3.4 Tourism

tourism

the occupation of providing information, accomodation, transportation and other services to tourists

factors that let to changes in tourist patterns

1. transport & accessibility

2. scenery

3. weather

4. accomodation

5. amenities

transport & accessibility

access to various means of transportation (e.g. trains, cars, planes, ships)

scenery

landscape & visual appearance of a place

weather

depending on type of vacation wanted, climate is important (e.g. cold destination for a ski trip)

accomodation

quality of hotels, camps, resorts, parks, and their affordability

amenities

various recreation, historical, leisure facilities and sites that are offered and can be accessed

reasons for an increase in tourism

1. greater affluence

2. greater mobility

3. improved accessibility & transport facilities

4. more leisure time

5. changing lifestyles

6. change in recreational activities

7. advertising of holiday destinations

8. green tourism

greater affluence

higher salary + holiday with pay

greater mobility

increase in car ownership + more aircraft

improved accessibility & transport facilities

• better roads

• larger airports, online reservation, package holidays

more leisure time

• longer vacations

• shorter working hours

• people work from home

• more elderly

changine lifestyles

• changing fashions

• earlier retirements

advertising of holiday destinations

TV & internet

advantages of tourism

1. chance to improve & increase GDP per capita rate (overall income increased)

2. brings in foreign money, culture, tradition → diversity

3. provides jobs for the unemployed

4. creates more business opportunities

5. ↑ publicity when positive compliments from tourists received

6. new infrstructure (e.g. roads, bridges, building) built to please the tourists

7. cultural festivals may become a tourist attraction

disadvantages of tourism

1. increased congestion & pollution

2. damage to physical landscape

3. global brands replace local businesses

4. traditional culture lost

5. inflation affecting locals

6. seasonal unemplyment

7. shortage of services (e.g. water supplies)

8. social/cultural problems

butler’s product cycle

1. exploration

2. involvement

3. development

4. consolidation

5. stagnation

6. rejuvenation / decline

exploration

• stage 1

• newly discovered tourist locaion

• only recieves a very small amount of tourists

involvement

• stage 2

• area becomes better known

• tourism supported by local population

• start to build basic tourist infrastructure

development

• stage 3

• tourism becomes a important economic sector

• more investment from foreign tour firms

• developed infrastructure

consolidation

• stage 4

• growth continues with resources; diverted to tourism sector

• areas change to exclusive use of tourists

• alienating locals

stagnation

• stage 5

• increased opposition to tourism

• tourist facilities become tired

• number of tourist arrival plateaus / declines

rejuvenation

• stage 6 👍

• tourist destination rebrands itself

• OR improves tourist facilities & transportation, offers promotions

decline

• stage 6 ✖

• no improvements made to tourist destination

• number of tourists continue to decline

ecotourism

holidays that involve eco-related activies & are sustainable

sustainable tourism

tourist activities that are socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable

typical ecotourism activities

• hiking

• kayaking

• bird watching

• safari (animal watching)

• cycling

• beach cleaning

• tree planting

• completing bird & animal surveys

how can ecotourist resorts be eco-friendly?

• use renewable energy sources

• build ONLY using local products

• ONLY serve local food using locally sourced products

• ONLY employ local staff

• recycle all waste

• treat & clean all water

• educate guests about the importance of protecting the environment

• promote local culture