Reviewing Destination Types
In Travel and Tourism, being able to review and assess different types of destinations is a crucial skill. This helps us understand why some places are successful while others struggle to attract visitors.
Key Definitions:
- Destination assessment: The process of evaluating a tourist destination based on specific criteria to determine its strengths, weaknesses and potential for development.
- Comparative analysis: Examining two or more destinations to identify similarities, differences and competitive advantages.
- Destination lifecycle: The stages a destination goes through from exploration to stagnation or rejuvenation (Butler's model).
☆ Key Destination Types Review
Remember these main destination types we've studied:
- Coastal destinations: Beaches, seaside resorts, islands
- Urban destinations: Cities, towns with cultural attractions
- Rural destinations: Countryside, villages, agricultural areas
- Mountain destinations: Ski resorts, hiking areas, scenic landscapes
- Heritage destinations: Historic sites, monuments, cultural landmarks
- Purpose-built destinations: Theme parks, resorts, shopping complexes
✓ Assessment Criteria
When reviewing destinations, consider:
- Accessibility: How easy is it to reach?
- Attractions: What draws visitors?
- Amenities: What facilities are available?
- Activities: What can tourists do?
- Accommodation: Where can visitors stay?
- Sustainability: How well-managed are resources?
- Seasonality: How does visitation vary throughout the year?
Assessment Techniques
When reviewing destinations for your iGCSE exams, you'll need to apply specific techniques to demonstrate your understanding.
SWOT Analysis
A SWOT analysis helps you organise your thoughts about a destination in a structured way. This is particularly useful in exam questions asking you to evaluate a destination's potential.
+ Strengths
Internal positive factors:
- Unique natural features
- Well-developed infrastructure
- Strong brand recognition
- Quality accommodation
− Weaknesses
Internal negative factors:
- Poor accessibility
- Limited range of attractions
- Seasonal limitations
- Lack of skilled staff
→ Opportunities & Threats
External factors:
- New transport links (O)
- Growing market segments (O)
- Competing destinations (T)
- Climate change impacts (T)
Comparative Assessment
Comparing different types of destinations helps you understand their relative strengths and appeal to different market segments. In exams, you might be asked to compare two different destinations.
⊞ Comparison Example: Urban vs Coastal
| Feature |
Urban Destination (London) |
Coastal Destination (Brighton) |
| Main appeal |
Cultural attractions, shopping, events |
Beach, sea views, relaxation |
| Seasonality |
Year-round appeal with minor fluctuations |
Strong summer peak, quieter winters |
| Visitor types |
Mix of domestic and international, business and leisure |
Primarily domestic, day-trippers and weekend visitors |
| Challenges |
Congestion, high costs, competition from other cities |
Weather dependency, environmental pressures, limited space |
Case Study Focus: Lake District National Park
The Lake District is an excellent example of a destination that combines multiple types: rural, mountain and heritage.
- Strengths: Natural beauty, UNESCO World Heritage status, range of outdoor activities, literary connections (Wordsworth, Potter)
- Weaknesses: Traffic congestion in peak season, weather dependency, pressure on infrastructure
- Assessment: The Lake District successfully balances conservation with tourism development, but faces challenges with overtourism in hotspots like Windermere and Keswick
- Future prospects: Focus on sustainable tourism, visitor management and extending the season
Lifecycle Assessment
Butler's Tourism Area Lifecycle Model helps us understand how destinations evolve over time. When reviewing destinations, consider which stage they're at:
↻ Butler's Tourism Area Lifecycle
- Exploration: Few adventurous tourists, minimal impact (e.g., remote villages in Laos)
- Involvement: Local initiatives, growing visitor numbers (e.g., emerging destinations in Albania)
- Development: Rapid growth, external investment (e.g., Dubai in the 2000s)
- Consolidation: Tourism dominates economy, growth slows (e.g., Costa del Sol)
- Stagnation: Peak numbers reached, environmental/social issues (e.g., parts of the Spanish coast)
- Decline or Rejuvenation: Visitor numbers fall OR reinvention (e.g., Blackpool vs Bilbao)
Impact Assessment
A comprehensive destination review must consider the impacts of tourism. This is often a key focus in exam questions.
£ Economic Impacts
- Job creation
- Income generation
- Infrastructure development
- Multiplier effect
- Seasonality issues
- Economic leakage
♥ Social Impacts
- Cultural exchange
- Preservation of traditions
- Improved facilities for locals
- Overcrowding
- Change in local way of life
- Commodification of culture
⊕ Environmental Impacts
- Conservation initiatives
- Environmental awareness
- Habitat destruction
- Pollution (air, water, noise)
- Resource depletion
- Carbon footprint
Exam Technique for Destination Assessment
When answering exam questions about destination types, follow these tips:
⌖ Exam Success Strategies
- Use specific examples: Always refer to real destinations you've studied
- Apply models: Use Butler's model or SWOT analysis to structure your answers
- Balance your assessment: Consider both positive and negative aspects
- Consider stakeholders: Different groups may view the same destination differently
- Link to wider concepts: Connect to sustainability, globalisation, or technology where relevant
- Use tourism terminology: Show your understanding of key terms
Common Exam Question Types
Be prepared for these question formats:
- Compare and contrast: "Compare the appeal of urban and rural destinations for different visitor types."
- Evaluation: "Evaluate the success of [named destination] in attracting international visitors."
- Analysis: "Analyse the factors that have contributed to the development of [destination type]."
- Case study application: "Using a destination you have studied, explain how it has managed the impacts of tourism."
Revision Checklist
Before your exam, make sure you can:
- Define and give examples of all six main destination types
- Apply Butler's Tourism Area Lifecycle to different destinations
- Conduct a SWOT analysis of a destination
- Compare different types of destinations using appropriate criteria
- Assess the economic, social and environmental impacts of tourism on different destination types
- Explain how destinations can be managed sustainably
- Use specific case studies to support your answers
Remember, destination assessment is about applying your knowledge, not just describing places. Show that you understand why destinations develop as they do and how they can be managed effectively for the benefit of all stakeholders.
