Comparing the Appeal of Leading and Developing Tourist Destinations: London vs. Bangkok

This presentation analyzes the appeal of two contrasting tourist destinations: London, a leading tourist destination, and Bangkok, a developing tourist destination. It explores the economic, physical, social, and political characteristics that influence their attractiveness to tourists. The presentation highlights the importance of a stable economy, quality infrastructure, safe social environment, and a stable political climate in attracting tourists. It also discusses the challenges faced by both destinations, such as economic recession, sanitation issues, social problems, and political instability, and their impact on tourism.

TRAVEL AND TOURISM TOURIST DESTINATIONS

Table of Contents
• Introduction
• The appeal of current leading tourist
destinations with that of currently
developing tourist destinations
• How the characteristics of a tourist
destination affect its appeal
• Conclusion

Introduction
• In this presentation, the comparison of the
appeal of a leading destination and a
developing destination has been made.
• The characteristics affecting the destinations’
appeal have been understood.

The appeal of current leading tourist destinations with
that of currently developing tourist destinations
• Current leading tourist destination: London (UK)
• Currently developing tourist destination:
Bangkok (Thailand)
• Four categories of characteristics
-Economic
-Physical
-Social
-Political

Contd.
Economic characteristics
• Tourism is important for developing
economies
• Bangkok’s economy slipped after the
catastrophic flooding of Thailand in 2011
• The London economy is in recession, and with
the change in travel agreements, many
tourists are unable to visit London.

Contd.
Physical characteristics
• London, as a developed city, offers high-quality
infrastructure
• Thai government is considering removing street food
vendors and their stalls from the roadside, in order
to provide better sanitation
• Underground train network in London provides
efficient, safe and cost-effective public transportation
• Bangkok’s transport system is less than satisfactory

Contd.
Social characteristics
• The population pressure on the government is high,
and as Bangkok is the capital city, it is overpopulated
and overcrowded
• The existing level of poverty may be a deterrent for
tourists who witness the squalid and poor quality of
living conditions.
• Sex trafficking is a serious social problem in Thailand,
especially in Bangkok, which is the hub of such activities

Contd.
Political characteristics
• After Brexit, the political situation of UK has
become unstable
• Incidents have shown that the political
atmosphere in Bangkok is tending towards
violence, and such a situation may discourage
tourists

How the characteristics of a tourist
destination affect its appeal
Economic characteristics:
• A stable economy can contribute to the growth
of the tourism sector
• The UK economy was stronger and more stable
before Brexit, thus attracting a steady flow of
tourists
• . For Bangkok, tourism is important as it provides
a considerable portion of Thailand’s GDP.

Contd.
Physical characteristics
• Attractive tourist destinations offer good
sanitation services, quality infrastructure and
an efficient transportation system to tourists.
• When tourists witness unhygienic living
conditions and distinct lack of sanitation, they
are reluctant to revisit the destination.

Contd.
Social characteristics
• Tourists are attracted to destinations where
the societal living conditions are good
• Thailand’s government has been working
towards lowering poverty and infant mortality
in Bangkok.
• ill-treatment of women and children lowers
Bangkok’s attractiveness to tourists

Contd.
Political characteristics
• A safe political environment is preferred by
tourists
• UK is going through political turmoil due to
Brexit, and in 2017, London witnessed three
attacks of terrorism, further compromising
safety

Conclusion
• Thus, the economic, social, physical and
political characteristics affect the appeal of
London and Bangkok to tourists.

Reference List
• Maneepong, C. and Walsh, J.C., 2013. A new generation of
Bangkok Street vendors: Economic crisis as opportunity and
threat. Cities, 34, pp.37-43.
• London.gov.uk. (2017). [online] Available at:
https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/cultural_tour
ism_vision_for_london_low_res_version.pdf [Accessed 16
May 2018].
• Thailand Tourism Sector (2017). Thailand Industry Focus
Thailand Tourism Sector. [online] DBS Group Research.
Available at: https://www.dbs.com/aics/pdfController.page?
pdfpath=/content/article/pdf/ [Accessed 16 May 2018].

Thank you!