Inclusiveness in the Caribbean-Locals’ Perceptions about Nature, Tourism and Recreation in Bonaire

Abstract

The economies of small tropical islands often benefit from large-scale tourism, attracted by the guarantee of beach facilities, sun and warmth, landscape beauty, and cultural and underwater life. While these are highly valued assets, it is unclear how local communities benefit from tourism, or how they perceive their natural environment, which has been the basis for their rich cultural history. Against this background, the main aim of this article is to investigate inhabitants’ perceptions about locals’ inclusiveness in tourism and recreation on a small island called Bonaire. A total of 400 households were interviewed during the period November 2021–February 2022. Inclusiveness in tourism and the welfare it brings are judged as low, based on the findings in this study. With a share of around 40% of the population of Dutch Caribbean islanders living in poverty, the challenge of inequality is urgent. While environmental degradation contributes to inequality, inequality can also contribute to environmental degradation. To reduce inequalities, while ensuring life below water and life on land, the handling of poverty is one of the most critical bottlenecks in this society.

Coastal Dune Vegetation Dynamism and Anthropogenic-Induced Transitions in the Mexican Caribbean during the Last Decade

“…In this region, social and regional phenomena have been observed in which local communities advance their economies by protecting natural resources even in the absence of legal regulations and laws, with the aim of promoting pristine environments to tourists and recreational activities within these areas. This has been observed as a regional tendency occurring similarly in Belize and Bonaire in the Wider Caribbean [46,47]. As a result, relative protection and conservation seem to promote vegetation recovery from the early and long-term alterations caused by economic activities such as cattle rearing and coconut cultivation.…”

Peran Modal Sosial dalam Pengembangan Komponen Pariwisata di Desa Wisata Pentingsari

“…Negara kepulauan tropis pada umumnya memiliki banyak keuntungan dari segi pariwisata dalam skala besar (Soma et al, 2022). Iklim tropis sendiri memberikan sumber daya alam yang melimpah di mana Indonesia sendiri merupakan salah satu negara yang berada di iklim tropis.…”