LAUSR

ABSTRACT In this paper, one of the most renowned festivals in the Eastern Caribbean, the St. Lucia Jazz (& Arts) Festival is discussed in the context of its contribution to sustainable tourism development. This paper seeks to bring to light the importance of the festival to the host community, and the relevance of festivals towards sustainable tourism. Justifications for stakeholder collaboration in the planning of festivals are examined, including consideration of livelihoods. The discussion of this paper proposes a new adaptive paradigm for community-based tourism, where an inclusive form of expression and economic activity, corrects some of the societal ills that have been associated with Caribbean tourism. In making this case, the paper identifies a number of considerations that challenge and facilitate sustainable tourism development in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and suggests a way forward.