The Dilemma of a Paradise Destination: Tourism Education and Local Employment as Contributors to Sustainable Development

Abstract

Sustainable tourism development is frequently promoted by Small Island Developing States (SIDS), to curb the developmental constraints which they face, as well as to create employment opportunities. However, in pursuit of tourism development, many SIDS have often ignored the crucial component of local participation in both tourism decision making and employment. Using mixed methodology, the aim of this research was to determine the role of tourism education and local employment as factors contributing to the sustainable development of tourism in the context of a SIDS destination. The research indicated that there are numerous factors mitigating local participation in tourism employment. The research further indicated that tourism education can play a crucial role in sustainable development of the destination. Concurrently, the research findings indicated that in aggressive pursuit of tourism development, the government has failed to address the critical areas of local employment and tourism education as part of the broader national development plans.