The Big Two Questions

Every travel decision is a direct response to one of the following questions:Where do I want to go? (Asked by

vacationers)Where do I have to be? (Asked by business

travellers and visiting friends/ relatives)

Tourist Destinations Some destinations were not created as

tourist hot spots, but have become important tourist centers over the years; some examples include:Cities (Montreal, NYC, London, Paris, etc)Natural attractions (Niagara Falls, Grand

Canyon)Specifically developed destinations

(Caribbean resorts, Disney, Canada’s Wonderland)

Five Necessary Components of a Tourist Destination1. Natural resources – water, mountains,

etc. with the beauty to attract visitors2. Infrastructure – utilities, roads, water, etc

to support hotels, restaurants, shops3. Superstructure – buildings, hotels,

restaurants, gift shops that are man-made specifically to attract people

4. Transportation systems – docks, airports, etc. which rely on infrastructure and superstructure

5. Hospitality of the hosts – social & political climate, local culture, etc. which make visitors feel welcome

Other Factors that Affect Destination Choice

Ease of access Price Suitability of accommodations

What motivates people to travel?1. Recreation2. Culture (i.e. museums, art galleries,

historic sites)3. Nature4. Educational value5. Events6. Health/fitness7. Religion8. Friends & relatives9. Business

Steps in Tourism Development & Planning Define goals and objectives Identify the tourism system and plan for

development; look ata) Resources availableb) Organizations that can helpc) Markets you wish to serve

Generate and develop different options Select an option and implement it Monitor and evaluate

Destination Development StagesPlanning

There are 5 main components in the planning stage

1. Market analysis

2. Site assessment

3. Financial studies

4. Environmental impact

5. Social impact studies

Development stages – cont’d.

DevelopmentThere are three types of development:

1. Integrated (uses multiple types of development)

2. Catalytic (one development project leads to another project)

3. Coattail (development found near existing natural or cultural attractions)

Organizations Involved in Development Government

Why? Because tourism is an important source of revenue for governments

World Tourism OrganizationWhy? To improve people’s access to education

and culture and to raise standards of living in developing countries

National Tourism OrganizationsWhy? To promote home countries as tourist

destinations

Organizations cont’d

Provincial and Local Tourism OrganizationsWhy? Revenue and to encourage economic

development

Life Cycle of Destinations Inception: Destination is discovered

Growth: Popularity increases, building begins

Maturity: Facilities and services become standardized; local population depends on tourism

Decline: Oversaturation; carrying capacity has been reached

Impact of Destination Development

1. Economic

2. Social

3. Cultural

4. Environmental

Economic Impact Multiplier effect- - tourist dollars pay

wages of local workers who then put that money back into the economy (i.e. rent, groceries, etc)

Leakage – money that leaves the area due to goods and services that need to be imported

Invisible export – source of foreign currency

Balance of payments – exports & imports, Canada usually negative balance

Social Impact

Population growth Changing employment

patterns Increased incomes Rising property value Resentment

Cultural Impacts

Demonstration effect Trinketization Sustains traditional arts and crafts Ethnic preservation Invasion of privacy

Environmental Impacts Stress on environment

– pollution, overcrowding, traffic congestion.

Lead to improved infrastructure Help save threatened species

Deterrents to Destination Development Tourist overcrowding Pollution Environmental degradation Political instability Fluctuating currency rates Disease epidemic Safety and security