2. 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)

3. 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)

4. Five Necessary Components of a Tourist Destination 1. Natural resources – water, mountains, etc. with the beauty to attract visitors 2. Infrastructure – utilities, roads, water, etc to support hotels, restaurants, shops 3. 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

5. Other Factors that Affect Destination Choice  Ease of access  Price  Suitability of accommodations

6. What motivates people to travel? 1. Recreation 2. Culture (i.e. museums, art galleries, historic sites) 3. Nature 4. Educational value 5. Events 6. Health/fitness 7. Religion 8. Friends & relatives 9. Business

7. Steps in Tourism Development & Planning  Define goals and objectives  Identify the tourism system and plan for development; look at a) Resources available b) Organizations that can help c) Markets you wish to serve  Generate and develop different options  Select an option and implement it  Monitor and evaluate

8. Destination Development Stages Planning 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

9. Development stages – cont’d. Development There 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)

10. Organizations Involved in Development  Government Why? Because tourism is an important source of revenue for governments  World Tourism Organization Why? To improve people’s access to education and culture and to raise standards of living in developing countries  National Tourism Organizations Why? To promote home countries as tourist destinations

11. Organizations cont’d  Provincial and Local Tourism Organizations Why? Revenue and to encourage economic development

12. 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

13. Impact of Destination Development 1. Economic 2. Social 3. Cultural 4. Environmental

14. 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

15. Social Impact  Population growth  Changing employment patterns  Increased incomes  Rising property value  Resentment

16. Cultural Impacts  Demonstration effect  Trinketization  Sustains traditional arts and crafts  Ethnic preservation  Invasion of privacy

17. Environmental Impacts  Stress on environment – pollution, overcrowding, traffic congestion.  Lead to improved infrastructure  Help save threatened species

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