ABSTRACT
Tourism and tourism development, irrespective of the scale, plays a significant role in the development of The Bahamas. They have the potential to impact the lives of Bahamians and require the Government’s commitment to ensure the developments are successful. In 2002 the Government initiated an Anchor Investment Policy to create employment on each of the large islands in The Bahamas through the development of large hotel resorts (anchor projects). In this chapter we examine tourism and tourism development on the quality of life of residents in three selected islands: Abaco, Bimini and Exuma. Do residents perceive their quality of life has improved economically, social/culturally and environmentally as a result of tourism and the large resort developments (anchor projects) in their islands. Findings from this survey reveal the respondents believe that tourism and tourism development improved their quality of life despite the environmental costs of the developments in their islands. Also, residents should be involved in the planning of tourism development as opposed to decisions being made in Nassau inclusive of managing tourism growth in their islands because of their experiences with the mega resorts.
