(note: just the abstracts are online)
Caribbean Cruise Tourism: Delusion? Illusion?
Paul F. Wilkinson
Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University, Canada
Tourism Geographies, Vol.1, No.3, pp.
http://www.geog.nau.edu/tg/contents/v1n3a.html
Abstract
Until recently, most Caribbean countries suffered from incomplete and
unreliable tourism data focussing on simplistic measures (e.g., numbers
of tourists) gathered over a short time-span, questionable analysis at a
descriptive level, unrealistic predictions based on these data, and
faulty assumptions — all leading to misinformed policy and planning
decisions. One of the most striking aspects of this situation has been
the preoccupation with increasing the numbers of cruise tourists. Yet,
the benefits of the apparent growth in that sector have rarely been
examined as to whether they are real or delusion. Indeed, is the growth
an illusion? There are also questions about delusion and illusion
related to the visitor's experience. Adequate data now exist to examine
cruise tourism in a more informed light. This paper examines data from
the Bahamas and suggests ways in which researchers can portray more
accurate pictures of tourism and its impacts. When the negative
environmental and social impacts of cruise tourism are added to this
statistical information, the rationale for Caribbean governments'
encouragement of cruise tourism is questioned.
Keywords: Caribbean, cruise tourism, private islands, Bahamas
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Fall of Beauty: the Story of A Jamaican Waterfall. A Tragedy in Three
Acts
Tourism Geographies, Vol.1, No.3, pp. forthcoming (return to Table of
Contents for Vol.1)
Brian J. Hudson, School of Planning, Landscape Architecture and
Surveying, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
http://www.geog.nau.edu/tg/contents/v1n3f.html
Abstract
The story of Dunn's River Falls, a famous Jamaican beauty spot,
illustrates Butler's tourist area cycle of evolution, and shows how
excessive development of a scenic resource can threaten its
sustainability. These cascades rose to prominence after the
implementation of hydroelectric power schemes destroyed other waterfalls
which had long been well known to lovers of landscape beauty. Now
marketed as one of the island's main tourist attractions, Dunn's River
receives nearly a million visitors annually, many of whom make the much
advertised waterfall climb. The crowds and the commercial development,
together with
other environmental problems which affect the area, now threaten the
sustainability of this scenic resource. With excessive exploitation of
Dunn's River, the falls are beginning to receive bad publicity, and
other Jamaican waterfalls, less spoiled by commercialization, are
attracting increasing numbers of visitors. There are plans for
rejuvenation, but for success a radical approach may be necessary. This
paper proposes a solution which involves the construction of an
artificial waterfall, a simulcrum that would be in keeping with the
exopolis now developing on Jamaica's north coast.
Keywords: waterfalls, Jamaica, tourist area cycle, scenic resources,
sustainable development
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