The Belizean Conundrum: Globalization, Tourism and Livelihoods in Placencia, Belize by Myriam Theriault A Practicum Report submitted to Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, Nova Scotia in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Arts in International Development Studies Saint Mary’s University September, 2007, Halifax, Nova Scotia © Myriam Theriault, 2007 Approved Dr. Anthony O’Malley Supervisor Approved Dr. Henry Veltmeyer Reader Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 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Abstract The Belizean Conundrum: Globalization, Tourism and Livelihoods in Placencia, Belize By Myriam Theriault During the last decades, around the world, globalization has been the driving force behind the development of tourism. Pushed by a few international organizations, tourism rapidly became a way for Third World countries to reach development. Yet, the perceptions locals have of tourism, and the impacts it has on them, are not always positive. Placencia, Belize, was a small fishing village until tourism became the main source of income for most of its villagers. It is important to understand how tourism impacts the livelihood of Placencians to see if tourism is helping, or hindering, the development of Placencia. Using a livelihood approach, this report describes how the natural, social, physical, human and financial assets of Placencians are impacted by tourism. September, 2007 II Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Acknowledgement Un merci tout special a Carole et Jacques, pour tout. Tout; Merci tante Huguette, pour ton support tout au long de la maitrise... ; Thanks to Dr. Anthony O’Malley, for the countless hours spent advising, proof-reading and helping me; Merci a Sylvia et Severine... Votre aide m’a ete plus precieuse que vous ne le croyez ; Enfin, merci aux copains et copines qui m’ont supporte, aide, conseille, brasse et endure pendant la demiere annee : les « Magnificent 7 », Linda, Franky, Fabienne, Tim, Marie- Aude et Guillaume, Fran?oise, Estelle, Catherine et Jerome, Francine, Ken, Katy and Marian, les Pelletiers, Dubucs, Theriaults... And all my Belizeans friends, who I cannot name here. Ill Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. “Development does not come from a nation of waiters, bell hops and chambermaids, and far less from prostitute and pimps. Although such assertions clearly go beyond economic criteria, they are at the heart of many criticisms of tourism development” (Harrison, 1992: 18) IV Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Contents Chapter 1: Introduction .....................................................................................1 Chapter 2: Literature Review ..........................................................................6 2.1 What is development? ................................................................................ 7 2.2 What is the relation between tourism and development? .....................11 2.3 Tourism and development in a globalizing world ................................ 15 2.4 Brief review of past theories ....................................................................17 2.4.1 The three most common theories ...........................................................................18 2.4.1.1 Doxey’s irridex M odel ................................................................................... 18 2.4.1.2 Butler’s cycle of evolution .............................................................................19 2.3.1.3 Social exchange theory ..................................................................................20 2.4.2 Wall’s Segmentation approach (1983 ...................................................................21 2.4.3 Impact and attitude toward tourism ......................................................................22 2.5 Livelihood approach ................................................................................. 23 2.5.1 Financial assets o f livelihoods ...............................................................................27 2.5.1.1 Positive impacts on financial assets ............................................................. 27 2.5.1.2 Issues with financial assets ........................................................................... 27 2.5.2 Human assets of livelihoods ..................................................................................30 2.5.2.1 Positive impacts on human assets.................................................................30 2.5.2.2 Issues with human assets ................................................................................ 31 2.5.3 Physical assets of livelihoods ................................................................................32 2.5.3.1 Positive impacts on physical assets .............................................................. 32 2.5.3.2 Issues with physical assets ............................................................................ 33 2.5.4 Natural assets of livelihoods ..................................................................................34 2.5.4.1 Positive impacts on natural assets ................................................................ 34 2.5.4.2 Issues with natural assets ...............................................................................35 2.5.5 Social assets of livelihoods .................................................................................... 35 2.5.5.1 Positive impacts on social assets ...................................................................37 2.5.5.2 Issues with social assets .................................................................................37 2.6 Conclusion ................................................................................................. 39 Chapter 3: The country of Belize and Placencia fieldwork ..................... 41 3.1 Belize..........................................................................................................41 3.1.1 H istory ......................................................................................................................42 3.1.2 Economy ...................................................................................................................43 3.1.3 Human and physical assets .................................................................................... 45 3.1.4 Natural assets...........................................................................................................46 3.1.5 Society ......................................................................................................................47 3.1.6 Tourism .....................................................................................................................49 3.2 Fieldwork ................................................................................................... 55 V Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 3.3 Methodology ............................................................................................. 55 3.4 Fieldwork in Placencia ............................................................................. 59 3.4.1 Placencia’s tourists ................................................................................................