October 2008
Screening of JAMAICA FOR SALE, a documentary film about tourism and unsustainable development. JAMAICA FOR SALE counters the dominant view that tourism is the savior of the Jamaican people. Lively and hard hitting, with powerful voices, arresting visuals and iconic music, JAMAICA FOR SALE documents the environmental, economic, social and cultural impacts of unsustainable tourism development. The Caribbean is the region most economically dependent on tourism and Jamaica is the 4th most indebted country in the world. As Jamaica is irreversibly transformed by massive hotel and luxury condominium development, JAMAICA FOR SALE both documents this transformation and is trying to turn the tide.
"This film presents a critical account of contemporary Jamaican tourism. It boldly ventures beyond the idyllic images of an island paradise, depicted in numerous travel brochures and television advertisements, exposing the underbelly of an industry beset by serious social and environmental challenges. Sobering and riveting, this documentary is a must see for all those who love Jamaica and care about creating a sustainable tourism industry." Ian Boxill, PhD, Professor of Sociology and Tourism Researcher, UWI Mona, Jamaica.
"Jamaica for Sale is a powerful critique of the persistent neocolonial structures of ownership in the Jamaican tourism industry, and the resulting environmental degradation, exploitative and dangerous labour conditions, and loss of communities' autonomy or participation in the development processes that most affect their livelihoods. Through a combination of interviews, archival footage, and coverage of tourism-related events such as work stoppages and communities' meetings with resort developers, Jamaica for Sale presents a compelling portrayal of an industry in crisis, one that is perpetuating a radically uneven distribution of tourism benefits." Jenny Burman, Assistant Professor of Communications, McGill University.
Author of "Transnational Yearnings: Tourism, Migration and Diasporic Culture" (forthcoming)
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