Tourism Components and Supply - Tourism: Principles, Practices, Philosophies - page 264

Basic elements in this category include air and climate, physiography of the region, landforms,
terrain, flora, fauna, bodies of water, beaches, natural beauty, and water supply for drinking,
sanitation, and similar uses.
2. Built environment. This includes the infrastructure and superstructure discussed in Chapter 1. This
component has been developed within or upon the natural environment. One of the most basic
elements of the built environment is the infrastructure of the region, which consists of all
underground and surface developmental construction, such as water supply systems, sewage
disposal systems, gas lines, electrical lines, drainage systems, roads, communications networks, and
many commercial facilities. The tourism includes facilities constructed primarily to

support visitation and visitor activities. Primary examples are airports, railroads, roads, drives,
parking lots, parks, marinas and dock facilities, bus and train station facilities, resorts, hotels, motels,
restaurants, shopping centers, places of entertainment, museums, stores, and similar structures. For
the most part, the operating sectors of the industry are part of the built environment and provide
much of the superstructure or facilitate access to the physical supply.
3. Operating sectors.

superstructure

The operating sectors of the tourism industry represent what many of the
general public perceive as First and foremost, the transportation sector, comprising

airlines, cruise lines, motorcoach companies, taxis, limousines, automobiles, aerial tramways, and
so on, typify the movement of people in travel (see Chapter 5). Because nothing happens until
someone plans to leaves home, transportation is a critical component. Without transportation,
the tourist would be unable to reach and enjoy the natural and built environment. Tourists need a
place to stay and be fed, so the accommodation sector and the food service sector are important
supply components (see Chapter 6). Attractions are the reason people travel. Without attractions
(see Chapter 8) drawing tourists to destinations, there would be little need for all other tourism
services such as transportation, lodging, food, distribution, and so on.
4. Spirit of hospitality and cultural resources. Pervading all of the foregoing physical elements of
the built infrastructure and superstructures is the social foundation of the destination — its culture,
which consists of the language, food, customs, and religions of the residents of the region, as well as
their work- and leisure-relatedbehaviors. It is the people and the cultural wealth of an area thatmake
possible the successful hosting of tourists. Examples are the tourist business employees

'' tourism. ''

welcoming
aloha spirit in Hawaii, the attitude of the residents toward visitors, courtesy, friendliness, sincere
interest, willingness to serve and to get better acquainted with visitors, and other manifestations of
warmth and friendliness. In addition, the

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of any area are included here: ne arts,
literature, history, music, dramatic art, dancing, shopping, sports, and other activities.

cultural resources

A wide range of tourist resources is created by combining cultural resources. Such examples would
be sports events and facilities, traditional or national festivals, games, and pageants.

NATURAL RESOURCES

Many combinations of factors relating to can create environments attractive to

tourism development. Thus, no general statements can be formulated. Probably the most noticeable
factors are the pronounced seasonal variations of temperature zones and the changes in demand for
recreational use of such areas. To even out demand, the more multiple-use possibilities, the better. For
example, it is more desirable that an area be used for golf, riding, fishing, hunting, snow skiing, snow-
mobiling, mushroom hunting, sailing and other water sports, nature study, and artistic appreciation
such as painting and photography than for hunting alone. The wider the appeal throughout the year,
the greater the likelihood of success.
Another highly important consideration is that of location. As a rule, the closer an area is to its
likely markets, the more desirable it is and the more likely to have a high demand. User-oriented areas
(e.g., golf courses) should be close to their users. By contrast, an area of superb natural beauty, such as

natural resources