Caribbean tourism: A case for appropriate tourism planning

Tourism planning in developing countries has involved the creation of tourist environments by foreign investors primarily for the benefit of tourists. This thesis develops an approach to tourism planning that encourages the overall development of host populations in addition to promoting tourist satisfaction. The approach is applicable to the Caribbean as well as other developing regions.;Through literature review and field research in Barbados, three broad objectives were satisfied before the proposed approach was developed. Contemporary approaches to tourism planning were assessed. Pertinent development concepts are explored and selected economic, political, as well as social aspects of the Caribbean and Caribbean tourism were examined.;The Developmental Tourism Planning approach is collaborative, integrative, largely concerned with indigenous entrepreneurial/community development, as well as tourist satisfaction. This approach operates at national/regional and local levels and uses management functions to ensure that national and local tourism goals/objectives are consistent with national tourism policies.