Publication: Organization of Eastern Caribbean States - Increasing Linkages of Tourism with the Agriculture, Manufacturing, and Service Sectors
Date
2008-09
ISSN
Published
2008-09
Author(s)
World Bank
Abstract
Tourism has become the leading economic
sector of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States
(OECS) islands, thus expanding linkages with the local
economy seems crucial going forward. Tourism has replaced
agriculture as the main economic driver within all the
islands comprising the OECS. In the early 1990s, agriculture
contributed nearly 12 percent of Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) overall; however by 2007 its share dropped to only 5
percent of GDP. Conversely, in the same year the tourism
sector of these islands accounted for an estimated 45
percent of GDP, and around 60 percent of foreign exchange
earnings, as a result of the more than 2.6 million tourists
that visited these islands. This study analyzes the
purchasing patterns and demand for agriculture,
manufacturing and services by the tourism industry, both
directly and indirectly, through a structured survey and
in-depth interviews. A detailed survey covering 70 hotels,
marinas, and other tourism operators analyzed the current
purchasing pattern of agricultural and food products (13
categories from fruits to canned goods), services (12
categories, from legal support to flower arrangements), and
manufactured goods (8 categories). From the supply side, 16
small and medium enterprises were surveyed on the obstacles
they were facing for their development, and on their revenue
and cost structures. Three different missions covered the 6
largest OECS islands, conducted over 80 interviews and
included experts from the agricultural sector including Food
Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Private Sector
Development (PSD). Additionally, a value chain analysis
evaluated the economics of key products. This combined
approach provided an extensive source of data and
information on linkages that was not available in the
islands, as well as insights to improve them going forward.
Overall, there seem to be interesting opportunities to
increase linkages between tourism and other sectors of the
OECS economies. Most hospitality operators, particularly
hotels, demonstrate high willingness to increase the share
of products and services purchased from local origin; and in
addition, local suppliers of goods and services are willing
to focus more their offer on the needs of the tourism
industry. This study intended to provide some initial
conclusions about specific economic activities and
particular ways to increase such linkages in the
agricultural and food, manufacturing, and services sectors.
Citation
“World Bank. 2008. Organization of Eastern Caribbean States - Increasing Linkages of Tourism with the Agriculture, Manufacturing, and Service Sectors. © Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/3c6b7fd7-7f11-5722-8007-9c970bb4a6af License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”