By Arjhong Mardani: Social Impact of Tourism in Jamaica


Social Impact of Tourism in Jamaica

    Tourism plays a tremendous role in the lives of Jamaicans, for many it’s their only source of income. As tourism continues to grow in Jamaica, the number of tourists annually surpasses the total population of Jamaica itself. With 3.5 million tourists annually, 1.5 million tourists on commercial cruise ships, and two million stopover visitors, how has Jamaica been impacted socially? More specifically, how has tourism directly affected the well being of Jamaicans?
     Jamaica's tourism started in the mid-twentieth century. It first commenced once invalids began coming to Jamaica in order escape the cold winters in England and North America. Port Antonio and Montego Bay were the first to construct hotels for the tourists. During this period tourism was limited to only a few, this being the rich. After World War I, tourism in Jamaica began to prosper. This was due to the fact that methods of transportation were improved, making it significantly easier to get from one country to another. Dating from 1955 to modern day, the graph below demonstrates the total number of stopovers as well as cruise arrivals, number of visitors and total expenditure.

Year
Total Stopover Arrivals
Total Cruise Arrivals
Total Visitor Arrivals
Total Visitor Expenditure
1955
86,793
35,356**
122,149
£6,718,190
1963
131,865
70,464**
202,329
£13,500,000*
1975
395,809
150,433
553,258
US$128,706,000
1984
603,436
231,039
843,774
US$406,600,000
1994
976,635
595,036
1,108,871
US$919,000,000
2003
1,350,285
1,132,596
2,482,881
US$1,351,142,000
2009
1,831,097
922,349
2,753,446
US$1,925,423,000
2011
1,951,752
1,125,481
3,077,233
US$2,008,343,000
2014
2,080,181
1,423,797
3,503,978
US$2,247,834,000
2015
2,123,042
1,568,702
3,691,744
US$2,402,340,000
2016
2,181,684
1,655,559
3,837,243
US$2,608,798,000

    In the Jamaican community, approximately 200,000 people are employed in correlation with tourism, which contributes to 15% of their countries GDP. This being direct employment, for example, different variations of transportation, craft markets, hotels, as well as indirectly, for example, banks, manufacturing, trading of goods and supplies.  
    As tourism continues to increase, so do new opportunities for Jamaicans. An increase in tourism has lead to an increase in demand. This has encouraged Jamaica to make recent developments in their exports, this being plants, fruits, as well as arts and crafts. Again, with the attraction of tourists, infrastructure plays a major role, these being public facilities, hotels and resorts, and public institutions. Jobs are created and commerce is growing, expensive hotels are profiting as well as local restaurants and farmers.
     Another thing to consider, is tourism sustainable for Jamaica? With the construction of airports, destruction of forests for hotels and attractions, as well as oil refineries being constructed close to wildlife, sustainability seems unprecedented. Many organizations such as the Sandals Foundation and the Rockhouse Foundation strive to make the tourist industry responsible, sustainable, and of benefit for the local communities. Unfortunately, most of the time these organizations are left in a brawl with the government.
    Tourists have also been involved with Jamaica’s rising crime rates in recent days. Jamaica’s crime has kept itself secluded from tourists for the most part, until recent days. This issue has forced Jamaica into a state of emergency. “In 2017 there were 335 murders recorded, just in St. James itself, which includes the popular tourist destination of Montego Bay, reports the Jamaican Observer.”(Cummings) This is an unfortunate social issue, that is being dealt with proper precautions. Due to the fact that crime has spread outside of the locals within Jamaica, it is obtaining major attention, giving Jamaica an atrocious look to outsiders.
    Another question that is presented, is tourism more positively or negatively impacting Jamaica socially? In modern day, tourism is undoubtedly benefiting a large amount of the Jamaican community, helping the economy by creating jobs, inducing the construction of new buildings, creating new developments. As for the long-term perspective, the answer would be negative, simply due to the fact that tourism is not fully sustainable for Jamaicans and unfortunately won't survive if continuing on the same path.
    The social impact of tourism is vast as it affects all of Jamaica. From creating thousands of jobs to the dismantling of the Rainforests, tourism has caused its fair share of ups and downs. As it currently allows Jamaica to prosper and has been in the past, it is unsustainable and often unresponsible.

Work Cited:

Mark Cummings. Limited, Jamaica Observer. “Five shot, 1 dead in St James.” Jamaica     
Observer, 2018,

Not Specified . “The Impact of Tourism on Jamaica Essay.” The Impact of Tourism on Jamaica
Essay - 821 Words | Bartleby, Bartleby.com, 2017, www.bartleby.com/essay/The-Impact-of-Tourism-on-Jamaica-P3JXQCWYTC.

Caribbean360. “Annual tourist arrivals to Jamaica surpass population size.” Caribbean360,

Not Specified . “Tourists in Jamaica warned to stay in resorts after shootings lead to state of

Tips.” Jamaica Tourist Board, Jamaica Tourist Board, 2016,

“What impact has tourism had on the people and the environment of Jamaica? - GCSE
Geography - Marked by Teachers.Com.” Marked by Teachers, The Student Room Group Ltd, 2016, www.markedbyteachers.com/gcse/geography/what-impact-has-tourism-had-on-the-people-and-the-environment-of-jamaica.html.

“How Important Is Tourism To Jamaica?” Thecaribbeancurrent.com, The Caribbean Current , 6









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