Developing niche tourism: a literary festival in Montserrat

The objective of this study was to examine a unique literary festival on the island of Montserrat in the Eastern Caribbean. It highlights the significance a festival can have on the tourism industry in a remote island setting economically and socially with impacts that extend beyond tourism. Well developed festivals that support the culture and heritage of a region do not only provide unique and authentic experiences for the tourist but can also provide an opportunity for community engagement. With many stakeholder interests in the development of a festival, consideration must be given to the culture and heritage of the region to maximize the benefits of the experience for the guests as well as the host community. The management and cultural opportunities of this literary festival are also discussed to promote further research in sustainable tourism development for the area. Key words: Cultural tourism, literary festival, sustainable development.
INTRODUCTION With the increasing demand for cultural and sustainable tourism, decision makers and other stakeholders are increasingly acknowledging cultural tourism as an economic resource. Furthermore, beyond the economic contribution, cultural [...]