GEOSS Support for Decision-Making in the Coastal Zone: Managing and Mitigating the Impacts of Human Activities and Natural Hazards in the Coastal Zone

A workshop series organized by the GEO Coastal Zone Community of Practice

Earth Observation Support for Sustainable Tourism in Small Island States
March 9-11, 2011, Puerto Rico

Sustainable Tourism: Capacity Building and Educational Needs

Acolla Lewis-Cameron
Department of Management Studies, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad.

Tourism is the “lifeblood” of the majority of Small Island States (SIS) in the Caribbean. Economically, it sustains these island economies. From a socio-cultural standpoint, the negative consequences of tourism development can cause irreparable damage to the culture and natural environment of these islands. Nowhere is the need for a sustainable approach to tourism development more apparent than in these fragile economies. Education has been identified as a critical element to achieving sustainable tourism development in the region. Accordingly, the role of well-educated, trained and motivated hospitality and tourism professionals becomes crucial to the industry's success. It is against this background that this paper seeks to examine the relationship between education and sustainable tourism development in SIS. More specifically, the paper will analyse the unique context of SIS; examine the role of tourism education in achieving sustainable tourism development; explore specific tourism educational needs; and recommend ways in which tourism education can contribute to sustainable tourism development in SIS.