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Sunderland Repository records the research produced by the University of Sunderland including practice-based research and theses.

Tourism policy in Jamaica: a tale of two governments

Chambers, Donna and Airey, D (2001) Tourism policy in Jamaica: a tale of two governments. Current Issues in Tourism, 4 (2-4). pp. 94-120. ISSN 1368-3500

Item Type: Article

Abstract

This paper explores the role of public policy in the development of tourism in Jamaica. It focuses on two separate and contrasting periods. In the first, 1972–80, referred to here as 'The Socialist Era', the Jamaican government pursued goals of self-reliance combined with seeking to integrate tourism into Jamaican life. In the second period, 1980–89, 'The Period of Capitalism', emphasis was shifted to reducing government intervention and pursuing foreign exchange earnings. A comparison of tourism development during these two periods reveals that during the 'Socialist Era' some success was achieved in the Jamaicanisation of tourism but at the same time government policies contributed to an overall decline in the industry as measured by the traditional indicators of tourist arrivals, hotel occupancy, hotel provision and employment. During the 'Period of Capitalism' a change in policy is associated with a successful recovery of tourism numbers but an increasing tension between locals and tourists. The study cannot provide causal explanations of the links between policy shifts and tourism development. The wide range of external variables, including oil crises and world inflation, that occurred during the periods is too great to admit this kind of certainty. However, the policy background provides an important context for understanding the link between policy and development in one of the oldest and most well-developed tourist destinations in the Caribbean.

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More Information

Depositing User: Donna Chambers

Identifiers

Item ID: 4660
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500108667884
ISSN: 1368-3500
URI: http://sure.sunderland.ac.uk/id/eprint/4660
Official URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1368350...

Users with ORCIDS

ORCID for Donna Chambers: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-9502-9919

Catalogue record

Date Deposited: 17 Feb 2014 10:13
Last Modified: 02 Jul 2019 09:09

Contributors

Author: Donna Chambers ORCID iD
Author: D Airey

University Divisions

Faculty of Business, Law and Tourism > Sunderland Law School

Subjects

Tourism > Tourism

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