The Effects of Tourism in the Caribbean
The travel industry and tourism have had significant effects on the Caribbean region. These effects range from positive to negative, particularly in relation to the local cultures, policies, economies, environments and people of the many Caribbean islands. The major effect is that many Caribbean island countries' economies are highly reliant on the travel and tourism industry.
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Effects on Culture
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Each Caribbean island tries to maintain its own distinct history and culture. When these cultures come into contact with the strong forces of globalization, maintaining traditional local culture often becomes quite difficult.
Effects on Politics
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Island governments often have a ministry of tourism to oversee the country's advocacy for increased tourism and travel industry development, which adds jobs and contributes to an island's economy.
Effects on Economy
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Economic effects, both positive and negative, are perhaps the most visible of tourism effects on the Caribbean. These include island nations' utmost reliance on tourism and travel as the predominant industry. However, because many tour and travel companies are not always based in a particular island country, much of the profit does not stay on the island.
Effects from Industry Cycles
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Travel and tourism can be a very cyclical industry, with travel increasing and decreasing as a result of fluctuations in the global economy. When the travel industry is bustling, the Caribbean is able to attract many visitors from around the world, but in tough economic times fewer people spend money on travel, leading to fewer people visiting and spending money in the Caribbean.
Effects on Environment
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Tourism can have environmental effects on Caribbean islands, such as hordes of cruise ship tourists flocking onto and off of islands each day, consuming energy and resources. Additionally, local ecosystems and environments can be affected by cruise ship and land-based resort activities.
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Armando Maynez
