Tourism, smallness and insularity: A suitable combination for quality of life in Small Island Developing States (SIDS)?

Abstract

As Small Island Developing States (SIDS) turn into a focus of attention for tourists and foreign investment, tourism becomes one of the primary sources of wealth in these economies. This increasing relevance of tourism in SIDS in turn becomes an opportunity not only to enhance the residents' quality of life but also to combat the existing vulnerabilities of SIDS. The main goal of this research is to measure the effects of tourism on the quality of life of residents in SIDS according to: 1) the degree of tourism development, 2) the allocation of public and private resources to promote the tourism sector, and 3) the direct opportunities that tourism offers to the populations in SIDS. In order to do so, an empirical analysis has been carried out based on a panel database containing data from 28 SIDS during the period 2005-2016. The findings suggest that tourism development becomes a driving force for enhancing the residents' quality of life. It is also proven that government expenditure has a positive effect on the population, with a repercussion four times greater than that of private investment. Finally, work precarity appears to be a reality in SIDS.

Post-independence challenges for Caribbean tourism development: a solution-driven approach through Agenda 2030

“…Like most other SIDS, the Anglophone Caribbean is fraught with numerous developmental challenges related to its inadequate resource base, fragile economies, vulnerability to external shocks, colonial history, remoteness and insularity (Clarke, 1976; Macfeely et al , 2021; Puig-Cabrera and Foronda-Robles, 2019). Not least among these challenges are high levels of poverty and unemployment (Harrison, 2008).…”

“…The industry provides more jobs than any other sector in the Caribbean. Therefore, and not surprisingly, in 2014, the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action Pathway (United Nations [UN], 2014) recognised tourism as an essential route to job creation, income generation, education, poverty reduction and sustainable development for SIDS, including those in the Caribbean (Puig-Cabrera and Foronda-Robles, 2019). Thus, though the islands vary in physical size, political status and cultural background (Heileman, 2007), they share several similarities, including their economic vulnerability to external shocks based on a heavy dependence on sea, sun and sand tourism.…”

The non-sovereign territories: Economic and environmental challenges of sectoral and geographic over-specialisation in tourism and financial services

“…Tourism is also a critically important source of employment and has been central to growth strategies advocated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other institutions (Bishop, 2010; Hawkins and Mann, 2007). The sector remains critically important for both growth and living standards, including in less-developed small island economies (Puig-Cabrera and Foronda-Robles, 2019). Many citizens of SITEs, however, are well aware of the trade-offs between tourism-based economic growth and its adverse environmental and other implications (Figueroa and Rotarou, 2016).…”

Especialización turística en destinos emergentes latinoamericanos: Explorando el algoritmo para un longevo e inclusivo desarrollo socioeconómico

“…Siguiendo el supuesto que el turismo contribuye al crecimiento económico en destinos emergentes (OMT, 2018;Puig-Cabrera & Foronda-Robles, 2019;Telfer & Sharpley, 2016), este trabajo se centra en analizar la incidencia del sector turístico sobre las condiciones de vida de la población latinoamericana, y, por ende, sobre el desarrollo socioeconómico en los destinos emergentes.…”