ABSTRACT. While very few waterfalls may be regarded as tourist destinations, many
are attractions. This paper discusses waterfalls within the theoretical frameworks
developed by economists and geographers in the field of recreation and tourism.
Examples are drawn from various parts of the world, including USA, Canada and
England. Jamaica is examined as a case study. Here, as in many tourist areas, although
visitors usually choose their destinations for reasons other than the appeal of waterfalls,
these landscape features play important roles as attractions. Often associated with
ecotourism, waterfalls help to diversify the >tourism product= and spread the benefits as
well as some of the problems of tourism to less developed areas