Return Migration to Jamaica and its Development Potential

Abstract

Return migration to Jamaica is associated closely with the existence and nature of the transnational linkages established between migrants and their home country, especially at the level of the household and family. Remittances invariably precede, accompany and follow the actual return of migrants and comprise money as well as a range of consumer goods.Data on the number of returning migrants to Jamaica have been collected officially only since 1992; other information is derived from field studies. The figures show that the US is the source of most return migrants to Jamaica, with the United Kingdom second.Likewise, there are few official statistics on remittances, especially of those entering the country through informal channels. Nevertheless, data on the receipt of money through the Bank of Jamaica, indicate that during the 1990s remittances as a percentage of GDP exceeded that of the traditional foreign currency earners of bauxite and sugar.

The role of self-gentrification in sustainable tourism: Indigenous entrepreneurship at Honghe Hani Rice Terraces World Heritage Site, China

“…Other studies have also pointed to the commonality of return migrants' establishing or becoming involved in tourism enterprises elsewhere due to the low entry barrier to this sector (Mendosa, 1982;Kenna, 1993;Thomas Hope, 1999). A government officer informed that, …”

Overseas Work Experience, Savings and Entrepreneurship Amongst Return Migrants to LDCs

“…More recently, Arif and Irfan (1997) and Ilhai (1999), have studied the impact of overseas savings on the occupational choice of return migrants to Pakistan. Insightful overviews of return migration and its development potential are given by Thomas-Hope (1999) for Jamaica, Diatta and Mbow (1999) for Senegal, and Rodriguez and Horton (1995) for the Philippines.…”

Do Transnational Links Matter after Return? Labour Market Participation among Ghanaian Return Migrants

“…This behaviour, which was probably not part of early forms of migration, characterises modern patterns of movements. Some authors argue that migrants may not return definitely to their country of origin or their parents' birthplace; they may still maintain various forms of linkages with it which could develop into eventual return for permanent settlement (Thomas-Hope, 1999). On the other hand, it could further be argued that even when migrants have returned permanently to their parent's birthplace, they may still maintain various forms of linkages with the host country.…”