As one of the largest industries in the world and a significant driver of unfettered development throughout the Caribbean, much is being banked on the revitalization of the tourism industry in the COVID-19 era. With air travel restrictions still being maintained, island states continue to feel the disastrous consequences of a tourism-focused economy. Several countries like Guyana have begun to push marketing strategies aimed at locals, a demographic that is often overlooked.
It has been good to see the renewed focus on local tourists with packages tailored with us in mind however. It can be hoped that the focus is maintained rather than a last-ditch effort to save the industry from its uncertain reliance on northern tourists. However, given the growing gap between rich and poor around the world, many people simply do not have the resources needed to take part in many of the tourism efforts being promoted now and benefit from them. The reality is that tourism was never an industry that was really meant for local enjoyment.
With the drive towards sustainable tourism, ecotourism and all its diversions promoting the idea of community involvement and management, we can often forget the genesis of the industry and what spurred it. No matter what steps we take, tourism cannot be inferred from its history of plantation politics. It is directly related to European colonial expansion into the Caribbean.
While it started more than five hundred years ago, mass tourism as we know it today gained traction about three decades ago. Seeking to build their economies and recognize the financial power of the middle class of North America and Europe, many island provinces began to build their economies around this alone.
While there may be some good intentions, this move made significant headway to these provinces and their ability to diversify and maintain control over their development. This resulted in a neocolonial model in which hotel chains and foreign resorts now dominate these island provinces and most of the money generated is taken outside the islands. This often leads to resentment that can manifest itself in crimes against tourists. Solutions prompted by industry pundits are better security or tourism alerts; but only Band Aids on an ever-increasing problem are solutions that do not explore the socio-economic requirements for crime reduction.
The benefits of tourism such as job creation that are usually touched on are nothing to write home about. Very few jobs are created with most of them being low paid. This is done by design. The tourism industry and its destination locations that mimic the dynamics of the colonial plantation era cannot be sustained without relying on the maintenance of low paid workers.
In the Caribbean island states and countries like Guyana, the environment, people and culture are usually sold wholesale. It is painted as a beautiful paradise of sun, sand and beach where people drink all day, party all night and have no worries. The socioeconomic inequality and cultural nuances are all thrown in while adhering to painting countries as hubs to serve the growing needs of northern tourism.
Of course these tourists do not want to face the reality of poverty in the countries they visit, so the answer is often to create a unique all-inclusive environment where tourists are kept away from the general population. Tourists wrapped in cocoons of luxury and privilege are often to the detriment of local populations excluded from public beaches and access roads.
Guyana’s pre-marriage industry has raised itself on a sustainable / eco-tourism horse and sees itself as strictly adhering to all elements of sustainable management and development but theory is often far better than reality. In many indigenous communities where the method is being tested, there have been marginal successes that have strengthened the faith in applying it as job creation. As tourism markets expanded, however, there have been negatives such as increased consumption and waste.
Although some are well-intentioned, moving towards sustainable tourism is difficult at best, as it does not significantly assist in protecting people and their environments. Sustainable / eco-tourism is linked to green capitalism, so it inevitably commutes all aspects of local and indigenous cultures, belief systems, lands, and people. This is why those involved in the industry need to take particular care in the way they promote these communities and its residents to minimize the harm that will be caused to them.