ABSTRACT

It is perhaps a mistake to make the first substantive chapter of the book one that deals with the historical development and political economy of Latin American and Caribbean countries – it can be a dry subject at times, one that involves many ‘isms’ and ‘ations’ – privatisation, regulation, globalisation, corporation, neoliberalism. As organisations such as Oxfam, Christian Aid and the World Development Movement are fully aware, it is not easy to engage and retain the interest and enthusiasm of the populace at large for issues that can seem distant, with interlinkages that are complex and difficult to understand. But the development of the structure of power and privilege within the LAC countries and the history of the exercise of power over the region from outside forces are crucial to an understanding of the influences on the development of tourism. The same factors are no less relevant to an analysis of the responsibility or otherwise with which tourism developments are made.