FACTORS THAT PROMOTE OR HINDER DEVELOPMENT TOURISM (CONTD)

Current thinking about tourism as a mechanism for economic growth and development advocates the development of sustainable tourism and therefore in the Caribbean there ais a need to deal with the challenges mentioned in the previous class.

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM In 2004 the World Tourism Organisation defined sustainable tourism in terms of its impact on the host country.It advocates tourism policies,activities and programs that are economically,socio-culturally and environmentally sustainable.This means that any segment of the tourist industry must be in the process of achieving or maintaining a balance between environmental,social and economic aspects of its oerations and ensure that no harm or damage occurs. Sustainable tourism advocates that 1.tourim industry should have little or no impact on the environment. 2.generates income and employment for local people 3.help tourist to be knowledgeable about their destination and the need for conserving the environment. 4.help residents to better understand other cultures and how to deal with foreigners expectations and outlook 5.monitors the carrying capacity of the land and does n ot crowd or overrun scenic areas and fragile eco-systems with too many tourists at any one time.

The ad hoc way in which tourism developed in the Caribbean,grows and continue to grow must be addressed by pursuing an all-embracing goal that rationalizes the many policies,activities,programmes and projects planned and unway.. The ideal of sustainable tourism if insisted upon at every level of the indudtry would target human development rather than economic growth. It need the input and cooperation of all stakeholders even the poor.. To achieve gains,demands planning on the part of the public sector,authorities,tourism providers,community groups,environmental planners,local NGOs and investors. Bear in mind that the poor should be put at the center.
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In order to do this, the industry can: 1.reduce imports and buy from small local farmers. 2.projects that rely on tourists as market can be set up with help from local and community investors,businesses and small manufacturers.Projects of this kind reported from around the World include a.contracting local suppliers to create and make furnitures,curtains,draperies,bed linen,table napkis and other decorations for hotels. b.provide experts from the hotels or tourism sector to local entrepreneurs setting up small businesses that help to expand the range of experiences for tourists. c. setting up training centers for hotel management and various aspects of the tourism industry for local citizens,allowing them flexible programmes of working in the ?Industry while they study.

CULTURAL FACTORS
How groups and individuals define their Caribbean cultural identity does not normally come up in the issue of development,yet how one understands and interprets Caribbean history and future will certainly influence how development is seen and how one participates in it. Caribbean culture has been influenced by the Amerindians,Europeans,African,European,African, Indians,ChinesePortuguese,Syrians,Labese. There is a constant experimentation in cultural hybrids in music,art,literature,dance,drama,festivals and cuisines In order to develop itself the Caribbean governments should show case the expressions of the Caribbean people and at the same time provide unique cultural products to market. The whole area is basically seen as a gold mine that had scarcely been bean could flower its cultural industries and seek avenues, To create products that will show tapped into. This view of development could would best coincide with what economic experts say the Caribbean needs right now to boost competiveness and demand for its products(-to create and develop unique that will be able to command a niche market), trading has become liberalized, therefore,the focus should be on creativity and adaptation.
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Such a mindset will: 1. Invigorate the performing arts and enable more talented people to come forward and see the cultural sphere as something worthwhile,profitable and important to them personally in terms of expression and creativity. 2. Challenge educators,curriculum planners and parents to design curriculum where liberation and empowerment are the main themes rather than just academic knowledge and acquiring credentials. 3. Encourage the media,to develop themselves so that their goals reflect regional development and Caribbean consciousness without necessarily sacrificing our need to know and be up to date with western ideas,technologies and popular culture. 4. Encourage those who who see the potential of cultural products,instruments and knowledge to become entrepreneurs,knowing that they will be backed by reasonable access to credit facilities and technical assistance as they develop their ideas. 5. Mobilize the entire population to become computer literate and enhance the skills and expertise of those talented enough to adapt the technology for our needs and purposes and to develop software. 6. To provide the impetus for the Caribbean integration movement to go forward strongly in merging the economic,fiscal,trade and monetary laws and regulations(among others) to improve our balance of trade with extra-regional countries. Econmic Factors While the concept of development has outgrown the strong emphasis on economic growth, it is still a fact that development cannot occur without a vibrant and buoyant economy or productive sector. In other words, the productive sector is the engine of growth, that can have a positive impact on human and sustainable development. Hovwever, if not managed properly there can be growth without development. Public Sector has been classified into three groups: Primary or extractive industries(fishing, forestry and farming) Secondary or manufacturing industry(bauxite industries,bottling, canning and agro industries) Tertiary industries(teaching, insurance,retailing,transport and tourism) Factors affecting Productive industry includes: Competitiveness, Demand, Lack of infrastructures, The investment climate,Debt,technology