V-10:Tourism Destinations (10 slides) Slide #1: Welcome to video #10 in my series of presentations that will attempt to “demystify tourism”. I’m Dr. Stan McGahey, the creator and narrator of the videos. Their content is based on my experiences worldwide as a professor, consultant, writer, manager, and tourist in more than 80 countries on 6 continents.
Slide #2: All Four Operational Sectors of Tourism
A destination is a place that offers all the Four Operational Sectors of Tourism. Often destinations and attractions are used as interchangeable terms, but that is incorrect. Most destinations include multiple attractions. And, destinations not only include attractions that draw tourists to them, but they also provide the transportation required for accessibility, and the accommodations and food and beverage necessary to provide the hospitality for tourists to enjoy an extended stay away from home.
Slide #3: Why Confused with Attractions
Part of the confusion comes from the fact that some attractions, such as Disney World in Orlando, Florida, are so big they include the other three operational sectors within their business portfolio. Or, a major destination will be referred to as an attraction because tourists are attracted there. To avoid confusion, just remember that destinations include all four of the operating sectors.
Slide #4: Basic Unit of Tourism
Destinations are the basic unit of the tourism industry. They are where the tourism action takes place. They are the places that tourists visit, where the tourism businesses are located that cater to them, and where the infrastructure and facilities are built to support them. As such, considerable expertise is utilized to develop and manage successful destinations.
Slide #5: Destination Marketing Organizations
Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) are the key to a destination’s ongoing success. They research many facets of tourist demand and help the local companies provide the appropriate supply to serve them properly. And, they do everything from creating the destination’s image to crafting and delivering its marketing message via multiple platforms in the target markets that it identifies.
Slide #6: Stand Alone or Part of Itinerary
A destination may be stand-alone, which means tourists visit it, spend their entire trip there, and then return home. But, most destinations are part of an itinerary that includes multiple destinations, depending on the purpose of a trip or the theme of an arranged tour. Destinations within an area can be similar and help create and sustain a theme or in-depth experience, or they be complimentary and utilize their uniqueness to provide variety to the overall tourism experience.
Slide #7: Cooperate and Compete
Nearby destinations often cooperate and compete with each other. Generally speaking, the more viable destinations there are within an area, the more everyone prospers, especially when they have complimentary attractions and help to extend the tourist season and expand the range of tourists the are will attract.
Slide #8: Locals Call It Home
In previous videos, the terms “local people” and “community” have been used in regards to stakeholders within a tourism destination. Although a destination is a physical place, we must always remember that somebody calls it home. And, whether the residents are indigenous to the area with deep roots in its past, or relative newcomers, they will have a vested interest in the long-term success of how it is developed and managed. Attractions are the heart of a destination, but the local people and their heritage are its soul.
Slide #9: Destination Attributes
Popular destinations are often known for their natural and scenic beauty, unique culture and ethnicity, ambiance and lifestyle, nightlife and entertainment, cuisine, and much more. Tourists also enjoy sightseeing of their famous landmarks and historic sites and special seasonal recreational activities made possible by local weather conditions that range from daily sunshine to heavy snowfall. The quality and variety of a destination’s attributes can make it a year-round favorite among tourists or one that is just seasonal.
Slide #10: The End
In my opinion, every destination in the world competes with every other destination in the world. While this may sounds strange, think about it in terms of the investment, promotional noise, source markets, transportation connections, and tour packages each destination would like to have. When tourists visit a domestic destination, then they may have to forgo a trip to an international one. Tourists have many options, and a specific destination is only one of many. Now I invited you to watch Video #11: Three Types of Tourists. Thank you!
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