Global Tourist Destinations: Trends and Analysis for Virgin Holidays

This report provides a detailed analysis of major tourist destinations worldwide, focusing on visitor numbers and income generation, with specific attention to the UK, USA, Spain, France, and China. It examines cultural, social, and physical features that attract tourists, comparing developed and developing destinations like the UK and India. The report also analyzes statistics to determine tourism trends and predict future developments, highlighting the impact of globalization, technological advancements, and niche markets such as medical and adventure tourism. The analysis emphasizes the importance for companies like Virgin Holidays to understand these trends to develop effective business strategies and enhance revenue generation. The document is contributed by a student and available on Desklib, a platform offering study tools and resources for students.

TOURIST DESTINATIONS
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INTRODUCTION
Tourist destinations are visited by the tourists for their cultural, natural or historical value. In
current scenario, tourism has become one of the key sources of revenue generation which
contribute significantly to nation’s economy (Cooper, 2013). This assignment portrays the
different aspect of the tourist destinations. It throws light on the scope of Worldwide
tourist destinations. There are many cultural, social and physical features of the tourist
destination which are described in this report. It further explains the characteristics of
destination and its impact on their appeal. The issues that are likely to influence the tourist
destinations are also described in this work.
Virgin Holidays is a UK based leading tour operator. It was founded in the year 1985 with
headquarters in Crawley, UK. It offers holidays worldwide with destination including Canada,
USA, India, Australia and South Pacific. It is important for companies like Virgin Holidays to
focus on the all the aspects of tourist destination to develop effective business strategies.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report incorporates the detailed information of main tourist destinations of the world.
It focuses on the visitor numbers as well as income generated by this destination. The
tourist destinations selected for this purpose are UK, USA, Spain, France and China. It
further discusses the statistics to determine tourism destination trends and predict future
trend.
1.1 ANALYSE MAIN TOURIST DESTINATIONS AND GENERATORS OF THE
WORLD IN TERMS OF VISITORS NUMBERS AND INCOME GENERATION
A tourist destination is a place for tourists to visit and stay due to its natural or cultural
value, it could be a city, region, state or a country. It is a geographical area consists of all the
infrastructure and service essential for the stay of tourists (Cooper, 2013). There are
different tourist destinations which attract the large volume of the tourist across the globe.
As the junior product analyst, it can be suggested that Virgin Holidays should focus on the
top tourist destination of the world for the enhancement of the sales.
The five main tourist destinations which can be considered by Virgin Holidays are:
 United Kingdom
 USA
 Spain
 France
 China
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Figure1: Top most tourist destination
[Source: UNWTO, Tourism Highlight, 2016]
UNITED KINGDOM
The United Kingdom is one of the most visited destinations of world. It is made up of
Scotland, England, Northern Island and Wales. The key visitor attractions of UK include
British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, Stonehenge, St Paul's Cathedral, Buckingham
Palace, Big Ben, London Eye etc. The popularity of these tourist destinations is attracting a
large volume of the tourists every year. In the year 2016, 35.8 million international tourists
visited the UK. London, England, Scotland and Wales contribute 53%, 35%, 8% and 2%
respectively (Vanhove, 2013). The total international receipt in the year 2016 was 39.6
billion US$.
USA
The USA is popular for its wonderful and eye-catching natural wonders, historical landmarks
and entertainment venues. Statue of liberty, Time square, Yellowstone national park, golden
gate bridge, Grand Canyon of Arizona etc (Laws, 2011). The international tourist arrivals of
the USA in the year 2016 were 75.6 million and total International tourism recipients in the
year 2016 were 205.9 billion US$.
SPAIN
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Spain is a country of Europe’s Iberian Peninsula with varied culture and geography. Sagrada
Familia, Park Guell, Alhambra, Plaza Mayor, Museo Nacional Del Prado, Puerta del Sol are
the major attractions of Spain. The events like bullfighting are La Tomatina also attracts a
large number of tourists across the globe. The number of the international arrival in the
year 2016 is 75.6 million. Tourist belongs to Germany and France contributes considerably
to the Spain tourism. The total international tourism receipt is 60.3 billion US$.
FRANCE
France is one of the top most visited countries in the world. Eiffel tower is one of the most
visited places. The popular visitor attractions of France are Disneyland Paris, The Louvre, Arc
de Triomphe, place da la Concorde etc. The international tourism arrival of France in the
year 2016 is 84.5 million and international tourism receipts were 42.5 billion US$
CHINA
This most populated country in the world attracts the tourists from all around the world.
One of the 7 wonders of the world ‘ The Great Wall of China ‘ enhances the curiosity among
the tourists (Gmelch and Kaul, 2018). Forbidden city, Terracotta army, West Lake, Temple of
heaven, Oriental Pearl tower etc. The international tourism arrival 2016 is 56.9 million
whereas international tourism receipts are 44.4 billion US$ (Wang and Ap, 2013).
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2.2 ANALYSE STATISTICS TO DETERMINE TOURISM DESTINATION TRENDS
AND PREDICT FUTURE TREND
There are numerous trends which are driving change in travel and tourism industry. The
induction of different trends are influencing greatly to this industry. The report of UNWTO
states that international tourist has increased by 7% in 2017. In the current year that is
2018, it is predicted that this momentum can reach to 4% to 5%.
In the current scenario, tourism has become one of the major sources for the revenue
generation. Many developed, developing and underdeveloped countries are developing
strategies to promote tourism in order as it reflects significantly on the GDP of a nation
(Witt, et al. 2013). According to UNWTO tourism towards 2030, Over the period 2010 to
2030, the number of the international tourist arrival worldwide is predicted to grow by an
average of 3.3% per annum. In case of UK, its international demand growth per annum is
predicted to increase by 6%. Its worth is predicted to reach to £257.4 bn by 2025.
The emerging trends and other factors associated with tourism industry can influence
greatly to international tourist arrival worldwide. The enhancement in the popularity of
niche market like medical tourism, adventure tourism, gastro-tourism and rural tourism may
contribute significantly to the tourism in future. The other factors which can play a role in
the game changer in the tourism industry are globalization, technological advancement,
better transportation and hospitality facilities. It is important for a country to consider all
these factors in order to develop effective strategies to promote tourism for the
enhancement of the revenue (Laws, 2011).
CONCLUSION
It is found that a tourist destination is a geographical area consists of all the infrastructure
and service essential for the stay of domestic or international tourists. The tourist
destinations are the major source of a nation’s income. There are numerous trends which
are giving rise to change in the tourism industry. It is predicted that the international tourist
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can be increased to a significant level. It is important for Virgin Holidays to focus on all these
trends to build strong business strategies.
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2.1 ANALYSE CULTURAL, SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL FEATURES OF TOURIST
DESTINATIONS EXPLAINING THEIR APPEAL TO TOURISTS
There are numerous features associated with the tourist destination which plays an
important role in appealing to the tourists. The key features of tourist destinations are
cultural, social and physical features which are important to attract the tourists.
Cultural features
The cultures different nations varies from each other. The tourist keeps keen internet in
understanding the culture of the others. The cultural tourism is a tourism in which goal of a
tourist is to visit the events or sites whose historical and cultural value has to turn them
being a part of the cultural heritage. It includes historical and cultural sights of a tourist
destination, lifestyle and values of the local population, crafts, traditions, arts and customs
of the local population. One of the most effective ways to introduce the travellers to the
local culture is to the organization of different cultural events in which local artists can show
their culture. A country focuses on the different attraction like museums, churches,
Festivals. help in appealing the tourists. For example, the museums like British museum and
Albert and Victoria Museum encompasses the cultural values which attract the tourist
(Ringer, 2013).
Social features
There are numerous social features which play an important role in attracting the tourists.
The factors like social groups, needs of the tourists, the impact of tourism on the local
community, sustainability and alternative to mass market influence greatly to appeal to a
tourist destination. These features possess a great impact on the tourists (Aitchison, et al.
2014).
Physical features
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Physical features of a visitor attraction play a great role in attracting the tourists. Physical
features may be natural or man- built. Natural physical features include beaches, flora &
fauna, lakes, mountains, rivers etc. The man built physical features includes infrastructure,
activities, accommodation, amusement, catering etc.
The tourist board or responsible authority of a nation should focus on the development of
effective strategies so that better utilization of the cultural, social and physical features can
be done to attract the customers (Beritelli, 2011).
UK and India are selected as the popular destination of the tourist. The UK is a developed
tourist destination. It possesses the all the required resources which can important for
proving a better experience to the tourists. India is an Asian company which is developing
tourist destination.
The feature of the UK is different from that of India. The physical, culture and social features
of a tourist destination can be improved in order to attract the travellers or tourist from all
around the world and to deliver them a memorable experience (Telfer and Sharpley, 2015).
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2.2 COMPARISON OF FEATURES OF DEVELOPING AND LEADING TOURIST
DESTINATION
The better understanding of the impact of different features can be understood by
comparing these features of two different counties. The comparison between UK and India
can be done to understand the topic more deeply. The UK is leading tourist destination
whereas India is developing tourist destinations. The comparison between these
destinations can be done on the basis of different destinations like culture, social factors,
visitor attractions and economic development.
ON THE BASIS OF INDIA UK
Cultural factors India is a culturally diverse
nation. People belong to
different religion, caste,
language, customers,
traditions in India. People of
India belong mainly to
Hinduism, Islam, Jainism and
Christianity. The art,
traditions, customs of the
different religion are
different from each other.
Indians mainly speak Hindi,
English and other regional
languages like Marathi,
Gujarati etc. The diverse
culture of India is a major
strength of Indian tourism
which plays an important
role in attracting
international tourists.
The culture of UK is
influenced by its history as a
developed Island country.
The UK is consists of four
countries that are Wales,
Scotland, England and
northern Island. The
cultures, customs and
symbolism all these
countries are different from
each other. British literature,
art, theatre, media,
television, music and
architecture are the
important aspect of the
British culture. Sport is also
an important part of its
culture. Many sports like
football is originated in this
country. Tourist keeps
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interest in understanding the
culture of UK.
Social factors There is great variation in
the Indian society. The
people of India follow the
social norms. There are
many social problems like
unemployment and
corruption which influences
on the tourism. The people
of India are socialised like to
communicate or interact
with others. People of India
like to welcome the guests
and treat them well which
attracts the tourists
(Ghimire, 2013).
The habits, lifestyle and
social life of people of UK are
different from that of
Indians. These countries are
also different in manners and
etiquettes.
Visitor attractions There are many visitors
attractions in India which is
popular and World famous.
Tajmahal is one of the seven
wonders and is world's
heritage site. India is also
blessed with natural beauty.
It is surrounded by oceans
from three sides. Goa is
world famous for its
stunning beaches.
Museum, Victoria and Albert
Museum, Stonehenge, St
Paul’s Cathedral,
Buckingham Palace, Big Ben
and London Eye are the
main tourist destinations of
the UK.
Economic development India is a developing nation
and its economy is also in
developing stage. The GDP of
The UK is a developed
country and its possess
sufficient resources which
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