Travel and Tourism (9395) | Types of destination

Welcome to Travel and Tourism (9395) AS Level!

Ready to dive into the exciting world of tourism destinations? This chapter is all about classifying the places tourists visit. Why is this important? Because the type of destination dictates the type of visitor it attracts, the infrastructure needed, and the management strategies employed.
Understanding these classifications is foundational for analyzing market trends, impacts, and destination development later in the course. Let's make sure we nail these core concepts!

Quick Review Box: The Five Main Destination Types (Syllabus 2.1)

We categorize destinations into five main groups:
1. Resort Towns (Seaside, Beach, Spa)
2. City Destinations
3. Countryside Areas (Parks and Reserves)
4. Coastal and Island Destinations
5. Purpose-Built Resorts (Theme Parks, All-Inclusive)

1. Resort Towns (Beach, Seaside, and Spa Resorts)

A resort town is a settlement where the dominant activity and primary economic driver is tourism. They are typically developed to offer comprehensive leisure and recreational facilities.

Key Characteristics of Resort Towns

• High concentration of tourist infrastructure (hotels, restaurants, gift shops).
• Often follow the Butler's Tourism Area Life Cycle (TALC), meaning they might be highly developed or in a state of stagnation/decline.
• They rely heavily on the natural resource that first attracted visitors (e.g., a warm climate, a beautiful coastline, or mineral springs).

Types of Resort Towns

1.1 Beach and Seaside Resorts:

These focus on sun, sand, and sea activities. They were often among the first places to develop mass tourism.
Examples: Cancun (Mexico), known for large hotels and nightlife; Brighton (UK), a classic historic seaside resort.

1.2 Spa Resorts:

Spa resorts historically focused on therapeutic uses of local mineral or thermal waters (the term 'spa' comes from the Belgian town of Spa). Today, they focus on health and wellbeing.
Examples: Bath (UK) or Baden-Baden (Germany).

Key Takeaway: Resort towns are locations specifically engineered for tourist leisure and relaxation.

2. City Destinations

City destinations (or urban tourism) involve travel to large, densely populated urban areas. Cities are popular because they offer a huge variety of attractions and services concentrated in one place.

Why are Cities so Appealing?

Cities are often called "mixed-use" destinations because they cater to several different motivations (Topic 1.1), making them resilient to changes in tourism trends.

• Cultural and Historical Attractions: Museums, art galleries, monuments (*e.g., The Louvre in Paris, the Roman Colosseum*).
• Business Tourism (MICE): Cities are essential for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions. This provides steady, year-round business revenue, unlike highly seasonal leisure tourism.
• Infrastructure: Excellent transport links (airports, rail hubs), diverse accommodation, and world-class retail/dining.
• Events: Hosting major sporting events or festivals (*e.g., the Olympics or the Edinburgh Festival*).

Accessibility Tip: Think of a city destination as offering a '24/7 experience'. You can visit museums during the day, attend a conference, and then go to a high-end restaurant or a concert at night. This diversity is their biggest strength.

Did you know? Cities like *Dubai* or *Singapore* heavily invest in MICE facilities and attractions to ensure they remain relevant hubs for global business and leisure.

Key Takeaway: Cities excel due to their diversity, acting as crucial centres for culture, history, and lucrative business tourism (MICE).

3. Countryside Areas (National/Nature Parks and Reserves)

These destinations focus almost entirely on the natural environment and offer space for adventure, relaxation, and appreciation of nature.

Characteristics and Focus

• Primary Appeal: Natural beauty, landscape, flora, and fauna.
• Activities: Hiking, wildlife watching (safaris), photography, and sometimes specialist activities like rock climbing.
• Management Focus: Conservation and preservation are paramount. These areas are often strictly controlled by governments or non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
• Link to Sustainable Tourism: Countryside areas are often the primary focus for ecotourism and responsible tourism initiatives, aiming to minimise negative environmental and social impacts.

Examples: Yellowstone National Park (USA), protected for its geysers and wildlife; Serengeti National Park (Tanzania), famed for its great migration.

A Note on Reserves and Parks

A National Park is usually a large area protected and managed by national government authority, whereas a Nature Reserve might be smaller and managed to protect a specific ecosystem or species. The goal is always the same: limit human impact while allowing controlled visitor access.

Key Takeaway: Countryside destinations are centred around nature, prioritising conservation and often promoting ecotourism.

4. Coastal and Island Destinations

While beach resorts (Section 1) are developed strips of coastline, this category refers to the geographic location itself—an entire coast or island mass.

The Unique Appeal of Islands

Islands have a powerful psychological draw for tourists seeking isolation and escape. Their appeal often includes:

• Distinct Culture: Islands often develop unique cultures and traditions due to their geographic isolation.
• Marine Life: Excellent opportunities for diving, snorkeling, and boat trips due to unique marine ecosystems.
• High Demand for Luxury: Many remote islands (*e.g., The Maldives, Seychelles*) cater to high-spending tourists seeking exclusive or highly specialised experiences.
• Vulnerability: Island states are particularly vulnerable to climate change (sea-level rise) and the economic risks associated with over-dependence on tourism.

Examples: The entire island of *Bali* (Indonesia), or the diverse coastlines of *South Africa*.

Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't confuse "coastal and island destinations" (the whole region) with "seaside resorts" (the developed town within the region). While a coastal destination can contain many resorts, it also includes undeveloped nature areas and local communities.

Key Takeaway: Coastal and island destinations appeal through their unique geography, marine environment, and the psychological draw of escape, but face specific environmental challenges.

5. Purpose-Built Resorts

These are destinations that have been conceived, planned, and constructed specifically for tourism on sites that often had no previous tourist appeal. They are designed to offer a complete, contained experience.

The 'Controlled Environment' Experience

Purpose-built resorts are popular because they offer predictability and convenience. The visitor rarely has to leave the resort perimeter to find what they need.

Types of Purpose-Built Resorts

5.1 Theme Parks:

Designed around a central theme, offering entertainment, rides, and tailored accommodation.
Examples: Disneyland, Universal Studios. They manage every aspect of the visitor experience, from transport to catering.

5.2 All-Inclusive Resorts:

These resorts offer accommodation, food, drink, and activities all bundled into one price. They are highly efficient for operators and very convenient for tourists.
Key feature: They create a 'tourist bubble,' which often leads to high economic leakage, as tourists spend little money outside the resort's boundaries.

Did you know? Purpose-built resorts often require massive initial investment but provide high returns because they can operate efficiently year-round (if climate permits) and control customer spending entirely.

Key Takeaway: Purpose-built resorts offer a fully packaged, convenient experience but can sometimes isolate tourists from the local community and economy.

Quick Knowledge Check: Distinguishing the Types

To ace your exam answers, you need to be able to clearly differentiate these types:

• If it's developed *around* a natural, existing feature (like a coastline or thermal spring): It's likely a Resort Town.
• If the primary appeal is business, history, and diverse entertainment: It's a City Destination.
• If the main goal is protection/conservation and low-impact tourism: It's a Countryside Area/Reserve.
• If it was built from scratch purely for tourism in a controlled way: It's a Purpose-Built Resort.

Well done! You have now mastered the different destination classifications required for your AS Level syllabus. Use these definitions and examples to analyze case studies effectively.