Modelling Tourism Impacts on Small Island Economies: Evidence from Cyprus, Malta and Mauritius

Assessing the Effects of an Increase in Tropical Cyclone Activity on the Tourism Sector-
The Case of Mauritius

Development of Coastal Tourism and Homestays on Dachangshan Dao,  Liaoning Province

North East China

In China, tourism is being actively developed and is evolving towards a more open-economy form. Coastal tourism is encouraged but has come into conflict with other uses and sustainable development is an issue. Dachangshan Dao, the largest island in the Changshan island group in Liaoning Province, off the Yellow Sea, provides an opportunity to assess one form of island tourism under development. The study provides valuable lessons on the local community’s involvement in island tourism. In response to domestic tourism demand at Yangjia Beach on Dachangshan Dao, the government has allowed the farmers on this beach to convert their farms into homestays. This paper analyzed the morphological changes of the farms into homestays and the transformation of the local farmers to homestay-owners. As tourism develops, conflicting interests have emerged between the tourists, the local community groups (e.g. farmers, fishers), the private developers, and the government agencies. The nature of empowerment, conflicts, or harmony among the different stakeholders was studied and the power structure behind these phenomena was analyzed. In addition, the current accommodation capacity, the facility capacity, and the infrastructure (e.g. drainage system, sewage disposal) of the homestays were assessed. Policy, legislation and planning relating to the homestays were also evaluated. Finally, improvements to the homestays and their future were discussed.

Designing Tourism Taxation in a Small Island Industrialising Economy

Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors and has an important contribution in the economy of several small island economies. In the face of budgetary constraints and pressures to decrease reliance on a variety of taxes, especially trade taxes, several countries are relying on tourism taxes. Indeed, there is an economic rationale for tourism taxes in so far as they correct for market failure and generate revenue that governments can use for such purposes as redistribution, infrastructure provision or to sustain the development of the sector. As tourism taxes proliferate, businesses and consumers are pressing the government for reductions in both the range and levels of tourism taxes on the grounds that they constitute a disincentive to demand, profitability and investment. Moreover, taxes can be inefficient and inequitable, if not set at appropriate levels, and may lead to retaliation by other countries. Clearly, tourism taxation has become a contentious issue and, given its growing importance in several countries, it is important to understand and measure its economic underpinnings and effects. This paper uses a Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model of Mauritius to investigate the efficiency, income distribution, macroeconomic, sectoral and tax revenue effects of various forms of tourism taxation. The economic effects of substituting the hotels and restaurants tax by the VAT are also investigated.

Public Cultural Expenditures and Tourism Industry: The Case of Mauritius

The blend of cultural diversity and social unity is an invaluable asset for a small island developing economy like Mauritius. It is not only a major source of attraction for tourists but also an input in the promotion of economic and social development. The preservation of cultural diversity and consolidation of social unity has loomed large in the design of cultural policies, which have major implications for the development of Mauritius as a tourist resort. Given the high level of budget deficits and the recent objective of the government to rationalize public expenditures, there is a lot of recent discussion on the implications of the cuts in public cultural expenditures on cultural developments and tourism industry. The objective of this paper is to undertake an econometric analysis of the economic and political determinants of cultural expenditures and its impact on the tourism industry. The results of this study will help policy makers taking informed decisions relating to budgetary allocations to culture and its concomitant impact on tourism.

Islanders Exoticism: Case Stories from Mauritius Island, Indian Ocean

The socioeconomic development of any small island started with the introduction of exotic species and its exploitation. Eucalyptus and Aloe plant species were introduced to Mauritius and used in the processing and packing of sugar.

Nowadays these species are simply ignored as the traditional practices of processing and packing of   sugar are done using mechanized systems. Changes in the lifestyles of the residents are so quick that chemical products are finding ways to replace the natural cures provided by eucalyptus and aloe plants.

Plastic fiber bags replace aloe fiber bags. What used to be a good idea since  the seventeenth century is nowadays obsolete. The impacts on the environment of small island have clearly indicated that option of using biological products is best suited . But, Who cares.