Heritage justice, conservation, and tourism in the Greater Caribbean

Abstract

Heritage Justice in the Greater Caribbean is a vital component of the region’s sustainable development. Its Early Modern heritage is inextricably linked to the brutal regimes of European colonial expansion that enslaved African and Indigenous populations. Equitable and inclusive narratives, set within a framework of heritage justice, sit uneasily within the tourism landscape and are often erased or hidden in favor of histories that celebrate White colonial achievement. This article examines the port towns of St. George’s Bermuda, and Falmouth, Jamaica, to explore how policies and priorities of heritage tourism and conservation practices, are used to exclude, erase, and diminish the contributions of communities of African descent, their material histories, and disconnect communities from tourism economies. The discussion argues for a more inclusive and equitable approach to heritage tourism that champions heritage justice for under-represented communities. Ultimately, this discussion calls for a transformation of heritage, preservation policy, and tourism in the Greater Caribbean.

Keywords:

• Caribbean
• heritage tourism
• heritage programming
• heritage justice
• Bermuda
• Jamaica

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1 In Bermuda, since 2007 I have undertaken intensive research investigation and heritage collaborations through archaeological excavations (Fortenberry, 2008, 2009, 2015); architectural investigation and recordation (Fortenberry, 2017, 2018, 2020). Through this engagement, I have analyzed and been a participant in the national planning process and UNESCO World Heritage governance and procedures. Still, too, I have been an advisor to the Bermuda National Trust, National Museum of Bermuda, the St. George’s Historical Society, the St. George’s UNESCO World Heritage Planning Committee, and the National Planning Office.

2 I have worked with Falmouth Heritage Renewal (FHR), a heritage non-profit, as both a collaborator and a board member (Chappell and Fortenberry, 2017; Fortenberry, 2019).

3 The construction of a hotel on Gates Bay has caused widespread panic among heritage stakeholders in St. George’s. The site sits within the buffer zone of the World Heritage area and is just meters from one of the major fortification contributing properties, Fort St. Catherine’s. The hotel’s impact on St. George’s World Heritage status is still uncertain (Fortenberry, 2016a).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Brent R. Fortenberry

Brent R. Fortenberry , PhD, RPA is Assistant Professor of Architecture and Associate Director of the Center for Heritage Conservation at Texas A&M University.