The aim of this paper is to review the existing literature to outline what is known about how tourism links with the local economy, particularly in the Caribbean region.

The key questions that this paper attempts to answer are:

• • What is the 'deal' with linkages, leakages and multipliers in tourism development?

  • How can linkages be increased?

  • What are the obstacles?

  • What attempts are being made to overcome these obstacles?

  • What practical examples are currently being implemented?