Alternative development strategies and tourism in Caribbean microstates

Abstract

There are many odd variants of tourism. One example relates to Pleasure Island, described as 'the perfect escape in the Caribbean, particularly for tourists who also want to escape from the Caribbean' (News week, 9.8.93, p. 39). It is a Bahamian islet, originally called Great Stirrup Cay, and bought in 1987 by Norwegian Cruise Unes (NCL) who changed its name and transformed it into a secluded mini-resort with practically no local people present and where almost every dollar spent goes to NCL. American tourists seem to appreciate Pleasure Island: 'Nobody's trying to hawk anything. It's like we've got it all to ourselves' (ibid.). Another example of odd tourism is the story about Usa. She is a Swedish girl who has made up her mind to go to Dominica in the Windward Islands. But she is not looking for an isolated spot where she can get everything' all to herself'. Instead she wants to meet the friendly Dominicans as much as possible and to learn a lot about the 'Nature Island of the Caribbean'. Usa does not want a package tour, so she has been in touch with members of a voluntary non-governmental organization (NGO) in Dominica and offered to assist them in their work if they help her to find cheap accommodation. She has been warmly welcomed by the voluntary organization and is now making preparations for her trip. These two examples are extremes. They represent two diametrically opposed forms of tourism which are now being discussed and compared all over the world at the same time as tourism as a development strategy is becoming more important for many countries. 1 Strategies are normally based on theories, and it is possible to trace connections between these two kinds of tourism and two 'opposites' within development theory, often referred to as 'mainstream' and' another' development. The mainstream approach is characterized by a belief in modernization, large-scale projects and unlimited economic growth, while the' another development' model stresses sustainability, small-scale solutions and popular participation. The viewpoint in the chapter is closer to the second extreme, but as extremes are seldom viable, methods articulating different approaches to tourism and development will be examined.