Sean Carey makes some very interesting points in his article, ?Mauritian tourism target will prove damaging? (l?express April 16th) about the dangers of building too many hotels and other resorts on the island. I have only visited the paradise island of Mauritius once, about ten years ago, and I have vivid memories of its stunning landscape, clear sea and delicious food. However, having recently been in both Barbados and some of the Grenadine islands in the West Indies, I am all too aware of what over-development could mean.

Barbados, which is fairly heavily populated even without tourists, is in danger of allowing too much development, especially condominium blocks, to be built in much of its coastal area -- the up-market ?platinum? west coast is particularly vulnerable to losing what still makes it a highly attractive holiday destination. More importantly, there is concern among Barbadians that their access to their own beautiful beaches is gradually being whittled away, as every beach-side plot is developed. Although much of the country's tourism sector operates at the top end of the market, I fear that it is only a question of time before some of the high-end visitors from Europe, Canada and the USA find other places to visit because of the problems of overcrowding.

The beaches in Barbados still have plenty of space on them -- they are nothing like many European Mediterranean resorts in the summer, for example. But a drive down the busy coast road reveals a large number of hotels, restaurants and condo blocks which, from a tourist's perspective, makes for an unsatisfying experience ? you need to go to the cane fields of the interior of the island to feel you are in the countryside. By contrast, a visit to the Grenadines reminds you of what islands with wooded hills and beaches without buildings actually look like.

Barbados is still a lovely place for a holiday, not least because of its friendly welcome of tourists and its excellent hospitality industry. But it would be a shame if over-building began to deter high-end tourists who then treated it merely as a hub (because it has a good airport) for the rest of the Caribbean.

All ?paradise islands? have to balance short-term development profits and employment prospects against the long-term sustainability and the interests of their citizens.

Kate GARDINER