Robert N. Thomas

Spatial dynamics of resorts: Sosúa, Dominican Republic

Abstract While a rich body of literature focuses on the dual nature of Third-World economies, a scarcity of research on duality within a tourism context exists. This article models formal and informal sector development within the resort of Sosua, Dominican Republic. The authors illustrate the spatial dynamics of the two sectors as the resort evolves. Results of this analysis demonstrate that the tourism-related informal sector contracts as the tourism-related formal sector expands. Moreover, the research indicates that displaced informal sector individuals are not likely to be absorbed into the expanding formal economy. The investigation also helps fill a research gap by combining general theories of development with those of tourism.

Tourist Carrying Capacity Measures: Crowding Syndrome in the Caribbean

Abstract International tourism is increasing at an unprecedented rate. Understanding the variety of national and local impacts of this increase is of importance to a growing number of governments. Butlers resort cycle model (1974, 1980,; 1991) provides for several long-term possibilities as to the relationship between crowding and growth. McElroy, de Albuquerque, and Dioguardi (1993) focus on one of those possibilities. Specifically, using their penetration ratio, they predict that as tourist crowding continues for a group of Caribbean islands, the appeal of these islands decreases in the eyes of potential tourists and that, as time increases, the growth rate of the affected islands, actually decreases. Our article indicates that such a simple, straight-line relationship between increased crowding and a decrease in the rate of change may not be inevitable; indeed, diseconomies of scale may be avoided. The use of a curvilinear regression function reveals how both positive and negative scale economies existed in the Caribbean during the years 1992 through 1996.

Population Pressure, Deforestation, and Land Degradation: A Case Study from the Dominican Republic

Population pressure, deforestation, and land degradation are major ecological concerns in developing countries. This research investigates causal linkages among interrelated physical and social processes in a case study conducted within the Plan Sierra resource management region of the Cordillera Central, Dominican Republic. Results of bivariate regression analysis, based on a sample of 450 traditional hillslope farms, support a linear relationship between population pressure and deforestation at two spatial scales. However, the strength of the relationship between population pressure and forest cover change decreases over a twenty-year time frame. Results also confirm a positive relationship between deforestation and land degradation. This case study contributes to an understanding of the precise nature of these relationships at sub-national scales of analysis.

Internal migration systems in the developing world : with special reference to Latin America

This volume stems from a course of lectures held at the Latin American Studies Center at Michigan State University in 1974. Several alternative migration models are described the process of rural-urban migration is examined and alternative policies to affect migration are discussed. Some case studies are then presented (ANNOTATION)

Seaside Resort Development in the Dominican Republic

Within the informal sector, legitimate services are provided by itinerant and semi-stationary vendors peddling items ranging from traditionally prepared food and beverages to locally manufactured folk handicrafts and souvenirs. In contrast, officious services are often rendered by the ubiquitous guides, money changers, personal secretaries, “beach boys.“ and prostitutes who cruise the streets and pathways of coastal resorts. Undesirable goods, include items made from endangered or exotic marine life forms, natural karst formations, and the sale of illicit if not illegal narcotics and drugs. Formal tourist development lends to manifest itself in three distinct forms: l)self-contained enclaves: 2)semi-insular/interactive enclaves; and 3)integrated domestic-international resorts. The luxury class enclave resort is highly restrictive, tolerating practically no participation by the informal sector. In contrast, the semi-insular resort model promoted by the Dominican government advocates controlled access via s...

Pilgrim Networks of the Holy Shrine of Esquipulas, Guatemala

The Shrine of the Black Christ of Esquipulas, Guatemala, attracts over one million pilgrims annually. This research reveals major pilgrim source areas and identifies key variables associated with pilgrim movement to the shrine. Four data sets were obtained by interviewing pilgrims at the shrine. In major pilgrim source areas, religious leaders and transportation agents were visited throughout Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. Over 60% of the pilgrims originate in Guatemala. An additional 20% travel from Honduras and 10% come from El Salvador. Smaller numbers journey from Mexico and the United States of America. Within Guatemala distance decay plays a role in accounting for variations in source areas especially when standardizing pilgrim numbers by total population. Other Black Christ shrines throughout Central America and Mexico have developed their own areas of influence and attract individuals who might otherwise travel to Esquipulas. As distance increases these secondary shrines gain in importance and compete with the original image. Central Americas agricultural cycle affects pilgrim travel. Greater numbers of rural inhabitants visit Esquipulas during the dry season when farming activities are at low ebb. Relatively few U.S. citizens travel to Esquipulas since most tour companies which book visitors to Guatemala focus on the highland, Indian areas.