Tourism and logistics both involve the movement of people and the delivery of goods and services, and given the importance of tourism to the Caribbean region, this issue explores their interrelatedness. I should like to thank Ibrahim Ajagunna, Fritz Pinnock, Tom M. Amonde and their writing team for their wide-ranging and detailed analysis.
Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes (WHATT) aims to make a practical and theoretical contribution to hospitality and tourism development, and we seek to do this by using a key question to focus attention on an industry issue. If you would like to contribute to our work by serving as a WHATT theme editor, do please contact me.
Tourism business development and logistics in the Caribbean: will there be a symbiotic relationship?
The economy of most Caribbean countries depends on tourism in providing needed foreign exchange, at the same time; tourism has been the largest provider of employment (direct and indirect) for these countries. The dilemma of these countries, however, is that they have often depended on mono crops (from agriculture to mining, tourism and remittances). Recently, the development of logistics hubs has dominated the agenda of most Caribbean governments as the new strategy for economic growth. While many countries like Singapore, Dubai, South Korea and China have turned around their economies through the development of logistics hubs that are global in outlook, the question remains whether Caribbean countries will allow this opportunity to pass without responding. In the same light, if developed, will tourism become something of the past or will it be allowed to coexist with the development of logistics hubs? It is on this premise that this theme issue will address the symbiotic relationship between tourism business development and logistics in the Caribbean.
With continued investment in maritime and logistics infrastructures globally and particularly in the Caribbean, there is an increased recognition in academia, government and the industry that a higher level of synergy in maritime and tourism services is required. Given the recognized need for greater effectiveness in the advancement and competitiveness of maritime, logistics and tourism development in the Caribbean, this theme creates a platform for the exchange of ideas, opinions and research among the aforementioned parties. The theme focuses on the key issues of Caribbean government agendas, with the development of the logistics infrastructure, maritime and aviation training, the opening of the expanded Panama Canal and the proposed new Canal in Nicaragua and the implications for tourism development in the Caribbean.
The articles in this theme issue focus on research recently completed, viewpoints from industry and a review of existing publications and resources relevant to the theme. Our goal is to bring together academics, professionals, government and other industry experts to share new trends, best practices, case studies and cutting-edge research that impact the maritime, logistics and tourism industries by focusing on key issues related to the theme.
