FACTORS AFFECTING POPULARITY AND APPEAL OF DESTINATIONS – ASSIGNMENT 3

Possible Destinations to look at include:

Prague, Budapest, Krakow, St Petersberg etc.

INTRODUCTION

You need a brief introduction:

• Introduce the destination you are going to look at and try and use some quotes or facts / figures to show how it is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination

• Locate it – map?

• Explain what you intend to do – i.e:

• (i) – analyse the factors that have led to its growth in popularity and appeal

• (ii) – analyse how the destination has controlled factors to maximise its appeal.

ACCESSIBILITY

• Where is your destination? – map? Description etc.

• Travel options? How easily accessible is it?

• Flight options from UK? Which airlines (options available?) - prices? (have these influenced popularity)?

• Flight options from rest of Europe? – other European airlines flying to destination? – can it explain increasing popularity?

• Do fly from many airports? (where from? Importance of? Does help to explain increasing popularity?

• Other ways of getting to destination for tourists (car? Rail? Other?)? – are straightforward?

• What is transport like when get to the city – how might this influence the increasing popularity?

• Is anything done to attract tourists in terms of accessibility? (e.g. specials on public transport etc..)

IMAGE & PROMOTION

• What is being done to promote the destination? Is there investment in promotion / marketing? – why important?

• Work of the tourism office – what do they do? How to promote to tourists from rest of Europe / rest of the world?

• What is the image of the country like? Have things been done to change the image / promote the image?

• Are there promotional campaigns? Media? Newspapers? Posters? Brochures etc.. Give examples – again be analysing how these things help to explain increased popularity / appeal – what sort of image is promoted (could look at some example brochures?) – how have tourists been targeted in promotional campaigns that might help to explain the increasing popularity of the destination?

•Are promotional events held that help to attract more tourists?

AVAILABILITY OF ATTRACTIONS & OTHER FACILITIES• What are the main attractions of the area which help explain why

it has become increasingly popular? It is known for something in particular? Are there a range of attractions for different interests?

• Are there particular sites of historical / cultural importance or significance that attract tourist or are famous? – look at tour guides / brochures (often these things in particular will be highlighted!) or does it have particular scenic value?

• What is there for tourists? Guided tours? Museums or other attractions? Sites of interest? Anything of particular significance which draws tourists in?

• Availability and variety of accommodation with facilities catering for tourists?

• What other facilities are there which explain the increasing popularity – is the destination a popular business / conference destination – are there specific facilities which can help to explain this?

COST OF VISITING

• What is the currency? What is the exchange rate like?

• What is cost of living like in the destination? – does this help to explain the appeal of the destination? – perhaps look at comparisons between UK / the destination with some simple cost calculations.

• How do costs of accommodation fair? – what sort of range of prices? Is there something for everyone?

• What about transport costs?

• Are there any incentives for tourists – e.g. promotional discounts; specials on transport fares / discount cards etc? (on entrance to attractions or transport etc.)

• Are most attractions paying entrance? Low price?

• How has cost of visiting affected the appeal / popularity of the destination?

POLITICAL FACTORS

• What is the political situation? How has it changed? What impact has this had which might explain the increase in appeal / popularity of the destination?

• What is the destination’s status within Europe – has this changed? Does this explain increased tourism?

• Is the destination political significant within the country? Impact on tourism?

DESTINATION MANAGEMENT – maximising appeal through controlling certain factors.

• What role has the government played in promoting / increasing tourism in the destination?

• Who is mainly responsible for managing tourism in the destination? What other groups are involved in the management?

• How are these organisations involved in actively promoting the destination?

• Has anything particular been done over the last 10-15 years that could explain the destinations increasing popularity (e.g. media campaign; improvements to tourist facilities etc.)

•Find out about any management plans / strategies for the destination – what has been done / is being done to improve the destination? Attract more tourists? Increase accessibility? Increase attractiveness? Etc.

• What plans are there for the future to help the destination to continue to develop?

CONCLUSION

THIS IS IMPORTANT

Here you need to draw together the main points – remember you should:

• Summarise the factors that you think have helped improved the accessibility / image of the destination – make clear links between the factors and the role they have played / how they have help increase tourism in the destination.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

You MUST include a bibliography of resources – if you don’t you will automatically be limited to Mark Band 1.

You need to make use of a wide variety of sources NOT JUST websites –try paying a visit to the Resources Centre or St Ives library – think about using travel guides; newspaper articles; promotional material from the destination and travel brochures (perhaps a visit to a local travel agent?!)

You should also be evidencing your sources through referencing in your work – e.g. According to Smart (1999), Budapest is…………….

or The numbers visiting Budapest in 1995 were …….. (Travel Trade Gazette, 1996)

ALSO – Remember – Avoid being over descriptive – you need to be analytical – using phrases such as…… “this meant that”; “therefore;” “this

explains why”; “an explanation for this is”; “however” etc…. (This means you need to avoid copying and write in your own words (this is essential anyway!)

– If you simply describe then this will only be Mark Band 1