According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the tourism industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in the world, as it is estimated that by 2020, 7,8 billions of people (about a quarter of the world's population) will travel abroad (Bennett & Gebhardt 15). The Caribbean is said to be the most economically dependent on this sector, as the Caribbean Tourism Organization states that the sector forms the "economic backbone of most countries in the region" ("Caribbean Tourism Industry" 1) , implications for what tourism effects have occurred on the region and have prompted further research into the issue. Since the 1970s, tourism research in the Caribbean has attempted to determine the social, cultural, environmental and economic impacts of tourism. Much of the research has found that there are actually many negative negative effects, and Jackson's article states that "governments often commit money and other resources to supporting the growth and development of tourism and often turn a blind eye to its negative impacts " (574). The reason why tourism seems attractive (and therefore turns a blind eye) to these Caribbean countries is because of its “potential to boost GDP growth, create jobs, increase foreign exchange earnings and attract capital” (Daye, Chambers, and Roberts 2). This article will review these impacts by first discussing a case study conducted in the Jamaican resort town, Ocho Rios, with Sheere Brooks discussing the observed social, cultural and economic consequences of Jamaica's dependence on the tourism industry and finally examining tourism in relation to capitalism. , with Robert Fletcher suggesting in his article that the tourism industry (and more specifically...... the focus of the article ......tedBennett, David and Sophie Gebhardt. "Global Tourism and CaribbeanCulture." Caribbean Quarterly 51.1 (2005): 15-24. Web. 12 November 2013. Brooks, Sheer. “'A Squatter in My Country!' Spatial Manifestations of Social Exclusion in a Jamaican Resort Ed. New York: Routledge, 2008. 163-184. Print, Donna, Daye, Marcella, Roberts and Sherma Roberts. “New Perspectives in Caribbean Tourism: Ed. New York, 2008.” "Improving the Adverse Impacts of Tourism: A Caribbean Perspective." International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management.18.7 (2006): 574-582. November 12, 2013. Sheridath Ramphal Center for International Trade Law. "Caribbean Tourism Industry: A Brief Overview.".