About the Book
This unique and thoughtful book considers the tourism specialization, economic growth, and tourism competitiveness of a very specific type of tourism: small islands practicing warm water island tourism.
This new book thoroughly examines the phenomenon of why some small island destinations have been more successful than others. The main premise applied is that success and survival of small island tourism hinges on resolving the mystery regarding the relationship between competitiveness and quality of life. In addressing this question, the book reviews four relevant and interconnected concepts: tourism, competitiveness, quality of life, and scale (or size). In doing so, the book enhances understanding of the potential of tourism for the improvement of the quality of life of the residents of small islands.
In the last chapter of the book, the author assesses the impact of COVID-19 on tourism and specifically its ramifications for small island destinations. Whether small island populations can rise from beneath the COVID -19 burden that threatens their economic future is yet to be seen.
Small Island and Small Destination Tourism: Overcoming the Smallness Barrier for Economic Growth and Tourism Competitiveness is written from a sustainable perspective that combines tourism dynamics, development, competitiveness, quality of life, and business. As such, it is aimed at a broad but higher-level audience including graduate students, academicians and researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and international organizations.
Table of Contents:
1. Rethinking Smallness and Openness 2. The Tourism Specialization Hypothesis 3. The Tourism Development Model 4. Tourism Angst and Demand Push 5. Tourism Specialization and Economic Growth 6. Constitutional Economics: Blasé? 7. Maintaining the Growth Momentum 8. Upending Scale
About the Author :
Dr. Robertico Croes, is Editor of the Rosen Research Review and Professor at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida. A prolific author and expert on small island tourism, Professor Croes served as the Director of the Dick Pope Sr. Institute for Tourism Studies for 14 years and as Associate Dean of the Rosen College, along with many other roles. He has presented his research around the world and has consulted in numerous countries, including Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Brazil, Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, Grenada, Italy, and the United States.
Review :
"Although often small in size, islands make a disproportionately large contribution to international tourism where policies of economic specialization have endured for decades. Authored by an ‘islander’ with both political and academic acumen, this timely contribution offers a thoughtful, engaging, and provocative insight into the future of islands and the means by which the tourism specialization hypothesis will continue to serve as the platform for their future competitiveness."
—Dr. Alan Fyall, Visit Orlando Endowed Chair of Tourism Marketing, Rosen College of Hospitality Management, University of Central Florida
"One of the first attempts to move beyond descriptive analysis of tourism in small islands by developing a tourism specialization hypothesis based on a solid rigorous review and extension of existing applicable economic theory to better understand the relationship between tourism in small island destinations and the wider socioeconomic environment. . . . After defining specialization, Croes puts forward his tourism specialization hypothesis, noting it is a dynamic process, bringing together supply and demand, societal learning, and openness to overcome any smallness barriers in achieving economic growth and prosperity. This book will challenge you thinking and challenge some of your existing thinking in this area."
— Dr. Stephen Pratt, Professor & Head of School, School of Tourism & Hospitality Management, The University of the South Pacific, Headquarters & Laucala Campus, Fiji
"Dr. Robertico Croes is professor at Rosen College (USA), an expert in tourism economics, human development, poverty, and destination management with a special interest in islands and developing economies. His experience in recent years has allowed to have a critical vision, but at the same time reflective and deep strategic vision, of how the islands should approach their developments and competitiveness. The book proposes an acute and intelligent approach on the tourism specialization in the islands, which analyze the reality of these territories and their needs. . . . This magnificent book has an agile and entertaining critique, with the possibility of educating in the analysis of island spaces and their developments."
—Dr. Eduardo Parra López, Profesor de Organización de Empresas; Economía Digital y Turismo, Profesor Invitado (Visiting Scholar) Universidad Del Valle Guatemala (UVG), Universidad de La Laguna, Dpto Dirección de Empresas e Historia Económica, Spain
