Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
bene
t from this apparent trade-off (e.g., offering
special assistance packages to travelers where infra-
structure is poorer).
The Emergence of Extreme/
Adventure/Disaster
or Dark Tourism
Yet another extreme form of tourism that has been
recognized more recently is where individuals
undertake to visit locations of mass destruction,
where local uprisings, or even wars, create a unique
type of destination experience that some travelers
find exciting. In the same vein, major disasters such
as
floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes
Shown here is a prime
example of the '' tourist of
tomorrow,'' one who will
be the prime bene
ciary of
the many exciting facilities
and opportunities that are
now on the drawing board.
He has reason to smile.
PhotocourtesyofPanamaCity
BeachConventionand
VisitorsBureau.
—
despite or perhaps because of the danger they
create
draw visitors to the disaster site. By their
very nature,
—
events are inherently
dif
cult to plan for, but it is not uncommon to
see entrepreneurs selling T-shirts that make it pos-
sible for visitors to make everyone aware that they visited the site of the event/disaster or even mass
killings (such as Auschwitz). The Global Insight in Chapter 11 has more detail on this topic.
dark tourism
MANAGING THE FUTURE EFFECTIVELY
Although it is impossible to truly
the future, tourism policy makers and destination
managers must make every effort to anticipate, adapt to, and take advantage of the future, as we
understand it to be evolving. Based on the foregoing
''
manage
''
''
best
''
understanding as to how the future is
unfolding, the following are some of the most signi
cant
''
action areas
''
for the tourism policy maker/
manager of today
—
and tomorrow:
Tourism continues to grow. Seek to take advantage of the extent of this growth and its special
areas of growth opportunities.
&
How, and to what extent, is climate change likely to affect your destination and the experiences it
is capable of offering?
&
How is the aging of the tourism population in general
—
and the aging of tourists who have an
&
interest in the experience you offer
—
likely to affect you and your destination?
How does the increasing sophistication of the travel market apply to you and the experience
offered by your destination? How do you feel you should/can respond?
&
SUMMARY
Despite the recent economic recession, social and economic megatrends in developed countries seem
to favor long-term growth in both domestic and international travel demand. More long-term leisure,
increased disposable income, higher levels of education, and more awareness of other countries and
peoples are signi
cant factors in
uencing a growing market for travel. The movement toward an
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