The Institute of British Geographers' conference: Tourism in Caribbean 'is new form of colonialism'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.First Edition
Tourists are subjecting the Caribbean to a new form of colonialism, the conference was told.
Dr Briavel Holcomb, of Rutgers University, New Jersey, said most of the profits from tourism went back to Europe or North America, because most tourists fly on international airlines and stay in international hotels.
About 10 million Americans and Europeans now succumb to the lure of the travel brochures each year, attracted by images of servile natives catering to the whims of white guests, she said.
Dr Holcomb said resources were being increasingly directed to a new wave of 'land theft' by the creation of 'white enclaves' for tourists, which were out of bounds to local people. The willingness of Caribbean governments to go down that path should be seen in the context of the importance of tourism to local economies, she said.
An invasion by US satellite and cable TV is undermining local culture in the English-speaking Caribbean, Dr Margaret Byron, of King's College, London, said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments