Citation
Teare, R., Ajagunna, I., Pinnock, F. and Amonde, T.M. (2017), "Editorial", Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, Vol. 9 No. 1, pp. 2-3. https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-11-2016-0072
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited
Tourism and logistics both involve the movement of people and the delivery of goods and services, and given the importance of tourism to the Caribbean region, this issue explores their interrelatedness. I should like to thank Ibrahim Ajagunna, Fritz Pinnock, Tom M. Amonde and their writing team for their wide-ranging and detailed analysis.
Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes (WHATT) aims to make a practical and theoretical contribution to hospitality and tourism development, and we seek to do this by using a key question to focus attention on an industry issue. If you would like to contribute to our work by serving as a WHATT theme editor, do please contact me.
Tourism business development and logistics in the Caribbean: will there be a symbiotic relationship?
The economy of most Caribbean countries depends on tourism in providing needed foreign exchange, at the same time; tourism has been the largest provider of employment (direct and indirect) for these countries. The dilemma of these countries, however, is that they have often depended on mono crops (from agriculture to mining, tourism and remittances). Recently, the development of logistics hubs has dominated the agenda of most Caribbean governments as the new strategy for economic growth. While many countries like Singapore, Dubai, South Korea and China have turned around their economies through the development of logistics hubs that are global in outlook, the question remains whether Caribbean countries will allow this opportunity to pass without responding. In the same light, if developed, will tourism become something of the past or will it be allowed to coexist with the development of logistics hubs? It is on this premise that this theme issue will address the symbiotic relationship between tourism business development and logistics in the Caribbean.
With continued investment in maritime and logistics infrastructures globally and particularly in the Caribbean, there is an increased recognition in academia, government and the industry that a higher level of synergy in maritime and tourism services is required. Given the recognized need for greater effectiveness in the advancement and competitiveness of maritime, logistics and tourism development in the Caribbean, this theme creates a platform for the exchange of ideas, opinions and research among the aforementioned parties. The theme focuses on the key issues of Caribbean government agendas, with the development of the logistics infrastructure, maritime and aviation training, the opening of the expanded Panama Canal and the proposed new Canal in Nicaragua and the implications for tourism development in the Caribbean.
The articles in this theme issue focus on research recently completed, viewpoints from industry and a review of existing publications and resources relevant to the theme. Our goal is to bring together academics, professionals, government and other industry experts to share new trends, best practices, case studies and cutting-edge research that impact the maritime, logistics and tourism industries by focusing on key issues related to the theme.
About the authors
Ibrahim Ajagunna is the Director of School of Academic Studies at the Caribbean Maritime Institute, Jamaica. He is the President of the Caribbean Tourism Educators Alliance. Jamaica Chapter. A Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, UK. Ibrahim is a Member of the Board of Studies for Tourism, Hospitality and Entertainment, University Council of Jamaica, and the University of Technology, Jamaica. He is also a member of the task force on Education and Training for the Logistics Hub development in Jamaica. Ibrahim is the author of the book Planning process for sustainable tourism development. Ibrahim along with Dr Fritz Pinnock have jointly published over 30 articles in Caribbean Maritime and Caribbean Port Side Magazines. Ibrahim is a co-author of the book From Piracy to Transhipment, Jamaica’s Journey to Becoming a Global Logistics Hub. Ibrahim’s research interests are in strategic planning using the blue ocean strategy, maritime transportation and sustainability, national security, tourism and sustainable development.
Fritz Pinnock holds a BSc (Hons.) in Economics and Accounting, an MSc in International Shipping and Logistics and a Doctor of Philosophy in Sustainable Development. Fritz is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, UK, a Member of the British Institute of Management and the Institute of Logistics and Distribution Management (MILDM). Fritz is the Jamaica Association for Administrative Professionals (JAAP) All-Island Boss of the year for 2013-2014. His publications include Marine Terminal Operations & Management, Caribbean Cruise Tourism: Power Relations Among Stakeholders and Global Maritime Transportation Corridors, Co-author with Dr Yann Alix and Dr Ibrahim Ajagunna. In addition, Fritz has published numerous academic peer review and industry articles and magazines in multiple languages, including French, German and Spanish. He is a contributing writer and columnist (the Human Factor) to the Caribbean Maritime Magazine. Fritz Pinnock is a special advisor to various agencies (governmental and non-governmental) and sits on several, institutional, community and sports-related boards including the chairman of the Jamaica Rowing Federation and Chairman of the Associates Committee, Port Management Association of the Caribbean (PMAC).
Tom M. Amonde holds a PhD in Economics from The University of Manchester, UK. Tom is a Peer Reviewer for Applied Economics, Applied Financial Economics and Journal of Arts Science and Technology (JAST). His research interest surrounds applied socio-economic issues, and he has a wide range of publications, some of which include: “Prior academic achievements in Mathematics and English and university academic outcomes: A case of a Business Teacher Education Programme in Jamaica”, in The Bridge: Journal of Educational Research and Informed Practice, published in 2015 (with Stephen Wallder); “Stabilization Effects of Narrative-based Monetary Policy in Jamaica”, International Economic Journal, published in 2013 (with Prof. Edward E. Ghartey); Economic Survey of the Caribbean 2011-2012: Positive growth amidst lingering downside, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, published in 2013, (with D. Alleyne, M. Hendrickson, K. Yoshida & M. Dookie); Macroeconomics for Development: The Caribbean Experience, UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), published in 2012, (with Dillon Alleyne, Michael Hendrickson). In addition, Tom has been a part of the University of Technology, Jamaica consultancy team providing Technical Assistance for the Integration of STEM in the National Standard Curriculum (NSC) to the Government of Jamaica (GOJ)/Ministry of Education and Youth (MoEY) – Contract # GOJ-61-2014/2015. He is a Principal Team Member of UTech-UNESCO/UNEVOC Centre.