Issues Affecting Tourist Destinations: A Comprehensive Analysis

This report examines the factors that influence the appeal and popularity of tourist destinations, focusing on a comparison between the United Kingdom and Costa Rica. It evaluates the economic, physical, and social characteristics of each destination, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses that affect their attractiveness to tourists. The report also analyzes issues such as currency fluctuation, climate change, and terrorist threats that can impact tourism popularity. Furthermore, it discusses the potential for responsible tourism to enhance host communities worldwide, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices in the tourism industry. The analysis includes insights into transportation, cultural values, crime rates, and environmental conditions to provide a comprehensive understanding of destination appeal and the challenges faced by the tourism sector.

Running head: TRAVEL AND TOURISM
Travel and tourism
Student's name
Student's id
Name of the university
Author note

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Table of Contents
LO3: Understand how the characteristics of destinations affect their appeal to tourists...........3
3.1 Comparing the appeal of current leading tourist destinations with that of currently
developing tourist destinations:..................................................................................................3
3.2 Evaluating the appeal by the Economic, physical, political and social characteristics:.......5
Economic difference:.............................................................................................................5
Physical comparison:.............................................................................................................6
Social charecterisitcs diversity:..............................................................................................6
LO4Understand issues likely to affect the popularity of tourist destinations............................7
4.1 Analyse issues that affect the popularity of tourist destinations..........................................7
4.2 Discuss the potential for responsible tourism to enhance the host community at worldwide
tourist destinations.....................................................................................................................9
References................................................................................................................................12

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LO3: Understand how the characteristics of destinations affect their appeal to tourists
3.1 Comparing the appeal of current leading tourist destinations with that of currently
developing tourist destinations:
Being a Junior Product Analyst for Virgin Holidays, it is essential to look at the interest of
encouraging vacationer goals with that of a destination for vacation; as the destinations are
England and Costa Rica. Both the nations have different qualities, yet they would be analyzed
on the basis of interest.The United Kingdom is one of the best ten travelers'destinations on
the planet with right around 28 million vacationers going to the place practically
consistently(Tan eta al. 2017). Costa Rica is arranged in the Central America area and has
some delightful spots to visit. Both the destination have wonderful and one of a kind scenes
and also the diversity within the region.The first contrast is that of Costa Rica is where
individuals visit when they need to see something strange, while the United Kingdom is for
individuals who appreciate incredible scenes and natural highlights like Lake region or
Scottish mountains(Schegg&Stangl, 2017). As far as culture Costa Rica has an extremely
Spanish culture and London displays a common Shakespearean culture.
While contrasting the transportation viewpoint in these spots, Costa Rica has public streets or
expressways which are ineffectively created and are also not maintained. The general
transportation in Costa Rica is exceptionally poor which a considerable issue. The United
Kingdom is different amongst the modes of transportation departments like airplane
terminals, trains, transports and so on(Thakran&Verma, 2013). The crime rate in both the
nations is genuinely low. However, the legal and police powers are significantly created and
improved in the United Kingdom than Costa Rica.

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As far as the ecological point of view, The United Kingdom has a delightful condition that is
adored by numerous sightseers and furthermore has as a remarkable charm. Costa Rica has
decent scenes, however, is more towards being exotically attractive, even the climatic
conditions are better in the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom is an exceptionally created
as the traveler destination throughout the recent years, while Costa Rica is as yet building and
some individuals do not know anything regarding the place(AlSayyad, 2013).The features of
the traveler destination affect the tours and travel organizations significantly. There are
unique qualities for the destinations like financial attributes, physical attributes, social
attributes, political attributes, and so on.There are different criteria for the destination that
decides the volume, and types of travelers can attract. Different qualities have their particular
advantages and drawbacks to attract the visitors with their specific manner. Highlights of the
culture and physical perspective draw in both nearby and abroad travelers.Looking first at the
vacationer destination and also creating visitor destination, the best case of a central traveler
goal will be the United Kingdom and that of a creating vacationer destination will be Costa
Rica. The United Kingdom has an excellent environment and scenes and an entirely
developed society.The social values and standards in the United Kingdom support the
tourism as it was. Additionally, the significant measures of individuals who visit the United
Kingdom every year contribute to the general social advancement of the place too(Huang et
al. 2013). Then again, Costa Rica is not socially created when compared with the United
Kingdom.There is still most of the general population living underneath poverty line and
keeping up not as much as a usual way of life. There are still individuals who are working for
a daily wage in the Costa Rica. On the grounds of culture, the United Kingdom which was
good in craftsmanship, music, and theater overwhelmed culture, has now developed into a
design and media commanded culture. This is the most probable reason for the tourists to
visit the United kingdom more than the Costa Rica.

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3.2 Evaluating the appeal by the Economic, physical, political and social characteristics:
There are various elements that influence the appeal of a tourist destination. When it comes to
United Kingdom and Costa Rica, they are different from various perspective like economic,
physical and social charecterisitcs (Vanegas, Gartner & Senauer, 2015). Comparison of these
two destination are as as follows from these perspectives:
Economic difference:
Appeal of a country depends largely on the economic difference of tourist
destinations. Comapring the United Kingdom with the Costa Rica, it can be seen that there is
huge difference between the country’s economic condition. Per capita income of United
Kingdom is 2.6 time higher than the Costa Rica, and GDP of both the countries differe
laregley. GDP of the United Kingdom is as high as 2.61 trillion USD, where as Costa Rica’s
GDP is 57.44 billion USD only (Dhingra et al., 2016). This leads to several demographic and
economic difference between these countries. Unemployment rate of the United Kingdom is
45.2% lesser than the Costa Rica and the poor infrastructure of the nurshing sytem of this
country lead it towards 48.2% higher infancy death rate. Along with this it has been seen that
tourism of the Costa Rica is one of the main source of the income that contributes
significantly towards the economy of the country. However, different projects of the
ecotourism of the country has failed recently in Costa Rica and it as lead the country to have
overcrowded visitors. This has resulted in high amount of wastage production and pollution
has also incrased significantly. On the other hand, UK is developing its tourism facilities with
the help of new projects and higher investment. 39.5% higher poverty in the Costa Rica
compared to the United Kingdom has reduced the effcicieny and productivity of the country
(Angelini et al., 2015). This has lead the economy to have higher amount of theft and robbery

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cases that has made the Costa Rica not oa worthy option to visit compared to the United
Kingdom.
Physical comparison:
When it comes to physical comparison of United Kingdom and Costa Rica, then there is huge
difference between these two countries. Compared to Costa Riac, United Kingdom as 9.6
times more coastline that affects both the economy and scenic beauty of the country
(Evangelista et al., 2016). Coming to the scenic beauty, United Kingdom is much more better
than the Costa Rica and the soothing weather condition aids the United Kingdom to become a
more better place to visit. Wide coastline and average temperature of 160 C of the country
helps the United Kingdom to have better tourist attraction (Medlock & Leach, 2015). Besides
this, it is a known fact that climate and physical quality of the tourist destination have high
amount of influence over the tourist destinations. Thus, considering this, it can be stated that
United Kingdom is a better place to visit.
Social charecterisitcs diversity:
Costa rica is composed of various ethnic groups that gives the country a multi-social
environment. With the help of the flexible political environment and strong hold of the
government over the market has aided the country to have a multi social environment that is
potent enough to absorb various ethnicity from different part of the country (Fouries et al.,
2015). So, if the visitors willing to visit this place, then it is a good place to try out. However,
there were various issues with the social charecterisitcs of the country is present too. For
instance, literacy rate in the country is much lower compared to the United Kingdom. Most of
the people know languages like Bribri, Spanish and many other; however, very few people
know English that makes it a tough choice for the people who come from western countries.
On the other hand, United Kingdom is one of the best destinations that people dream to visit
due to its social charecteristics. For instance, famous constructions like Eiffel tower, Big Ben

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attracts lot of people that poseess high amount of social importance. Government integrity of
the Costa Rica is 55.4% compared to the United Kingdom’s 79.4% that places the counry in
the seond category country that has moderate amount of government integration (Verhoest et
al., 2016). With better integrity score, United Kingdom comes under the first category
country that has good amount of government holding on the market and it aids the country to
become one of the best place to visit. Visitors will be beneficial to visit the place like United
Kingdom, because tehre will be stability in the market and it will not hamper the touring
experience of the country.
LO4Understand issues likely to affect the popularity of tourist destinations
4.1 Analyse issues that affect the popularity of tourist destinations.
Currency fluctuation:Tourism is a type of trading from the economic perspective. This
implies that the tourist coming to the UK and spend their time here is same as the way of
selling products and services of the UK to different nations and getting cash from them as it
is giving similar advantages. With a similar perspective, when individuals from the UK go to
different countries and spend their wages there is almost equal to the UK purchasing
imported products from various nations(Xiang, Magnini&Fesenmaier, 2015). The UK
government tried their best in promoting domestic tourism for the advantage of its economy
by urging individuals to spend vacations inside their own country.The contrasting value of
one country currency to another currency cash influence the tourism business to a huge
degree. The exchange of currency rates directly hampers its value by visiting different
countries. When the value of the pound is weak, it is likely then the tourists are likely to come
to visit as they will receive more pound against their money. Likewise, if the value of the
pound is strong, there will be less chance of tourists to visit the country.In a previous couple
of years, it is seen that pound is much stronger than the dollar. This implies it was more

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probable for UK visitors to visit the USA and not likely for US travellers to visit the UK. The
administrators of the tourism industry will suffer the immediate outcomes of these trade
rates(Clift & Page, 2015). The agreement which they did already with the hotels and the
transport is needed to be paid despite the lean season. As a result, when the currency rate
changes, they have to pay no matter if it increases or decreases.
Climate: The tourism business is seriously influenced by the event of any climatic
catastrophe. A bad climate can destroy a complete place and stop visitors from coming. Like
for example, if a Tsunami happens in a place and destroys its complete territory, then it is
likely to have visitors in that place for next ten years. This means the money which used to
come from tourism business will completely stop, and this will put a great disaster for the
economy of that country(Tan eta al. 2017). Moreover, the people of that place who survived
have to face the consequences and their survival will be badly affected.As the infrastructure,
gets effects it is less likely for the visitors to come to that places. Along with these, there
come different diseases with it. For instance, if the climate fo UK changes and becomes hot,
it will directly affect their tourism industry as more people will travel during the time of
summer.
Terrorist Attack: Terrorist Attack is one of the major cause directly effects tourism industry.
If these events happen in any area, then people will avoid visiting to that place for their safety
purpose as they will have the fear of such incidents occurring again(Schegg&Stangl, 2017).
One of the best example of it is 9/11 that not only effected the tourism industry in USA but
also had a great impact on UK and other countries. It created such fear among people that
they avoided travelling by flights as they felt unsafe. This mostly effected the American
tourist who used to love travelling but after the incident they were mostly insecure to travel.
This has brought about the decline of visitors going to UK and a limited people from
travelling around the world for vacations or business purposes. Another case was the attack at

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a resort in Bali in the year 2002 and this totally destroyed the tourism business in UK and
became normal only after 3 years of time (Hudson & Thal, 2013).
Economic Situation: Economic situation is another factor that effects tourism industry. It is
like a well-developed country with economy can invest in their tourism sector without much
trouble (Clift & Page, 2015). They can build infrastructure with creative and innovative
things by investing money so as to attract tourists to come in the country(Huang et al. 2013).
Legislation: There are various legislation that impacts tourism directly which are mentioned
below:
1. Development of Tourism Act 1969
2. Travel Package with tour regulation 1992
3. Transport Act 1980
4.2 Discuss the potential for responsible tourism to enhance the host community at
worldwide tourist destinations.
Nowadays, it is understood that the word responsible is directly related to global tourism.
This is picking up so much significance given the expanding potential issues with tourism.
These issues are making a considerable measure of distress for the people of that country.
These tourism exercises unfavorably influence the surrounding and community of native
people of that country. These are frequently connected to the procedures which are difficult
to control(Thakran&Verma, 2013). There also occurs such situation where the income which
comes from the tourism industry does not stay in the tourist destination but are being
channeled through to remote investors.This is likewise an intense risk to the economy of the
local communities that need to concentrate on the point of responsible tourism. The other
issue additionally comprises of the crime and the standard of living in the local

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community(Standing, Tang-Taye& Boyer, 2014). This can be taken care of if the people
involved in tourism business starts to grow more responsible and work with more ethical
values. The main problem with the responsible tourism is that the local individuals do not
always have such talent that is required for the development of the tourism industry. The
government also does not give much importance to the tourism business or do any work for
the growing infrastructure in the local surrounding.
As one of the quickest developing business in the world right now, it is going to be a great
deal of the natural various territories and culture. There are numerous issues related with the
tourism like exhaustion of common assets like environment, fuel, nourishment, water,
biodiversity, biological systems, and so forth which additionally makes a lot of issues for the
local community(AlSayyad, 2013). It is the duty of the tourism business to take care of these
issues rather than creating problems for the people of that place.
In UK, some of the cities such as Scotland and Britain formed a strategic plan to promote and
develop the tourism business. Scotland tourism unit name VisitScotland was formed that
mainly focuses on the following:
Economic prosperity: Making prospects for long-haul tourism business with the thriving, to
enhance the nature of work openings in the tourism segment for the nearby group which will
incorporate legitimate pay and enhanced working conditions.
Social Equality: The tourism business also has the duty of enhancing the personal satisfaction
of the local group that is driving. These are the general population who are associated with
the administration of the tourism activities(Blanke&Chiesa, 2013).
Cultural protection: The natural beauty of the locality is to be maintained by the tourism
business. They should mainly focus to keep the old heritage and local culture.

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This requires the tourism partners in Britain to influence level with support in the
environmental debates, to help in figuring laws which will be beneficial for both the business
travellers, people going for vacations and also the government.
There are different methods that can be arranged so to make tourism more economical. This
arrangement can include spreading mass awareness for responsible tourism in the country.
There should be a proper plan that demonstrates on how to control and handle the demand in
certain seasons and circulate equally(Huang et al. 2013). Making legitimate foot-steps
towards the negative effect of tourism transport, making a point to limit the utilization of
common assets and advancement of reuse and recycle. It should also deal with the normal
and social legacy, enhancing the personal satisfaction of the local groups and furthermore
enhancing the state of tourism jobs.

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(2015). BASEL III: Long‐term Impact on Economic Performance and
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Blanke, J., &Chiesa, T. (2013, May). The travel & tourism competitiveness report 2013.
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Fourie, J., Rosselló, J., & Santana‐Gallego, M. (2015). Religion, religious diversity and
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