Whose Paradise Is It? The Crisis of Beach Access in Jamaica and the Debate on Plantation Tourism

Abstract

                1.105       The article analyzes the crisis regarding beach access in Jamaica and questions the relationships between tourism, territory, heritage, and social inequality. Drawing on a report by *The Guardian*, it examines cases such as Mammee Bay, the Blue Lagoon, and Bob Marley Beach, where tourism development has sparked controversy due to restrictions on community access. The concept of "plantation tourism" is introduced as a critical category that draws a parallel between historical structures of colonial exploitation and certain contemporary tourism models that concentrate resources and benefits. The text highlights the economic, environmental, cultural, identity-related, and spiritual value that beaches hold for local communities. It also draws parallels between the situation in Jamaica and coastal destinations in Mexico, such as Cancún, the Riviera Maya, and Los Cabos. Finally, it argues that truly sustainable tourism must guarantee community participation, access, and rights regarding their territories, ensuring that the tourism experience is not built at the expense of those who inhabit them.