The Virgin Islands and Tourism

Paper Summary:

In this article the writer discusses that tourism, especially in an ecologically sensitive area such as the Virgin Islands, brings with it both positive as well as negative influences and impacts. The writer notes that the central question that needs to be asked is whether the islands can withstand the increasing tide of tourism and the attrition of its ecological structure. The writer points out that the fact that the islands are economically dependent on tourism means that a balance has to be found between a vibrant tourist industry and ecological sustainability. The writer concludes that taking into account the sensitivity of the area one cannot be complacent about the impact of tourism on these islands.

From the Paper:

"However, ecologists and other experts are emphatic in their view that there are also real and potential negative factors that impact on the ecological and environmental health of these islands. These include aspects such as over-crowding, environmental problems, destruction of the reefs as well as social and cultural problems that may result from alien influences brought from outside the islands."
"Furthermore, experts also warn of the potential chaos if tourism is left "unmanaged" and solely at the mercy of market forces. An example of what is meant by management is the control of the number of visitors in relation to the available infrastructure."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Cohn, Jeffrey P. "Paradise in Peril: Although Conservation Efforts and a Vast National Park Are Helping to Protect Natural Resources on the U.S. Virgin Islands, Increased Tourism, a Building Boom, and Other Pressures Threaten This Still Relatively Unblemished Territory." Americas (English Edition) Jan.-Feb. 2003: 6+.
• IMPROVING TRAINING AND PUBLIC AWARENESS ON CARIBBEAN COASTAL TOURISM. March 15, 2006. http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:n-4RNWsKlUEJ:www.cep.unep.org/issues/panos.PDF+TOURISM+AND+ITS+IMPACT+ON+THE+VIRGIN+ISLANDS&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=22&lr=lang_en&client=firefox-aThe Caribbean: the impact of travel & tourism on jobs and the economy. 12 march, 2006. http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache:NdSdvaLfolwJ:www.caribbeanhotels.org/WTTC_Caribbean_Report.pdf+TOURISM+AND+ITS+IMPACT+ON+THE+VIRGIN+ISLANDS&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=15&lr=lang_en&client=firefox-a
• THE NATIONAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS. March 15, 2006. <http://dpu.gov.vg/Plans/NIDS/TourismStrategy.htm>
• Weaver, David B. "Model of Urban Tourism for Small Caribbean Islands." The Geographical Review 83.2 (1993): 134+.

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