This insightful and timely book is the first of its kind to explore specific policies, issues, challenges, and practices that will enhance the sustainable development of tourism in island destinations, including island nations, twin-island nations, and sub-national island jurisdictions (SNIJs).
Islands are faced with a myriad of challenges: economic failure, natural disasters, political upheavals, and socio-cultural dilemmas. Tourism is the most likely means for economic development in many islands and yet, specific tailor-made policies for an island context have received limited exploration and discussion. The policies explored in this volume include those relating to management, marketing, governance, and sustainable development of the tourism sector in islands. This book is ‘go-to’ guide on the topic and the case studies and best practices throughout the book provide practical knowledge and insight. The volume posits a concise and logically structured review of island tourism in a post-pandemic context, exploring specific tourism policies that will contribute to the enhancement of sustainable tourism development in islands, particularly those in developing countries.
This significant book offers insight into best practices and will be of interest to academics, researchers, policymakers, and students of tourism policy, planning, and sustainable development.
1. Island Tourism Impacts and Sustainable Development
2. Tourism Policies to Influence Demand
3. Tourism Policies to Influence Supply
4. Tourism Policies Supporting Sustainability
5. Tourism Policy Capacity Building
6. Tourism Governance Structures and Stakeholders
7. Tourism Governance Systems
8. Tourism Governance Strategies
9. Tourism Co-ordination and Consensus Building
10. Tourism Planning Frameworks
11. Tourism Sustainability Resources
12. Sustainable Island Tourism Development
13. Sustainable Development Futures
14. Island Tourism Prospects
Biography
Michelle T. McLeod is a Senior Lecturer at The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Mona Campus, Jamaica. Her tourism industry experience spans over 30 years. Her research interests include tourism development, island tourism, knowledge networks, policy networks, and service productivity. McLeod’s three co-edited books are Knowledge Networks and Tourism, Tourism Management in Warm-Water Island Destinations, and Island Tourism Sustainability and Resiliency. McLeod has served on The UWI COVID-19 Task Force as the Tourism Expert.
“This book is a rare example of an examination of the two crucial elements, policy, and governance, that often fail to resolve the difficult issues resulting from the development of tourism in many island settings. What makes this book even more distinctive is its focus on sustainable development, the goal of many islands but one which is hardly ever achieved, and the way that the book utilizes a range of frameworks and approaches to illustrate pathways that could be followed to move significantly towards the goal of sustainability. McLeod tackles two major issues that often bedevil island states, those of policy (formulation and implementation) and governance (for whom for what purpose). Placed in the overall context of sustainable development, this book will be important reading for those concerned over the future of islands in particular, but also of relevance to all who desire to see destinations move towards the problematic goal of sustainability.”
-Professor Richard Butler, Emeritus Professor of Tourism, University of Strathclyde
“In this much anticipated book, McLeod addresses the key governance challenges for small islands that are dependent on and intricately entangled with tourism and the wider visitor economy. For many small islands, the decision to engage with tourism, evokes a ‘damned if they do, and damned if they don’t’ situation. Islands have forever remained attractive as sites of touristic consumption, however, in the present era of climate change and its resultant effects, islands, and small island developing states, find themselves on the frontline of the battle for survival. As McLeod rightly implores in this book, unless tourism policy and planning regimes exercise competent governance, islands will be buffeted by the vicissitudes of an external planetary environment that is volatile, and whatever tourism remains, will still have its levers controlled largely by outsiders, leaving locals with not much more than the crumbs on the table.”
-Joseph M. Cheer, Professor of Sustainable Tourism and Heritage, Associate Dean at International School of Social Sciences, Geography, Tourism and Planning, Western Sydney University
“Dr. McLeod's manuscript on tourism and sustainability is a compelling exploration of crucial elements like structure, governance, strategies, and inclusion. Aimed at enhancing tourist experiences and residents' quality of life with resilience principles, this book is indispensable for those interested in the future of tourism in small island destinations. It provides profound insights relevant academically and for policymakers and industry professionals committed to fostering sustainable practices, making it an essential guide for shaping the industry's future.”
-Professor Robertico Croes, Professor of Tourism Economics and Management, University of Central Florida
“This comprehensive work explores the intricate intersections of island tourism, sustainable development, and effective policymaking, with a focus on the unique challenges faced by small islands in developing nations. The book pays special attention to managerial perspectives, encompassing environmental, political, and governmental considerations. This book is a valuable resource for shaping the sustainable future of island tourism, benefiting policymakers, scholars, and practitioners.”
-Meng Qu, Associate Professor, Vice Director, Center for Advanced Tourism Studies, Hokkaikdo University, Japan
“This book is an important resource for islands seeking to develop tourism sustainably. Its comprehensive coverage of policy and governance issues paired with practical case studies from different parts of the world are relevant to practitioners, students, and researchers alike. Mainland destinations struggling with environmental and social crises may also find valuable and innovative ideas, as islands are microcosms of main-lands and can point the way forward.”
-Professor Emerita Pauline Sheldon, University of Hawai’i
