EFFECTS OF THE TOURIST INDUSTRY IN BARBADOS, WEST INDIES

This dissertation inquires into ecologic and economic changes which have occurred in Barbados as a result of tourism since the 1950s. The study reviews literature on the theory of tourism demand and the case for and against Western tourism in Third World countries. The growth of tourist facilities on Barbados is described and the impact of the industry is evaluated through changes in the island's environment and economy.;It is concluded that the effects of tourist activities on the environment have been limited, but have included both positive effects, such as the encouragement given to landscape beautification, and negative ones, such as increases in coastal water pollution. Tourist revenue now exceeds two hundred million Barbados dollars annually, and constitutes the largest single credit item in the trade balance, while supporting ten percent of all jobs. Estimates of a hypothetical path for gross domestic product under the assumption of no tourist revenues during the period 1961-1977 indicate that the tourism-linked share of output increased from four percent at the beginning of the period to twenty percent at the end. Predictions of the future economic contribution of the tourist industry show that the tourist share in gross domestic product should rise to some twenty-five percent of output by the year 2000.;On the basis of its economic benefit and limited ecological impact tourism appears to deserve endorsement as one component of an economic development strategy. It is pointed out, however, that under existing institutional arrangements, the industry does not generate as many rewards for Barbadians as it might, because of heavy foreign participation. To assure greater local rewards in the future the industry would have to be re-organized to allow greater national control.