Implications of tourism development on islets: Ilot Bernaches, Mauritius, as a destination management case study

Abstract

Many islands promote their destinations by including islets that surround them. Conscious of the competitive tourism market, the move is based on the need for tourism diversification. Islets are endowed with unique flora and fauna, and when included in the tourism package, islets receive considerable prominence in the gaze of tourists looking for authentic experiences. Mauritius Island has not lagged behind in adopting this trend. Studies show that islets surrounding Mauritius are major tourism assets, but these seem to have received insufficient attention in tourism studies. The current study uses Jordan's core-periphery model to investigate Ilot Bernaches, one of the popular islets of Mauritius. The uniqueness of this study is two-fold: first, it seeks to investigate implications of tourism development at Ilot Bernaches, and second, it makes a case for setting up an islet management authority. The research design is based on a mixed methodology. The major findings reveal that Ilot Bernaches has potential to diversify the existing tourism product and adds value to the Mauritian tourism product. The study discusses destination management implications, makes recommendations regarding tourism development at Ilot Bernaches, and sets the groundwork for further studies of islets in tourism. It is recommended that an islet management authority be established to help cope with core-periphery tensions.

A marketing research tool for destination marketing organizations' logo design

“…Research often defines small islands as vulnerable and geographically insular (e.g., Andriotis, 2004;Brigulio, 2008;Dodds & Joppe, 2009). Island attraction as a tourism component is not a recent phenomenon (Conlin & Baum, 1995), but what is recent is the interest that worldwide tourism promoters are increasingly showing in the development of island tourism (Gowreesunkar & Ramnauth, 2013). Islands are usually rich in nature and culture and thus provide unique tourism experiences as compared to mainland destinations (Botti et al, 2008;Pestanaa et al, 2011).…”

“…The tourism industry should create business opportunities for residents and must satisfy all the stakeholders and protect the environment in which the tourism activity takes place. In the same vein, Cooper and Hall (2008) and Gowreesunkar and Ramnauth (2013) argue that a truly sustainable island destination must satisfy all of its stakeholders in the long run and ensure a balance between economy, society, and the environment.…”

Islands of enclavisation: Eco‐cultural island tourism and the relational geographies of near‐shore islands

“…In contrast, d 'Hauteserre and Funck's (2016, p. 231) examination of Yakushima, Japan emphasises both localising and innovating island narratives and representations in order to enhance "the potential to negotiate adjustments to contemporary moving realities." By contrast, the tensions between tourism and ecosystem preservation are considered in the absence of local community on an uninhabited offshore island of Mauritius by Gowreesunkar et al (2017). By contrast, the tensions between tourism and ecosystem preservation are considered in the absence of local community on an uninhabited offshore island of Mauritius by Gowreesunkar et al (2017).…”

“…The exploitation of historical and natural resources for tourism is also examined in Ramos et al's (2016) study of the Battle Harbour Historic District in Labrador, Canada through the lens of the islanders' experience of eco-cultural tourism. By contrast, the tensions between tourism and ecosystem preservation are considered in the absence of local community on an uninhabited offshore island of Mauritius by Gowreesunkar et al (2017).…”

“…In contrast, d'Hauteserre and Funck's (, p. 231) examination of Yakushima, Japan emphasises both localising and innovating island narratives and representations in order to enhance “the potential to negotiate adjustments to contemporary moving realities.” The exploitation of historical and natural resources for tourism is also examined in Ramos et al's () study of the Battle Harbour Historic District in Labrador, Canada through the lens of the islanders' experience of eco‐cultural tourism. By contrast, the tensions between tourism and ecosystem preservation are considered in the absence of local community on an uninhabited offshore island of Mauritius by Gowreesunkar et al ().…”