ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the scope for improving the impact of the tourism industry on Caribbean economies, especially the agricultural sector. However, while there is a tremendous amount of interest in the subject, there are very few hard facts available concerning the 'leakages' of tourist receipts, when foreign exchange earned from tourism is used immediately (often prior to visitor arrivals) for food imports and other tourist consumption items. This chapter, therefore, attempts to estimate the magnitude of purchases made by hotels and other tourist enterprises on food and beverage procurement to support their guests. It then discusses the demand! supply constraints on local production of food and other consumables. The final portion of the chapter is devoted to actions that a country might take to define its own import substitution opportunities and hence reduce its food dependency, not only for tourists but also for the resident population.
