Sustainable Tourism Using Regulations, Market Mechanisms and Green Certification: A Case Study of Barbados

Abstract

Tourist destinations are under market pressure to offer a green product, including the Caribbean, one of the world’s most tourism-dependent regions. A decade after the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States convened in 1994, sustainable tourism remains a priority for Caribbean countries. This paper, using Barbados as a case study, attempts to establish if sustainable tourism policy existed, if so, how was it being implemented, and if not, what were the main areas of weakness. It found that although there was a vacuum in sustainable tourism plans and policies, the government was indirectly influencing sustainable tourism through regulatory mechanisms such as land use and infrastructure planning and market instruments. Additionally, industry was playing its part through voluntary compliance with green certification. There was a clear indication of government-industry cooperation. However, despite these measures and approaches, key infrastructure was inadequate, environmental impact assessments for potentially damaging tourism projects were not required by law and public participation was weak. The paper concludes that there are challenges for Barbados and other similar SIDS in attaining sustainable tourism in the long haul. doi: 10.2167/jost600.

Sustainable Coastal Tourism: Problems and Management Options

“…The increasing tourist demand for more responsible and environment friendly options is the focus today (Dobson, 2003;Garrod and Wilson, 2003;Mycoo, 2006;Sharpley, 2006Sharpley, , 2009. Coastal tourism is becoming more harmful for the fragile natural and cultural areas, as those areas are mostly preferred by the tourists (Gill and Fennell et al, 2003;Kline, 2001;Briguglio and Briguglio, 2000 …”

Beyond 1.5 °C: vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies for Caribbean Small Island Developing States

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“…It is also mandatory that hotels have on-site water-recycling facilities for golf courses and landscaped areas. The regulations should apply to all new buildings (Mycoo 2006). These measures in addition to a tax rebate incentive may also be applied to new developers in other SIDS, but they should meet the minimum site development standards and recycling requirements.…”

A Blue Urban Agenda: Adapting to Climate Change in the Coastal Cities of Caribbean and Pacific Small Island Developing States

“…Along cliffs, the setback is 10 metres from the under portion of the cliff. For Barbados, one objective is to ensure that built development is located away from the zone of risk where coastal erosion and flooding occur (Mycoo, 2006).…”

“…Along cliffs, the setback is 10 metres from the under portion of the cliff. For Barbados, one objective is to ensure that built development is located away from the zone of risk where coastal erosion and flooding occur (Mycoo, 2006).While the benefits in terms of long-term beach maintenance accrued from adequate setback regulations are clear, consideration must also be given to issues that can hinder the implementation or effectiveness of setbacks (Fish et al, 2008). Currently, using the mean high water mark can create problems because the position of this marker varies from day to day.…”