPZkI
Bermuda
Bermuda Hospitality Institutehttp://www.bhi.bm/website/?page_id=
2Hospitality is a way of life in
BermudaHospitality Skills = Life Skills
http://www.youtube.com/user/LookBermudaTV
Other leading destinations
Aruba - 871,000 visitors, $1.3 billion (2011)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf
y2E_Xp7eo&feature=related
Barbados - 568,000 visitors, just under $1 billion (2011)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7
TtY_kTbD8
Emerging Destinations
Cuba: Havana and the Varadero resort areas 2.5 million arrivals (2010), 2.68
million arrivals (2011)$2.1 billion (2010), no stats for
2011
History Between WWI and the late 1950’s Cuba
was a major destination for AmericansHavana was dubbed the “Latin Las Vegas”# 1 tourism destination in the Caribbean
Socialist Revolution in the 1950’sResulted in placement of communist
governmentImproved relations with the USSR and CubaDisintegration of relations with the US and
CubaEconomic embargo that stands until today
Travel to Cuba prohibited, purchase or use of Cuban products illegal for Americans
1961 - arrivals dropped to only 4180 tourists!
History until today
Tourism to Cuba was generally curtailed after the revolution Perceived connection to capitalism High spending tourists replaced by low spending
tourists from the Eastern block countries to some extent
1970’s renewed interest in travel to Cuba (small #s)
Early 1990’s collapse of the Soviet Union Results in collapse of Cuban economy as they were
tied so closely to the USSR economy New interest by the Cuban government in
development of tourism - mainly as a quick means to earn money
Goals - 1) increase revenues generated by the tourism industry
2) increase the number of tourist arrivals
Strategies to develop
Three measures to meet goals (1990s)Build relationships with international
companies to build and manage hotels and other facilities
Attracting new foreign investment in other sections of their economy
Restructuring of bureacracy responsible for tourism
This has worked - tourists increased, revenues increased
Some problems
Some major tourist developments in Cuba but much of the infrastructure is not on par with other Caribbean countries
Lack of skilled managers and other professionals educated in tourism profession
Differentiation from other Caribbean destinations
Worldwide economic recession Tourism unlikely to grow while the US embargo
is still in place
Some positive things
“Untouched by time”Health tourismHavana designated a UNESCO World
Heritage siteWell known people have history in CubaPotential novelty of travel to CubaRelatively higher levels of safety
No Reservations - Cuba
http://www.travelchannel.com/Video/relive-cuba-with-tony-15423