jamaica case study
Jamaica Case Study
Jamaica is an island in the Caribbean Sea within the Tropics. It is located close to other major islands such as Cuba.
It has mass tourism because many people visit every year (1.3 million people in 2001). People visit for the beaches such as Montego Bay, deep sea fishing at Port Antonio, caves at Cockpit County, golf courses such as next to Kingston Town and water sports in Montego Bay. More cultural activities include various historic plantation houses such as at Port Maria and there are environmental tourist attractions such as bird sanctuaries inland from Montego Bay and Botanic Gardens and a National Park in the Blue Mountains. Jamaica does have problems however, because its tourism numbers are declining slightly due to competition from new resorts across other Caribbean Islands.
Positives
Tourism brings in money to Jamaica – 20% of its GDP – this money can be spent on essential services such as health care and education which can boost the overall level of development. This does have a downside however, as Jamaica is dependent upon this income and if tourist numbers fall the economy would be affected. About 220,000 Jamaicans work in tourism – it is a vital employer. People work in a wide range of jobs, from the construction of hotels and tourist facilities, to service work cleaning, working in bars, caddying on golf courses amongst other jobs. Tourism benefits many sections of the economy as people spend money in bars, restaurants, and other local businesses, so tourism has a positive multiplier effect.
Negatives
Many of the jobs created are seasonal, so people can become unemployed. Large TNCs (Trans National Companies) such as Thomas Cook organise the holidays and make most of the money, so the profits go out of Jamaica and into MEDCs. Local employees are paid low wages, whereas managers from other countries tend to earn more. Land for the massive hotels takes away land from famers. Water use also increases for drinking
Jamaica is an island in the Caribbean Sea within the Tropics. It is located close to other major islands such as Cuba.
It has mass tourism because many people visit every year (1.3 million people in 2001). People visit for the beaches such as Montego Bay, deep sea fishing at Port Antonio, caves at Cockpit County, golf courses such as next to Kingston Town and water sports in Montego Bay. More cultural activities include various historic plantation houses such as at Port Maria and there are environmental tourist attractions such as bird sanctuaries inland from Montego Bay and Botanic Gardens and a National Park in the Blue Mountains. Jamaica does have problems however, because its tourism numbers are declining slightly due to competition from new resorts across other Caribbean Islands.
Positives
Tourism brings in money to Jamaica – 20% of its GDP – this money can be spent on essential services such as health care and education which can boost the overall level of development. This does have a downside however, as Jamaica is dependent upon this income and if tourist numbers fall the economy would be affected. About 220,000 Jamaicans work in tourism – it is a vital employer. People work in a wide range of jobs, from the construction of hotels and tourist facilities, to service work cleaning, working in bars, caddying on golf courses amongst other jobs. Tourism benefits many sections of the economy as people spend money in bars, restaurants, and other local businesses, so tourism has a positive multiplier effect.
Negatives
Many of the jobs created are seasonal, so people can become unemployed. Large TNCs (Trans National Companies) such as Thomas Cook organise the holidays and make most of the money, so the profits go out of Jamaica and into MEDCs. Local employees are paid low wages, whereas managers from other countries tend to earn more. Land for the massive hotels takes away land from famers. Water use also increases for drinking