Tourism and Inclusive Growth in Small Island Developing States

'tourism cannot simply be treated as an economic force that can be left alone to deliver its rewards' – UN World Tourism OrganizationTourism is a crucial source of employment, foreign exchange and revenue for most small island developing states (SIDS) and many other small states. This report explores the key issues concerning how tourism might facilitate inclusive growth. It provides detailed analysis of both the direct and indirect channels through which the gains from tourism are achieved, and the existing gaps that prevent a fuller capturing of forward and backward multipliers.Using robust statistical data from Jamaica, Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles and other small states, the study also examines land-based and cruise tourism operations and explores how local supply chains could be enhanced. The two key overarching recommendations – improving data collection and promoting niche markets – serve both as rallying points for policy action and as points of focus for partnerships. Valuable reading for policy-makers looking to maximise the contribution of tourism to the economy, as well as international development agencies and students of tourism studies.

Table of Contents:
Foreword Acknowledgements Abbreviations and acronyms Summary 1. Challenges and Contributions: Tourism Development in SIDS 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Tourism challenges 1.3 Direct tourism contributions 1.3.1 Tourist spend and contribution to GDP 1.3.2 Tourism contributions to government revenue 1.3.3 Direct contribution to employment 2. Local Tourism Supply Chains in Small States: Sharing Best Practice 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Understanding the tourism supply chain 2.2.1 Defining supply chain management 2.2.2 Tourism supply chain 2.2.3 Value chains 2.3 Economic linkages 2.3.1 Economic linkages in small state tourism 2.4 Small state case studies of tourism supply chains 2.4.1 Comparing tourism in Malta, Seychelles and Jamaica 2.4.2 Product diversification 2.4.3 Accommodation 2.4.4 Food supply 2.4.5 Souvenirs and handicrafts 2.5 Niche tourism products and services 2.5.1 Reef recreation including diving and snorkelling 3. Cruise Ship Tourism in Small States 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Background to the cruise tourism industry 3.2.1 Business models and itineraries 3.3 The benefits of cruise tourism 3.3.1 Economic benefits 3.3.2 Cruise passenger and crew expenditure onshore 3.3.3 Port development, investment and fees 3.3.4 Employment generated by cruise tourism 3.3.5 Government revenue 3.3.6 Environmental benefits 3.3.7 Social benefits 3.4 Costs of cruise tourism for small states 3.4.1 Economies of scale 3.4.2 Oligopolistic market power 3.4.3 International regulation and exploiting the loopholes 3.4.4 Cruise ship infrastructure 3.4.5 Passenger spend onshore 3.4.6 Cruise passenger duties 3.4.7 Cruise ship provisioning 3.4.8 Onshore excursions 3.4.9 Return of cruise passengers as stay-over tourists 3.4.10 Environmental costs 3.4.11 Social costs 3.4.12 Winners and losers from cruise ship enterprises 3.4.13 Small state tourism and cruise ship tourism policy and regulations 3.4.14 Uniting the cruise industry with the wider travel and tourism community 3.5 Best practice and lessons from small states 3.5.1 Caribbean examples 3.5.2 Indian Ocean examples 3.5.3 Pacific Ocean examples 4. The Indirect Impact of Tourism 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Tourism and growth 4.3 Indirect channels 4.3.1 Backward economic linkages 4.3.2 Forward linkages 4.3.3 Economic leakage 4.3.4 Multipliers 4.4 Inclusive growth 4.5 Summary 5. Summary and Recommendations 5.1 Introduction 5.2 How to analyse tourism to foster inclusive growth in SIDS 5.3 Policy recommendations and areas of future work 5.3.1 Recommendation 1 5.3.2 Recommendation 2 5.4 Concluding remarks Appendix 1 Appendix 2 Statistical Case Studies Appendix 3 Seychelles Case Study Appendix 4 Research Methods Appendix 5 Further Policy Recommendations for SIDS and Small States Notes References

About the Author :
Dr Mark P. Hampton is Director of Studies & Senior Lecturer in Tourism Management at Kent Business School, University of Kent. Julia Jeyacheya is a Research Associate (Centre for Tourism in Islands & Coastal Areas) at Kent Business School, University of Kent.

Review :
"This report is suitable for researchers seeking to understand issues relating to tourism development in SIDS. Students in these islands and those studying tourism developments in general may also find the numerous pieces of data useful for further analysis. Public sector officials may use the report to guide policy decisions."