🪔 SHUBH DIVALI 2025! 🪔
Tourism
Types, Growth, Changes, Island vs Mainland
Author:
Syed Ali
Edu Level: Unit2
Date: Aug 11 2025 - 5:13 PM
⏱️Read Time: 2 min
Types of Tourism
- Eco-tourism – Visits to natural sites promoting conservation (e.g. birdwatching, hiking, wildlife safaris).
- Leisure tourism – Travel for relaxation and fun activities.
- Religious tourism – Visiting sacred sites or participating in religious events (e.g. trips to Israel).
- Sports tourism – Travel for sports events (e.g. 2010 ICC World Twenty20 in the Caribbean).
- Medical tourism – Seeking medical care abroad (e.g. childbirth in developed countries).
- Spa tourism – Health and relaxation in natural springs (e.g. sulphur springs in St. Lucia).
- Business tourism (MICE) – Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions.
- Adventure tourism – Thrilling activities like skydiving and paragliding.
- Cultural tourism – Experiencing traditions, festivals, museums (e.g. Trinidad Carnival).
- Urban tourism – Exploring city attractions in capitals like Paris or New York.
- Cruise ship tourism – All-inclusive sea travel; benefits include visiting multiple islands, but limited local economic contribution.
Growth & Changing Nature of Caribbean Tourism
Economic Factors
- Increased disposable income & paid holidays.
- Decline of agriculture/manufacturing → shift to tourism for revenue.
- Improved transport (air, sea, land).
- Digital & social media marketing boosts global reach.
- E-commerce enables easy booking.
- Multinational all-inclusive packages make travel more affordable.
Social Factors
- Historical ties with US and UK.
- Government tourism policies, advertising, and tax incentives.
- Retirees and diaspora returning to visit.
- Political stability and reduced working hours encouraging travel.
Island vs Mainland Tourism
Island tourism focuses on sun, sea, and sand, with activities mostly concentrated along coastal areas. It is usually highly structured and depends heavily on international tourists. Due to limited land space and environments, activities are often seasonal, peaking in the winter months or during major celebrations. Accommodation is typically luxurious and geared toward foreign visitors.
Mainland tourism, on the other hand, often centres on heritage and eco-tourism with a much larger and more varied environment, including mountains, lakes, rivers, plains, and cities. Activities tend to be less structured and attract both domestic and international tourists, many arriving by car or rail. It experiences less seasonality, and accommodation is generally more affordable, such as bed-and-breakfasts and budget hotels.
Example – Mainland Tourism in Guyana
- 215,000 km² land area; pop. ~813,800.
- 80% rainforest; Iwokrama canopy walkway.
- Kaiteur Falls – highest single-drop waterfall (226 m).
- Shell Beach turtle conservation.
- Indigenous tribes along rivers.
- Yachting, birdwatching, and social media marketing.
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