Comparative Study: UK & Overseas Tourist Destinations, Trends

This report provides a comprehensive analysis comparing tourist destinations in the UK (specifically the British Museum in London) with an overseas destination (The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City). It examines visitor profiles, historical visitor numbers, income generation, and key tourist-generating countries for both locations. The report analyzes destination trends, predicting future visitor numbers and profiles, while also detailing and contrasting the cultural, social, and physical features of each destination. Furthermore, the economical and political characteristics of both the UK and overseas locations are investigated and compared. The report identifies issues affecting the popularity of the UK destination, contrasting them with the overseas destination, and critically discusses how the UK destination can sustain its appeal with an emphasis on 'Responsible Tourism'.

TOURIST DESTINATIONS

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Task 1...............................................................................................................................................4
a) Identify and analyse a world’s leading destination and compare with a chosen UK destination
in terms of visitor profile and historic visitor numbers, income generated and the key tourist
generator countries to these destinations.........................................................................................4
b) Using the data from the above, analyse destination trends for your chosen overseas destination
and the UK destination and predict future trends in visitor numbers and visitors profiles. (330
WORDS)..........................................................................................................................................5
Task 2...............................................................................................................................................8
a. Identify the cultural, social and physical features of your destination, detailing the appeal to
tourists..............................................................................................................................................8
b) Compare and contrast the cultural, social and physical features of UK destination with those
of the chosen overseas destination...................................................................................................9
Task 3...............................................................................................................................................9
a. Investigate and analyze (comparatively) the economical and political characteristics of both
the destinations:-..............................................................................................................................9
Task 4.............................................................................................................................................12
a) Identify three issues that may affect the popularity of the UK destination as a destination and
compare and contrast them with the oversees destination chosen.................................................12
b) Critically discuss how your UK destination could sustain its appeal with an emphasis on
‘Responsible Tourism’...................................................................................................................13
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................14
Reference list.................................................................................................................................15

Introduction
A tourist destination can be defined as a place of interest where inquisitive people having
different travelling aspirations that come to experience the aura of a typical tourist spot and
thereby, gain knowledge. A spot can be natural as well as man-made. However, each spot has
different typology. Whatsoever, the chosen tourist destination from United Kingdom, which
will be contrasted and compared throughout the project with an overseas tourist spot such as the
British Museum situated in London whereas the overseas tourist spot such as The Metropolitan
Museum of Art within New York City. Throughout the project both the travel destinations will
be compared in terms of their net profits, number of visitors and various kinds of background
facilitating the economic profits. It will also focus on the different types of emerging trends,
which are dominating the tourist seasons.

Task 1
a) Identify and analyse a world’s leading destination and compare with a chosen UK
destination in terms of visitor profile and historic visitor numbers, income generated and
the key tourist generator countries to these destinations.
One of the leading destinations from New York City, which has been chosen here, is The
Metropolitan Museum of Art, which would be further compared with British Museum from
London. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is the third most visited art museum and the fifth most
visited museum of any kind in the world (Stein, 2017). It is so because it contains art works
consisting from classical antiquity and ancient Egypt as well as famous paintings and sculptures
from famous artists around the world. According to a data gathered in the year 2016, it is
estimated that around 7.06 million people visit this museum yearly. However, there is no entry
free for visitors but talks are in prowl that the museum authorities are planning to charge entry
fee from this year onwards.
On the other hand, based on “Statistical Portal of U.K”, around 6.9 million people have visited
the museum last year. Similarly like The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the entry fee is free here
(Rushton, 2017). Its maintenance is actually carried out by the funding received from the
Department for Culture, Media and Sport due to it being a government sponsored museum. Despite
of this, it is one of the most visited museums in England and one of the leading visitor attractions in
United Kingdom.
The key tourist generator for this British Museum most particularly is its location. Due to it being
situated in the central hub of London, it is obvious that people would like to know the historical relics
of English, which includes its past, and present. In comparison to this, the key tourist generator for
the Metropolitan Museum of Art is its location, which is in Manhattan. Due to Manhattan being the
fashionable hub of New York, most people desire to come here. Even other historical as well as
famous places of U.S.A like Central Park, Central Park Zoo and Alice in Wonderland Statue
contribute for this place of art to be the most visited place of art.

Figure 1: Showing the comparison amongst visitors visiting museums of
different places in UK
(Source: Rushton, 2017)
b) Using the data from the above, analyse destination trends for your chosen overseas
destination and the UK destination and predict future trends in visitor numbers and
visitors profiles. (330 WORDS)
Due to New York City being the most talked about tourist destination, there are certain trends,
which dominate the tourist season. Earlier New York City was the place where only scholars
would only liked to come and study and the people who wanted to visit the most superior of the
developed places would arrive here. However, through much popularity being achieved through
mediums of media, all people from different age groups now desire to come.
Most particularly the trend, which dominates the tourist season in New York, is seasonal breaks
where attractive benefits grab the eyeballs of customers along with certain packages through
which they can visit more than one city and innumerable places of interest (Vanhove, 2017).
However, the peak season here is Winter Break, which includes the festival of Christmas and the
event of New Year dominated by operas, plays and shows.

Whatsoever, the scenario of London is different .Earlier London was the spot where historical
enthusiasts would visit with an eager to see castles, palaces and towers .As London was the only
place where rich history and culture was assimilated with the royalty showcased through western
monarchy (Heeley, 2017). However, since recent years the trend has changed .People are coming
here for family gatherings and leisure based holidays with amazing packages enabling them to
visit other countries like Austria and Hungary as well due to which people would not miss the
chance of seeing the innovative history of the British wire the British Museum.
Figure 2: Showing the comparison between the numbers of tourists visiting the
countries
(Source: Heeley, 2017)

Figure 3: Showing the different types of trends in United Kingdom
(Source: Heeley, 2017)

Task 2
a. Identify the cultural, social and physical features of your destination, detailing the
appeal to tourists.
The British museum, situated in UK influenced a wide range of population in variety of ways
(Thompson, 2015). The British museum plays an important and vital role in preserving the
culture of the United Kingdom. To recover the declining culture, it is very important to preserve
the heritage of the country. The Cultural feature of the British museum improves the efficiency
of countrywide and provincial tourism. It absorbs and integrates the cultural and historical
resources of the United Kingdom. The British Museum persuades and preserves the crafts and
designs of the prehistoric times. The Social feature of the British Museum generates
employment for the people out there. The infrastructure of the United Kingdom is also improved
as the tourism sector is working on the infrastructure. The main physical feature of United
Kingdom is its location, which is surrounded by many islands. The favourable climatic condition
is also one of the biggest reasons to attract tourists in British museum.
The Metropolitan museum of Art is one of the biggest and most significant art museums of the
New York City(Galitz, 2016). The cultural feature of the museum can be seen from the ethnic
diversity. The performers are attracted to the city because it is a significant midpoint of visual
arts, theatre and dance. It is a main centre of the “global art market” nationwide and
worldwide. The social feature of metropolitan museum of art is of great significance to the city.
It attracts a large number of tourists from different parts of the world due to its diversity.
Generation of employment is also one of the important features of the city. The social impact of
the museum can be seen from different social plays and performances. The physical feature is
that People from different countries come to visit the museum and gains diverse knowledge of
the social and cultural values of New York City. The New York City is situated by forests,
rivers, lakes and mountains, which attracts a large number of tourists due to good metropolitan
atmosphere.

b) Compare and contrast the cultural, social and physical features of UK destination with
those of the chosen overseas destination.
The social, cultural and physical features of two different tourist destinations such as The British
Museum in UK and the Metropolitan Museum of Arts in New York City vary in different
situations. The cultural, social and physical features of both the countries related to some extent
but vary too. The first and foremost distinction can be made from the physical features of both
the destinations that is United Kingdom is surrounded by islands whereas the new York city is
situated by forests, rivers, lakes and mountains. Due to diversity in its location, the atmosphere is
different of both the tourist destinations. The climatic condition of New York City attracts more
tourists. The culture of both the city is different. The metropolitan museum of art is mainly
indulged towards the artists in the form of art, dance and theatre. On the other hand, British
museum is indulged towards preserving the heritage of the United Kingdom (Graham and et al.,
2016). The demographics of both the countries are also different since the preferences and
choices of the tourists coming from different backgrounds are very different. The social impact
of both the countries varies. The theatres, plays and so on of the metropolitan museum affect the
society either in a positive or negative way. On the other hand, British museum of United
Kingdom affects the infrastructure of the country and generates employment for the local people.
The New York City has many historical architectures as compared to the United Kingdom due to
which it are more appealing to the tourists.
Task 3
a. Investigate and analyze (comparatively) the economical and political characteristics of
both the destinations:-
An economical and a political background of UK destinations stands spaced out from US city
destinations. By investigating and analyzing, an overall comparative study of both these
destinations will essentially give a set of paradigm of tourism.

Economical characteristics of UK destinations and US Destinations:-
The destination of UK has always been gorgeous for the tourists. One of the major reasons is due
to its economy, which stands as a backbone for the country itself. Steps taken by the British
government for the growth of the tourist destinations in UK have been amazing so far.
Considering this fact, it has been acknowledged that the travelling cost is affecting Britain’s
competitiveness as an objective for international tourism. Air Passenger Duty avoidance has
been observed among visitors. Aviation is another feature that can be measured as an enabler for
inbound tourism. Based on the report more airports need to be implemented for a better
communication for the tourists. Besides, railway network need to be enhanced for more pleasant
appearance. Coming to the most rightful part of the tourism is for the Visa arrangement. Services
of Visa for UK destinations are more simplified as compared to other competitive countries like
USA.
On the other hand, the economy of USA is far more complex behind its tourist destinations. If
taken for instance, the Visa service is quite different from that of the services that is received
from UK government. In order to get a Visa for US is method that is far more difficult any
tourists to apply. Therefore, many tourists are gradually retreating to visit the country’s tourist’s
destinations. The tourist destination like Metropolitan Museum in NewYork city is one such
centre of attraction. As compared to this, the destination of London that is the British Museum is
easier to access for tourists arriving from foreign locations.
Study of Political characteristics of UK and US destinations:
As opined by Vanneste and Goeminne (2017) the most absolute difference between the two is
with the constitution of both the governments. The US government is more rigid as compared to
the British government. The US government has always followed some lay down rules, which
restrict many tourists to have the right of entry to the country. These are some of the comparisons
that affect both the destinations mentioned above in the study.

b. Critically evaluate how the cultural, economic, physical, political and social
characteristics of UK destinations affect its appeal to Tourists:-
As per the role of the Government of UK, other than economic and political influence, the
country’s cultural and social characteristics also affect a lot to appeal its tourists. The country’s
natural phenomena- its innate finery has been tempting since the beginning. Hence, it should be
sustained for future to implore more tourists. Greeneries need more replenishment in order to
plea for tourists. Based on different types of tourists, the destinations should be more customized
and more fascinating. Lets come up with an evaluation of different types of tourists for whom
UK destinations are today of so much consequence.
Categories of tourists:- Tourists can be categorized depending on the criteria like:- Domestic
tourists who visits every locations in their own cities. Foreign tourists who come from other
neighboring countries or from parts of countries. Along with these groups of tourists some other
class of tourists also comes to visit UK destinations which are none other than an independent
tourists and business- based tourists. Such types of tourists mainly come for short period of time
for a certain days of recreation and they expand much more on the destination.
Evaluation of socio-cultural characteristics:
Socio-cultural attractions like museums, monuments, megaliths and other such places are mostly
attractive for all above mentioned types of tourists. As stated by Cholte van Teeffelen and
Verburg (2015)But all these locations require more elasticity for every type of tourists to visit the
places for not only entertainment but also for a awareness and inspiration which will sustain for
more quantity of tourists to bring down to those locations in future.
Evaluation of economic and political characteristics:-
Finally, it can be tinted once again here as a considerable statement that the country’s economy
and political background need even more attention to draw the attention of the tourists for its
destination for a long time ( Nevitte, 2017).