Growth of Tourism | Geography for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Growth of Tourism

• Tourism is a significant economic sector that involves travel for recreation, leisure, or business purposes.
• It plays a crucial role in the economic development of many countries.
• Tourism can lead to the growth of infrastructure such as hotels, restaurants, and transportation systems.
• Local communities often benefit from tourism through job creation and increased business opportunities.
• Environmental impacts of tourism, such as pollution and habitat destruction, need to be carefully managed.

Tourism Concepts

• A leisure activity is something done for enjoyment in your free time
• Tourism involves traveling to a destination for more than 24 hours but less than one year.

Tourism can be categorized into

• Domestic Tourism: Travel within one's own country
• International Tourism: Travel to another country

Tourism as Circular Migration

• People engage in tourism for various reasons such as work, medical treatment, education, or leisure.
• Examples include seasonal workers, university students returning home after a term, and individuals seeking medical treatment abroad.
• Sport has also contributed to global tourism through international competitions.

Impact of Tourism

• Mass tourism has grown significantly over the past 50 years, becoming a major global industry.
• Approximately 900 million individuals become international tourists annually.
• Europe, particularly France, remains a top destination for tourists.

Primary reasons for the rise in tourism

• Improved pay and leave benefits
• Increased disposable incomes
• Easier border crossings and transportation
• Advancements in communication technology facilitating travel planning
• Expansion of attractions like theme parks, music festivals, and sports events
• Government investments to promote tourism and host international events such as the Olympics

Factors Contributing to the Growth of Travel and Tourism

• Improved pay and leave allowances: Many workers now enjoy working fewer than 40 hours a week and receive paid annual leave.
• Increased disposable incomes: With both partners typically working, households experience a boost in income.
• Ease of crossing borders: Agreements between countries have made traveling across borders easier than ever.
• Advancements in transportation: Travel has become faster and more affordable compared to the past.
• Enhanced communication: The internet, social media, and other technologies have facilitated awareness of foreign destinations and simplified booking last-minute holidays.
• Rise in built attractions: Theme parks, water parks, and various entertainment venues have seen significant growth.
• Diverse attractions: Events such as music festivals, sports events, and governmental support for international events like the Olympics have increased.
• Significant government investments: Many governments have heavily invested in promoting tourism and supporting international events.
• Global economic impact: Travel and tourism have become the largest employers worldwide, representing 7% of global exports in goods and services.
• Increased accessibility: Growing awareness of both physical and human landscapes, coupled with rising living standards, has enabled more people to explore domestic and international destinations.