Case study - Tourism in Jamaica Flashcards
Initial demographics
- Jamaica is an island country in the Caribbean Sea
- 10,990 square km
- Capital of Kingston
- Mountains, rainforests and coral reefs
- Language: Jamaican Patois
- GNP: $25.11 billion (2017)
- GNP per capita: $5109.55 (2017)
- Birth rate: 16.63 (2016)
- Death rate: 6.98 (2016)
- Life expectancy: 75.97 (2016)
- Literacy rate: 87% (2016
- What is the state of Jamaica’s economy?
It’s economy is based upon a range of minerals (such as bauxite and oil), agricultural products (sugar and rum) and some manufacturing. It is classed as an ‘upper middle-income country’, but has suffered from slow growth, debt and high unemployment over a long period.
- How has tourism contributed to Jamaica’s development?
Tourism, along with bauxite and energy, is one of the few growth sectors of Jamaica’s economy. The country has become a popular tourist destination, offering beautiful beaches, a warm sunny climate and rich cultural heritage. Jamaica enjoys good international air communications and is a hub for cruise ships.
Tourism is important to the Jamaican economy, generating taxes, employment and income. Over the last few decades it has helped raise the level of development in Jamaica and reduce the development gap.
Describe Tourism and Jamaica’s economy?
in terms of GDP - Increases? Decreases?
Tourism generates taxes, employment and income
Tourism has helped raise the level of development of Jamaica and reduce the development gap over the last few decades
Economy
In 2014 tourism contributed 24 per cent of Jamaica’s GDP — one of the highest proportions of any country in the world. This is expected to rise to 32% by 2024. Income from tourism is US$2 billion each year and taxes paid to the government contribute further to the development of the country
This in turn helps to reduce the development gap.
The increase in tourism from cruises has brought many benefits
However, the annual 1.1 million cruise passengers only spend an average US$70per day. This compares with an average US$120 per day spent by the 2.5 million other visitors
- Positives - economic
Economy - Employment - Tourism is the main source of employment in Jamaica
In 2014 tourism contributed 24 per cent of Jamaica’s GDP — one of the highest proportions of any country in the world.
Income from tourism is US$2 billion each year and taxes paid to the government contribute further to the development of the country
This in turn helps to reduce the development gap.
2.5 million people arrive by plane. These people spend an average of $120 per day
Employment (economic) - Tourism provides jobs for 200,000 people either directly in hotels, transport and tourist attractions or indirectly in shops, manufacturing and banking.
Multiplier effect: Help boost the economy through local spending in shops and on services
Closes the gap with skills development helping locals find future employment
These are mainly around the main tourist towns.
Employment (economic)- Employment in tourism provides income which helps to further boost the local economy as people spend money in shops and on services and recreation;
These in employment learn new skills which can improve their prospects of better-paid jobs in the future. The quality of life for many people has improved.
Positive social
Infrastructure (social/economic)- Tourism has led to a high level of investment on the north coast where much of the country’s tourism is centred. - New port and cruise-liner facilities have been built at Trelawney together with new hotel accommodation.
Which attracts other foreign investors to the area
Narrows the gap as more tourists are attracted to the area which generates more jobs which in turn boosts the economy
Quality of Life (social)- In the northern tourist areas of Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, wealthy Jamaicans live in high-quality housing with a high standard of living. These areas have benefited from the tourist industry.
Positive environment
Environment - Conservation and landscaping projects provide job opportunities and encourage people to visit the island.
Montego Bay on the north coast has been improved by landscaping, and a new water treatment plant at Logwood has reduced pollution from hotels.
The Negril Marine Nature Park attracts many tourists and brings direct and indirect income.
Community tourism and sustainable ecotourism is expanding in more isolated regions, with people running small-scale guesthouses or acting as guides
Negatives - economic
Negatives
Economy - The increase in tourism from cruises has brought many benefits
However, the annual 1.1 million cruise passengers only spend an average US$70per day. This compares with an average US$120 per day spent by the 2.5 million other visitors
Negatives social
Infrastructure (social)- Improvements in roads and airports have been slower and some parts of the island remain isolated (the south of the island is not as developed as the north - 16% of southern Jamaicans live in poverty)
Quality of Life (social) - Large numbers of people live nearby the northern tourist areas of Montego Bay and Ocho Rios (where the wealthy Jamaicans live) in poor housing with limited food supply and inadequate access to fresh water, health care and education
Large numbers of people still live in poverty, with poor housing, limited food supply and inadequate access to fresh water, health care and education
25% of hotel workers struggle during the low season with no income to support them from May to November
Negative environmental
Environment - Mass tourism can create environmental problems such as footpath erosion, excessive waste and harmful emissions
How can tourism boost the economy of local communities?
Community tourism and sustainable ecotourism is expanding in more isolated regions, with people running small-scale guesthouses or acting as guides.
This provides more jobs for people in local communities. These in employment learn new skills which can improve their prospects of better-paid jobs in the future, which could therefore improve the quality of the area, and the quality of life of the residents of the communities.
How will improvements to infrastructure and the environment help to increase tourism and boost the economy?
Montego Bay on the north coast has been improved by landscaping, and a new water treatment plant at Logwood has reduced pollution from hotels.
The Negril Marine Nature Park attracts many tourists and brings direct and indirect income.
Conservation and landscaping projects provide job opportunities and encourage people to visit the island.
Tourism has led to a high level of investment on the north coast where much of the country’s tourism is centred. - New port and cruise-liner facilities have been built at Trelawney together with new hotel accommodation.
