Resort-based or resource-based tourism? A case study of Jamaica Gaunette Marie Sinclair-Maragh Gaunette Marie Sinclair-Maragh Introduction is based at School of Hospitality The Caribbean is believed to be the world's most tourism dependent region (Holder, 1996); University of Technology, base (Weaver, 2001). This dependence on tourism has led to the leisure/pleasure paradigm Kingston, Jamaica. at the top tier of its tourism model which is associated with beach resorts and cruise shipping excursionists and then historical, cultural and environmental tourism positioned at the bottom. This tourism model has caused great concern for sustainable tourism development of the region (Weaver, 2001). As pointed out by Richter (2001), the cultural features can be deemed irrelevant, hence, the marketing thrust on beaches, casinos and golf courses as playgrounds. This case study, therefore, seeks to explore the nature of two forms of tourism development; resort-based and resource-based, and to determine which is the more viable and sustainable option for the future of tourism in Jamaica, a well renown tourism destination in the Caribbean region. Jamaica was selected as the study site as for many years the tourism model at this destination has been based on the resort concept although it has vast cultural, heritage and natural resources. Likewise, the impact of mass tourism activities on the sustainable development of this island has become a major concern and there are discussions surrounding the limited focus on resource-based tourism. For the purpose of this study, resort-based tourism will be construed as a relatively self-contained destination area that provides a wide range of tourist facilities and services including those designed for recreation and relaxation (Inskeep, 1991). On the other hand, resource-based tourism involves activities and experiences that are dependent on the attributes associated with nature (Ewert and Shultis, 1997) as well as the culture and heritage. The aim of this case study, therefore, is to conceptually and empirically analyze the tourism model in Jamaica to derive discussion for the following questions:
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Resort-based or resource-based tourism- A case study of Jamaica Gaunet (1).docx
1. Resort-based or resource-based tourism? A case study of Jamaica Gaunette Marie Sinclair-
Maragh Gaunette Marie Sinclair-Maragh Introduction is based at School of Hospitality The
Caribbean is believed to be the world's most tourism dependent region (Holder, 1996);
University of Technology, base (Weaver, 2001). This dependence on tourism has led to the
leisure/pleasure paradigm Kingston, Jamaica. at the top tier of its tourism model which is
associated with beach resorts and cruise shipping excursionists and then historical, cultural and
environmental tourism positioned at the bottom. This tourism model has caused great concern for
sustainable tourism development of the region (Weaver, 2001). As pointed out by Richter
(2001), the cultural features can be deemed irrelevant, hence, the marketing thrust on beaches,
casinos and golf courses as playgrounds. This case study, therefore, seeks to explore the nature
of two forms of tourism development; resort-based and resource-based, and to determine which
is the more viable and sustainable option for the future of tourism in Jamaica, a well renown
tourism destination in the Caribbean region. Jamaica was selected as the study site as for many
years the tourism model at this destination has been based on the resort concept although it has
vast cultural, heritage and natural resources. Likewise, the impact of mass tourism activities on
the sustainable development of this island has become a major concern and there are discussions
surrounding the limited focus on resource-based tourism. For the purpose of this study, resort-
based tourism will be construed as a relatively self-contained destination area that provides a
wide range of tourist facilities and services including those designed for recreation and relaxation
(Inskeep, 1991). On the other hand, resource-based tourism involves activities and experiences
that are dependent on the attributes associated with nature (Ewert and Shultis, 1997) as well as
the culture and heritage. The aim of this case study, therefore, is to conceptually and empirically
analyze the tourism model in Jamaica to derive discussion for the following questions:
