PHILATELIC BOOSTERISM: TOURISM STAMPS OF SMALL ISLAND STATES

Stanley Brunn

International Journal for Responsible Tourism, 2015, vol. 4, issue 2, 23-52

Abstract: Small island states, because of their small populations and/or territorial size, compete with larger states on the world political map for identity, investment, revenue and visibility. Tourism represents one economic sector where these island states compete for tourist revenues. How they promote themselves internationally can be measured by the images they present of their amenity environments and culture and their hosting of regional religious, sporting and heritage events. Stamps, along with official webpages, are both products the state can/may use to increase its visibility; philatelic boosterism describes this strategy. I investigate the content of tourist stamps of twenty-four island states in the Caribbean, the Pacific, Europe, Africa and Asia. The major images portrayed are colorful, scenic, natural landscapes, festivals and cultural heritage. Few stamps depict maps, colonial histories and environmental uncertainties, including natural hazards. Tourism stamps appeal to international tourist markets, portray positive gazes and provide income for many small states.

Keywords: Small island economies; tourism; promoting the visible; scenic landscapes; cultural heritages (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L83 M31 M37 Z30 Z33 Z39 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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