Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Destination type
Destination range
The word 'destination' covers a very wide variety of
natural and purpose-built areas that are visited by
tourists. A destination can be a whole country, a city
or region within it, a facility built specially to attract
tourists or a natural attraction. Long-haul destinations
can be grouped under the following types:
Travel and tourism employers often comment that new
recruits to the sector sometimes have poor knowledge
of world geography and tourist destinations. This
knowledge builds over time through experience, but
you can do a lot for yourself by knowing some basic
information, such as the location of popular long-haul
tourist destinations in different continents.
•
Cities - these destinations have a wide variety of
facilities for tourists, including accommodation
of all types, attractions, entertainment and tourist
information services. They are generally well-served
by public transport, such as rail, bus, air, coach and
tram services. Cities such as Los Angeles, New York,
Boston, Hong Kong, Sydney and Cape Town are
popular with UK visitors;
Continents of the world
A continent is a defi ned as a landmass on the surface
of the earth. There are seven continents - Europe, Asia,
North America, South America, Australasia, Africa and
Antarctica (although some people refer to North and
South America as 'the Americas').
•
Coastal/beach areas - have been popular with
tourists since Victorian times and continue to be so
today. The Caribbean Islands, including Jamaica,
St. Lucia and Grenada, are amongst the most
popular coastal long-haul destinations with British
travellers;
Activity 8.2
Using an atlas or other reference source, mark the
continents of Asia, North America, South America,
Africa and Australasia on a blank map of the world
(which registered tandtonline users can download
from
www.tandtonline.co.uk
).
•
Purpose-built resorts - companies such as Disney,
Club Med and Sandals offer purpose-built
facilities for their visitors, where accommodation,
entertainment, activities, catering and information
are all provided on site, often for an all-inclusive
price;
This activity is designed to provide evidence for P1.
Popular long-haul tourist cities
•
Natural areas - have long been a magnet for
visitors of all types who want to get away from
the stresses and strains of everyday life. National
Parks and other protected areas are found in many
countries around the world, offering visitors the
opportunity of experiencing fresh air and exercise
in natural surroundings. Increased interest in activity
holidays, such as mountain biking, climbing and
walking, means that natural and wilderness areas
are becoming increasingly popular destinations for
long-haul travellers;
Cities are popular for short breaks and as the starting
points for tours of long-haul destinations. They offer
visitors a wide range of tourist facilities in close
proximity to each other, such as accommodation,
entertainment, eating places, attractions and tourist
information centres. Cities are also popular with
business tourists, since many commercial companies
have their headquarters in capital cities and important
regional centres. The following cities are popular with
British people taking long-haul trips around the world
- Los Angeles, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, New York,
Vancouver, Toronto, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Sydney,
Auckland, Boston, Bali, Johannesburg, Tokyo, Florida,
Beijing, Montreal, Orlando, San Francisco, Mexico
City, Sao Paulo, Melbourne, Shanghai, Seattle and
Bombay.
•
Historical and cultural areas - as many people look
beyond the 'sun, sea and sand' destinations for a
more enriching travel experience, historical and
cultural destinations, such as those found in South
America, the Middle East, India and China, are
increasing in popularity.
