Types of destinations - Travel and Tourism (0471) - Cambridge IGCSE

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IGCSE Travel and Tourism (0471) Study Notes: Types of Destinations (Syllabus 1.6)

Hello future tourism experts! Welcome to one of the most fundamental topics in Travel and Tourism: understanding where people go and why. This chapter, "Types of Destinations," teaches you how to classify different places. Why is this important? Because the type of destination dictates the services needed, the type of tourist it attracts, and how it must be managed sustainably. Let's dive in!

Quick Context: Why Destinations Matter

A destination is simply the final place a tourist visits. The industry relies on matching the right tourist (Section 1.5) with the right destination (Section 1.6). Understanding these differences is key to successful marketing and development.

1. Classification of Destinations

The syllabus identifies five main categories of destinations, plus various types of resorts, which we will explore in detail. We can group these broadly into Water-based, Natural/Rural, and Urban/Man-made.

1.1 Water-Based Destinations

(a) Beach / Coastal Destinations

These are areas found along the edge of a sea, ocean, or large lake. They are often the most popular type of destination globally.

Key Appeal: Relaxation, sunbathing, swimming, water sports (like surfing or sailing), fresh seafood.
Examples: The Gold Coast (Australia), the beaches of the Mediterranean (Spain, Greece).

(b) Island Destinations

Islands are unique because they are separated from the mainland, which often gives them specific appeal.

Key Appeal: Sense of escape and exclusivity, unique island culture (sociocultural appeal), high levels of biodiversity (unique plants and animals), beautiful natural scenery.
Challenges: Accessibility (you usually need a ferry or flight), high cost of importing goods.
Examples: Maldives, Bali (Indonesia), Hawaii (USA).

Quick Review: Coastal areas are accessible edges of the land, while Islands offer a distinct, often isolated experience.

1.2 Rural Destinations

Rural destinations are found outside of major towns and cities, focusing on the natural environment and a slower pace of life.

(a) Countryside (e.g., Farming Areas)

These are regions dominated by agriculture, forests, and small villages.

Key Appeal: Peace and quiet, walking and cycling, farm stays (agri-tourism), experiencing local traditions.
Tourist Type Attraction: Older couples, families looking for low-stress holidays, ecotourists.

(b) Mountains

High-altitude areas that offer specialised activities often linked to the seasons.

Key Appeal: Dramatic views, clean air.
Seasonal Activities: Skiing and snowboarding (winter), hiking, mountaineering, and mountain biking (summer).
Examples: The Alps (Europe), the Rocky Mountains (North America).

(c) Lakes

Areas centred around large bodies of inland water.

Key Appeal: Water recreation (boating, fishing), scenic walks, and camping.
Examples: The Lake District (UK), Lake Geneva (Switzerland).

Did You Know? Destinations like Switzerland's mountains attract tourists all year round by transitioning from ski resorts in winter to hiking and adventure centres in summer. This helps combat seasonality!

1.3 Urban Destinations

These are towns and cities—places with high populations and many man-made attractions.

(a) Town / City

Urban centres are bustling hubs of activity and culture.

Key Appeal (Leisure Tourists): Shopping, museums, theatres, historical sites (e.g., Eiffel Tower), nightlife, diverse food culture.
Key Appeal (Business Tourists): Proximity to transport hubs (airports, major rail stations), convention centres (MICE tourism), corporate offices.
Examples: New York, London, Tokyo, Dubai.

Key Takeaway: Urban destinations attract the widest variety of tourists, including business, leisure, and special interest (like cultural or shopping) tourists.

2. Understanding Different Types of Resorts

A resort is a destination or a facility designed to provide everything a tourist needs within one area, often including accommodation, food, activities, and entertainment. The syllabus requires you to know four specific types of resorts.

Mnemonic Device: The P-I-S-E Resorts

Use the acronym P-I-S-E to remember the four main resort types: Purpose-built, Integrated, Ski, and Eco.

(a) Purpose-Built Resort

A resort specifically designed and constructed in an area where little or no development existed before. They are often self-contained and controlled.

Features: Designed purely for tourists; often uses standardized facilities; minimal interaction with existing local communities.
Example: The majority of resorts in Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt) or a large theme park complex like Disneyland.

(b) Integrated Resort

A large-scale resort development that is built near, and often blends with, an existing local town or community. It is designed to benefit and interact with the local area.

Features: Links tourism facilities (hotels, casinos, marinas) with existing local infrastructure; aims to provide jobs and wealth to the local population.
Example: A modern resort complex built right next to an established historic town, where guests are encouraged to visit the town's restaurants and shops.

(c) Ski Resort

A specialised resort located in a mountainous region, focusing primarily on winter snow sports.

Features: Requires specific infrastructure like ski lifts, cable cars, snow cannons, and ski schools.
Seasonality: Highly seasonal (winter peak), although many now try to offer hiking and mountain biking in the summer to increase resilience.
Example: Whistler (Canada) or Aspen (USA).

(d) Eco Resort

A resort focused heavily on environmental sustainability, minimizing its negative impacts, and often contributing positively to conservation efforts.

Features: Uses renewable energy (solar power), manages waste responsibly (reduce, reuse, recycle), uses local and sustainable materials for construction, often employs and trains local community members.
Tourist Type Attraction: Ecotourists and responsible tourists who value low impact travel.
Example: A remote jungle lodge that focuses on wildlife protection and uses only compostable materials.

3. Key Concepts Checklist

The ability to distinguish between these destination types is essential for exam success. Here is a simple comparison chart:

Destination Type	Main Focus / Appeal	Example Tourist Activity
Beach/Coastal	Sun, sand, ocean activities, relaxation.	Snorkeling, sunbathing, boat trips.
Island	Unique culture, isolation, biodiversity, escape.	Exploring remote beaches, cultural tours.
Rural (Countryside/Lakes/Mts)	Nature, peace, adventure, walking/hiking.	Climbing, fishing, agri-tourism.
Urban (Town/City)	Culture, business, shopping, nightlife, historical sites.	Visiting museums, attending conferences, retail therapy.
Purpose-Built Resort	Total convenience, controlled environment, standard facilities.	All-inclusive holiday activities within the resort perimeter.
Eco Resort	Sustainability, conservation, local empowerment.	Bird-watching, guided tours with naturalists, farm-to-table dining.

Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't confuse Island destinations with Coastal destinations. A coastal destination is just the edge of a large landmass, whereas an island is a distinct body of land surrounded entirely by water, usually requiring special transport to reach.

Keep practising identifying which type of destination would appeal to different types of tourists (e.g., a business tourist needs an urban centre, while a family might prefer a purpose-built beach resort).