Page 32 - CAPE Caribbean Studies Study Guide Sample_Neat

2.12 Tourism II: challenges to development

Learning outcomes Negative impacts of tourism

On completion of this section you Notwithstanding the contributions of tourism to the development of the
should be able to: Caribbean region, it may also pose challenges to, or hinder, the development
of the region.
■ assess some of the negative
impacts of tourism in the Often the culture of tourist destinations is affected and there may be lifestyle
Caribbean clashes. The cultural habits of the tourists may influence local behaviour
■ identify the roles of the CTO in negatively.
relation to Caribbean tourism Also, there is the issue of commodification. In an attempt to market a country
development. as a unique destination, local religious festivals are sometimes turned into
commodities in an attempt to draw overseas visitors. As a result, religious
festivals and even places of worship are no longer respected as they are
Did you know? seen by many as just a way to make revenue. Religious sites are sometimes
desecrated when hordes of tourists visit them.
The CTO’s vision is to improve When tourists visit a place, many of them still want the products they are
awareness of the region, aiming for used to at home, especially fast food, for example. As a result, fast food outlets
it to be a premier destination by have become widespread. Many large multinational companies and franchises
2017. The CTO provides member in the fast food industry have set up business locally where this type of cuisine
countries with opportunities to had previously never existed. This creates a lifestyle of unhealthy living for
effectively market their products in local people, as many willingly accept these new ways of eating and begin to
the Caribbean and internationally. In demand fast food, caring less about local, healthier alternatives. This lifestyle
addition the CTO provides analysis will affect funding and provision of health care, achievement of development
of tourism’s effect on economic goals and the productivity of the workforce.
development, the environment
and the quality of life of Caribbean
citizens.

Figure 2.12.1 How has the emergence of global fast food outlets
negatively impacted on the region?

Sex tourism in the Caribbean has become a major concern. Many Caribbean
women and men engage in this industry. A particularly negative implication
of this is that it has led to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
There is always an environmental threat as a result of mass tourism. For
instance, when large ocean liners dock at ports in the region there is the risk
that aquatic life will be hurt or killed by oil or gas leaking from the vessel.

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