Wish you weren’t here! How tourism is impacting Caribbean beaches
Locals say they can’t access their own bit of paradise.
Tourism is a vital part of the economy for many Caribbean nations, from Jamaica to Grenada to the Bahamas. In fact, the United Nations says the Caribbean is the region of the world that’s most dependent on tourists. The sector supports millions of jobs — from barmen and waiters to cab drivers and chefs — and many of these roles go to women and young people. But what happens when developers close off beaches to locals?
BBC reporter Chelsea Coates, who has visited several Caribbean islands, explains the growing tensions across the region as countries try to balance tourism with the rights and interests of local communities. Focusing on Barbuda, a tiny island with just a few thousand residents, she looks at the impact of major developments and how local residents are reacting.
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Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: William Lee Adams, Deedee Kyeremateng and Benita Barden
Editor: Julia Ross-Roy
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- Fri 22 May 2026 17:50GMTBBC World Service News Internet
- Sat 23 May 2026 02:50GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa, South Asia, West and Central Africa & East Asia only
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What in the World
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