THE BOTTOM, Saba – A report prepared by the advisors of Amsterdam Bureau of Economics, Strong Foundations for Sustainable Growth, concludes that Saba should shift away from focusing on visitor numbers and instead prioritise value, quality and long-term resilience.
The findings reflect a broader shift in small island economies, where the focus is increasingly moving from growth in numbers to growth in value, particularly in destinations with limited space and infrastructure.
The report highlights the need to strengthen the island’s tourism product through improved trails, better coordination, enhanced visitor experiences and more targeted marketing. Rather than expanding tourism at any cost, it points to attracting visitors who stay longer, spend more and are drawn to the island’s nature and small-scale character.
It also makes clear that tourism cannot be separated from wider development policy. The sector is directly linked to housing, transport, labour supply and infrastructure, with these fundamentals seen as essential to ensuring long-term sustainability. Without improved access by air and sea, growth will remain limited.
Warning against unmanaged growth
The advisors caution against unmanaged expansion, stressing that tourism should be carefully guided so that it supports the island without exceeding its limited capacity. This includes stronger destination management, better public-private coordination and a clearer long-term vision for the visitor economy.
For Saba, the report underlines the structural constraints that come with small scale, where growth in visitor numbers alone is unlikely to be sustainable. This places greater emphasis on positioning, quality and the overall value of tourism activity.
The report concludes that tourism on Saba can continue to grow, but only if the island preserves the qualities that make it attractive in the first place and aligns growth with its broader economic and spatial realities.
