Factors Affecting Growth In Tourism

Transport And Communications The advent of jet airliners, in particular the wide-bodied jets with increased passenger capacity and extended range, halved both journey times and the real cost of air travel. Tourism to distant destinations would not have grown to the extent that it has if passengers were still being offered the fares, travel times, and comfort of the 1950’s.

Economic And Political Stability Across large areas of the world, general levels of prosperity have been rising since the 1950’s. Political stability is important too. In Western Europe, from the Second World War until the late 1990’s, there was almost a complete absence of major political and military conflict; this is not the case in Eastern Europe, however, where tourism is less important.

The Increase Tourism has increased because the tourists are more competent at travel, are more relaxed about travelling and wish to travel more because of… increased education levels and better training of personnel within the tourist industry. Increased aquisition of foreign languages. Travel procedures such as customs and airport check-in counters becoming less of a constraint.

The Increase The use of IT (computers) to provide details on availability of flights, accommodation etc. Globalisation of credit cards, facilitating financial transactions and purchases. Improved telecommunications, making it easier to keep in touch with developments at home. Standardised forms of accommodation and other services in international hotels, restaurant chains and car-hire offices, reducing the sense of dislocation that foreign travel might create.

The Decrease In recent years, the growth of tourism has slowed. This is due to… The tightening up of airport security. Rises in the price of oil. Decreased disposable incomes. Increased awareness of individual carbon expenditure.

Activity Using Advanced Geography P411-412, answer the following… Suggest reasons to explain the pattern of tourist destinations shown in figure 20.6. How does this contrast and differ to the information in figure 20.8? Why? How are British holiday patterns changing as shown in figures 20.9 and 20.10? Give reasons for your answer.