Sun, Sand, Sea & Sustainability?: A Study on Sustainable Tourism and Mass Tourism Management for the Islands of the Bahamas

The aim of this research is to critically investigate and analyze the possible links between the emerging paradigm of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable tourism, as well if it can be considered for further improvements of mass tourism planning and management in the islands of the Bahamas. This study enquires into the Bahamas’ relative history of mass tourism, the role of mass tourism and alternative tourism in the Bahamas in relation to their sustainable development aim, as well the management characteristics of the CSR paradigm in accordance to mass tourism. The research overview is based upon secondary data that incorporates the role of theoretical underpinnings by exploring the perception of tourism business as either an industry or social force, the respective roles of mass tourism and alternative tourism for sustainable tourism management, as well as the differentiating power schemes of the public and private sector in small island economies due to tourism’s influence on the market. Connections are drawn in the analysis based on the use of triangulation as a tool to interpret the data with the use of the multiple theories presented. The results suggest that it is necessary for the Bahamas to restructure their current tourism industry to one that is able produce significant change in the face of sustainable tourism. It is also suggested that a top-level driver support this effort, and the emerging paradigm of CSR, in relation to sustainable tourism, may be considered for this position due to the practice’s strength of incorporating the ethical needs of the local destination along with the economic needs of tourism business.