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Every tourist destination has unique geographical characteristics that influence its appeal. From stunning beaches to majestic mountains, the physical features of a place often form the foundation of its tourism industry. In this session, we'll explore how location and geographical features shape tourism destinations around the world.
Key Definitions:
A destination's position on the globe affects its tourism potential in several ways:
Natural landscapes often serve as primary attractions:
Climate is one of the most significant geographical factors influencing tourism. Different climate types attract different kinds of tourism activities and create distinct seasonal patterns.
Appeal: Beach holidays, winter sun escapes
Examples: Caribbean islands, Mediterranean coast, Thailand
Activities: Sunbathing, swimming, water sports
Appeal: Winter sports, unique landscapes
Examples: Alps, Scandinavia, Canada
Activities: Skiing, snowboarding, Northern Lights viewing
Appeal: Comfortable conditions, seasonal variety
Examples: UK, New Zealand, parts of USA
Activities: Hiking, sightseeing, cultural tourism
Coastlines are among the world's most popular tourism destinations, offering a variety of attractions based on their physical characteristics.
Sandy beaches are highly prized tourism assets. The best beaches for tourism typically have:
Examples: Gold Coast (Australia), Copacabana (Brazil), Bournemouth (UK)
Beyond beaches, coastal areas offer diverse attractions:
Mountains create distinctive tourism opportunities through their dramatic scenery, climate variations and unique activities.
Mountain tourism features include:
Common mountain tourism activities:
The Swiss Alps demonstrate how geographical features create tourism appeal:
The region has developed distinct seasonal tourism patterns:
Swiss tourism authorities have successfully marketed the distinctive geographical features, making the Alps synonymous with mountain tourism globally.
Rivers, lakes and waterfalls create focal points for tourism development and activities.
These water bodies support tourism through:
Examples: Lake District (UK), Nile River (Egypt), Lake Geneva (Switzerland)
Waterfalls attract tourists through:
Examples: Niagara Falls (Canada/USA), Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe/Zambia), Angel Falls (Venezuela)
A destination's physical accessibility significantly impacts its tourism development. Natural barriers can limit visitor numbers but may also create exclusivity and preserve authenticity.
Modern transport and infrastructure developments have overcome many geographical barriers, making previously inaccessible destinations available to mass tourism. However, some destinations deliberately limit access to preserve their environment or exclusive appeal.
Iceland demonstrates how distinctive geographical features can become the foundation of a tourism industry:
Despite its remote location, Iceland has seen tourism boom in recent years by marketing its distinctive landscape features. The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, Gullfoss waterfall and Vatnajökull glacier have become iconic attractions that visitors specifically travel to experience.
Iceland's tourism authorities have successfully positioned these geographical features as "must-see" experiences, demonstrating how natural landscapes can become powerful tourism draws.
Geographical location and physical features form the foundation of most tourism destinations. They:
Understanding these geographical foundations helps explain why certain destinations become popular and how they might develop in the future. While other factors like culture and facilities are important, the physical geography of a place often determines its fundamental tourism potential.