Rapid Assessment of Tourism Impacts through Community Participation — A Pilot Study in Cuba for Projecting New Strategies of Management

The report of the Rapid Assessment of tourism impacts through community participation is presented, based on a pilot study in Cuba to project new strategies of management. The purpose of this study is to develop a methodology to identify how tourism affects social organization in communities, in order to consider different policy implications and management options, at the same time, to conduct comparative studies to monitor vulnerabilities and the effectiveness of social and health-promoting policies. This project brings together researchers and community representatives from Cárdenas and Caibarién, two coastal communities in Cuba, to examine how the expansion of tourism in these communities directly and/or indirectly affects them. In relation to the general objective a conceptual framework is elaborated to explain pathways that link the impacts of tourism and the policies that influence them across their lifespan. A consensus is developed on indicators and research/measurement protocols based on a comprehensive review of existing evidence on these issues. A preliminary agreement is also promoted according to the policy implications and policy options of insights that can be gained regarding the impacts of tourism on local communities among policy-makers, researchers and community leaders.


Introduction
To investigate the impact of tourism on local communities, it was decided that examination of how a specific global phenomenon can affect a specific community would provide useful insights (González, 2010) and help to assess the support of community residents for sustainable tourism development (Tsung, 2013;Kila, 2013).In this context, selection of a pilot study of how a Cuban community could be affected by the impacts of tourism development was identified as the focal point for the Globalization and Social Organization research program's first pilot study.
Travel and tourism in particular, as a form of entertainment or leisure has a long history leading up to the 20 th century when tourism developed into a multibillion dollar industry (Legrand, 2012) that spans virtually all countries, at the local, national and international levels (Edgell, 2013).Faster and more affordable air travel has contributed to more people reaching more remote places and with them their luggage of impacts on the local communities (Cooper, 2007).
The more recent world expansion of tourism has been largely attributed to the phenomenon of globalization (Spiegel & Andruske, 2005).As the capitalist-free marketideology promotes privatization and deregulation with subsequent increased movement of capital, goods and people, some immediate outcomes are commodification of services and expansion of markets that encompass all areas including tourism.
The purpose of this pilot project is to develop a methodology for identifying how global forces affect social organization and health in communities; so that policy implications and options can be considered and comparative studies conducted to monitor vulnerabilities and the effectiveness of social and healthpromoting policies.Bringing together researchers and community representatives from Cárdenas and Caibarién, this project examines how the expansion of tourism in coastal communities-directly and indirectly-affects local communities.
In relation to it, the general research objectives are to:  Develop a conceptual framework to explain pathways that link the impact of tourism (and the policies that influence this) to direct and indirect effects on the local communities across the lifespan (through impacts on social organization). Develop consensus on indicators and research/measurement protocols based on a comprehensive review of existing evidence on these issues, results from previous studies in which our team has been involved, and especially the original field research conducted in Cuba. Develop preliminary consensus on the policy implications and policy options of insights that can be gained regarding the impacts of globalization on local communities among policy-makers, researchers and community leaders.Why Coastal Communities?In many ways, coastal commu-nities are especially vulnerable to the pressures of tourism development, and can serve as sentinels.The spatial, natural resource and ecological characteristics that have shaped their development historically (e.g.fishing, forestry) make them differentially subject to global changes (e.g. the primary resources exploitation previously favored can be threatened by ecological changes and global competition; while their "aesthetic settings" become global commodities as transportation technologies have evolved to support increases in people flows).
Why Tourism?Tourism, which has grown significantly since the late 80s, is today considered by many to be the world's biggest business.It brings together people from different parts of the globe on a massive scale and has significant impacts on political, cultural, social, economic and environmental conditions of the communities in which it is developed-all factors, which in turn have an impact on health.
While tourism can boost hard currency receipts, heavy infrastructure investment eats up resources that could be used elsewhere and often replaces one "single-crop" economy for another.Moreover, the benefits of tourism are not always evenly distributed.Tourism may lead to increased social, class and gender differentiation.Employment created in the community may be predominantly in low status, low paid and temporary jobs.Tourism can stimulate prostitution, sexually transmitted disease, drugs, alcohol and other community-disruptive behaviors and values.Furthermore, tourism development may lead to reduced access for local people to the natural resources on which they depend for their livelihoods and drive up the costs of land, food, manufactured goods and housing.
Why Gender and Health?An extensive literature shows that structural economic change affects women's and men's roles differently, with policies associated with "economic globalization" having a more negative impact on women and girls relative to men and boys, with women experiencing higher risks of poverty, domestic violence, and sexually transmitted diseases; and less access to health-related services overall.Applying a gender-based analysis (GBA) to examine the differential, yet interconnected, impacts of tourism expansion on men and women in coastal communities thus provides a highly appropriate prism for assessing the impacts of globalization.

Literature Review
In order to achieve a consequent socio-economic development, with the protection of the environment and in harmony with the life quality of local communities (Lankford, 2013), it is necessary to project strategic actions directed to minimize the adverse incidences of the current models and development styles in the environmental quality states of our planet (Mason, 2008;Guevara et al., 2009;González, 2010;Gössling, 2012).In this sense, effects generated by new human activities have become a permanent demand of society, because of their incidences in the natural, social and economic environment (Hall et al., 2003;Busch et al., 2005).In this respect, the paradigm of sustainable development constitutes a component of great importance whose analysis derives in indispensable condition to optimize the relationships between the receiving environment and different types of sociocultural and productive activities (Arcarons, 2005;Kila et al., 2013).
The analysis of this conception related to development reaches special connotation in the case of tourism, for the multiple and complex interactions that it generates with receiver envi-ronmental systems (Fernández, 2002;Edgell, 2013).Particular significance acquires this relationship in the geographical context of the tropical island systems, where a wide investor program takes place, with tendencies to increase (González, 2010).So; sustainable tourism development represents a challenge and the only alternative for new investment projects, as requirement to manage the Environmental, Sociocultural and Economic Impacts (Ayala, 2001;Organización Mundial de Turismo, 2005;Hall C., 2009).
Without doubts, the integrated administration of impacts of tourism is a viable focus for the strategic positioning of different geographical spaces as Sustainable Tourism Areas (Osácar & Vilaginés, 2005).Tourism, like a factor of development demands of regional and local strategies that promote the implementation of Responsible Tourism Systems based on handling of impacts; with the purpose of minimize those of adverse character and to maximize the beneficent ones (CITMA, 2005;González, 2012;Harris, 2011).Under such focuses, it is opportune to guide the evaluation of current and future developments in function of quality of tourist destinations, based on the principles of sustainable development.
In this respect, it is necessary to follow promoting instruments of integrated management of impacts with the purpose to pass from the stage of correction solutions to preventive ones (González, 2010).This focus is incorporated to the multi-criteria decision making process like a requirement for the formulation of compatible environmental projects (Francesc Valls, 2004).That shows us that in the last decades new focuses have appeared for interpretation of relationships between human beings and their environment.
Frameworks trying to establish links between globalization and local communities have been developed in the last 20 years and, although there is a concurrence about their complexity and consequently the evaluation of the linkages, there is also concurrence about the fact that such links do exist and need to be addressed in order to mitigate the negative impacts (Labonte & Torgerson, 2002;Spiegel et al., 2004;Huynen et al., 2005;Leigh, 2012;Ivars et al., 2013;).
The impact of tourism on communities has also been widely recognized and more direct links have been established in particular at the local level (Cohen, 1984;Taylor, 1993;Freitag, 1996;Stonich, 2000;Josep & Kavoori, 2001;González, 2006;Kila et al., 2013).Similarly, the impact on other aspects is widely documented and acknowledged as in the hidden market of "sex tourism" (Wonders & Michalowski, 2001), while the human resources for the industry are channelled along clear gender lines and community impacts can be similarly differentiated.
Cuba has not been exempt from the rising impacts of globalization (INIE, 2005).In fact, Cuba has been a significant, if somewhat belated player in the growth of the tourism sector with almost two million tourists visiting the country in 2005 mostly from Canada, Spain and other European countries.The collapse of the main trade partner, the Soviet Union, in 1989 forced Cuba to redesign its economic development by embracing tourism as the principal source of hard currency with 40% of the national revenues in recent years.
The almost overnight transition from sugar cane producer to service provider has presented Cuba with a few challenges not only in the economic arena, but in the political arena as well.Suddenly Cuba became exposed to "foreign" influences associated with the greater "global integration" of an expanded tour-ism sector that produced new challenges to forms of distinct social organization that had produced significant achievements in health, education and culture "on the margins" of an increasingly integrated processes of globalization (Spiegel et al., 2006).
Accepting the inevitability of tourism and its influence, Cuba's strategy has been to respond with its own innovative and social approach: 1) a tourism that is sustainable, and 2) policies that mitigate the negative impacts of tourism.Ultimately these two prongs are complementary and self-supporting.For instance, one aspect of sustainable tourism has been the community participation, through notable community members, in recognizing and managing solutions to health, cultural and environmental problems (Cabrera, 2004;González, 2006).
Significantly, Cuba has refused to accept one of the premises of globalization that is the diminished role of the State.On the contrary, government policies have played a major role in offsetting the negative outcomes of tourism on health specifically and other areas such as loss of local identity and values, economic migration of people, cultural clashes, economic inequality, job level friction, shifts in nutrition, crime generation, and prostitution and sex tourism.
Reflecting on Cuba's approach, our research has undertaken a pilot study that has developed methods for a more systematic analysis of impacts.There is no doubt that tourism is a health determinant.A conceptual framework that links the impact of tourism development on health has been built.This work has been reported elsewhere (Jerry et al., 2006).What seems to be elusive is a process that is able to systematically and rapidly gauge the nature and the extent of the impacts.

Methodology
This paper describes a methodology (Figure 1), that is able to gather and process information related to key questions addressed in the pilot study:  Can the links between tourism development and impacts be systematically identified by the community? Are the tourism impacts different at different stages of tourism development? Can comprehensive qualitative and quantitative indicators be identified that might tell the tale of the "real" impact? Can both men and women be adequately represented by the indicators? Can mitigating policy measures for protecting and promoting development be identified? Can the findings be applied to a wider global community?
Two communities in Cuba at different stages of tourism development have been chosen as the backdrop for the methodology: Cárdenas, an established tourism site and Caibarién, a new tourist development, both described below.
For this pilot project the main goal has been to gain broad knowledge about the relationships between globalization, tourism and impacts in the context of coastal communities.The outcome is a methodology for identifying how global forces affect social organization and wellbeing in communities, so that policy implications and options can be considered and comparative studies conducted to monitor vulnerabilities and the effectiveness of health-promoting policies.The main features of the methodology are community participation and rapid assessment of impacts for decision-makers.
It has been selected the combination of team meetings, lit-erature review, focus groups, key informant interviews, and review of secondary data (i.e.rapid assessment technique-rather than the conducting of household surveys or more extensive ethnographic study methods).The center piece of the methodology was a series of focus groups and key informant interviews to outline concerns, perceptions and observations related to tourism development.
The step-by-step methodology: 1) Meetings in Caibarién and Cárdenas These meetings provided the venue for key informants' interviews, ensured cooperation by community leaders, engaged in further dialogue about the constructs, gained further background information about the community, and planed the details of the rapid assessment field work.
2) Definition of composition of focus groups (Appendix 1) The research team planned four focus groups in each community ensuring a comprehensive coverage of the main stakeholders or people involved.These were decision-makers, community at large, health related workers and tourism related workers.
3) Preparation of the script for the focus groups (Appendix 2) The script was used as a guide for the line of questioning of the focus groups facilitators.
4) Field research in Caibarién and Cárdenas Focus groups were conducted with prior cooperation of key people in order to ensure participation.In each community the four focus groups were conducted simultaneously with duration of hour and a half each.The field work in the two communities was one month apart.

5) Transcription and revision of focus groups information
This step focused on determining the comprehensiveness of the information.
6) In-depth interviews This step was used to complement information that might have been missed in the focus groups.
7) Analysis and summary of information A matrix of impacts and dimensions (including mitigating policies/factors) for both communities was developed for a quick comparative analysis.8) Feedback meeting This is an important step that provides feedback to those who participated in any of the focus groups; at the same time it seeks additional information.It is particularly important that decision-makers are informed of the information gathered.This feedback meeting could adjust the results of the previous steps according to the opinion of the participants.

9) Identification of indicators
The qualitative information obtained to this point was matched to indicators that are routinely collected by the National Statistics Office.A form was developed to document details of the indicators such as source, availability, etc. 10) Data analysis This final step allows for the establishment, verification and evaluation of the impacts of tourism on local communities.

Context of the Study
For the development of this study, two coastal communities have been selected, Cárdenas an Caibarién.Here are the most d

Cárdenas
The municipality of Cárdenas has an area of 564.89 km 2 which represents 14.8% of the Matanzas province, and 0.5% of the area of Cuba (Figure 2).
The manufacturing, service and tourism industries constitute the fundamental economic activities that have been developed in the territory.The main extractive businesses in the area are the Drilling Company and the Petroleum Centre, which produce more than half of the total petroleum extraction in the country and about 70% of the natural gas production.The environmental condition in Cárdenas is marked by various environmental problems which may or may not be linked to tourism development in Varadero.According to the Municipal Environmental The area is defined to the north by the width of Florida and the municipality of Varadero.To the south, east and west, Cárdenas is bordered by Jovellanos, Limonar, Martí and Matanzas municipalities.
Cárdenas has a particularly advantageous geographical location because of its proximity to Varadero and Havana, the two most important locations for tourism in the country.This has Strategy (CITMA, 2005), the municipality's environmental problems are: contamination of ground and sea water, deterioration of sanitary hygiene conditions, lack of education, decreased environmental consciousness, deforestation, soil degradation, and loss of biodiversity.

Caibarién
The municipality of Caibarién has an area of 212.2 km 2 .It is located to the northeast of Villa Clara province, a location that has facilitated its economic and social development.It contains the coastal zone and an insular area where the small cays Las Brujas, Ensenachos and Santa María are known for their spectacular natural beauty.The cays have been attached to the mainland since 1994 by approximately 48 km of highway built above the sea.The highway, or Pedraplén, unites the insular zone, which was recently developed for tourism, with the coastal city of Caibarién (Figure 3).
Caibarién has a population of 40,798, of which 20,118 are male and 20,690 are female.The population density is 148.89 people per square kilometer.Most of this population, 92 percent or 37,555 people, live in urban settlements.The population is predominantly adult and has a low growth rate and negative immigration rate.The structure of the local political administration is based on 7 popular councils, 3 of which are urban, 1 is suburban and 3 are rural.Caibarién has experienced important structural transformations in its traditional economy throughout history, which has been the cause of various social impacts.The port development failed in 1930 and the sugar industry ended in 2002 when the "Marcelo Salado" plant closed down under the new national development strategies.The plant was subsequently converted into the Agro-industry Museum while residents were forced to develop other economic activities.Nevertheless, the primary economic sector in the urban setting remained linked to the fishing and the service industries.Then, in the early 1990s, the city reopened to international tourism.Tourism proceeded to become an important local economic activity.It now takes place in the glorious beaches along the coastal cays, more than 50 km from Caibarién.
Caibarién's geographical location positions it as the primary source of labor for the tourism industry.Caibarién's cultural component complements the beach aspect of tourism in the region.It is expected that because of this additional attraction the interaction between tourists and hosts will increase.Caibarién is integrated as a tourist sub-region within the Villa Clara tourist area.It includes three beach resorts, Santa María Cay, Ensenachos Cay, and Las Brujas Cay, and one urban site (the city).
The resorts and the urban area complement each other and form a tourist attraction that has more than just the beach component.Currently, Caibarién does not have the capacity to lodge national and international tourists.The actual accommodation infrastructure consists of one hotel, five private hostels and rustic tourist villas, as well as some guesthouses.In comparison, the coastal cays offer an ample and very comfortable infrastructure with enormous potential for hotel development.

Results of the Focus Groups
Results obtained primarily from focus groups in Cárdenas and Caibarién, and also enriched by other sources according to the methodology, provide a broad view of perceived impacts of tourism (Figures 4 and 5).

Economic Impacts
Most participants in the focus groups recognized the importance of tourism for its national and local economy.The fol-

Impact on Women
ore employment for women and more

Impact on Family
family; parents working in the tourism ifts; this prevents e consumption and access to more goods; they also have preferential treatment as better and assured transportation. Barriers to get to tourist areas [this is also considered a  More housing and better infrastructure in the community.
Although it was acknowledged that tourism contributes to th velopment of other economic sectors, a negative impact on the economy was identified as the disappearance of the fishing industry typical of coastal communities. People achieve a high through special courses that provide them with higher training in areas of tourism services. On the other hand, many university in the tourist sector, "even washing dishes", in order to make more money. Fewer students Social impacts e most widely discussed by participants in the focus groups.them from spending time together (Cárdenas). Some families have split. More separations and divorces. Policy to co f Cárdenas  Vocational orien eliz" and others for seniors and housing (Caibarién)  Workshops with workers to discuss job and social con dy proposes a practical methodolo mmunity-based assessment of the impact of tourism on coastal communities.Focus groups appear to be an accurate initial gauge of the process of tourism development and the broad coverage of the focus groups to include all community stakeholders is a key element.

Inter Sectorial and Social Cohesion
Overall, the interven fo  it appears to have can be projected to other m brings changing lifestyles: "everything changes".hi roups discussions in Cárdenas and Caibarién also re ight be in the early stage of "relationship" with to egative impacts are inevitable because they have alre

Conclusion
According to the opi iors of the participants in rmed and addressed the areas of interest.A preliminary analysis of the information appears to imply issues related to globalization as a driving force for tourism development and its impacts.The assumption that globalization brings pressure to adopting a certain ideology, seems to have been identified in the statement "tourism brings changes to the ideology." Other issues linked to globalization were: Tourism is good for the economy, but disruptive impacts as displacing traditional sectors (fishery) and displacing people and work force. Socially it has created disparities. On the positive side, local culture countries; but this puts pressure on the local community to develop a cultural and social infrastructure that presents the best.

 Touris
The link between tourism and local communities has been ghlighted in terms of impacts on physical and mental health.The impact of tourism on gender is very evident for the local communities.While there are more jobs available to women, the emphasis on the increased prostitution shows a strong negative impact on women.A comment was made about affecting the family dynamics with changing roles as "main provider" in the family.Other impacts on the family will likely affect women as well.
The focus g flect the different stages of tourism development in the two communities.In general, Caibarién seems to be better prepared for the impacts of tourism as indicated by the more specific programs and policies aimed at mitigating the negative impacts.Early results of this preparedness may be inferred by the statement "In Caibarién it is not like in other municipalities… like Varadero [Cárdenas] [and] Havana where there have been more tourists and more negative impacts."In fact, prostitution and drug addiction have not been identified as current problems as in Cárdenas.There is a similar relation between the shift in the work force toward tourism and uncontrolled immigration in the community.
Caibarién m urists as suggested by statements such as "tourists learn more about Cuba while interacting with Cubans", and "it allows us to promote our culture in the world."A full verification of the methodology may only occur with an analysis of the indicators or measures of the suggested impacts.Nevertheless, the methodology proposed in this pilot study appears to validate some of the assumptions about the pathways between globalization, tourism and impacts.Negative impacts are inevitable and only early proactive policies may provide the prevention of those impacts.
These n ady been felt by the local community, who has perceived them in this way.Therefore, it is necessary to reconsider the preventive management of impacts related to policies and control strategies needed to eliminate, mitigate, compensate, and develop resistance/adaptation capacities, as well as monitor and create surveillance systems on the effects perceived by the community (Figure 6).re ties directly and/or indirectly affects them.It is an important point to project alternatives for development based on the perception of the tourism model implemented at the local destination, allowing the possibility to improve the relationship between tourism and the host community.
The pilot study concluded that the local com entify the links between tourism development and its impacts.They can explain pathways that link the impact of tourism, and the policies that influence them.Also, direct and indirect effects on the local communities across their lifespan are perceived, with emphasis on the evolution of impacts on social organization.
Field urism impacts vary at different stages of tourism development.The know-how developed in Cárdenas regarding the traditional model of tourism could be an appropriate way of promoting an alternative model of tourism development based on sustainable principles.Due to the different stages of development both cities are in, it is perfect timing to promote a preventive plan for controlling negative impacts of tourism perceived by the community in Caibarién.
Comprehensive qu entified by the focus groups in Cárdenas and Caibarién.These might be indicative of the "real" impact of tourism and could be used to develop future research projects.Both men and women felt adequately represented by the indicators, and showed consensus on indicators and research/measurement protocols based on their own experiences.
Mitigating policy measur velopment were recognized by the local community.It is possible to develop preliminary consensus on the policy implications and policy options among policy-makers, researchers and community leaders.They are able to identify a series of strategies and actions in order to mitigate the negative impacts of tourism on the community according to different areas of concern.
As a re odology to identify how tourism affects social organization in communities, in order to consider different policy implications and management options.At the same time it offers empirical evidences based on a case study for those interested in rapid assessment of tourism impacts through community participation.
The v rategies of management for the future development of tourism in both communities; Cárdenas which is located near a mature destination like Varadero, and Caibarién which associated with the new destination of Cayos de Villa Clara.The next stage could be a proposal of a preventive plan for impacts management; it should be designed according to the community perceptions of the impacts of tourism, and the policies that influence them.
The Cuba.It is recommended to improve the methodological approach developed with the participation of the community applying a Rapid Assessment Technique.This brings together the local communities' residents with policy-makers, researchers and community leaders; generating space for understanding, learning, and engagement of all social and economics agents.nk research study team me tos y Futuro del Turismo en la Economía Cubana.Uruguay: Impreso en TRADINO S.A. arsi, B., Josep, A., Isabel, tion of mass tourism destinations: New approaches beyond deterministic models in Benidorm (Spain).Tourism Management,34,[184][185][186][187][188][189][190][191][192][193][194][195] en and women, those single and married, and from various occupations in order to capture diverse perspectives.
Objective: The group will be made up of participants that DO NOT work in tourism and represent a cross section of the co hey experience the impacts of tourism mmunity.T in many areas including (and especially) health.This impact is as much physical as mental, and impact areas on a socio-environmental level and in the community without necessarily benefiting directly from tourism.The objective is to obtain participants' perspectives on tourism and its impacts both on a personal level and on the community of Caibarién/Cárdenas. Questions: 1) What importance does tourism have on:  Cuba The Province y  Societ  Caibar ién/Cárde ons.T Instructi flections on the relevance of general level to more specific impacts on a personal level.
2) What is your opinion on how your community is developping tourism and what do you perceive are the changes that have occurred because of tourism?
Instructions.Facilitate a discussion about how changes have been perceived regarding the environment, changes socially and culturally, changes to physical and mental health, changes in negative behaviors (like alcohol use, etc.) and positive changes (like housing improvements, etc.).Try to cover the majority of human and social aspects.
3) What specific actions have been taken to counteract the changes that you have perceived as negative?
Instructions.Obtain details from actions that individuals have taken in their communities against the undesirable impacts on environmental, social, cultural, physical and mental health levels.

Focus Group #3-Health
tive of tourism workers.
Objective: This group is comprised of individuals who through their work have a good understanding of health issues.The participants work in tourism or are very familiar with tourism.We want to establish a description of health in the broadest sense through the eyes of those in the tourism sector.There are four areas of focus: physical health, mental health, stress, and protective/compensatory factors. Questions: 1) What is your perception of the changes to physical health tha te to tourism in people t you attribu  ose who do not?Instructions.Focus on respiratory and sexually transmitted diseases, obesity, etc. (have the list of health indicators ready).
2) What is your perception of the changes to mental health that you attribute to tourism in people who work in tourism and those who do not?
Instructions.Focus on the occurrence of depression, anxiety, alcoholism, sleeping disorders and other mental health factors that emerge from the group discussion.
3) What is your perception of the changes to stress occurrence/levels that you attribute to tourism in people who work in tourism and those who do not?
Instructions.Facilitate a discussion of work-related stress, interpersonal (couples and family) stress, economic stress, and stress around providing educatio 4) What is your perception of individual or community actions taken to mitigate or prevent the occurrence of stress or mental health disorders in people who work or urism?
Instructions.Facilitate a discussion around personal strategies to lessen the effects of stress, for example, taking personal time for th music.For the community level, discuss how community organizations and the community as a whole, as well as cultural activities, etc., help to alleviate stress.

Focus Group #4-Tourism
Participants: Those familiar with tourism perience.Make sure men and w as well as single and married individuals der to capture a diversity of perspectives.
Objective: The group is comprised of people who work in tourism (from managers to cleaning staff) or who are directly linked to the sector and who experience d rticipants experience the effects of tourism on health and its links to the environment. Questions: 1) What importance does tourism have on:  Cuba The Provin Society  Caibar Instructions.T flections on th general to personal.
2) What experiences have been significant for you in the tourism industry? Emotional-Discuss on a personal level the emotional impact of tourism.How does it feel to work in tourism?For example, happy, at ease, hopeful, disco deceived, indifferent, etc.  Social and Cultural-Discuss whether they have experienced changes in the way they relate to or behave in their tural dimension, in other words, n to counteract those ex ns that individuals ha  community.Include a cul whether they have noticed changes in cultural activities, whether they continue to attend cultural activities or not, whether they participate/organize cultural events or not, how often do they attend, and what importance does cultural participation have in their lives?
3) What specific actions have been take periences that you perceive as negative?
Instructions.Obtain details of the actio ve taken on their own initiative to counteract the undesirable impacts on the aforementioned aspects of tourism.

Figure 5 .
Figure 5. p in Caibarién city, Villa Clara.wing are some of the major issues that were identified nomic strategy in order .  The community is mo the discussions in the focus groups:  Tourism has been used as an eco to barién; there is a beginning of a process of attraction of population from other areas to this Municipality  Better housing-although mostly for tourism w increase the overall economic level of the country.Tourism appears to have a multiplier effect. As a consequence, more jobs are cre erent Negative: manufacturing and service sectors, especially for youth and women; less unemployment. Workers have higher wages and  Higher family income, especially for tho m more drug consumption in Cárdenas; this is not perceived as a problem in Caibarién  Increased corruption and ille industry. Tourism c eco- Increased immigration towards nomic programs in the country and the Municipality; the health and educational sectors have been sustained and even strengthened with the revenues from tourism. It represents the largest source of revenue for th y.


Work force is shift c to the tourism sector (Cárdenas)  More job opportunities for youth  Better working conditions in tourism  Less protection by union regulations  Competing work force coming from o  Long work hours  A lot of pressure f eep women work in the tourism sector; this has created problems where men used to be the main provider (Caibarién). Increased prostitution; some people entice the tourists to the job to support the family  Husband and wife may have d Impacts on culture if anging diet and fashion is not considered in this dimension.Comments about tourism can be grouped as follows:  It provides the awareness to raise the cultural le the sector provide less care to their children. Husband and wife may have different sh community in areas such as languages, history and local and national traditions. It is a way of creating the cultural heritage as well as to promote the local culture and traditions.


Increased social disparity among Cubans-particularly n gative for young people. Workers in the tourism sector e tigating factors that regulates the relationship between tourists and Cubans in hotels in order to prevent spread of STDs]. Commun hanges."Eating/diet habits, dressing fashion, friendships have broken. Exposure to o and taste. Work in to  It has generated m seek women (Cárdenas); no prostitution in Caibarién. Physical work is heavier for women. Less time for the Copyright © 2013 SciRes.
ensure safety of tourists ial cohesion: "there are no outcasts; they all Political Impacts been recognized by decision gilant" particularly in relation s a way to show Cuban society and what we do Environmental Impacts t care of the environment; ga r volume of solid waste; as a result, have vaccine shots and other tests rkers have some more privileges than health importing exotic diseases already eradicated  revalence of hypertension, pelvic problems and exsity, cerebral-vascular diseases, heart attacks, arthriti er for women-long hours standing: exually transmitted diseases (STD); 60% of hape, getting massages, Figure 6.reventive measures of negative impacts perceived by the Instructions.a) In the following areas, try to cover your experiences with working in tourism Labor-Rela various areas of tourism work, what it means to have to switch to another work in the service industry or technical work instead of as fishermen. Relationships with family, partner, and friends-Discuss whether there have been changes in the time and quality of relationship Children's Education-Facilitate the sharing of personal anecdotes about how children are affected by working parents.How? Positive; negative; how, for example, has beh vior changed, and why?  Economic Impact-Discuss whether the participants feel more economic responsibility within the family, if there is stress around losing work hotel or in other tourism-related work.

DATABASE OF AVAILABLE INDICATORS-IDENTIFY INDICATORS NOT AVAILABLE ASSESS IMPACTS OF TOURISM BASED ON HEALTH RISK FACTORS OF VULNERABLE POPULATIONS IDENTIFY ALL DESIRED IMPACT INDICATORS ON COMMUNITIES RECOMMEND MANAGEMENT OF POLICIES FOR DECISION MAKERS IN ORDER TO REDUCE IMPACTS OF TOURISM
Structure of the proposed methodological process for the analysis of impacts of tourism on coastal communities.
LEARN COMMUNITY PERCEPTION ABOUT TOURISM AND IMPACTSFocus groups Determine composition and number of focus groups Develop scripts Train facilitators and rapporteurs Perform focus groups; tape discussions Transcribe and summarize focus groups information Identify "gaps" and key informants for in-depth interviews In-depth interviews Process and synthesize information Feedback meetings/workshop with communities Develop outline for interviews Perform interviews with key informants Consult experts not part of the study, local government reps and organizations reps.Process additional information.Identify social dimension Develop matrix of perceived tourism impacts by social dimension Identify and list mitigating policies and programs Report to the community about key findings Seek consensus on findings and ascertain next steps for decision making Adjust the results of the previous steps DEVELOP