Island Tourism and Archaeology

Tourists may be especially drawn to islands because of factors like physical separation, cultural differences, attractive climate and environment, and political autonomy. Archaeology adds depth to these. The chapter reviews the contribution of archaeology to island tourism, while warning against some of the incorrect but enduring idiosyncrasies of islands (and islanders), such as their presumed tropical location, isolation and distinct personality. Even though tourism has been an economic boon for many islands, the scorecard also points to various disturbing trends, like the overzealous reconstruction of monuments, environmental degradation, and the consequences of climate change and sea-level rise.