This image, with its broken chairs and faded resort space, reflects the false neocolonial narrative that tourism sustains Puerto Rico’s economy. In truth, only close to 7% of tourism revenue stays in Puerto Rico, with most profits extracted by outside investors. Hotels and Airbnb owners increasingly attempt to illegally privatize public beaches, blocking local access and causing ecological damage through unauthorized construction. This creates both social and environmental crises. Prioritizing tourists over residents forces locals into low-wage service roles on their own land. What is paradise if the people who live there are excluded from enjoying it while catering to someone else’s Caribbean dream?

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