Visitor Attraction Management: Strategies for Sustainable Tourism

This assignment explores the multifaceted world of visitor attraction management, delving into the overlapping nature of attractions, the motivations of diverse tourist groups, and the impact of tourism on the UK. It examines the development process of visitor attractions, highlighting potential issues and strategies for sustainable management. The assignment analyzes various visitor management techniques, emphasizing their role in achieving a balance between economic growth, environmental conservation, and the needs of both present and future generations.

VISITOR ATTRACTION MANAGEMENT
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Table of Contents
Introduction:....................................................................................................................................3
Task 1...............................................................................................................................................4
1.1 Discuss the overlap of visitor attractions in relation to particular types of attraction...............4
The overlap of visitor attractions in relation to particular types of attraction:................................4
1.2 Analyze the importance of different visitor attractions.............................................................5
Task 2:.............................................................................................................................................7
2.1 Evaluate the needs and motivations of different visitor types...................................................7
2.2 Evaluate impacts of tourism on visitor attractions in the United Kingdom..............................8
2.3 Analyze the effect of different theories of tourist motivation on the management of visitor
attractions.......................................................................................................................................11
Task 3:...........................................................................................................................................14
3.1 Discuss the processes and the potential issues involved in the development of visitor
attractions.......................................................................................................................................14
Task 4.............................................................................................................................................18
4.1 Analyze different visitor management strategies....................................................................18
4.2 Evaluate management techniques in relation to sustainability................................................19
Conclusion:....................................................................................................................................20
Reference list.................................................................................................................................21
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Introduction:
Visitor’s attraction management is all about the planning and management process by which any
place of tourists’ attraction will be managed by government or the authority. In This assignment
types of tourists attraction, overlapping and its importance on tourism, different motive and need
behind tourists group, affect of tourism, tourist motivation theories will be discussed. The stages
of development, the issues faced while development will be discussed as well. Lastly, visitors’
management strategies and ways to achieving sustainable management in tourism will be
discussed. In the last chapter of the assignment, strategies are described to reach the goal of
sustainability.
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Task 1
1.1 Discuss the overlap of visitor
attractions in relation to particular types
of attraction.
Scope of visitors’ attraction:
A tourist attraction is all about place of
interest where tourists visit, because of its
natural beauty, building beauty, passing
leisure time and so on. The objective of this
visitor’s attraction management is to gain
more attraction of tourists and make those as
famous as it can be (Mason, 2015). With this
entire process of visitor’s attraction,
economic growth as well as social cultural
growth will be there (Mowforth and Munt.,
2015)
The overlap of visitor attractions in
relation to particular types of attraction:
In UK, thousands of visitors’ attractions are
there which can be classified in different
ways.
Natural attractions are those, which are
solely built by nature and there is no such
contributions from man while its creation.
Waterfalls, forests, mountains are some
examples of natural attractions. In UK,
many natural attractions are there such as
Pembroke shire Coast, Lake Windermere
and many more (Lake et.al., 2015). The
government always put some steps to
preserve these sites to attract tourists.
Some attractions have a purpose behind its
building. Such are called purposely build
attraction. Thorpe Park, London Eye, Eden
Project are the ones which were build to
attract tourists for recreational purpose
(Mason, 2015). Some places are there which
gain purpose for its architecture or for
design like the York minister church in UK.
Some of the other purpose built attraction of
UK, which later becomes tourists spot are
Windsor Castle, York Minster, Goon hilly
Downs, the British Museum, the National
Maritime Museum, Greenwich Park and so
on.
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Some festivals or occasions are also in UK
to attract tourists like Glastonbury, Olympic
Games, and Eurovision Song Contest etc.
These are going on with the purpose of
attracting tourists on a large number.
Heritage attractions are those, which are
already, build years ago. Now those
heritages have become the centre of
attraction for the city, as tourists tend to visit
those places on a huge number. These
heritage sites provide the details description
of past culture, architecture and surprise
tourists with ancient details. The British
Museum, the National Maritime Museum
are such places where people can see ancient
things of hundreds of years ago. These sites
are the symbol of pride for any country.
These attractions are very much important
for any country. In UK, London is a big city
where tourists can come in a large number.
Millions of people come here to witness the
rich culture of this city, which is working as
a boost for UK economy too (Donald and
Gammack, 2016). Tower Bridge, Parliament
house are some of the places, which people
tent to visit while touring London.
The overlapping of visitors attraction are
those places, which were built before, but
now government has taken initiatives to
preserve those heritages and making them
highly protected places. In UK, the British
Museum is a good example of this
overlapping. It was built in 1972 (Wohl,
2017). It consists of many ancient
collections of past ages. Now the
government to keep the future in mind is
preserving it.
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1.2 Analyze the importance of different
visitor attractions.
Any country will definitely aim to attract
tourists in their country. With the help of
tourism, any country can enhance their
economic, social background. UK is very
famous for its cultural heritage. Visitbritain
is a British tourist authority under British
government, which works in promoting the
UK tourism on a broader scale. The impact
of visitors’ attraction is very important for
countries.
With the help of tourism, Revitalizing of
area is the one thing any country eye for
(Lowenthal, 2015). For a developing
country, it works as a boost for their
economy. As there are some places in every
country which needed a revitalization.
Tourism always helps in this. Attracting
many investors to come and to establish
business is another great positive impact of
tourism (Leigh and Blakely, 2016). If a
place become developed and become centre
of attraction for tourists, then group of
business people will be interested to come
and enhance those places by establishing
new business. A newly developed or
developed place in terms of tourism can help
in the overall contribution of that country
too. for example, millions of people come to
visit UK every year, which is working as a
great boost for UK economy. When a place
is being developed and start to gain
attraction of tourists, there will be great
chance for fresh employment as well. Small
shops, tourist guides, food stores all will be
in demand.
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Task 2:
2.1 Evaluate the needs and motivations of different visitor types.
Tourists are generally those who travel to places for educational purpose, leisure purpose, and
adventure or for any other purposes as well. Different types of tourists are there. Depends on the
needs and motivations, they can be categories as below:
Incentive tourists: These types of tourists are those who get to travel, as a reward after
completing their goals set by their company in return of their good work. Need of this group of
tourists is to enjoy their success and reward given to them. The motivation that works behind
this group of tourists is to regain some energy and enjoy their reward, which works as a boost for
them. The tourists visit British Museum, Greenwich Park and other tourist attractions frequently
to enjoy sometime..
Health or medical tourists: These types of tourists are those who generally visit to any other
country just for the sake of any medical issues for any health check up. The need behind this
group is related to health issues. Motivation of this group of tourists is, to relax from a busy
schedule and take rest, which will put a good impact on their health as well (Hanefeld
et.al.,2015) Greenwich Park is a place in England is visited by this group of tourists for a fresh
change, which put good impact on their health.
Educational tourists: these group of tourists are those who tent to go to any city or places just
for educational purpose or to gain educational information. Need behind this group is to research
further and motivation that works behind this group is, the knowledge they will gain which will
help them in their education. Many educational tourists visit British museum and the National
maritime museum to gain knowledge for their education or research project.
Adventure tourists: Adventure tourists are those who love to visit places just for fun and unusual
adventure (Horner and Swarbrooke, 2016). British Museum to gain some adventure and to know
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about the past issues preserve here. Need of this group is a bizarre adventure and motivation
force is, the fun and excitement.
Leisure tourists: Leisure tourists refer to the visitors who visit different places to enjoy their
leisure time (Horner and Swarbrooke, 2016). This group of tourists travels in a particular time of
year. Need of this group of tourists is to pass the leisure time and motivational force that work
here is to enjoy and spend quality time. Many places in England, like British museum,
Greenwich Park, Maritime museum are among the best options for this group of tourists.
Religious tourists: Some tourists chose places to travel according to the basis of their religion.
Temples, Churches are some of the example where this group of tourists visits. Generally, in
England, tourists visit churches, museum to fulfill their religious need. Need of this group is to
worship their religion and motivation work for them is the intellectuality they will get after
visiting these places. In UK, tourists visits British museum to fulfill this need.
2.2 Evaluate impacts of tourism on visitor attractions in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom is always famous for its tourist attractions. For the last few years, a huge
number of people are visiting UK and for that reason some positive and negative impact are
visible.
Positive impacts:
The increasing numbers of tourists are putting some positive impact on Britain. Some reasons are
discussed below:
 Economic growth
Huge numbers of tourists visits various countries to accomplish their various purposes. For
example, tourists often visit places British museum, Greenwich Park more often. The following
graph is showing the impact of tourism on the economic growth of UK (Willis, 2016).
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Figure 1: Impact of tourism on the economic growth of UK.
(Source: Willis, 2016 )
 Attraction:
As an impact of tourism, many places are there in England are gaining a huge popularity. Those
places are Greenwich Park, British museum, Maritime museum and so on. As these places are
considered as heritage spots, so tourists are visiting these places on a very regular basis.
 Impact on local authority:
As a positive impact of tourism, the local authorities are also being benefitted. Many shops,
many food stalls are focusing on those tourists’ sports. Therefore, these small businesses are also
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going on with a good pace. This is helping the local people as well as contributing positively
towards the economy of UK (Canavan, 2016).
 visitors facilities:
British government is trying to provide best services for the visitors so that a great number of
tourists can come and visit UK (Bærenholdt et.al, 2017)
 education training:
Many tourists from all over the world are coming to visit UK for education purpose, research,
and training as well. Britain has very famous universities and colleges. Therefore, this will also
put a positive impact on UK. Education and employment both are getting positively affected
(Entwistle and Ramsden, 2015).
Negative impacts:
The increase number of tourism has an adverse impact on the visitor’s attraction as well. Some
main impacts are:
 wear and tear:
A highly increased rate in tourism is responsible behind the wearing and tearing of historical
attractions. As many people are coming, so it is becoming quite a difficult task for the
government to save the historical attraction from people as well (Entwistle and Ramsden, 2015).
Due to the activities of tourism industry, the surrounding areas of the tourist destinations are
hampered as many people are coming to these places and making it dirty((Entwistle and
Ramsden, 2015). .
 traffic congestion:
As so many people are coming to visit UK, the traffic congestion is now a current problem,
which is being faced by the government. Safety of the tourists is also the issue the government
has to keep in mind. With so many vehicles on the road, the chance of accident is also being
increased. Therefore, to avoid this scenario, the government policies and police of UK has to be
more active and careful.
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 pollution and erosion:
Nature is also affected with the high rate of tourism. With a huge number of tourists coming in
UK, pollution level has also been increased (Entwistle and Ramsden, 2015). Air pollution is
becoming an issue to handle for the government. The erosion of historical sites is also a concern
for British government (Canavan, 2016).
2.3 Analyze the effect of different theories of tourist motivation on the management of
visitor attractions.
There are many tourists’ motivational theories, which elaborate positive and negative impact of
tourism on the management of visitor’s attraction in a detailed way. Some famous theories are
responsible tourism by Goodwin (1998) and smart consumer by Voase (2002).
According to responsible tourism by Goodwin (1998), tourism always tries to minimize the
negative effects on environment as well as economy too(Bimonte and Punzo, 2016). This will
help to boost the economic condition of the particular country and create better environment in
developing the industry on a large scale. The increasing rate of tourism will also help the locals
to earn and have a better life. With the conservation of heritage, this will contribute towards in
conserving world heritage as well. Another important thing of tourism is people who come from
various places to have a visit in other countries will get to k now the culture, the custom, the
social life of that country as well. Endangered spots will also be preserved with the help of
tourism.
Figure 2:Sustainable-responsible tourism
(source: Mihalic, 2016)
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According to ‘smart consumer’ theory by Voase (2002), it talks about two group of consumer-
Active and passive consumer. The active consumer put active efforts in terms to save the
cultural, social, and environment of the historical attractions (Bimonte and Punzo, 2016).). This
group of people never hampers or damage any places during their visit. On the other hand, the
passive consumer group are not so much bothered about in preserving environment or historical
places.
Figure 3: smart tourism system
(source: Mihalic, 2016)
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On the base of the discussion, it is evident that any country will want active group of consumers
as tourists, which will help the government to preserve the historical sites for the upcoming
generation. Cooperation is needed from all the tourists as well so maintain a proper environment.
The main purposes of holiday motivation for any tourists are:
 Relaxation from a busy schedule
 To make stronger bonds with family during the vacation time,
 To get in touch with friends and family
 To gain social cultural esteem
 Definitely to find self happiness and self satisfaction
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Task 3:
3.1 Discuss the processes and the potential issues involved in the development of visitor
attractions
In this part of assignment, the development process and issues while establishing a theme park
named “London resort” by London resort company holdings limited will be discussed. It is a
theme park, which will about to open in 2023, in swanscombe peninsula, Kent. The processes,
which are closely involved in terms of visitor’s attraction with this theme park, are as follows:
Exploration is the first thing that will need to be done. As London resort is a theme park,
therefore the management will definitely require a new place to explore. While in this period, as
this will be a new attraction, therefore, many people will not know about this place as much as
authority wants. To make this theme park famous, locals involvement will be the next thing
authority will try to focus on.
To develop London resort, locals’ involvement will be mandatory in this stage. The local
authorities will take some initiatives to engage as many people as they can. Locals will provide
some good offers to the small group of tourists who will come at the early stage of London
resort. By this initiative, a huge group can be interested to visit the place in future.
After this involvement and initiative of locals, with the help of proper development London
resort will gain reputation and fame. Proper advertisement will be needed for people to know
about this place. By advertisements and with an increase number of tourists this will be the
developing stage for London resort.
After the place London resort become famous, it will gain a number of tourists in its early stage.
As the time will, progress and people in all the parts will come to know about the park. At its
early stage, people will come on a huge number but after a particular time the number; people
will get decrease. This will be the consolidation period where problems will be emerged
between the hosts of London resort and the tourists.
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In the next stage, possibility is that may be the tourists will not get the same facilities, as they
would have been provided earlier. This will be the stagnant period where the ratio of tourists
will decrease in a huge way and not a good period for neither the tourists nor the authority of
London resort.
In this phase, authority needed to take a step to attract tourists. The place may need a decoration
or rejuvenation. To do this, first investment will be required. Locals and authorities will try to
invest a good amount and with that investment, all the place of the theme park will be
redecorated and will be open for tourists in a developed way. This will be the rejuvenation period
for the theme park.
After the rejuvenation, if the theme park, still fails to attract a good number of tourists like
expected, then the whole amount and the process will fail badly. Lastly, if the issues are not
sorted, the London resort may see a great decline in the ratio of tourists. Employees of London
resort will lose their jobs and slowly people will not visit the place at all and this place will lose
its image.
Figure 4: Stages of Development
(Source: Mihalic, 2016)
Issues related to the development of the theme park are listed below.
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In terms of development of London resort, some issues, which may put some impact on the
entire development, are as follows:
Location is one of the prior issues, which is mostly faced during the development of this theme
park. As this resort is all about to open in Kent, people of remote area, will face a problem to
come in and visiting the place. Whereas for the locals, this place can be easily reached, therefore,
it will attract a huge number of people and it will help in the development (Mihalic, 2016).
Funding is another issue, which can be faced during development of London resort. If local
authorities, government, all the people of area will cooperate while donating, the entire system of
development will be on a smooth track. Fund from government will be required. If the project
faces lack of funding issue, it may affect the process of development.
Opportunity is an issue that is a barrier in the way of development for London resort. If the place
has no opportunities to develop in future, it will never be a good scenario and it will hamper the
entire process in a longer run (Mihalic, 2016). A place like Kent, which has developing condition
and going on well with a good pace, it will definitely face a good time.
A proper land is required for establishing London resort. If the land, which is chosen in Kent, is
good and after planning, it can be used in a good way, then it will be a good factor in terms of
development of this resort.
Places with proper attraction like sea area or natural view will definitely attract huge customers.
London resort will be in the peninsula area. Therefore, its location may put some impact on its
development.
The contribution of tourism industry is very crucial. If all the organizations and authorities put
their efforts in promoting London resort, with proper advertisements and can provide attractive
offers to the customers, then a place will soon be a developed place and will attract a lot of
tourists (Mihalic, 2016).
Transport companies also have an active role in developing the theme park London resort. For
the customers of remote areas if transport companies can provide more services for with special
offers, then it will be a great boost in terms of development of this upcoming project. on the
other hand if the transport services does not provide any extra service or charge high for tourists
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because of less transport, number of tourists will get decreased and lastly no one will be
interested enough to visit the place because of all these issues.
Except the discussed factors, government policies, disturbance of local authorities, public
groups, and stakeholders, schemes related with membership, development of new technologies,
changes of preferences are some issues, which can be a hurdle in the way of development for
London resort.
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Task 4
4.1 Analyze different visitor management strategies.
Protected areas are always needed to be conserved in a good and systematic way. Visitor
management system needed a good knowledge based on the activities of tourists and as well as
the action needed in protected areas, at the same time, the wishes of tourists are have to be in
keep in mind. The tourism industry needs to identify all the current issues just to conserve the
heritage sites for a longer time. Based on the scenarios of Visitbritain, London resort, to solve
and manage the environmental issues and to conservation the recourses some strategies should
be followed are as follows:
Hard measures:
Hard measures are extensively placed and decision taken by the authority or government. This is
to put permanent restrictions on the visitors’ activities regarding visiting of those places to
conserve the heritage as well as the natural recourses. The main reason behind this firm decision
is to conserve the place and all the resources for the present as well as for upcoming generation
as well. Visitbritain is trying to promote and conserve the heritage of UK. Snake Island, Queens
Bedroom are some of the places which Is not for visitors. A hard measure process is applied here
to conserve these places (Öztürk, 2015).
Soft measures:
Soft measures are all about improving, planning, marketing, interpretation and visitor’s
cooperation. To conserve some places, government make some rules for the tourists and they
have to follow those while visiting those places. In this process, government or the authorities of
those sites appoints many locals as well as outside people as staffs. Close monitoring is always
there when tourists visits those places. Visitbritain is also doing the thing to protect the heritage
of UK without damaging the infrastructure. For some places, marketing is also needed to be done
to attract more tourists. In this measure, planning is all about handling tourists in the best-
planned way. At the same time, the heritages will not be hampered as well. Many volunteers also
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help authorities in this work. Training to local authorities will also be provided to create
awareness among them (Öztürk, 2015).
4.2 Evaluate management techniques in relation to sustainability.
Sustainable management is all about sustainability and it emphasizes on the concept of
management. Sustainability has a few divisions that deal with the environmental issues, the
need of present and future generations and the economic view. The main motive is to create the
ability for any system to survive by making economic development. To decline the increasing
using rate of resource and to save the resources for present and future generation is also can be
achieved.
For sustainable development, relation between locals, economy and environment has to balance
in a proper way. To gain this stability, conflicts should be avoided among the interest groups.
With the help of the possible strategies, the sustainability level can be achieved.
 Restriction should be there on the number of visitors and their vehicles. As a great
number of people visit tourist spots every day, therefore a particular limit should be keep
in the mind for the authorities. However, this will affect the tourism, as many people may
not understand the reason behind this decision (Martens and Carvalho, 2016).
 Rising of funds will be needed to improve the condition. With the help of locals and
government funds, places like footpaths or other natural resources can be repaired. The
problem is not many people are willing to participate and donate amount for repairing.
 With the help of Ngo and local organizations, the locals should be given a proper
training on why they should preserve the heritage or natural resources. How they can
preserve their heritage that will also be a part of their training.
 With the active participation and cooperation of local, this entire process will be highly
affected
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Conclusion:
The entire assignment provides a brief outline on the importance of visitors’ attraction
management. In the assignment, the need and motivational forces were identified. Overlapping
of visitors’ attraction, its importance on tourism has been discussed. Different theories of tourist
motivation on the management of visitor attractions have been discussed. Development phases
and issues have discussed and lastly strategies on visitors’ management and in which ways to
achieve sustainable tourism have been discussed.
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