Transformations in the Belize sugar industry: from Colonial plantations to a vital tourist industry
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Rachel Marissa Campbell (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
- Advisor
- Roy Stine
Abstract: This research explored the evolution of the sugar industry in Belize, including examining its influence on the country's economy and its cultural and historical heritage. As part of this exploration, it situated the information in the context of a heritage tourist application. There has been a dearth of historical lineage establishing how sugar evolved from being a `non-native' crop to becoming a major source of income in Belize. This study has added to this lineage by connecting the transference of plants with parallel changes in migration and labor patterns, including those of British colonists, expatriate Confederates, East Indians and Belizeans. It also assessed relative group influences with the industries' transformation through the use of archival sources, GPS and ArcGIS mapping applications and technological advancements. Results identified the locations of some important sugar mills and their associated communities, their histories and the role of various groups, which set the stage for sugar's influence in the modern economy including heritage and industrial tourism in Belize. It shows how the use of technological advances play a vital role in ecotourism through the endorsement of the history of sugar in the country's past and present culture. One major product is an overview of the growth, development and economic impact of sugar in Belize. A second product is the development of a strategy for improving heritage and industrial tourism of these historic sites. The final product is a database showing sugar-related heritage site locations and their histories along with maps as well as a downloadable application that is available for transfer to a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) to access history, maps and directions for the culturally inclined visitor in Belize.
Transformations in the Belize sugar industry: from Colonial plantations to a vital tourist industry
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Created on 12/1/2013
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Dissertation
- Language: English
- Date: 2013
- Keywords
- Belize, Heritage Sites, Migration, PDA (mobile application), Sugar, Tourism
- Subjects
- Sugar trade $z Belize $x History
- Sugar trade $x Economic aspects $z Belize
- Ecotourism $z Belize