Global Tourism Chapter 2.pdf

CHAPTER 2: GLOBAL TOURISM The Scale of travel & tourism demand Travel & Tourism (TnT) has grown and will keep on growing as tourists have had the need and will keep on needing to travel to different destinations thus demand in tourism increasing. Growth in TnT has had Economic, Environmental & Soc...

CHAPTER 2: GLOBAL TOURISM The Scale of travel & tourism demand Travel & Tourism (TnT) has grown and will keep on growing as tourists have had the need and will keep on needing to travel to different destinations thus demand in tourism increasing. Growth in TnT has had Economic, Environmental & Sociocultural impacts on a wide scale. Factors affecting tourism demand and how they are managed 1. Economic Economic factors also affect tourism demand. Factors that affect tourism demand are managed for example how National Governments of countries manage the factors that affect demand for tourism in their countries. Economic factors include: the disposable income that people have to spent on travel, amount of money governments spent on tourism. Disposable income is the remaining part of income after paying tax and buying necessities. National governments invest in travel and tourism by using money for development. An example is when a government uses money to improve the transport facilities such as airports, roads and railways; in addition, a government paying for the marketing of its country as a destination like what Rwanda does with (Visit Rwanda) imprinted on Arsenal Football club jerseys. 2. Social Social factors affect tourism demand. -Demographics include the number, age, and level of disposable income of the population of locations. Demographics affect the number of outbound tourists from a country. An example is how some countries have increasing numbers of retired people who have increased disposable income and leisure time to travel, go on holiday or visit friends and relatives. -Health awareness has increased globally. Consumers are more aware of the importance of diet, exercise and fresh air for good health. Health awareness has increased the demand for active, outdoor holidays. This awareness has increased the availability of health, fitness and spa products and services with many large hotels providing these to satisfy customer demands. -Social Consciousness has increased. Media and social media have increased consumer awareness of other people and the difficulties others face in life and this in turn has seen a demand for socially sustainable tourism increasing. Socially Sustainable Tourism minimises the negative sociocultural impacts of TnT on destinations. It also maximises the positive sociocultural impacts of TnT on destinations. -Fashion and Trends affect the demand for tourism products and services. Destinations can become more or less fashionable. A trend is the general direction of change. One trend is for more sustainable tourism. This entails those Eco-friendly destinations are becoming more fashionable. 3. Technological Technological factors affecting tourism demand include: transport developments e.g more airports, bigger aircraft and faster trains. Developments in Information Technology (IT) is another for example online booking (use of internet to reserve accommodation or transport etc) and the growth of social media (way of sharing information using the internet). 4. Political Political factors that affect tourism demand include: -Terrorism can deter tourism when attacks take place in a destination. -War reduces the number of tourists who want to travel to an affected country. -Political Stability is a factor affecting tourism demand. Political instability in a destination can include riots and demonstrations which may be seen in the media. Tourism becomes reduced in a destination where there is political instability. -Safety and security concerns are caused by terrorist attacks, war and political instability. These concerns reduce the demand for travel and tourism to affected destinations. Imposed limitations on travel affect tourism demand. National governments can decide to limit tourism e.g. the COVID-19 pandemic caused governments to impose limits on travel within and between countries. 5. Environmental Environmental factors that can reduce tourism demand include: Extreme weather such as storms, hurricanes and typhoons Natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions. Increased consumer concern about the environment is becoming a trend and it affects the way people travel and the destinations they are likely to choose to visit. 6. Health Health factors affect the level of tourism demand. In 2020 the world began to be badly affected by a pandemic which was caused by the COVID-19 virus. The disease spread around the world and affected tourism demand. The risk of disease reduces tourism demand. Pandemics reduce tourism demand greatly. Reasons for the Growth of Sustainable Tourism Sustainable tourism is tourism that seeks to conserve the natural environment and people’s way of life into the future. It seeks to avoid pollution and waste that damage the environment. An example is how air travels and hotels cause pollution and waste hence sustainable travel and hotels seek to reduce pollution and waste. Tourism provides jobs and sustainable tourism provides jobs that will continue into the future. Sustainable tourism seeks to conserve people’s culture. At times the local culture of people living in destinations can be affected by tourism in instances such as how local people could copy the behaviour of inbound tourists and local culture getting lost in the process. Sustainable tourism seeks to conserve local ways of life. There are four main reasons for the growth of sustainable tourism. 1. Changing Consumer Attitudes Tourists are consumers of TnT products and services. Consumers are customers who are becoming more concerned about the impacts of tourism. More tourists are now intending for the environment and local people’s way of life to be conserved into the future hence tourism being sustainable. This means that holidays and travels do not damage the people’s way of life in destinations and also no harm to the environment. 2. Media Media such as television. Magazines, radio, newspapers have influenced consumers’ attitude towards sustainable tourism. Social media has also played a key role in this endeavour as consumers and influencers share information using social media. Green tourism information tends to be spread by media such as magazines, radio and television. The attitude of consumers is more favourable towards sustainable tourism because of the influence of the media and social media. 3. Availability and Promotion of sustainable tourism products and services. Changed consumer attitudes have increased global demand for sustainable tourism. Travel and Tourism providers intent to sell TnT products and services to tourist customers. An increased demand causes an increased supply with sustainable tourism products and services more available for customers to buy. Providers promote tourism products and services to attract customers. The promotion of sustainability helps TnT providers to sell more products and services. 4. Government Policies National Governments want tourism to grow as tourism brings money and jobs to countries. An increased demand for sustainable tourism has encouraged national governments to develop sustainable tourism which protects the environment and people’s way of life. An example is how the government of Rwanda encourages sustainable tourism in the country with having embarked on a multi-million-dollar solar project in the country. The Features and Appeal of Destinations Different people find different destinations appealing or interesting. This may be largely due to how reachable the destination is in terms of topographical features, infrastructure & location. 1. Natural Attractions:  - Scenic beauty: Beautiful landscapes like mountains, beaches, and forests make people want to visit for sightseeing or relaxation. - Climate: Places with nice weather, not too hot or too cold, are more appealing because visitors can enjoy outdoor activities comfortably. - Biodiversity: Unique plants and animals in a place, like colorful birds or rare plants, make it interesting for people who like nature. 2. **Cultural Attractions**: - Historical sites: Old buildings or ruins teach us about the past and are fun to explore, like ancient castles or temples. - Cultural events: Festivals or ceremonies with music, dances, and traditional clothing show us how people celebrate in different places. - Local cuisine: Tasting new foods from different cultures is exciting and helps us understand how people live in other parts of the world. 3. **Infrastructure and Facilities**: - Accommodation: Places to stay, like hotels or hostels, are important so visitors have a comfortable place to sleep and relax. - Transportation: Easy ways to get around, like buses or trains, make it simple for tourists to explore the area. - Recreational facilities: Fun things to do, like swimming pools or amusement parks, make vacations more enjoyable for families and friends. 4. **Safety and Security**:  - Low crime rates: Places where people feel safe and can walk around without worrying are more appealing to travelers. - Healthcare facilities: Knowing there are hospitals or clinics nearby in case someone gets sick or hurt is reassuring for visitors. - Tourist police: Special officers who help tourists feel safe and can assist them if they have any problems. 5. **Accessibility**: - Connectivity: Easy ways to travel to a place, like direct flights or good roads, make it simpler for people to visit. - Visa regulations: Rules about who can enter a country and how easy it is to get a visa or permission to visit affect whether people choose to go there. - Language: If people can speak English or there are translators available, it’s easier for tourists to communicate and get help if they need it. 6. **Marketing and Promotion**: - Advertising campaigns: Seeing pictures or videos of beautiful places makes people want to visit and explore for themselves. - Online presence: Websites and social media posts with information about attractions and activities help travelers plan their trips. - Partnerships: When travel agencies or tour companies work together with destinations, they can offer special deals or packages to attract more visitors. 7. **Value for Money**:  - Affordability: Places that offer good experiences at reasonable prices are more attractive to people with different budgets. - Perceived value: Visitors want to feel like they’re getting their money’s worth in terms of the quality of their experience. - Special offers: Discounts or deals on things like accommodations or activities make vacations more affordable and appealing. 8. **Sustainability and Responsible Tourism**: - Environmental conservation: Taking care of nature and not harming the environment ensures that future generations can also enjoy the beauty of the place. - Community involvement: Supporting local people by buying handmade souvenirs or eating at family-owned restaurants helps communities thrive. - Ethical practices: Respecting local customs and traditions and being mindful of our impact on the places we visit ensures we leave a positive impression and help preserve the destination for others to enjoy.