Developing a sustainable tourism approach for Cayo Coco, Cuba

Abstract

Cuba is in the process of economic change and for that reason many of the surrounding keys (including Cayo Coco) are being evaluated for recreation and tourism.

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether Cayo Coco, Cuba could develop a market for more nature tourism and less sun, sand and sea tourism. The main objectives of the study are: (1) to gain a historical and present day understanding of tourism planning and the government's strategies for Cuba; (2) to gain an understanding of the strategy and planning for tourism development in Cayo Coco; (3) to develop a basic knowledge of the environment in Cayo Coco in order to identify possible areas of environmental impacts and sensitivity; (4) to conduct a survey of current tourists coming to Cayo Coco in order to obtain an international market perspective on whether it is feasible to develop ecotourism on this island; and (5) to provide a set of recommendations for the Coastal Ecosystem Research Center (CERC) that can be used to reinforce the protection of biodiversity and strengthen current tourism planning, especially in the area of ecotourism. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)