Understanding the Impacts of Cruise Ship Tourism on Marginalized Populations

As global tourism continues to rise, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) continues to encourage the use of tourism as an economic development strategy for poverty reduction in many developing countries. The Caribbean country of Jamaica has used to tourism, especially cruise ship tourism, to some economic success and, perhaps, little poverty reduction. With a substantial investment in tourism-related infrastructure projects, including building and renewing port facilities for cruise ships, from the federal government and international agencies, tourism in Jamaica has grown to the second largest economic sector for the country. While the Jamaican government has promoted the economic success of the tourism investments little has been said about the social costs to communities near the ports. This dissertation will use grounded analysis to begin to explore the experiences and the social issues that the locals face due to cruise ship tourism in their communities. The qualitative research will show that there are profound social issues and stressors impacting the quality of life of the residents, both within the tourism sector and outside of it, while achieving little of the economic success that the government has claimed. Using interviews conducted in Montego Bay, Falmouth, and Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and previous studies on social impacts and stressors, a social impact assessment matrix was created for tourism developers to use to help mitigate future negative social externalities of cruise ship port development projects within Jamaica.