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Sustaining Tourism

Development for tourism on St. Martin has often been associated with the environmental decline on the island. I think this is a pretty reasonable view, and without the development of a robust tourism industry the island would be much poorer, have a much smaller population and be much less developed, causing less environmental stress. In the future, however, tourism has the potential to be a powerful driver towards sustainability, if the island takes the right approach to future tourism development.

Two facts lead me to this conclusion. First, there is no group of outside investors that can build an 18th century fort or create a species of lizard that lives nowhere else in the world. Second, there’s nothing that can be built today that couldn’t be built on another island.

If the island wants to retain a prosperous tourism industry in the future, it has no choice but to preserve its natural and cultural heritage. These are the only assets St. Martin has that can create a truly unique and differentiated tourism experience, and the segment of tourists who appreciate and seek out these features is valuable and growing fast. Economic prosperity and the preservation of heritage are inextricably linked together.

Many people see this already, although perhaps not enough. Can the island prepare for the future of tourism? Can this island have the vision to change course before it is too late?

I can think of one example that shows it is possible. About 60 years ago, when the Caribbean was more dependent on agriculture than tourism, one small island, like many at the time, was suffering from economic hardship. The population was declining as residents emigrated to seek jobs elsewhere. Commercial jet travel and the modern cruise ship industry didn’t even exist yet, but the island took a chance and focused its energy on a tourism industry that, by modern standards, barely existed at the time. Today, that island hosts about two million tourist visitors each year. Perhaps we can follow their example on St. Martin today.

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