The other side of tourism

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Spain is one of the most visited countries in the world, ranking second last year behind France, with 82 million visitors.

I've been to Spain many times; definitely one of my favourite places. The energy, culture, history and vibrancy of everyday life make it a top destination to visit.

Recently, there have been many anti-tourism protests in Spain, mainly in Barcelona, a city which was once a sleepy coastal town. Since the Olympics in 1992, when the city developed rapidly to welcome visitors to the Games, Barcelona has seen a rapid growth in tourism, becoming Spain's most visited city. Last year Barcelona received over 12 million visitors.

The city is well known for its food, nightlife, beaches, culture and the beautiful architecture, made famous by renown Catalan modernist architect Antoni Guadi (Barcelona has the largest concentration of his work). Barcelona is also a popular destination amongst European visitors, including students who often travel in large groups.

Naturally, tourism pumps billions of dollars in the economy, but residents in Spain don't see it. Spain is now earning close to 200 billion euros per year from tourism, approximately 12 per cent of GDP.

The demand from tourism has pushed cost of living, including housing and rental costs, out of reach for most residents. Locals complain about the crowds of tourists which make the city unliveable, putting a strain on resources and facilities, as well as transportation and traffic. A recent protest showed protesters water spraying tourists as they urge the government to place limits on the number of visitors.

This is what happens when infrastructure and development is not in sync with the growing demands of the city.

Airports can also be problematic, as crowded airports can be a turn-off. I personally dislike congested airports, and many who experience crowds and congestion may never return.

MUST BE CAREFUL

Here in Jamaica we must be careful. We tend to boast about numbers, as if this is all that matters. Tourism contributes 30 per cent of GDP in Jamaica; however, GDP is just an indicator. Economists agree that GDP is a poor measure of economic prosperity and human wellness.

The recent debate about the state of healthcare in Jamaica is an example of how infrastructure can be out of sync. Why can't tourism revenues help to develop the health sector, which also benefits visitors?

We must work harder to retain more profits from tourism, to help Jamaica develop. Many workers in the industry live in substandard houses and communities, and most workers don't have a pension, although we hear talk about this being developed. Many rely on inadequate public transportation to get to and from work.

We don't see a lot of development beyond the hotels. Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay has made progress, but does it have the capacity to deal with our target of five million visitors annually, when arrivals during peak hours are already creating bottlenecks? There is also heavy traffic in cities, rising cost of highway tolls, etc.

MORE LOCAL PRODUCTS

If we source more local products for food, furniture and supplies, this gives a boost to the economy and may inspire self-employment.

We can't boast about numbers without putting numbers into context. What exactly does five million visitors mean for the people of Jamaica and its future, if most of the profits from the industry don't remain in Jamaica?

Our unique culture and cuisine set us apart from many destinations. The variety in landscape, from mountains, rivers, waterfalls to beaches, helps to create a multitude of options and experiences for visitors. We can do more to capitalise on tourism, but it must be beneficial to the people of Jamaica, as much as it is to our visitors. Likewise, tourism must be sustainable, with benefits to the environment.

The industry is one of the most sensitive; a market can shut down in split seconds, as we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic. Political instability and crime are other deterrents.

Jamaica has not reached its peak in tourism; there is vast potential in ecotourism and health tourism (our mineral baths, for instance, are underutilised and not promoted enough). We must strategise adequately to ensure that everyone benefits from tourism.

P. CHIN