Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Governments have purposely targeted specific underdeveloped regions or
regions with high unemployment and have created policies to disburse tour-
ists to these regions. Through a variety of strategies, including regional devel-
opment funding, investment incentives, provision of infrastructure, place
branding and the promotion of tourism partnerships, governments have taken
an active role in the development of tourism. The role of the internet and infor-
mation and communication technologies in place marketing has become
exceedingly important for destinations (Buhalis & Law, 2008; Munar &
Jacobsen, 2013). Some of the more classic regional development theories such
as growth poles and agglomeration economies are apparent underlying devel-
opment projects. However, as is evident in the work of Porter (1998), regions
need to move beyond developing traditional agglomeration economies and
develop highly competitive clusters with strong linkages in order to become
a competitive destination. The increased competition for investment dollars
has forced some governments to act in a more entrepreneurial fashion as
well as to provide opportunities for increased collaboration in the context
of new regionalism. As Hall (2008b) suggests, regions increasingly need to
focus on place branding, innovation, entrepreneurship, networking and
agglomeration economies in order to become learning regions and be able to
compete in the globalised tourism economy.
This chapter has examined the use of tourism in a variety of different
forms and scales, in a variety of different regions. Destinations with special
natural, cultural or historical attractions are adopting tourism for develop-
ment. Increasingly, tourism is also being created by the construction of con-
vention facilities, shopping districts, hotels, restaurants, theme parks
(Malecki, 1997) and cruise ship docks. In urban areas, regional development
programmes have been set up to rejuvenate inner-city and industrial lands. In
rural areas, programmes have been initiated at a variety of government levels
to promote rural regeneration in areas where there is agricultural decline or
to provide additional sources of income. Tourism is used as a major source of
income in island destinations and, depending on the form of development,
benefits can spread to the surrounding region if strong linkages are estab-
lished. Pearce (1989) states that tourism developed gradually over time will
allow for a longer period of social and environmental adjustment. This will
allow more of the local population to become involved since labour, supplies
and capital are more likely to be obtainable from local sources (Pearce, 1989:
185). In peripheral regions, a variety of types of tourism have been adopted,
including nature-based tourism or ecotourism and, in some cases, tourism
NGOs are becoming increasingly involved. This type of development invari-
ably means opening up new regions which have not previously been exposed
to the tourism industry. Finally, the chapter has examined tourism developed
on the scale of international regions whereby nations cooperate to promote
tourism. Regions are not isolated entities but are influenced by the forces of
globalisation and interact beyond borders. The examples presented illustrate
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