phd research proposal -tourism and economic growth - brian m touray msc
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PhD. Research Proposal for a study. University of Derby. Tourism management - Tourism Economic Growth Impacts. Brian M TourayTRANSCRIPT
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PhD PROPOSAL FOR A STUDY:
UNIVERSITY OF DERBY, UNITED
KINGDOM
TOURISM AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
IN DENVER COLORADO
Brian M Touray MSc. Griffith University July 8, 2001
Introduction
In 2000, a panel of economic development specialists
included Denver, Colorado in its Top 10 List of the
"supercities of the future". The potential for future
development of the Denver International Airport, and around
the airport, were primary reasons for Denver making the list
("Denver ranks as supercity", 2000). International travel,
tourism and trade around and through the airport are good
indicators of current and potential growth in the
metropolitan and surrounding Denver area. According to 1999
studies released by the Denver Metro Convention & Visitors
Bureau in the first quarter of 2000, consumer spending by
tourists in Denver had risen by 12.4 percent, and visits to
area attractions were up 6.5 percent within the city ("A
good year for tourism", 2000).
Statement of Problem
Bad publicity in the early 1990s surrounding the anti-
gay rights Amendment Two decreased visitors into the city
nearly overnight. The demise of the Colorado Tourism Board
around that time, and the state sales tax that funded it,
were also considered contributing factors for low tourist
visits to Denver. By 1995 Denver's image as a tourist spot
was improving and it was hoped Denver had bounced back from
its reputation. However, fewer tourists were visiting the
Mile High City. Regardless of a 65-percent increase in the
number of people who felt Denver was an exciting tourism
destination, 16 percent fewer tourists visited Denver in
1994 than in 1992 ("Denver tourism rebounds", 1995).
The argument of this paper will be that with effort,
demographic research and reorganization and an expanded
scope for transformation, tourism not only returns to the
Denver area, but also will stabilize and increase the city's
future economic growth potential.
Literature Review: Economic Impact of Tourism
One of the primary issues helping to reinvent and
transform Denver as a tourist center has been cultural
diversity and wooing international tourist attention. A new
level of resort hospitality style emerged with the
internationally celebrated Scranton Denver. Scranton Denver
offers international comforts and excellent amenities, which
include suites, a fitness center, swimming pool, restaurants
and an 18-hole PGA championship golf course. Shoptalk is
spoken in several languages ("Tourism and recreation",
1993).
By 1997, Denver hosted a 10-state regional public-
private promotional forum aimed at creating cohesiveness
between the travel industry and cultural facilities. This
was a nationally held forum because of the 1995 White House
Conference on Travel and Tourism, which generated Partners
in Tourism, a coalition of 12 public and private
organizations headed by the museum association. Hosting and
participating with other states on various tourism issues,
such as the unique tax in the Denver area which benefits
cultural facilities, educational programs, exhibits and free
admissions, demonstrated the importance of collaboration and
establishing partnerships with other museums, festivals and
wildlife refuges (Smith, "Cultural sites…", 1997).
The economic impact of tourism development may not seem
significant, unless viewed from an overall community
economic perspective. During the course of Denver's major
transformation of its tourism industry, travelers divided
into two types: 1) general tourism and 2) cultural tourism.
Cultural tourism is, in fact, a part of general tourism,
which can be difficult to assess since many visitors
participate in cultural events during their primary travel,
whether for business or for pleasure. Some of the employment
and economic development related potential benefits of
cultural tourism include increased income from tourism
expenditures, increased resources to protect and conserve
natural and cultural heritage resources, new employment
opportunities, increased tax base, improved infrastructure,
and increased producing potential of local people, better
environment because of civic pride. Potential disadvantages
of cultural tourism are lower paying and seasonal
employment, increased taxes; development may lead to
increased costs, unplanned traffic congestion and pollution,
which can lower attractiveness of a community or region for
investors (Walter, 2001).
By the late 1990s, tourism in Colorado had become one
of its largest industries, employing more than 100,000
individuals. Tourism growth in Denver and the surrounding
area set a record in 1999 for the third straight year. The
Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau recorded annual
increases in every category it tracked: attraction
attendance, passenger boarding is at Denver International
Airport, gambling and other consumer spending. In metro
Denver, tourism generates $2.1 billion in spending every
year and employs 29,000 (Hubler, 2000).
In the last months of 2000, Denver's economy was
considered "rock solid" despite signs of softening in the US
economy. For the majority, the city's low unemployment rate,
increasing wages, low vacancy rates and strong job growth
could shelter the city, if there is a national, or local,
economic downturn (Svaldi, 2000). This study will recommend
ways for tourism to contribute to this trend.
Organization of the Study
The study will be organized in five chapters:
Introduction (Statement of Problem), Review of the
Literature, Methodology, Findings, and Conclusions and
Recommendations.
TENTATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY
"A good year for tourism." The Denver Business Journal. Online. WWW. 31 March 2000. URL: [http://denver.bcentral.com/denver/stories/2000/03/27/daily14/html]. "Denver groups lead promo effort." Hotel & Motel Management. July 25, 1992, Vol. 209, I. 13, p 42. "Denver ranks as supercity." The Denver Business Journal. March 27, 2000. "Denver tourism rebounds." Marketing News." June 5, 1995, Vol. 29, I. 12, p. 1. Hubler, Eric. "We've got something people want." Denver Post. March 31, 2000. Jamieson, Walter. "THE USE OF INDICATORS IN MONITORING: The Economic Impact of Cultural Tourism Initiatives." Online. WWW. 27 January 2001. URL: [http://cormier.icomos.org/ canada/bulletin/vol4_no3_jamieson_e.html]. Smith, Brad. "Cultural sites wooing global tourist dollars." The Denver Business Journal. February 28, 1997. Smith, Brad. "Event in Denver key to growth plan." The Denver Business Journal. February 28, 1997. Svaldi, Aldo. Denver Post.com. Online. WWW. 19 December 2000. URL: [http://www.denverpost.com/news/biz1219a.htm]. "Tourism and recreation." Colorado Business. August 1993, vol 20, I. 8, p. 30. Brian M Touray MSc. Tourism Management Griffith University