END Bahamian Tourism?

[Sunnyjohn]

Argument: Tourism has stunted the economic development of our country as we have allowed one industry to dominate and become the major means of government and personal revenues.
Argument: While there are high paying/high skilled job in tourism, there exists a plethora of low skilled, low paying work. Hotel maids, cocktail waitresses and bus boys can no longer make the thousands of dollars in tips once legendary in the industry.



Argument: In catering to foreign visitors we have forgotten to cater to ourselves. Security, comfort and infrastructure have largely been for the benefit of visitors, neglecting the needs of citizens, especially Family Islanders.


Argument: While tourism dollars have in past expanded the Bahamian middle class, paid for education Bahamians in various professional fields broadening the array of opportunities available to citizens, recent years have seen a decline in the ability of Bahamians to pursue these careers. Ambitions of younger generations (along with the erosion of academic achievement levels) have shepherded them into low skill, low wage work in the tourism industry.

A push for diversification is in order. Instead of focusing on tourism perhaps we should look to development of agriculture, technology (solar energy, computer tech, medical technologies) and mariculture (Fisheries). An improvement in educational standards could make these all real possibilities within a relatively short time span (15-25 years).


Discuss.



*This thread is not meant as an attack on the career of any person. My parent’s have made their living in the tourism industry since well before my birth. It is simply meant as a discussion tool.*

[BAHMIA]

IS U CRAZY? :paddle:

Where will the gov't (well, certain politicians) get their kickback money from if they can't fleece the foreign investor?

j/k

[i-omega]

IS U CRAZY? :paddle:

Where will the gov't (well, certain politicians) get their kickback money from if they can't fleece the foreign investor?

j/kROTFL:listen:

[casualobserver]

Argument: Tourism has stunted the economic development of our country as we have allowed one industry to dominate and become the major means of government and personal revenues.
Argument: While there are high paying/high skilled job in tourism, there exists a plethora of low skilled, low paying work. Hotel maids, cocktail waitresses and bus boys can no longer make the thousands of dollars in tips once legendary in the industry.


You can thank the unions for that. Automatic tip calculation (regardless of service level) has replaced generous gratuties for good service.



Argument: In catering to foreign visitors we have forgotten to cater to ourselves. Security, comfort and infrastructure have largely been for the benefit of visitors, neglecting the needs of citizens, especially Family Islanders.

I don't agree. Since Ping's Revolution, the Bahamas has always had a mind to Bahamianize everything, even lock out foreigners from certain industries. The introduction of NIB and the major Labor Law overhaul 5 or so years ago puts all the odds over to the Bahamian worker. The gubment desire to centralize itself in one island - Nassau - only puts extra pressure on the infrastructure that is over capacity.



Argument: While tourism dollars have in past expanded the Bahamian middle class, paid for education Bahamians in various professional fields broadening the array of opportunities available to citizens, recent years have seen a decline in the ability of Bahamians to pursue these careers. Ambitions of younger generations (along with the erosion of academic achievement levels) have shepherded them into low skill, low wage work in the tourism industry.

Don't blame tourism dollars for making kids dumb. Blame pop culture, gang mentalities and corruption for that.



A push for diversification is in order. Instead of focusing on tourism perhaps we should look to development of agriculture, technology (solar energy, computer tech, medical technologies) and mariculture (Fisheries). An improvement in educational standards could make these all real possibilities within a relatively short time span (15-25 years).
Discuss.

Now if only gubment would provide a Technology Encouragement Act and Education Encouragement Act with concessions attached. and no, pirated DVDs, cell phones and phone card sales aren't considered technology.


*This thread is not meant as an attack on the career of any person. My parent’s have made their living in the tourism industry since well before my birth. It is simply meant as a discussion tool.*