Stakeholders, the natural environment and the future of Caribbean cruise tourism

Abstract

Given the sheer complexity of effectively managing the web of potential stakeholders in any tourism development it is argued that for the future of Caribbean cruise tourism, the task is compounded by several key issues that warrant discussion. These include the economic dependency of the Caribbean region on tourism, the inequity of power relations between the various stakeholder groups and the lack of proven collaboration within this fragmented region of culturally diverse islands. This paper addresses these issues, discussing the importance of collaboration and planning for development, highlighting the disparate needs of the different stakeholders involved and drawing attention to the continuing paradox between maximising the opportunities presented by Caribbean cruise tourism whilst effectively managing its sustained development.

Cruise Line Industry and Caribbean Tourism: Guests' Motivations, Activities, and Destination Preference

“…This has led some to pose the question whether the cruise ship industry is a blessing or curse (Luck, 2007b). In recent years, several islands in the Caribbean region have invested heavily in cruise tourism infrastructure such as deep ports and support facilities in order to attract and accommodate mega-cruise ships each with a carrying capacity in excess of 3,000 passengers (Lester & Weeden, 2004). Development of sophisticated port facilities can have a significant impact on limiting the amount of economic leakage that occurs in the destination (Douglas & Douglas, 2004).…”

Cruise Tourism and Sustainability in the Mediterranean. Destination Venice

“…It therefore appears necessary to conduct proper assessment of the potential benefits, risks and impacts of cruise tourism. In this context, for an authentically sustainable version of cruise tourism development, the implementation of environmental protection measures would be necessary, involving all the stakeholders of marine tourism destinations, not just the cruise line operators [8,21]. This would require a long-term management strategy, involving international agencies, cruise line operators and host communities.…”

Cruzeiros marítimos e Stakeholders: perspectivas de desenvolvimento da infraestrutura de cruzeiros no Brasil

“…No âmbito da infraestrutura de cruzeiros marítimos, alguns pesquisadores (Lester & Weeden, 2004;London, 2014;London & Lohmann, 2014) desenvolveram direcionamentos para compreender o contexto do poder e influência dos cruzeiros marítimos e das relações entre seus stakeholders.…”

“…No âmbito da infraestrutura de cruzeiros marítimos, alguns pesquisadores (Lester & Weeden, 2004;London, 2014;London & Lohmann, 2014) …”

“…Em regiões com alta concentração do mercado cruzeiros como o Caribe e, por consequência, uma maior competitividade entre os portos, a relação armadoras-destinos é ainda mais complexa, dada a concorrência de destinos e terminais em negociação, levando Lester & Weeden (2004) a concluírem que a vantagem competitiva dos portos de cruzeiro está especialmente em sua infraestrutura.…”