The Application of a Spatial Decision Support System to Tourism-Based Land Management in Small Island States

Abstract

Tourism planning decisions involve varying degrees of participation from multiple interests, some of which may differ substantially in their objectives, relative authority, and perception of key issues. This article focuses on applying Geographic Information System technology within a customized software design to allow multiple participants from various sectors to designate land parcels appropriate for tourism-related development or for a competing land use. The approach adopted allows the degree of consensus in land designations to be identified and visualized in map form. A small sample of participants with diverse interests in land use and tourism planning issues apply this tool to a sample tourism planning study in West Bay District of Grand Cayman, British West Indies. The findings of the sample application are discussed, with emphasis given to the contributions that this type of information system can offer policy makers concerned with contentious tourism-related planning and management decisions.