Times of the Islands Winter 2023/24

Some may disagree with this cloudy outlook and point
to high tourist satisfaction and return rates, which are
indeed impressive. They might also note the brisk sales
of luxury condos and townhouses yet-to-be-built based
on little more than fanciful design renderings and vivid
videos of fabulous views. As bright as new development
appears today, it is imperative to anticipate the prospect,
however unsettling, that Provo could slide into the ordinary,
a beach resort town that resembles so many others
that have opted for more big buildings over more open
space.
Disrupting the cycle
In her compelling book, The Last Resort, author Sarah
Stodola examines the rise and fall of tourist destinations
around the world while delving into the darker aspects
of beach resort culture. Drawing on Professor Butler’s
tourism life cycle model, she exposes strangleholds of
local economies, reckless construction, and erosion of
beaches, among others painful realities of unfettered
development.
Notably, Ms. Stodola calls attention to locals feeling
squeezed out and tourists reminiscing about how much
better the place used to be—a refrain heard here as well.
But she also suggests that life cycles can be disrupted and
offers a basket of remedies for rejuvenation, the most
urgent and necessary being the imposition of limits on
tourists and zoning restrictions. Ms. Stodola concludes,
“Without deliberately imposed limitations, the overdevelopment
always follows, and overdevelopment leads to
decline.”
It is not too late for Provo to break the cycle by weaning
itself away from ceaseless expansion, starting with
new regulations that halt or at least drastically slow resort
construction. A window remains open to re-imagine a
more inclusive model for tourism—one that prioritizes
natural treasures over high-rises, one that ensures that
the country’s well-being and way of life stays at the center
of every decision.
At the 2023 Caribbean Tourism Organization “State
of the Industry” conference held at Beaches Resort, TCI’s
Minister of Tourism Hon. Josephine Connolly noted in her
opening remarks that TCI is conducting the Caribbean’s
first in-depth study of the entire tourism industry. In
keeping with TCI’s commitment to sustainability, she
affirmed TCI’s dedication to safeguard pristine beaches,
lush landscapes, and vibrant culture for future generations.
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Times of the Islands Winter 2023/24 47