Tourism is the world’s largest industry, worth $500 billion dollars in 2007.
\nLeisure accounts for 75% of all international travel. There were nearly 900
\nmillion tourist travellers in 2007 and this is set to rise to a massive 1.6
\nbillion by 2020. In most countries, domestic tourism (people going on holiday in
\ntheir own country) is between four and five times greater than international
\ntourism.<\/p>\n
The tourism industry is therefore one of the greatest providers
\nof jobs and income in countries at different stages of development. The reliance
\nof different parts of the world on tourism varies. For 83% of countries, tourism
\nis one of the top five sources of foreign exchange. The Caribbean countries get
\nhalf their GDP from tourism. The top six destination countries are France,
\nSpain, the USA, China, Italy and the UK. Germans spend more per person than any
\nother nation on holiday, followed by Americans, British, French and Japanese.
\nPicture
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\nFactors affecting the growth of tourism 2
\nSocial and Economic factors
\nSince the 1950s families have become wealthier. Incomes are larger and so is
\ndisposable income (the amount left to spend as you wish after essentials such as
\nhousing, food and bills are paid). Most families have two working parents
\nwhereas in the past there was only one.<\/p>\n
People have less children: it is less expensive to take a small family on
\nholiday than a large one.
\nCar ownership has grown meaning people can travel more easily to different
\ntourist locations
\nPeople have more leisure time: in the 1950s people only had two weeks
\nholiday a year compared to between four and six today.
\nLife expectancy has increased which means people live longer so can visit
\nmore places
\nThere are more retired people due to better healthcare and they also have
\ngood pensions so could possibly afford several holidays a year and they have
\nmore time to travel
\nFactors affecting the growth of tourism 2
\nImprovements in technology
\ntravel is quick and easy – motorways, airport expansion and faster jet
\naircraft have all contributed to this
\nflying has become cheaper and booking online is quick and
\neasy<\/p>\n
Expansion of holiday choice
\nduring the 1950s and 1960s coastal resorts were popular and in the UK the
\nNational Parks were opening and offering new opportunities
\nthe 1970s saw a decline in seaside holidays due to competition from cheap
\npackage holidays to mainland Europe, especially Spain
\npackages are now available to destinations all over the world that offer a
\nhuge variety of sight and activities<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"