Cruise Tourism and its Impact on a Destination using the example of the Caribbean Islands

Table of Contents

1 Introduction

1.1 Problem

1.2 Aim of the Thesis

1.3 Structure of the Thesis

2 Cruise Tourism

2.1 Definitions

2.2 Historical Overview

2.3 Market and Market Players

2.3.1 Carnival Corporation & plc.

2.3.2 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

2.3.3 Star Cruises Group

2.3.4 MSC Crociere

2.3.5 Cruise Line Associations

2.4 Ports and its Infrastructure

2.5 Route Planning

2.6 Different Concepts

2.6.1 Vessels

2.6.2 Types of Cruises

2.7 Characteristics of the Cruise Tourism Industry

2.8 Trends in the Cruise Tourism Industry

3 Destination Analysis of the Caribbean Islands

3.1 General Information and Aspects

3.1.1 Geography

3.1.2 Historical Overview

3.2 Tourism Development

3.3 Tourism Potential

3.3.1 Primary Offer

3.3.2 Secondary Offer

3.4 Source Markets

3.5 Kind of tourism

4 Cruise Tourism in the Caribbean

4.1 Impacts on the Destination

4.1.1 Economic Impacts

4.1.2 Ecological Impacts

4.1.3 Socio-Cultural Impacts

4.2 Port Relations

4.2.1 Port charges

4.2.2 Ownership/ Investment

4.2.3 Competition between ports

4.2.4 Development into a homeport

4.2.5 Ports as cash cows

5 Case Studies

5.1 Tourism Area Life Cycle

5.2 Dominica

5.2.1 General information

5.2.2 Tourism

5.3 St Maarten

5.3.1 General information

5.3.2 Tourism

5.4 Comparison of Dominica and St Maarten – Measures

6 Recommended Courses of Action

6.1 Targets of a Destination with regards to Cruise Tourism

6.2 Measures to be taken by Destinations

7 Conclusion and Future Prospects

Research Objectives and Focus Areas

This thesis examines the impact of the cruise tourism industry on Caribbean destinations. It investigates the economic, socio-cultural, and ecological consequences for these islands, questioning whether they genuinely benefit from the influx of cruise passengers or if the industry's dominance creates dependency and infrastructure strain. The central research aim is to understand how Caribbean ports can maintain their position in cruise itineraries while avoiding negative developmental impacts, using the Caribbean as a primary case study.

• Analysis of the global cruise industry market and major players.
• Evaluation of the economic, socio-cultural, and ecological impacts of cruise tourism on destinations.
• Examination of the relationship and power dynamics between cruise lines and port authorities.
• Case studies on the differing experiences of Dominica and St Maarten regarding cruise tourism development.
• Strategic recommendations for destination management in the context of cruise tourism.

Excerpt from the Thesis

Summary of Chapters

1 Introduction: Introduces the research problem of the rapid growth of cruise tourism and its controversial benefits for Caribbean destinations.

2 Cruise Tourism: Provides an industry overview, detailing market players, vessel types, and current trends in the global cruise sector.

3 Destination Analysis of the Caribbean Islands: Analyzes the Caribbean region's geography, tourism development, and potential, emphasizing its reliance on mass tourism.

4 Cruise Tourism in the Caribbean: Explores the economic, ecological, and socio-cultural impacts of cruising and examines the dynamics of port relations.

5 Case Studies: Applies the Tourism Area Life Cycle model to compare the development strategies of Dominica and St Maarten.

6 Recommended Courses of Action: Suggests strategic targets and measures for destinations to improve their positioning and sustainability within the cruise market.

7 Conclusion and Future Prospects: Summarizes the mutual need between ports and cruise lines and provides outlooks on the future of Caribbean cruise tourism.

Keywords

Cruise Tourism, Caribbean, Port Relations, Economic Impact, Ecological Impact, Socio-Cultural Impact, Tourism Area Life Cycle, Destination Management, Mass Tourism, Sustainable Tourism, Homeport, Port of Call, Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean, St Maarten, Dominica

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core subject of this thesis?

The thesis explores the impact of the cruise tourism industry on Caribbean islands, focusing on the complex power relationship between global cruise lines and local port destinations.

What are the central themes discussed?

Key themes include the economic contributions versus the costs for host islands, environmental challenges such as pollution and waste management, and the socio-cultural effects of mass cruise tourism.

What is the primary research question?

The work investigates whether destinations derive real benefits from the existence of cruise tourism or if they are better off without it, specifically looking at how they can avoid negative developmental outcomes.

Which scientific methods are utilized?

The thesis utilizes a literature review of economic and tourism theory, data analysis of passenger spending and industry trends, and a comparative case study approach using the Tourism Area Life Cycle model.

What topics are covered in the main body?

The main body covers the structure of the cruise industry, the geographic and economic characteristics of the Caribbean, detailed impacts on destinations, port management relations, and specific strategies for island management.

Which keywords best characterize this work?

Essential keywords include Cruise Tourism, Caribbean, Port Relations, Economic/Ecological/Socio-Cultural Impacts, and Tourism Area Life Cycle.

How do Dominica and St Maarten differ in their cruise development?

St Maarten is a highly established, large-scale cruise hub generating massive revenue, while Dominica has struggled with inconsistent cruise traffic and is attempting to focus on niche ecotourism.

What is the author's conclusion on the future of Caribbean ports?

The author concludes that while cruise lines and ports have a mutual need, the current intra-industrial rivalry between ports must be addressed through better organization and cooperation to ensure long-term sustainability.