Abstract
The aim of this research is to model international tourist flows to the Caribbean with a secondary aim of explaining the distance puzzle in tourism-the confounding tourist flows-geographic distance relationship. Tourist flows are a reflection of distance between origin and destination countries. Conceptually, distance is complex, involving cultural, historical and contemporary relationships, climate, and the economy, among other dimensions. Moreover, the relationships between non-geographic or relative dimensions of distance and international tourist flows have received comparatively little attention in the literature. This research adopts an interdisciplinary approach, necessitated by the limitations of existing approaches. The study employs the gravity model as, conceptually and theoretically, it provides a framework for modelling international tourist flows and examining the distance puzzle in tourism. The results demonstrate that gravity can explain international tourist flows to the Caribbean. In particular, tourist flows to the Caribbean are increased by cultural proximity, historical and contemporary colonial relationships, despite evidence of gradual erosion, the strength of diasporic and immigrant links, similarity in tastes, and the distance in climatic conditions between the Caribbean and its source markets. Further, the multidimensionality of distance can explain the distance puzzle in tourism. The current study provides an important input into Caribbean tourism geography and marketing, which can be of considerable value to tourism stakeholders in the region. Findings from this study can provide information for the development of policies or a policy framework, which could enhance the tourism product in the region, or help to forestall any negative outcomes.