International tourist arrivals by Region [1]:

The World Tourism Organisation states that "this is the second time since the events of 11 September 2001 that world tourism has suffered a decline, and the region of the Americas has been a great loser".[2]

However, in 2003, the Caribbean islands and Central America reported a 7.6% and 3.4% growth respectively.

A description of the tourism sector in the countries of the Greater Caribbean can be interpreted as follows for the year 2002.

• Income from international tourism attained a value of 28,523 million US dollars, equivalent of 6% (283/474) of world income.
• 46.2 million arrivals account for 6.7% of arrivals worldwide.
• In over 60% of countries, earnings from tourism account for over 30% of national income.

For the Greater Caribbean, the current scenario is very disturbing when one considers the most critical factors affecting this sector - unchecked growth of tourism in most countries and the absence of quick and effective responses, rigidity of supply and a high dependence on imports, environmental effects, which combine with other factors to devalue the product, a lack of community participation in tourism development, lack of citizen security and social, cultural, economic and ecological imbalances.

The Caribbean does have the initial advantage of an environment naturally suited for tourism, which cannot be compared to any other place in the world. Its geographical location at the meeting point of two of the world's most important tourist markets is unequalled. However, since it operates in a global market, with tourism products offered on both sides of the Atlantic, visitors to this region have expectations based on new, higher standards which have been set.

Because of the high sensitivity of tourism in the Caribbean, strong steps must be taken to increase its sustainability in the region. Most of the problems conceptualized over a long period of time in this area have been identified by different international organizations such as the WTO. The latter has suggested since 1993 that Sustainable Tourism Development responds to the needs of current tourists, and the respective regions must protect and support future opportunities. It is represented as a vector of all resources, so that social and aesthetic needs can be satisfied by maintaining the cultural integrity of essential ecological processes, biological diversity and the defense of life.[3]

The creation of the Sustainable Tourism Zone of the Greater Caribbean (STZC) is taking place with the support of the Member States and Associate Members of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS).

There is an urgent need to identify the main actors and participants and to facilitate co-operation. Within a harmonized and co-ordinated framework, all efforts must be united to alleviate poverty, to manage and conserve bio-diversity and habitats, and to solve the more serious problems affecting the community. The magnitude of the problems is so great that the highest levels of co-ordination, co-operation and partnership are needed among the actors. A regional approach is needed, instead of one which is purely local or national, serving as the basis for co-ordinated decision-making geared towards sustainable tourism management, on which, in the final analysis, survival and the quality of life in the region will depend.

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[1] Source: WTO (World Tourism Organisation - Section "Data and Figures")
[2] WTO. January/04 "In 2003 international tourism had another difficult year in which there occurred three negative factors: the conflict in Iraq, SARS and the persistent weakness of the world economy". "The Caribbean and South America will experience a firm recovery thanks to the improved economic situation of many countries in the area".

[3]Sustainable Tourism Charter ratified in Lanzarote 1995.

Dr Zoila González Maicas is Director of Sustainable Tourism of the Association of Caribbean States. The views expressed are not necessarily the official views of the ACS. Feedback can be sent to mail@acs-aec.org

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April 13, 2004