Tourism

Introduction and aims
With the introduction of smart phones that also take photos combined with GPS tracking applications, more tourists are able to take more geo-tagged photo’s during their travels. In combination with the options to upload these photos to online platforms, new ways of collecting data from the Internet provide new research opportunities. These digital footprints, combined with their specific meta-data regarding geo-location the data provide much information to be of use in spatial-temporal research.
A previous study on Bonaire showed the potential of this kind of research. It showed some understanding of the spatial movement of tourists and the number of tourists that visit different parts of Bonaire. In order to use these kinds of data in e.g. potential impact studies, we aimed to give a follow up.
In the present study the approach from Schep et al. (2016) was revisited with the following goals:

• Update distribution maps with the latest data (2016-2020) and evaluate the reproducibility of the maps.
• Detect whether distribution patterns and densities has changed following the recent developed trails and thus tourist spreading.
• Study if densities at specific locations can be related to local characteristics, such as:
  • Spatial characteristics such as distance roads
  • Landscape characteristics (landscapes)
  • Tourist type (cruise versus stay-over)

Methods
For this study, FLICKR was the only online platform to collect photographs and their metadata. Others were no longer available or unsuitable. All photographs taken between November 2002 and October 2019, within a Bonaire surrounding bounding box were collected, including their meta-info. This resulted in 13026 photos, coming from 421 photographers.
Using a self-built Python application “PhotoCategoriser” each photo was assigned to a category (coastal, seascape, wildlife, underwater, terrestrial, other). Metadata of each photo and the assigned category allowed to analyse on origin of the photographer, to estimate the type of tourist (cruise or stay-over), their interest, and differences in spatial and temporal distribution. The specified resolution to aggregate the data was set at grid cells with a mean surface area of 0.301 km2.
Photographer intensity is determined by condensing photographs into Photo User Days (PUD). One PUD stands for one (or more) photographs taken on a given day by specific photographer for a category in a grid cell.
Results and conclusions
Overall results

• The report provides various figures and maps presenting the spatial distribution of PUD as a proxy for tourist distribution. Temporal aspects in PUDs reflect the annual dynamics in tourist numbers.
• Trends in tourist numbers are not equally reflected in the numbers of PUDs. PUDs are therefore a proxy of tourist distribution, but not a strong indicator for trends in absolute numbers and intensity.

Reproducibility

• The additional ~ 4000 photos on top of the estimated ~ 10.000 FLICKR photos that were analyzed by Schep did not add much extra information. Also, the applied resolution did not refine the possibilities of performing risk assessments on habitats or species due to the limited number of data in those areas. Distribution patterns and intensity trends were similar. Category distribution however differed slightly. This can be explained by the differences in used datasets, and by the boundary criteria for assigning categories.

Detection of (changed) distribution and relation to local characteristics

• The overall distribution of PUDs shows higher intensity along the west coast, near Kralendijk and its tourist area. In addition, some higher intensity spots are visible near Sorobon in the east, and Seru Largu in the middle of the island. The hotspots such as Goto and Washington Slagbaai in the north are clearly highlighted, as well as several scenic spots along the southern flats (Salt pans, Slavery houses, Lighthouse).
• Less frequented regions mainly include landscapes on the eastern part of the island. The low numbers of PUDs in these regions did not allow additional analysis on changes in distribution of PUD between years. It was considered not to be of added value. Hence, the effectiveness of the recent established trails could not be assessed any further, and an additional preliminary risk assessment for habitats or species was left out of the study.
• Distribution of PUDs reflect mainly the accessibility of regions: hence the roads and hotspots are clearly visible, and only limited PUDs were plotted further away. Analysis of distribution of tourists in specific habitats or nearby certain living areas of species were therefore considered not to be of added value.
• The interests (reflected by the categories) of the photographers slightly vary over the years and within a year, both by origin and by tourist type (also reflected by the cruise season). Also, the distribution and intensity of tourist types and origins seems to slightly vary. Details are provided in the report.

Future application and methodological issues

• We suggest that studies that use these data sources first look into the generic distribution and intensity of photo’s PUDs collected (data coverage) before taking the effort of categorizing. Based on the general overview, following analysis steps such as categorizing and environmental risk assessment could be added.
• Manual assignment of categories to photos is a subjective exercise. Assigning categories requires strict criteria and midterm evaluation of results.
• Online platforms are variable in their existence and terms of use, leading to an uncertain accessibility and application of these kinds of data in future studies.

Tourism in Bonaire should develop in a planned and orderly manner so as to provide the maximum benefit to the island and its residents and to ensure that any adverse effects on the social, economic, cultural and general quality of life of the people of Bonaire and the environment are minimized. The objective should be to achieve a managed growth path and a sustainable level of tourism development. This necessitates finding and striking the fine balance between the facilitation of tourism growth and the control of associated developments, bearing in mind that without careful conservation of Bonaire’s primary tourism resources, it may cease to have a viable tourism product. A comprehensive national tourism policy is therefore essential if tourism is to grow in an orderly way.

Impressively, since the 1970’s Bonaire has championed efforts to protect its natural environment and resources. There is no doubt that these efforts have interlaced themselves with the resident’s everyday life and are a fiber in the fabric of Bonaire’s culture. Bonaire is a global gem that has received recognition for its natural areas and enjoys an international reputation for some of the world’s best ocean activities thus leading to a potent economic sector for the island – the tourism industry.

Currently, the tourism industry underperforms for the economic welfare of the majority of Bonaire’s residents. Although the tourism industry could provide Bonaire with economic opportunities for the majority of residents, the professional opportunities linked to tourism have not transpired. This is largely due to two main reasons. The first reason being that natural conservation efforts have displaced development that could provide professional and educational opportunities for Bonairians. This has resulted in a dilution of Bonairian culture where nearly 60% of the island’s population was not born in Bonaire. Bonairians have transplanted to other countries to seek opportunities. The second reason is that the tourism sector does not contribute to the economic wellbeing of the majority of residents but rather contributes to a select few.

With the lack of educational and professional opportunities available on the island, Bonairians have developed a relatively low perception of their quality of life and their satisfaction with their lives. In the last year, about 50% of Bonairians have observed a decrease in their income. Many residents and industry stakeholders feel that the tourism industry can direct and improve the future of the island. In order for this to occur, there must be changes in the distribution of the economic benefits to increase their reach to local households; as well as the industry must be capable of stimulating changes in Bonairians’ quality of life. Thus, this strategic tourism master plan (STMP) was designed to ensure that the tourism industry is capable of generating money, creating

jobs, and stimulating sustainable economic linkages to other sectors on the island.

Worldwide heritage management focuses on tangible heritage, which also applies to heritage trail design. However, besides tangible heritage, incorporating intangible heritage in heritage management is important for maintaining community identity and has great social significance. In the Proposal for the Golden Rock Heritage Trail at St. Eustatius plans are described for making a heritage trail that aims at developing tourism at the island by showing the tangible heritage remains to the tourist. These tangible remains are also seen as being part of the identity of the island. The tangible heritage local people do not relate to, and do not see as their identity, which is a conclusion from previous research. This thesis aims to find a different approach to designing the Golden Rock Heritage Trail at St. Eustatius incorporating intangible heritage.

The notions identity and tangible and intangible heritage are translated to the landscape narrative research method that is used for finding the intangible heritage underlying the Golden Rock Heritage Trail through interviewing local people and historical experts. Local people do not relate to the tangible remains, but are attached to their personal memories of the past, experiences and current use attached to the places of the Golden Rock Heritage Trail. Many intangible heritage stories were collected and a new place of importance arose. Historical experts mostly relate to the stories attached to the tangible remains of the Golden Rock past.

The design for the Golden Rock Heritage Trail lets the visitor experience the intangible heritage stories by giving the possibility to step into the footsteps of the intangible heritage stories that are made visible through spatial design. Besides intangible heritage stories the tangible remains are also incorporated in the trail by giving information on the history of that specific place.

Maintaining community identity requires incorporating intangible heritage in heritage trail design which is possible through a landscape narrative approach based design making visible intangible heritage resulting in the heritage trail from below from a bottom-up, local-people centred approach. This is different from the Proposal for the Golden Rock Heritage Trail that encompasses the main focus on tangible heritage. The approach to heritage trail design proposed in this research tries to actively contribute to maintaining community identity by making visible intangible stories which appeared to be more important to local people and more part of their identity than the stories attached to the tangible remains. However, the tangible remains are also important in heritage management. Steps to take in implementation are protecting and maintaining existing remains, implementing the route for accessibility and execute place designs that may contribute to maintaining local community identity and tourism development at St. Eustatius.

This document was retrieved on October 3 2018 from WUR eDepot

Exploring tourism development possibilities on St. Eustatius, that is what the document in front of you is about. During a 5 week stay on the island, I (Mart Reiling) worked on this assignment with my colleague student Ineke van Kapel, both landscape architecture students at Wageningen University. The Below
described content includes my study area’s: Venus Bay and Zeelandia Bay. In addition, a vision for the whole island and a vision on the Quill were made together with Ineke.
This student thesis study serves as a start for the development of a tourism master plan for St. Eustatius, to which students and others will in addition contribute in the future.

Rural tourism map for exploration of the Rincon area on Bonaire. The map provides hiking, cycling and driving routes and takes you along breathtaking panoramas, traditional kunukus (farms) and impressive nature. 

Please contact explore-bonaire for more information.

Explore Bonaire is part of the Rural development program for Bonaire. The purpose of the development program is to improve the entrepreneurship in the countryside and in agriculture.

Rural tourism map for exploration of Bara di Karta on Bonaire. The map provides hiking, cycling and driving routes and takes you along breathtaking panoramas, traditional kunukus (farms) and impressive nature. 

Please contact explore-bonaire for more information.

Explore Bonaire is part of the Rural development program for Bonaire. The purpose of the development program is to improve the entrepreneurship in the countryside and in agriculture.

This study examines current trends in tourism and agriculture in Caribbean countries and the strategy for linking them in order to facilitate their future development. The tourism industry has, in the past, developed largely apart from other sectors such as agriculture. On the other hand, agriculture has developed mainly to satisfy export markets. Domestic agriculture has had limited development and has therefore been displaced to a considerable extent by food imports. The recent promotion of agriculture tourism linkages is an attempt to enhance the local value added of the tourism industry, while at the same time promoting the development of domestic agriculture. However, it is argued that agriculture-tourism linkage per se will not facilitate the development of either tourism or agriculture. The nature of the tourism product in each country has to be understood before effective strategies could be devised for improving competitiveness. A similar approach is also necessary in respect of the agriculture sector. Increased linkage between tourism and agriculture could be enhanced through the adoption of a cluster-based strategy for improving the competitiveness of the tourism sector and for improving the livelihoods of communities and rural areas. 

Abstract : Although it would seem natural for hotels in Jamaica to use a greater proportion of local food than at present, the expansion of domestic food production and processing and the development of closer links with tourism are hampered by numerous obstacles, which are reviewed. As a result of these obstacles, the contribution of food production to the GDP is small, and large amounts of food are imported to feed residents as well as tourists. To help increase domestic food production, the Jamaican government should pursue more equitable landownership, provide more low-interest credit and sound technical advice, and improve crop forecasting, storage capacity and marketing. In addition to efforts to increase domestic food production, a number of ways are suggested to strengthen the linkages between food production and tourist food consumption and to reduce foreign exchange leakages. It is an explicit objective of development plans in Jamaica to accelerate import substitution in order to increase the local content of the tourist industry and hence to retain a greater share of visitor expenditure.

Policy Brief

The Challenge
Bonairean ecosystems support touristic activities that depend on the quality of the natural environment, such as diving, snorkelling, kayaking, boating, enjoying beaches, and participating in land activities. The tourism sector is an industry with substantial size and nancial contribution to the economy of Bonaire. However, the economic value of the contribution of nature to Bonaire’s tourism has never been quanti ed, nor have the most important aspects of Bonairean nature for tourism been identi ed. It is essential that the economic value of the ecosystem service to tourism and the dependence of tourism on Bonairean ecosystems while impacting these same ecosystems be determined in order to further assist policy-makers in understanding this crucial relationship and support them in wise long-term decision-making.

The Approach
To determine the value of Bonairean ecosystems for the tourism industry a survey among tourists visiting Bonaire is conducted. This study estimates the average expenditures of these visitors, as well as their Willingness-To-Pay (WTP) for protection of Bonairean nature. The result of this survey also elucidates tourists’ perceived value of different aspects of Bonairean nature. The socio-economic value of the ecosystem services for tourism is combined with spatial data to determine which ecosystems are the most economically valuable with regards to tourism.

Results & Recommendations
The expenditure by tourists on Bonaire is found to be around $125 million annually. An estimated welfare of around $50 million is contributed by Bonaire’s nature
to tourism. Stay-over tourists are found to contribute more to the tourism industry than cruise tourists, and marine ecosystems are found to be more economically signi cant than terrestrial ecosystems on the island. The high WTP of tourists
for additional nature protection in Bonaire provides opportunities for the local government to increase the current user fees of visitors to Bonaire.