A Comparative Analysis of Tourism Destinations: Trends and Impacts

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of tourism destinations, focusing on London and Hong Kong, along with comparisons to other global locations like Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and the Taj Mahal. It begins with an introduction to tourist destinations and their appeal, followed by an examination of visitor statistics for London and Hong Kong Disneyland, highlighting trends and fluctuations. The report then delves into future trends for these destinations, suggesting improvements to infrastructure and customer service. A key section analyzes the social, cultural, and physical features of developed and developing countries, comparing the characteristics of the selected destinations. The report also applies Smith and Cohen's typologies to understand tourist behavior. Finally, it discusses the effects of political factors on visitor numbers and income generation and explores how responsible tourism can positively impact host communities, concluding with a summary of the findings and a list of references.

TOURISM DESTINATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................2
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................2
a) Tourist destinations and statistics...........................................................................................2
B) Future trends that can be involved.........................................................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
P2 A) Social, cultural and physical features of developed and developing countries as major
tourist destination........................................................................................................................5
B) Smith and Cohen typologies..................................................................................................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
Analysis of the effect of political factors on both visitor numbers and the generation of
income of these four destination.................................................................................................8
B Application of these four destination and explanation about how responsible tourism can
contribute positivity for their host communities.........................................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11
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INTRODUCTION
Tourist destinations can be considered as some destinations or places, that are either
natural or man-made and the basic reason for their presence is to attract people. Many people
visit these destinations as to spend some holidays, some visit for having some peace and
relaxation (Laws, 2011). There are enormous natural tourist destinations and various have been
constructed as well in order to attract a huge number of customers and increase the overall
productivity. There are various types of tourist destinations which involves centred, touring, base
destinations etc., so it is the choice of tourists where they want to visit. The report is analysing
the scope of tourism in UK and other across the worldwide as well. Also, it includes the cultural,
social and physical factors of these destinations. Along with this, it also includes various
appealing features of these destinations and the issues and barriers that might have an influence
on these destinations.
TASK 1
a) Tourist destinations and statistics
One of the most visited tourist destination in United Kingdom is London. It is a historic
royal castle, built in 1078 (Chen, Shang and Li, 2014). According to the history, it was residence
of the royal families of the Central London. In English history the role played by London is
prestigious. During 16th and 17th century the castle was used as a prison. Every year the London
is visited by 2 million people approximately. For overseas visitors London is a key point of
attraction from last so many years. This destination helps to London in increasing popularity and
profitability because due to this destination large numbers of people attract toward it. With help
of its popularity, revenue has been also increased within country. Every year around 500 million
is generated by royal family for British Tourism. Number of visits to the London from 2010 -
2016 (in thousands)-
Year Number of visits
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2010 - 2 414
2011 - 2 554
2012 - 2 444
2013 - 2 894
2014 - 3 076
2015 - 2 785
2016 - 2 741
It can be observed from the statistics that the number of visitors for the London have been
increased from the years. AS it is clear enough that the overall rate of visitors in the year 2010
was about 2414 whereas it started increasing and in the year 2011, it was analysed as 2554. In
the year 2012, it again went down to 2444. From then, it again started rising as the number of
visitors in the year 2013 was evaluated as 2894 and in the year 2014, it went even 3076. Since
then, the overall rate decreased a little but is considered as one of the highest rates of it. So, it can
be evaluated that there is a small decrease in between, otherwise the overall rate for the tourists
has been increased since then.
Hong Kong is also considered as one of the leading destinations that has a huge rate of
statistics if associated with the number of tourists and overall productivity rate. From Hong
Kong, Disney land has been chosen. Hong Kong Disneyland is an amusement park situated in
Penny's Bay, Lantau Land. It is owned and managed by Hong Kong International Theme Park. It
was opened in 2005. In its first year it was visited by around 5.2 million people. In 2012, net
profit of park was HK$109 million. According to the reports, in 2016 Disneyland faces a
tremendous loss. Travellers from the China are core visitors of the Hong Kong Disneyland.
2016 - 36%
2015 - 41%
2014 - 48%
It is co-owned by government of Hong Kong and Disney. Since the time it has opened
park has posted losses of eight years. Disneyland slips into loss because of lack of entertainment
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options available in the park (Di Pietro, Di Virgilio and Pantano, 2012). According to the reports
it has been said that its performance is disappointing in comparison with other theme parks.
Chinese distaste for theme parks is also main reason behinds its poor performance. It can be
analysed that in the year, the overall rate was evaluated as 48% and then in the year 2015, it
decreased a little and went till 41%. After some time, it has been observed that in the year 2016,
the rate of tourists went till 36%. So, it can be analysed that there has been seen a decline in the
overall rate of the tourists and it may be due to some lacking factors. So, the government of
Hong Kong can take some preventive measures so that they can be able enough to satisfy all the
customers.
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B) Future trends that can be involved
There are various trends that can be involved in these destinations as in London, UK and
in Disney Land, Hong Kong that can help in maximizing the growth and rate of tourists there and
these trends are discussed as under:
 In the London, which is considered as a very popular part of this destination and it attract
large numbers of people toward the London. so its infrastructure represents a sort of
military culture (Beritelli, 2011). It looks like a royal architecture but the interior lacks in
somewhere. So, if the infrastructure can be given a new touch, then it might make the
visibility more attractive and impressive. With involving some factors from the urban
tourism, some royal botanic garden can be built in the London because it can attract
customers more. Botanical gardens can act as a special feature as a part of the urban
tourism that can attract a huge number of tourists and also help in increasing the
popularity of the destination.
 In case of Disney land, as it is a sort of park with various features in Hong Kong, it also
lacks in some very basic factors. The customer service in this park is not that effective as
the staff members are much engaged with some already running chores. So, the Disney
land can ensure the fact of involving much skilled and talented staff so that all of them
can be able to satisfy the needs of the customers. It will help in increasing the
productivity and rate of satisfied customers in Disney land as well. Also, Disney land can
increase the safety measures for the tourists as it will also help in as acting as an
attractive factor. So, this destination is also considered a very popular destination that has
various future trends involved. It helps in increasing the popularity of these destinations.
This destination attract people in large manner because it involves several good views.
TASK 2
P2 A) Social, cultural and physical features of developed and developing countries as major
tourist destination.
Variety of cultures, traditions, social and physical features that are followed by different
developed and developing countries (Assaf and Tsionas 2015). In this report, Taj Mahal of India
and Kirsten Bosch national botanical garden from cape town and developed countries. In case of
United Kingdom, where London is located and Hong Kong also refer to it into consideration to
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detail social, cultural and physical features related to it effectively. The certain characteristics
that are performed by these developed and developing countries of tourist destination are
explained in this report.
Cultural and social and physical features of developing countries:
 Kirsten Bosch's highlights the series of exhibition of botanical garden. Its cultural
behaviour is to provide sunsets series of concerts that happens in evenings of Sunday
(Whang, Yong and Ko 2016). It is one of the most beautiful botanical garden in South
Africa, where one can beautiful setting of music is highly recommended feeling the
goodness of nature. The gardens are located in hiking trails of mountains which are
tackled by company with experienced guide. The lifestyle remains as per the locality of
cape town by following all the practical’s customs and traditions. The number of visitor
of Kirsten Bosch national botanical garden increase to take a look on nature's beauty. The
historical life is high in Cape Town as it is located on hiking of mountains. The garden is
concerned with several social cultural and traditional aspects of the country (Armenski,
Dwyer and Pavluković 2018).
 One of the most beautiful tomb in the world are known for Taj Mahal. It is considered as
the renowned icon which is located in India. It is a symbolic site which represent
diversely and being articulated with group of different people. The values, traditions,
social aspects are followed in India is based on culture and traditions. There are huge
number of peoples visit India to have a look of Taj Mahal. The needs and requirements
arise for the purpose of maintenance. The popularity remains high all over the world as
the number is constantly increasing with the number of visitor. There are several tourist-
comes to visit in India mostly for Taj Mahal and it is most attractive tourist place in the
country which increase the tourist values in the nation in effective manner.
Cultural, social, and physical features of developed countries:
To explain the cultural, social, and physical features of developing countries London from
United Kingdom and Disney land from Hong Kong are detailed in this report.
 London are World heritage site, which is built as demonstration and symbol for Norman
power. London is one of the largest urban area and also, capital of United Kingdom.
Culture of London is considered as cultural aspect and it is not a single but a large
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complex in the nation as well. This remained as an example of cutting edge military who
made and architecture. Number of visitors have increased and gets attracted towards
London.
 Also, Disney land in Hong Kong are famous for social and physical features where large
number of people visit for the entertainment and vacations. Nit is a modern theme park
located in Hong Kong and Paris and considered as most visited park.
B) Smith and Cohen typologies
There are two typologies that approaches for tourist which is detailed in this report are Cohen in
1972 and Smith of 1977 are as follows.
 Cohen 1972 explains about the least adventurous tourists, as they buy package of tourist
are divorced by communities of host they remain primarily fixed by operators and make
very crucial decisions (Pike and Page 2014). They explore for arranges on own trip which
can be performed in Kirsten Bosch's National botanical garden and London as it is
situated in hiking of the mountains. According to Cohen's typologies explorer manage
their own trips by arrangement of travelling for motivation and by being encouraged. The
second typologies are drifter, where the drifter be in touch with the tourist for making all
the arrangements and establishment which identifies the community of host. As per the
knowledge provided by Cohen drifters live with the locality of people which are framed
between many practices of company. These enables them to know about the host of
community (Stylos and et.al., 2016). The Cohen also explains about individual mass
tourist in their typologies which details about utilisation of facilities that are available to
the operator of tour, having some control on their itinerary as they are decided by
operators of tour. To visit the sights, many possibilities to visit the sights of same places.
 Valene Smith of 1977 describes about the several levels in demographic aspects of
tourism are explained and detailed. The involvement of local people with the inclusion of
discovery are very rarely looked by people as Disney land and Taj Mahal are opposite to
Smith typologies as they are frequently visited with large number of people. Elite
describes about visiting to exotic places. The offbeat describes about the absence of
crowd or the person who is tourist wants to get away from the crowd. It also explains
about the visiting of haunted places which are dangerous as Taj mahal is a not haunted
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but the grave of Mumtaz represent it. The incipient mass while travelling describes about
the steady and flow kind of travelling by travelling alone may be in small groups or with
using some kind of shared services that are performed while tours. The mass of the
general package for marketing into overseas and enclaves are taken into consideration to
notice the behaviour of tourist (Cultural and social and physical features of developing
countries 2018). This is referred to as mass and another one describes in tourism is
charter mass which explains about the relaxation while moving towards destinations of
either developing or developed countries of tourist spots that bare mentioned in this
report. For the grand tour, with the planning of long term budget travel, there are two
types of contemporary tourism for the holidays of annual or any kind of holiday breaks
that are related with major flexibility while considering the childhood, and adults.
TASK 3
Analysis of the effect of political factors on both visitor numbers and the generation of income
of these four destination
In the context of the tourism industry it is very important for organisation to consider the
several components of the business environment. As business environment consists with several
elements that can affect the business enterprise and its activities in large manner. Once the
tourism organisation enters into the market then it has to focus on the several factors of the
business environment. In the aspect, political factor is one of the crucial component that affect
the income as well as numbers of visitors in large manner. There are some of effective political
factors which may affect the business activities and functionality in relevant manner. Varied of
political rule and decisions are made towards the corporate sector in these countries effectively
which may directly affect the tourist number in the nations efficiently. In the political factor
includes governmental legislations, regulation, code of conduct, rules etc. which is imposed by
government (Akroush and et.al., 2016). In order to conduct activities and function in the tourism
organisation, management have to follow the regulation and rules which developed by
government. Numbers of visitors at different destinations such as Taj mahal, Disney land, may
get influenced by the political factors. (Chang and Zee, 2013). While government makes any
changes in the regulation, policies, practices, code of conduct etc. then organisation have to make
changes in business activities, prices, policies, practices of business accordingly to the political
8

decision and norms in the country effectively. Government design taxation policy which may
affect the numbers of visitors and income in the tourism organisation in large manner.
In the developing countries destination such as Taj Mahal and Kirsten Bosch national
garden visitors’ numbers and income level can effect political factors as prices of the travel and
tourism activity may affected by the interest rate, taxation policy, inflation, recession etc. While
organise decide the rate of the tourism services then it has to focus on the imposed tax policy of
the country (Aschauer, 2010). According to the changing legislation and code of conduct by the
government, prices of the services in the organisation may influence. In addition to this, generate
income and profitability of the tourism organisation of these destinations may also influence by
the political factor because company have to pay tax according to imposed taxation policy which
imposed by government in the country (Cheng and Wu, 2015).
B Application of these four destination and explanation about how responsible tourism can
contribute positivity for their host communities
The tourism industry is benefited with major destinations. Among them, Disney land which is
situated in Hong Kong is major highlight for the country and as such, it has positive impacts on
the economy quite effectively (Bellur, McNamara and Prokop, 2015). This provides employment
generation in the nation and as such, tourism industry helps economy of the country up to high
extent. Almost 5.2 million visitors daily visit this attractive destination and as such, it is one of
the main tourist destination which attracts lot of people.
Taj Mahal is major attraction located in India. It is mausoleum and is sign of love
between Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz (Cave and Brown, 2012). This destination has a
positive impact on the country as lot of visitors come across the world to witness this astonishing
destination. As such, it helps country to generate more of the revenues and as such, it is helpful
for travel sector as lot of employment opportunities arises.
Kirsten Bosch national garden is located in Cape town, South Africa and is also amazing
garden in which lot of travellers come around the world to witness ethnic beauty of it. It has
beautiful flora and fauna and is major revenue generation of the nation having positive impact on
economy up to high extent (Beritelli, Strobl and Peters, 2013). As such, traditional customs and
nature is well-preserved by the nation and this has a positive effect on country and tourism sector
enjoys lot of revenue from it.
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Tour of London is also important tourist destination. London is one of the exotic cities in
the world and as such, helping nation to grow even better. Various sightseeing destinations are
there such as Buckingham Palace, parliament house and many more such destinations. This helps
country to ensure that revenue is being generated which helps tourism industry to grow as well.
Thus, these destinations have positive contribution to host communities (Capacci, Scorcu, and
Vici, 2015). These all four destination must have to follow each regulation, legislation and code
of conduct that is developed by government.
CONCLUSION
From this entire report it has been concluded that tourism is one of the most efficient
economic branch that helps to the country in generating the revenue and national income.
Political factor can affect tourism organisation in large manner by which company have to follow
each regulation and legislation which developed by government. It has been also concluded from
this report that cultural and heritage aspects of tourism industry required to be improved so that
countries can be promoted on the higher extent. It has been also concluded that in order to
become successful of the business in the tourism sector, firm have to analyse several components
of the business environment.
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REFERENCES
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