special interest tourism nicos rodosthenous phd 29/10/2013 4 29/10/20131dr nicos rodosthenous

Dr Nicos Rodosthenous 1

Special Interest TourismNicos Rodosthenous PhD

29/10/20134

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Analyse Regional tourism

• 1. The changing nature of regional areas• Global social and economic change is placing

pressure on rural and regional communities.• The changing nature of regional economies

and rural lifestyles is being driven by: More efficient agricultural practices New technologies Free or less restricted trade

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Decline of traditional industries Widening gaps between rich and poor Rising unemployment New and different employment opportunities Faster and more comfortable transport Increased environmental awarenessThese social and economic changes have led to

pressure on governments to ‘ do something ’ about the declining fortunes of rural and regional areas.

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• To address these issues, governments in Australia and in other countries are focusing increased attention on regional development.

• Regional tourism is a key issue, since most domestic visitor nights are spent outside the capital cities.

• A further important factor for the tourism industry is strong consumer demand for natural and cultural attractions in both domestic and international markets.

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• Both, the tourism industry and governments are interested in finding ways to optimize tourism’s economic and social contribution in regional areas.

• 2. What is Regional tourism?• Defining a ‘region’ is merely a device for identifying

a spatial unit for description and analysis.• Economic, social or cultural links may be another

way to define the boundaries of a region.

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• Regional tourism encompasses tourism in ‘concentrated tourist areas’, coastal resorts, towns and the countryside.

• It does not rely on particular activities or experiences; its character is determined by the places where tourism occurs.

• It may include rural tourism, nature-based tourism, ecotourism, cultural tourism, adventure tourism, educational tourism and the like.

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• 3. Regional tourism in Australia – an overview.• Tourism accounted for more than 11% of

Australia’s GDP, gross domestic product and contributed 14.9% of total exports and 61.7% of all service exports.

• Tourism employs more than 670 000 people, 8% of all employed people.

• Regional tourism accounts more than 60% of domestic and international visitor nights.

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• The most popular destinations for Australians are the major capital cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

• Only 30% of the international visitor nights were spent outside capital cities compared with the 70% of domestic visitor nights.

• Queensland’s Gold Coast is the most popular destination in regional Australia, followed by the Great Ocean Road region in Victoria.

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• In summary, more than 230 million visitor nights were spent in non-capital regions of Australia, which is about 60% of all international and domestic visitor nights.

• 4. Impacts of Regional tourism • 4.1 Economic impacts: • Economic diversification: will help regional economies

to sustain local people affected by a decline in traditional industries.

• Tourism also uses existing resources, i.e. wine and food tourism is a good example how it can

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• benefit traditional rural industries.• Tourism consumption is generated by importing

customers to the product at its place of production rather than exporting product to customers as most industries do.

• Tourists may even get new tastes for some of the products helping to build demand and develop export markets.

• Tourism also attracts investments in commercial

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• and residential property and creates work for building and construction industries.

• New enterprise development: the potential beneficiaries of tourism activity are spread across various sectors of the regional economy, as are opportunities for new enterprise development in the provision of services, accommodation, cafes and restaurants, tours and local attractions.

• Almost 80% of employment is in the regional places.

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• Income and employment growth: tourism activity will benefit regional economies through the demand created by visitors for local goods and services.

• This direct expenditure by visitors has a positive impact on business profitability and employment growth in regional areas.

• Rates and taxes: regional tourism generates income for businesses, for individuals in the form of wages and share earnings and taxes for the local government.

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• This income contributes to the quality and quantity of local services and facilities provided for the benefit of both local residents and visitors.

• Investment and infrastructure development: tourism can act as a catalyst for increased investment in services and infrastructure such as transport, power and water supply, environmental protection, communication, fire and sporting facilities.

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• The ability of tourism for regional development will depend on a broad range of economic, social and political factors, through coordinated efforts of local communities, government agencies and the tourism industry.

• 4.2 Environmental impacts• A positive aspect of tourism as an agent of regional

economic and social development is to offer a more ecologically sustainable form of development.

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• Regional tourism can also increase the environmental awareness of both visitors and regional communities and protect the natural and cultural environment with SIT programs.

• Sustainable development: there is a mutual and supportive relationship between tourism and environment.

• It contributes to the economic development of local communities by conserving natural and cultural environments and providing visitors enjoyable and satisfied travel experiences.

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• Increasing environmental awareness: there is growing consumer demand for nature-based experiences, heritage and cultural attractions.

• Regional tourism can be a major beneficiary if planned and managed tourism development is applied at regional destinations and satisfy environmentally aware customers.

• Environmental conservation: provides benefits for natural and cultural conservation including:

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An incentive to expand protected areas An incentive for private land owners to conserve

their lands The provision of funds for research and to manage

and restore natural lands and wildlife. The education of visitors for the protection of the

area and/or their respect for the culture after visitation.

The provision of ecologically sustainable employment.

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• 4.3 Socio-cultural impacts• In addition of being an economic issue, tourism is also

a socio-cultural issue, since residents share their local resources with tourists.

• A positive relationship between residents and visitors can contribute to the growth of regional tourism.

• Infrastructure, services and quality of life• As tourism industry grows, new and expanded services

and facilities cater to both visitors and local residents.

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• Tourism can support a wider range and better quality of community services than the resident population.

• Community pride: may increase in residents’ awareness of and interest in their region, along with maintenance or revival of traditional cultural activities, like festivals.

• Conservation of cultural heritage: tourism enables conservation of important elements of the cultural heritage of an area.

• It also increases community awareness and pride in local heritage and reinforces cultural identity.

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• This may result in conservation of historic sites, handicrafts, festivals and financial assistance for museums and theatres.

• Regional tourism also provides opportunities to experience different places and cultures. This culture exchange can increase the opportunities for social contact of people in isolated communities.

• All these may enhance the quality of life of regional communities.

• Good planning is the key to achieving the best outcomes for a community.

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special interest tourism nicos rodosthenous phd 29/10/2013 4 29/10/20131dr nicos rodosthenous

Documents

regional tourism accounts

regional australia

regional development

regional communities

regional tourism3

rural tourism

cultural tourism

tourism industry