(Part. 1)
As global economies expand, the way in which we interact, communicate, travel and trade has significantly changed over the years. The process of globalization has been continuously rapid with nary anything slowing it down. With the arrival of COVID-19, it became increasingly apparent how interdependent we are upon each other. There is no such thing as an insular economy. We are all operating under one global system where goods, services, businesses and people are traded. While globalization has contributed to substantial changes and increased opportunities for growth in small economies such as ours, it has also brought with it untold repercussions. Amidst these consequences is the reliance of Caribbean economies on tourism and the justifications that are made to maintain the industry.
Tourism has long been a staple export of many Caribbean economies. As nations that are predominantly riddled with debt seek to strengthen their finances, these countries have become heavily reliant on it. Given that 83% of the world’s countries see tourism as one of their top five exports, with Caribbean tourism raking in approximately US$32B throughout the 2010-2018 period, there is no doubt that there is money to be made in the industry. That money largely however, is not made by the countries themselves and does not trickle down to locals.
The Caribbean tourism industry is largely foreign owned. There are very few international guidelines that oversee or restrict the operations of tourism and its impacts. The industry is allowed free rein and locals have very little power over the direction it takes. What this results in is continued foreign dominance over postcolonial territories where locals have to abide by the dance of heightened subservience. This is in fear that to do otherwise would result in negative reviews that can have economic repercussions for themselves and their country.
The benefits of tourism that are usually touted such as, enhanced local economic activities, infrastructural development and job employment are more or less, a very ambitious projection. Local economic activities are rarely used for the development of local communities and more so for consumptive enjoyment of predominantly white northern tourists. The jobs that are usually created are not only small in terms of numbers, but are also not ones that provide adequate living wages. These jobs are usually lacking in benefits and skill development, as service remains the predominant concern. But in societies where unemployment reigns supreme, the most measly of jobs is seen as being a plus, even with the human rights abuses and unfair labour practices that often accompany them.
While Guyana’s tourism industry is relatively young, its growth has been accelerating as our country moves headfirst into industrialization. This growth will see the global tourism industry having more control over local communities. Despite all the optimistic literature on its importance, tourism is not a solution for sustainable development. It will cut local communities from being decision makers over their environments and futures.
The self-sufficiency of communities is steadily disintegrated under tourism, as they are made dependent on a market over which they have very little control. Tourism sells not just an experience; it sells people, culture, labour and land – it demands authenticity. In this demand lies the development of a tourist monoculture where our diverse cultural mixture of ethnicities, religions and spiritualties are all wrapped in a neat package ready to be consumed. In the commercialization of our cultural heritages and sacred sites, local citizens will have less and less control over whether they want to accept or reject tourism initiatives and activities.
As efforts to liberalize industries become more pertinent, the conflict between economic growth and protecting Indigenous communities will increase. We have already seen that when profits are prioritized, the people are expected to get in line. There are rarely human rights considerations when there is money to be made.
Freedom from dependence on tourism is something desperately needed in the Caribbean region. The pandemic has pointed out that we must not continue to rely on an industry that is so fickle and constantly fluctuating. Many tourist dependent nations have buckled under the impact of COVID-19 that brought on travel restrictions. This dependence is also behind the endangerment of lives through the rushed opening of airports.
Caribbean tourism was built on a legacy of colonial enslavement, environmental degradation, and economic and social subservience. This should not be the foundation upon which Guyana aims to ring in our development as we enter a new age in our history.