Importance Of Urban Tourism

Importance Of urban tourismMan has been travelling around the length and breadth of the earth with various motives. The reason could be anything seam, unoccupied or education it all falls under a broad categorisation of tourism. The technological learnings and transformation of the world into a global fellowship has resulted in extensive growth of tourism around the world in recent years.tourism has been the prime reason for the enhanced levels of intercultural contact. A look into touring caric countries shows that their sociocultural structures prolong had great twine as a result of tourism. The changes be it positive or negative, differs from country to country. Changes result in reactions which could range from resistance to a complete adoption.This piece of work would look into the social and cultural restores of tourism with a case study on Bournemouth.Chapter 2 urban TourismTourism plays a precise strong part in the citys local economy. Tourism not only supports the e conomy of a city but excessively is obligated for socio-culture impact on the people. Where tourism tries to build some employment opportunities, it also affects the social and cultural relations between people from different move of the world. change of location to different parts of the world has always been an interest for e actuallybody. This not only gives them an opportunity to explore new place but also a stag from the usual day to day life. For some, travelling is for a business issue but for some it is for leisure. This evolved a new concept of tourism as an persistence in the market. Though till 1980s tourism was not considered to be a healthy part of the economy. But, in the last few decades, it gained importance. The people perpetrate the potential of this market. Thus, the large or the smaller cities were looked with a new perspective of promoting tourism. The redevelopment in the cities took place slowly and gradually and they became a part of the good tourism industry.As Edwards et al.,2008 D. Edwards, T. Griffin and B. Hayllar,Urban tourismresearch developing an agenda, Annals ofTourismResearch 35 (4) (2008), pp. 1032-1052. Article PDF (143 K) View Record in Scopus Cited By in Scopus (0)Edwards et al. (2008 1038) state,tourismis one among many social and economic forces in theurbanenvironment. It encompasses an industry that manages and markets a variety of products and experiences to people who have a wide range of motivations, preferences and cultural perspectives and argon involved in a dialectic imbibement with the drove community. The outcome of this engagement is a set of consequences for the tourist, the troops community and the industry. (Ashworth Page, 2010)McIntyre et al (2000) argue that humans perceive and react differently to infixed versusurbansettings. Scenes of natural environments have a more positive influence on human emotional states and stress levels than dourbanscenes. Consequently they theorize that percept ions are integral to peoples motivations and actions therefore using a perceptually base definition ofurbancan provide a link between the cultural, political, physical, perceptual and economic aspects that must be integrated intourban tourism. (Edwards, Griffin, Hayllar, 2008)Importance of Urban TourismUrban tourism is cosmopolitan in nature. But still it has received very small attention for its definition and a proper short letter in the economy. . (Ashworth Page, 2010, p. 40)Because of tourists, various cities get ack instantlyledged for their immense potential of absorbing the people from opposite parts of the world. . (Ashworth Page, 2010, p. 40)A tourist wants to explore the urban utilities of other places. But, the tourist visiting places have a very small portion of the urban facilities to entertain them with. (Ashworth Page, 2010, p. 40)Urban tourism bears an entirely different geographical physical body from the city in order to draw off the tourist and this chang e in geography is one of the attention seeking factors. (Page Hall, 2003)The primary and secondary sections that are and discussed below support employment and provide jobs.Urbanisation and GlobalisationGlobally, 46% of the worlds population constitute urban people and it is estimated that by 2030 this percentage will step-up to 61. Thus, it is very important for the urban people to understand that their place will be shared by the tourist. The world is getting small with globalization and hence the space needs to share with other people. Though, globalization emphasizes on two principal(prenominal) factorsGlobalization gives employment opportunitiesGlobalization supports import and export that further accessions the income opportunities.Because of globalization, it is now evident that urban tourism and tourists from different part of the world enjoys the leisure experience that is specially built for them. (Page Hall, 2003, pp. 29-30)Urban Tourism as a business StrategyBy t he 1970s the cities were losing a vision of economy and they were wondering as how to recoer the loss and regenerate income from this sector and create some jobs. This was the main reason for inculcating new activities that could increase the regeneration process. Where the cities were witnessing this economic shift, tourism was one sector that was flourishing. This gave them a new approach of income generation. On the grounds of travel and leisure it was concluded that tourism industry was to grow and be a part of the economy. Tourism as an industry was taken optimistically by the urban fight and was considered as a solution for a big financial crunch.The tourism industry demands investment to attract visitants. Furthermore, marketing and merchandising of a picture of a city that would love to see and buy. To market the city, it is important to make some changes in the city. The refurbishment of the districts would bring the local residents more compact in the city.The larger cit ies worry capital of the United Kingdom, New York etc. have always been a centre of attraction. People always desire to go for a tourist destination like this. But it is very hard to understand the psychology behind this. Generally, these elements can be broadly classified into two waysPrimary elements like theatres, monuments, historical buildings, sports, games, casinos, and the social and cultural life.Secondary elements like markets, shopping etc.These two elements were disc all overed by Jansen-Verbeke in 1988These two elements strike the mind of the visitor. At sequences, the visitor is only visiting the same place because of one interesting element or a mix of two or more. (Law, 1993, pp. 27-30)Cultural Impact of Urban TourismBournemouth witnesses millions of tourist every year from different parts of the world. Because of this high volume of tourist response from different cultures, the culture has a major impact on the local residents. It has both advantages and disadvan tages.The major advantage of culture tourism is the rallying of culture with different cultures of the world. It becomes a matter of pride for the local residents to exchange their culture with other people. They feel more strongly bounded to their originality.The locals take cultural tourism in two positive waysGiving the host the opportunity to come in contact with other different cultures which further results in understanding others and rise in tolerance levels.When the localities present their culture and utter about their culture in their own purpose of view, they feel more strongly bounded to their ethnic origin and their grounds from where they originally belong to. tillage tourism affects the locals positively as well as in a negative way. Too much of anything is very bad. The same goes for the culture tourism. Just to attract tourist and to expose them to the hosts culture, they try to over develop the city, over construct the primary elements. Also, with this reconstru ction, the originality of the culture becomes diluted. (Besculides, Lee, McCormick, 2002)Social impact of urban tourismThe rail meshwork started in Bournemouth in the late 19th century. This was the main reason for increasing the population of the city and to increase the visitors at a phenomenal rate. With the travelling web in Bournemouth, the tourism industry started flourishing. Bournemouth was already famous for its primary elements and the history related to the same. Each and every element had a historical moment attach to it. The economy was coming in and was tangible enough to understand that Bournemouth has the potential to attract tourists. But, there was also a hidden side of the same point i.e. the social impacts. Where over development of the city has led to more of construction, heavy duty, increase taxes, etc on the one hand, it has also given them an opportunity to mingle up with other cultures. Where the travelling to the core of the city has become convenient for the countryside residents, it has also given them an employment opportunity in the same. (Haley, Snaith, Miller, 2005)Socio-Cultural Impact of urban Tourism fit in to Fox(1977), cited in Mathieson and Wall(1982133), The social and cultural impacts of tourism are the ways in which tourism is contributing to changes in value systems, individual behaviour, family relationships, collective lifestyles, safety levels, moralistic conduct, creative expressions, traditional ceremonies and community organisations, which they identify as people impacts, due to tourists on host communities and the interaction between these two groups. (Page Hall, 2003, p. 213)So, from the above definition it is give the axe that the social cultural impacts of tourism depends on three main factors, namelyTourist that demands for the helpings from the host cityHost that adjusts with the demands of the tourist and tries to leave an motion-picture show of their culture on the tourist andA mutual understan ding between the two so that both of them are comfortable with each other (Page Hall, 2003, p. 213) efficient impact of Urban tourismFor understanding the economical impact of urban tourism, it is very important to consider the pursuance pointsThe flow of tourist in a particular cityThe local economic development of the cityThe type of economy that city persists like public, private or mix economyThe income washed-out on tourist leisure activities and not import of goodsIt is said that tourist flow is seasonal. So, the impact of this and still trying to maintain the constant flow of tourist all year round.The secondary elements that a city dwells to attract the other people from the world.The above mentioned factors play a very important role in understanding the economical impact of urban tourism. To start with, the positive side it includesIncome generation for the city economyNew jobs and employment opportunitiesFair balance between the economic activities and the cityIncreasi ng business optionsBut, it also carries a negative side. It includes,If the tourist attracts to one form of element only, the economy starts paying attention to that element and dependency on that element drastically increases.InflationTo make a tourist comfortable and make their stay pleasurable, they start importing goods from others parts and their addiction and importance of their locally produced goods decreases.Tourism is seasonal (Page Hall, 2003, pp. 197-198)Employment Opportunities due to tourismAs the reconstruction always take place in a city, it is very obvious that the jobs are created. However, at a deeper level and in a more detailed way it is often difficult to assess the impact of tourism on a city. Firstly, it is often difficult to measure the flow of tourists, even when a definition has been agreed. Comprehensive surveys are expensive and short cut methods are often unreliable and may, if repeated, come up with conflicting evidence. Secondly, the flow of income through the economy is difficult to trace, and it is difficult to calculate the number of jobs created. Tourisms impact is very diffuse and so not very palpable, which is a problem for those campaigning for further support. Thirdly, the objectives of tourism development are also diffused and often interlinked with other objectives, so that it is difficult to isolate the impact. (Law, 1993, p. 169)Chapter 3 Bournemouth a Tourist DestinationBournemouth is one of the classical examples of urban tourism. It exhibits both the primary and the secondary elements that attracts the tourists and compels them to come over and over again. From theatres to shopping to site seeing, Bournemouth is a place to visit.About BournemouthArea Size 17.83 sq miles (46.15 sq km)21 Conservation Area designations7 miles of curved sandy beaches with three European Blue Flags and six Seaside AwardsAverage of 7.7 hours a day of summer sunshine842 hectares (2,080 acres) of parks and gardens with nine gardens h quondam(a)ing the Green Flag Award (recognising environmental protection, community use and safety cleanliness)Population from Census 2001 is 163,444, the 2008 mid-year estimate is 163,900 and the population is projected to rival almost 168,000 by 202668,800 employees in Bournemouth work in the service sector (ABI, NOMIS, 2007)Median gross weekly earnings for 2009 for the Bournemouth residents was 371.60 representing 93% of the England and Wales figure (ASHE, ONS)Over 14,600 students attended Bournemouth University in 2007/08 (65.4% over 21 years of age)Just over 1,000 overseas students attending Bournemouth University in 2007/08A total of 38 schools with 20,187 pupils (Schools Census, October 2009) 1,344 (gross) and 1,218 (net) new dwellings constructed 2008/09Bournemouth Airport almost 1 million passengers (in 2007/08) to more than 50 destinations including USA, Europe and line of work Islands and over 11,000 tonnes of freightJust over 2.27 million rail passenger journeys in 2003/2004Just over 57 kilometres of Principal Type roads indoors the BoroughAverage house price for February 2010 was 170,179 (Land Registry)Just over 57 kilometres of Principal Type roads within the Borough95 minutes rail journey to London WaterlooFast Ferry from Poole to France (Cherbourg) or Channel IslandsCivic Trust Awards (2001) Bournemouth was accorded two awards, for the conversion of The Square from a roundabout to a Civic space and for transforming Knyveton Gardens to a sensory garden for those with disabilities.(www.bournemouth.gov.uk, 2010)Prominent Bournemouth attractionsBournemouth BeachBournemouths beach has won awards consistently the quality, safety and cleanliness of its seven miles long beach. The beach offers a range water sports and also provides the visitors the option of hiring beach. It is one of the safest beaches with the availability of RNLI lifeguards all along the seven mile stretch of beach.Russell-Cotes Art Gallery MuseumTermed as one of the most fa scinating and preposterous museums in the world. It comprises of the famous paintings and gems collected by the Russell-cotes family and housed in one of the last Victorian Villas in Bournemouth, East Cliff Hall. (russell-cotes.bournemouth.gov.uk, 2008)Bournemouth Aviation MuseumThe Bournemouth Aviation Museum a consummate day out for the family has exhibits covering 50 years of aviation with a display of Piston aircraft, military jets, a Biz-Jet, military trainer, helicopter and a snout section of the famous Vulcan bomber. (www.aviation-museum.co.uk, 2009)The Red House Museum GardensBuilt as a Georgian workhouse in 1764, the building now houses a number of objects reflecting the social and natural history of the area, its geology and archaeology. (www.information-britain.co.uk, 2005)Bournemouth PierThe original sorrel consisting of a short wooden jetty was opened in the year 1856. But the present day pier has come a long way and is much longer than that. It has its own histori cal importance and has been refurbished over time due to corrosion and even oddment due to invasions. Since 1871 it has been associated with pleasure steamers. Local boats operate from the pier offering many day trips and excursions. (www.theheritagetrail.co.uk, 2008)Bournemouths parks and countrysideBournemouth has a varied variety of ornamental gardens and countryside many of which have various protective designations. The councils parks and countryside staff manage 10 local natural reserves around the borough. In 2009 Bournemouth achieved nine Green Flags national award for its parks, these parks also offer guided walks giving information some fascinating trees to be found there. (www.bournemouth.gov.uk, 2009)Bournemouth OceanariumThe Oceanarium is a wide-cuty interactive experience with give ear screen games, feeding demonstrations and talks, plasma screen documentaries, with a walk-through underwater tunnel and exhibits. (bournemouth attractions, 2009)Availability of accommo dation in BournemouthDevelopment of a city as a tourists destination marrow there will be an influx of visitors and tourists coming to the city, these visitors require a temporary place to stay during their visit. This results in the development of different types of accommodations focussing on different category of tourists.The creation of these accommodations also helps evolve new markets for products like souvenirs and memorabilia. Since it lands up increasing the demand for food and such facilities, working on the demand and supply principle it attracts establishment of more businesses.The positive impact of these developments results in creation of jobs. Bournemouth tourism promotes the establishments of these accommodations either under Bournemouth attribute Standards Scheme or the quality assed either by AA or Quality in tourism.The following table gives an insight into the available accommodations in Bournemouth as in 2004TypeBedspaces (unless marked otherwise)Hotels12,83 6Guesthouses4,493BB747Self Catering402 UnitsTouring Caravans/Tents33 PITCHESSecond Homes1,586(www.bournemouth.gov.uk, 2010)Tourists expenditure associated with their tripTourists visits in a city means tourists consumption in the city. Tourists ordinarily take the opportunity of being away on a break to spend generously on themselves. The tourists spending is generally categorized asOn accommodationOn shoppingOn food and drinkAttractions and entertainmentTravel.The local businesses over a period of time get an understanding of the spending pattern of the visiting tourists and hence try to base their inventories around it. The tourists visiting bournmouth can be categorised into the following 3 categoriesUK touristsOverseas touristsDay toursistThe following table gives and insight into the breakdown of the tourists expenditure associated with trips to Bournemouth.Accommodation()Shopping()Food Drink()Attractions/ Entertainment()Travel()UK Tourists47,884,00014,977,00028,797,00012,5 09,00023,252,000Overseas Tourists 20,095,00020,634,00011,789,00011,297,0005,091,000Day Visitors051,292,00059,080,00014,296,00019,988,000Source southeastward West Tourism using the Cambridge model www.swtourism.org.uk(www.bournemouth.gov.uk, 2010)The above figures clearly show that tourist inflow enhances the citys coffers and makes available the finances that the city would need for growth and development. spot Bournemouth is being developed by the council keeping in view of its ability to attract more tourists. The different sectors that have been identified as constituent parts of the Bournemouth brand are as followsAccommodationConference/businessInternational EducationLeisure and attractionsNight Time EconomyTown Centre acquitThis is the most visual positive socio-cultural impact of tourism in Bournemouth.The gift of the Tourism industry in the form of jobsTourism brings in business is a known fact, these businesses are run by individuals and hence jobs are created. Jobs mean g rowth of the society as a whole. The transformation of a city into a tourists destination attracts not only tourists but also businesses of all kinds.Jobs that are created can be segregated into the following three general categoriesDirect jobscollateral jobsInduced jobsThe creation of these jobs becomes a source of livelihood for the locals. It also attracts workforce from neighbouring towns and cities. This increases the revenues of the connecting transport systems. The depth of integrated revenues is immense and hidden in a very complex matrix.The following table gives the estimated actual number of jobs created related to tourism spending in 2007.Staying TouristsDay VisitorsTotalDirect Jobs4,4232,7967,219Indirect Jobs1,0754891,563Induced Jobs45664520Total5,9533,3499,302Source South West Tourism using the Cambridge Model www.swtourism.org.uk(www.bournemouth.gov.uk, 2010)Holiday types, reasons for visit and activities involvement.Tourists have various reasons to visit Bournemouth. There was a time when tourists were all categorised as travellers, but now multiplication have changed and they can be categorised using various concepts and ideas. One of the ways to categorise them is based them the type of holiday they take.They can be categorised as follows.Main holidayAdditional holidayShort breakThe above categorise are the parameters that decide their length of stay.The following tables give an insight into the tourists that come to Bournemouth based on the above categorisation. It also gives an idea of the reasons why they come and the activities they engage themselves in when they are holidaying in Bournemouth.Statistics for Bournemouth, 2005Holiday TypeTotal (%)Main Holiday33Additional Holiday43Short Break20Length of Stay7.88 nightsAverage expenditure per person per day44.22Reasons for VisitingTotal (%)Shopping56Seaside, beaches, coast86Peace and quiet36Easy to get to57ActivitiesTotal (%)Coastal Walk77Gardens63Shopping72Wildlife47Source Dorset New Forest Tourism Data Project, The Market Research Group, 2005/06(www.bournemouth.gov.uk, 2009)The above statistics tell us that the reasons why the tourists come is varied and they also overlap each other, in economic cost that leaves scope for business. Even the activities that they get involved in are varied and hence these statistics can be used to decide the spending of the local government activity bodies in developing the tourism according to tourists preferences.Negative socio- cultural impact of tourism in BournemouthIt is evident that urban tourism has a lot of visible benefits for the economy and the locals. Where it promotes exchange of culture, it also supports the local economy of the city. But, there is a negative aspect of urban tourism as well. For example, during the peak season when the tourists influx is at its maximum, the prices of fresh foods and vegetables start rising. It even destroys the peace of the locality. The tourists bring their vices to the city in the for m of gambling, late night clubs, prostitution and drinking. Though tourism has a lot of positive impact on the local economy, culture and over all development of the society, the negative impact cannot be ignored. If the negative impact is unploughed on a regular vigilant check it can be overshadowed by the positives.The development of the urban city of Bournemouth into a tourists destination faces a lot of challenges from such negative impacts. No doubt tourism brings a lot to the city in terms of jobs and development. It has also resulted in the increase of taxes be it residential or business.Some of the negative socio-cultural impact of tourism can be summarised as follows.Prostitution- the development of Bournemouth as a tourists destination has resulted in vices such as prostitution. According to Dorset Police the alarming rate of rise of brothels in Bournemouth has been a real matter of concern for the city. The intelligence works reported the presence of 60 brothels in the c ity. (www.telegraph.co.uk, 2005)Drug trafficking- the vice of prostitution is known to drag with it the drug culture. Over the years Bournemouth has attracted party goes due to its numerous pubs and clubs along the beach, this has resulted in increase in the number of drug consumers in Bournemouth. These vices are passed on the evolution population of Bournemouth, having serious affects on the way of life of their friends and families.Increased levels of noise pollution- the growing number of clubs and pubs result in enhancing the night life experience of the tourists, but also increase the levels of noise pollution, which can be detrimental to the health of the old and senior residents of Bournemouth.Rising house prices- increasing jobs and growing businesses attracts attention from neighbouring cities, resulting in growth in population. This results increasing the demand of residential housing, which could be out of reach for the local population.Rising taxes- Increased businesse s results in more government spending in infrastructural development and also towards the tourists interests. This results in the increased levels of taxes by the government, to finance these projects. relations jams- increased levels of traffic jams are one of the main cause of the grievance of the locals of Bournemouth, which even the local governments are struggling to solve.Road casualties- due to increase in levels of population and car users the increasing number of road casualties have been worrying the Bournemouth authorities and locals.Loss of individuality due to over marketing of destinations key selling point- The development of Bournemouth as a tourists friendly city has resulted in extensive development. Be it businesses or attractions for the tourists, the concern is that it is losing its ethnic originality and identity. It is losing the unique selling point and is transforming into other beach city, this is a matter of concern that has been voiced by the local autho rities.Chapter 4 ConclusionSocio- cultural impact of tourisms cannot be ignored. Tourism is at times used as a reason for the growth and development of the society, the focus of growth is always positive, but the negative side is also prevalent. Man is full of vices, since tourism revolves around mans needs, requirements, perceptions, assumptions and wants, it is very difficult to curtail the negative influence.Bournemouth tourism should focus on development tailored on its specific needs, heritage, history and means with the socio-cultural impacts in sight. This would enable the urban city to have a balanced growth limiting the vices and attracting the healthy tourists which contribute majorly into the growth of the city into positive spheres of development.