Managing Visitor Attractions

This assignment delves into the multifaceted realm of managing visitor attractions. It examines key aspects such as strategic planning, stakeholder engagement (particularly residents), the impact of smart technology on attractions, and the influence of tourism motivations and needs on visitor satisfaction. Drawing upon academic sources and real-world examples, it aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved in effectively managing tourist destinations.

VISITOR
ATTRACTION
MANAGEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENT
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Discuss the overlap of visitor attractions in relation to particular types of attraction...........3
1.2 Analyze the importance of different visitor attractions.........................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Evaluate the needs and motivations of different visitor types...............................................6
2.2 Evaluate impacts of tourism on visitor attractions in London...............................................7
2.3 Analyze the effect of different theories of tourist motivation on the management of visitor
attractions.....................................................................................................................................8
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................10
Covered in PPT..........................................................................................................................10
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................10
4.1 Analyze different visitor management strategies.................................................................10
4.2 Evaluate management techniques in relation to sustainability............................................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
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INTRODUCTION
In tourism industry attraction is a key factor which is necessary to attract visitors to visit
the destination. Motives also play a deciding role to plan travel. There are variety of attractions
to attract visitors ranging from man-made to natural. There are various positives as well negative
impacts on environment due to tourism. Various factors are deciding factors in attracting visitors
that includes management and infrastructure and the orientation of the attraction (Dewhurst and
Thwaites, 2014). In this assignment we will discuss overlap of visitors attraction and various
motives and need of tourism. We will also discuss motivation theories needed for motivation.
Various destinations of UK has been discussed defining their attractions. Impact of tourism on
economic, social and environment has been discussed. Tourism industry plays an important role
in generating revenue. Benefits from tourism industry on the local people, private and public
sector has been displayed.
TASK 1
1.1 Discuss the overlap of visitor attractions in relation to particular types of attraction
Visitor attraction component is an important segment of tourism industry. It is that sector
for tourists that provide them interest to visit that specific location, develops interest of that
destination when they plan out their trip. When you are on sightseeing the whole sole purpose of
the visit is its attraction. Attraction for any destination should be permanent rather than
temporary like any film performances as permanent attraction will tend to attract visitors by
allowing them to have access for pleasure and entertainment, providing education and interest for
the location and it may include some places for worship also (Dewhurst and Thwaites, 2014).
Any destination should be open for all rather than confined and restricted to some people or prior
bookings for that specific location. It should be able enough to attract tourists as well as local
people of that place. The attraction management should be under single authority rather than
distributed into different department s as if it would be a single entity than only it would be
answerable to questions o employment opportunities and revenue generated from tourism
industry.
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The overlap was built with a purpose but it is a different kind of attraction. It was not
built with an expectation to become famous among public. To understand this concept we can
take an example of London's eyes. It is a big Ferris wheel and it is situated at the river bank of
Thames. When London eyes was opened nobody had the clue that it would become so popular
among tourists across worldwide (Wang and et.al., 2016). It became one of the most famous and
popular tourism attraction in United Kingdom even though it is paid. Annually more than 3.5
million visitors visits the place. Visitor's attraction has a long list of which some are :
 Madame Tussaud's
 Railways which are historic
 Themed parks
 Piers
Let's take another example the St. Paul's Cathedral to understand overlap of visitors attraction.
St. Paul's Cathedral has remarkable property when London skyline is considered. It has domes
which are famous worldwide. St. Paul's Cathedral is famous for its art work and complex
mosaics. The interior of St. Paul's Cathedral is just so beautiful and attractive that whenever
someone's visits the place, they cannot put their eyes off from the interiors of the place. The
visitors can discover memorials of the some well known and famous national heroes and can
explore the tombs and crypt. There is another attraction for the tourist is the whispering gallery
which is fancy and acoustic. They can also have look on Golden Gallery that has splendid
panoramic view of London.
1.2 Analyze the importance of different visitor attractions
To analyze importance of different visitors attractions, let's take few examples of places
of London. Coca Cola London Eye : Coca Cola London Eye is one of the most popular tourist
attraction and it is one the key attribute to the London's skyline providing breathtaking
views of the city from 32 capsules of it which has 10 tonnes of weight of each capsule
and can hold around 25 individuals. Coca Cola London Eye is at the center of the London
city. Its experience is to showcase a view which is 360 degree that covers the famous
locations of London and it is considered as the most visited destination in the past few
years.
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 Sea Life London Aquarium : Sea Life London aquarium consists of 500 species
including sharks, piranhas, Nome-style clown fish of marine life. It is one the most
famous destination of Sea life display. Visitors have enjoyment and fun whenever they
visit the place. They always have an experience which is worth remembering and
interactive. It also provides the UK with the center for marine life management and its
conservation and preservation of marine species Tower of London : The Tower of London is a historic royal palace. It has the armory
section where the weapons used in the war are kept. It is a powerful castle that always
attract tourists. The Tower of London has history associated with it which also fascinate
visitors towards it (Fyall, 2008). There are some other attractions as well which are:
Jewels of Crown, Prison, arsenal, Jewel house, zoo and many more. Tower of London is
located on the river bank of River Thames in Central London. Westminster Abbey: It is 700 years old building. Westminster Abbey attracts millions of
visitors every year. It is one of the most famous religious building of UK and it is
considered as most extensive and Gothic Abbey church in the town of Westminster,
London. St. Paul's Cathedral: St. Paul's Cathedral has remarkable property when London skyline
is considered. It has domes which are famous worldwide. St. Paul's Cathedral is famous
for its art work and complex mosaics. The interior of St. Paul's Cathedral is just so
beautiful and attractive. The visitors can discover memorials of the some well known and
famous national heroes and can explore the tombs and crypt. There is another attraction
for the tourist is the whispering gallery which is fancy and acoustic. They can also have
look on Golden Gallery that has splendid panoramic view of London.
 British Museum: British Museum is world famous. It displays the art of man from
ancient time to modern era across the world. The Museum has many attractions such as
Rosetta stone, mummies of the Egypt collection and Pantheon sculptures.
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TASK 2
2.1 Evaluate the needs and motivations of different visitor types.
Needs and motivations play a fundamental role in the tourism industry. Whenever a
person is able to create an urge which turns into need and will provide a feeling of unhappiness
and dissatisfaction unless the need is satisfied (Garrod and et.al., 2012). There is energy
associated with the motive to satisfy the need. Its inner motive of an individual to travel and has
answers of all type questions. Travel motivation and needs may influence the result of holiday.
Abraham Maslow is a humanist – psychologist that has published a hierarchy defining human
needs in a pyramid shaped model consisting of five layers in bottom to top approach.
1. Physiological needs that includes hunger and thirst for anything you want.
2. Safety and security that includes shelter to live as for everyone their safety has the
topmost priority.
3. Social needs that may include love and attachment and affinity.
4. Esteem which is admiration, the reason to accepted and valued by others.
5. Self – actualization
Many theories made use of the above model as a basic abstract (Verain, 2015). Pearce applied
this model in tourism and mixed it with experiences of tourists. He suggested five layers of
vacation motivations in bottom to top manner of the pyramid :
 Relaxation (rest <> active)
 stimulation (stronger emotions)
 social needs (family, friends)
 self esteem (self development)
 self – realization (search of pleasure and happiness)
The concept of push and pull is generally used in the context of motives of travel. There are
many external motives which are responsible to pull and influence visitors towards the specific
motivation and following decision. Tourist destinations have potential to attract tourists toward
it and this factor of pulling can encourage a person to develop motive to travel to the specific
location. The pull factor also works when customer is overarching for the destination to travel.
Apart from the pull factors there are some push factors also with the motivations that
pushes a person to travel. It could be an individual's desire to utilize holidays which pushes to
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make travel and explore new places. Push factors can also be relate to a lack. Travel motive can
also get created if person is lacking rest.
Escape is another factor. Tourism and travel offers escape form work and busy life. It
offers freedom form time bond. To gain distance from own environment also forms the escape
concept. Liminality is a situation in which you are away from your environment and the
destination where you are actually present but not as its part, this is the midst of the situation.
2.2 Evaluate impacts of tourism on visitor attractions in London
There are many positive and negative impacts of tourism on visitor attractions in London.1. Positive impact Economic effect: Tourism industry creates jobs for many people. The industry is directly
linked up with employment opportunities. It is indirectly related to other sectors other
than tourism also like transportation to travel form one destination to another and retail
corporation. Tourism sector contributes to income and standard of living. It improves
economy of local people. It improves expenditure on development and infrastructure. It
also improves the revenue generated from tax. Tourism sector creates new business
opportunities as well. Environmental effect: Places with high number of natural resources such as rivers, lakes
and other water bodies and forests always attracts tourists to visit the place. Eco-tourism
is associated with the promotion of to conserve wild life sanctuaries. It also encourages
saving natural resources such as rain forests (Mason, 2015). It focuses on situations
where over fishing can be minimized. It also aims at reducing deforestation. It promotes
prevention of ecological declination. It encourages awareness among public to preserve
historic monuments and buildings.
 Social and cultural effect: Tourism assists in preservation of traditions of that that region
such as its customs, traditional festivals and handicrafts. It brings improvement in quality
of life people living. People visiting experiences education. Tourism promotes to
exchange culture among one another so that one can learn the culture and customs of that
place. It aims at preservation of cultural identity. It also provides tolerance capacities of
social differences.
2. Negative impact
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 Economic effect : Jobs created by tourism is seasonal. They also make very poor
payment. Money generated by tourism is always not beneficiary to local community.
Many of the benefits is taken up the resorts and hotels. There are many political factors
that affects tourism such as terrorism is the most critical aspect as nobody wants to visit
the place where their safety is at risk. There are many other factors such as natural
disasters and negative publicity of the place. Prices of goods and services get increased.
Prices of land and houses get increased. Living cost also increases. Labors might needed
to be imported. Environmental effect: Tourism is threat to natural and cultural resources. Due to tourism,
pollution of water, air, noise increases. There is a possibility that people might damage
landscape (lonescu, 2014). Open space also reduces. Historic sites, buildings and
monuments get destructed due to tourism. Water availability gets affected. There may be
overuse of water. Disturbances in wildlife may get created.
 Social and cultural effect : There will be negative impact on quality of life due to
behavior of tourists. Alcohol consumption and misbehaving with others is generally
noticed. Tourists that are underage also get freedom to drink as they are away from their
families which has negative impact on the society.
2.3 Analyze the effect of different theories of tourist motivation on the management of visitor
attractions.
To understand tourist behavior tourist motivations are important to be considered which
choosing destination and motivation can be related to the preference of the visitor. Tourist
market can be segmented by motivations. Every individual has certain needs which is required to
be fulfilled (Swarbrooke and et.al., 2012). Needs make people to be acted upon it and thus it
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Illustration 1: Attraction management

leads to satisfaction of the needs. Motivation process can be defined as the process in which a
tourist will travel only if their needs are satisfied.
A person would travel to a specific destination only if his needs are satisfied for that
location .There are several theories associated with the motivation of people.
 Maslow's need Hierarchy theory: It was given by Abraham Maslow.
According to Maslow every person is associated with different types of needs. The
needs that are associated at the top of hierarchy is known as high order needs and these
high order needs will appear after the fulfillment of lower ordered needs. Social needs
will be chased by the person after safety needs gets satisfied. This theory ca be practiced into
tourist destination. Tourist destination will get succeed only if first of all the person's basic needs
are satisfied (Grafton-Green, 2016). Therefore, tourist destination is needed to provide all the
psychological, safety, social, self esteemed and self actualization needs in order to attract
tourists. There are many drawbacks associated with it and this might be because of not following
the hierarchical order of Maslow's theory that he has mentioned. Alderfer's ERG theory (Existence, relatedness, growth): The theory given by Alderfer is
similar to the theory given by Maslow. The only difference in theories was that here there
are three tiers in which needs are grouped.
 Herzberg two factor theory: According to Herzberg de-motivation is not an opposite of
motivation. Instead of that no motivation is an opposite of motivation. Two sets of factors
are there:
1. Hygiene factors
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Illustration 2: Need hierarchy theory
(Source: Motivation and needs, 2014)

2. Motivating factors
Herzberg says that absence of hygiene factors demotivates instead of its presence
motivates. Similarly, absence of motivating factors does not de-motivate rather than this its
presence motivates. By applying this theory to tourist destinations we can say that hygiene
factors constitutes safety, food, transportation and many more. Motivating factors are the
presence of another attractions.
 Equity theory : According to the theory, the result of ratio of ratios is motivation of
people. It states that ratio of reward is compared by a person to the amount of efforts to a
ratio of similar quantities that is applicable for others according to them. By applying this
theory in travel destination, It can be said that if suppose tourist destination A wants to
attract more number of tourists a compared to tourist destination B, then destination A is
required to avail more exciting and rewarding experience compared to destination B
given that both destinations require same level of efforts to reach them.
TASK 3
Covered in PPT
TASK 4
4.1 Analyze different visitor management strategies.
There are several industries which are engaged in product selling that have various
considerable components, but the tourism industry basically depends on customer's experience
(Page, 2014). To create more opportunities of experience a travel planner is needed to have
knowledge of the market and the destination. Tourist's experience can be classified into four
categories as follows:
 Phase 1: Dreaming of travel
Tourists starts searching for the destinations they could travel and enjoy. They fantasize about
the place they would make travel to it. They start gathering information about that destination
through surfing and research.
 Phase 2: Choose the destination
After performing research and influenced by cost factors, environment, atmosphere and climate
they make their choice.
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 Phase 3: Taking the trip
After choosing destination, people travel to their place where they experience a lot of things such
as sensations and feelings. They experience level of satisfaction and some sort of dissatisfaction
also. They come across many transformations as well.
 Phase 4: Reviewing the trip
This is the last phase of the trip. Once you complete the trip you review it back to acknowledged
what you gain and what you lost. Your pictures, stories of the trip is shared among your people.
Recommendation to other people to visit that destination.
Tourist destination can be made attractive to the visitor if we know the taste of visitor's first. It is
required to understand the visitors needs and interests to make destination attractive for him.
Visitor profile consists of characteristics of different types that can be applied to a specific
visitor. Visitor profile consists of information regarding demographics and psycho graphics that
is different for different visitor or a group (Connell and et.al., 2015). Information available in
visitor profile is often helpful in designing tourism products and it is also helpful in designing
strategies that can be applied to the entire chain. It includes infrastructure designing that is
requires accommodating specific guests. By using questionnaires, we can collect information
about the visitor. Data can also be gathered by statistics given by hotels and economic study.
The collected information is then arranged to form destination management system.
Destination management system can be defined as a database that hold information about the
destination and customer's experience which can be used to collect, distribute and manipulate
information in several other forms. After collecting information about the specific destination, it
can be made more attractive with the use of available information as compared to other
destination. Cluster is a group of working people that aims in increasing focus and
competitiveness of a tourist destination. Cluster can have a range of people working together.
By using clusters, large amount of resources for developing products of tourism can be
integrated. This approach is increasing in an effective manner for developing economies.
4.2 Evaluate management techniques in relation to sustainability.
Sustainable tourism development meets the opportunities of the present tourists and
protect opportunities that can be further used in the future. Sustainable tourism minimizes cost
and maximizes benefits of tourism for natural environment and local community. Sustainability
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is the important factor to be considered in tourism. Impact of tourism on the destination tourists
visiting and on the local community should be sustainable. For sustainable management it is
necessary to understand viewpoint of tourism among people. Sustainability of tourism is not
related to only controlling negative impacts of tourism. Tourism is important sector by which
local communities get benefited (Albrecht, 2014). It is about to generate awareness among public
to conserve natural resources and conserve wildlife so that its degradation can be controlled.
Environment protection is the most crucial part of tourism. Local population should be taught its
importance and how they can be benefited with the tourism. Tourism is a key factor in economic
development of any country. Tourism provides employment in various sectors but many times it
has adverse affects on the environment which urges to be managed. Management is required for
tourism. If management is not there destinations would ultimately suffer. Eco-tourism is a new
type of tourism which being accepted by everyone across the world which encourages
sustainable environment so that resources can be preserved and utilize in such a way that they do
not degrade and remains to be used by others in the future. Sustainable tourism has three goals:
 Profit
 Environment
 Community
Sustainable tourism is planned in advance by involving all the stakeholders. Sustainable tourism
is locally oriented. It has focus on experiences of education. The priority is to conserve natural
resources. It appreciates local culture. Environmentally sustainable tourism is considered with the aim of protecting damage to
environment and benefits the surrounding environment. Impact on natural resources
should be low. Socially and culturally sustainable tourism is considered with protecting culture and
social structure of the surrounding community (Lawton and et.al., 2015). During planning
and developing phases stakeholders must be taken into account.
 Economically sustainable tourism includes well being of the local community generating
revenue for the local people so that they can make benefits for owners and employees
New employment opportunities get created for local people. Indirect employment for
farmers, agriculture and food production is provided by tourism.
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Rather than staying in hotels and resorts tourists should be given an option to stay with
the locals as hotels and resorts are constructed by destroying livings of local people. With such
type of techniques tourists would be able to know and understand the life of locals, their culture
which is completely different from their culture. Number of tourists visiting any destination
should be managed so that environment damage can be prevented otherwise the place would loss
it beauty. Tourism comes along with many positive benefits. People get environmental
knowledge and the ways to improve it.
CONCLUSION
Tourism has found significant growth in various developing countries. The promotion of
tourism has accelerated growth in country's revenue and generated employment opportunities for
the local communities as well as government bodies. Tourist destinations should always be
emphasized on attracting tourists by working on various segments of attracting factors. Many
countries have limited economy resources thereby tourism industry is the best alternative for
economic development. Thus, by maintaining and utilizing available natural resources in an
effective manner and generating awareness among people to conserve them so that they can be
used by others in future which is known as sustainable tourism. Government should make efforts
to implement certain policies by which tourists can be attracted to visit the destination. The
heritage and the history of the destination should be conserved. Planning between public and
private sectors is needed to attract visitors.
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