How has the tourism industry changed since 1945?

Answer 1

1. More holidays.

All countries in the developing world have increased the number of holidays a person can expect to receive by law. A hundred years ago a person would be lucky to receive one day for a summer holiday - even luckier - to have this as a paid holiday.

Today, as a result of stronger economies, unions and changes in society people can expect to receive a minimum four weeks paid holiday. Inevitably if people have more time then there is a greater chance that they will use some of that time in the tourism industry. There is even more chance that they will go on holiday if they have a higher income.

Increase in paid holidays.

2. A smaller world.

The world is getting smaller!

It now takes just 24 hours to reach countries on the other side of the world. You can now fly to France for £50!

A nationwide motorway network has meant you can drive from one end of the UK to the other in twelve hours. The channel tunnel means that we can be in France in half an hour. Pop to Belgium for the weekend, fly to France for a surf!

Twenty years ago, Cairns (North East Australia) was just a tiny town. Today it is a world famous city. Why? - They built an airport.

The more the transport network develops and the cost of fuel drops (yes drops! Fuel is cheaper today then ever before if you take into account the increase in wages) the greater the chances to go on holiday, the greater the growth in tourism.

3. Development.

Tourists spend money - lots of it! £25 billion in the UK in 1990 and so tourism can be developed by Governments in the developed and developing world to provide employment, earn foreign currency and diversify the economy.

In the UK, most major cities have looked to tourism as a tool of regeneration. In Bristol, £s;98 million has been spent regenerating the harbour-side to provide a range of tourist attractions including a new IMAX cinema and hands-on science museum.

In Zimbabwe, Operation Campfire sells hunting licenses to tourists to control animal populations and uses the profits to build schools and hospitals for the rural population. The growth of tourism in the developing world is a very significant part of the world market.

4. Elderly population.

Half of the world is getting wrinkly! Numbers of retired people in the developed world are higher than ever before. They have cash and are living longer than ever before.

Early retirement, pensions and better health care has meant that the pensioner pound is a very important influence in the growth of tourism and, its not all coach trips to Bognor. AJ Hackett (first person to run a commercial bungee jump operation) lets pensioners jump for free!

As entrepreneurs respond to this large and wealthy population, tourism will continue to grow.

5. Society.

Today's society is changing. After the World Wars people realised there was more to life than work and Blackpool. Many of the men had been stationed overseas and came back with experiences of new places, culture and cuisine. The women had to work in traditionally male jobs and society changed forever. Women working increased family income making foreign holidays more affordable.

People now consider a holiday as an essential not the absolute luxury it used to be. Many put this down to the stresses of modern life!

6. Income.

We earn more than ever before. Prices are comparatively cheaper than ever before. Consequently we have a greater disposable income than ever before. Disposable income is the money left after we have purchased essentials that we can spend on what we like including holidays. Add this to the reduction in air-fares and cheaper package holidays and tourism must increase.

7. Communication.

The communications revolution is the next big thing in tourism. Companies like GO and Last minute.com are already developing the internet as a tool for booking holidays. You can take a walk through your hotel online, check out the views, find out about the nightlife - and all this before you book! It's advertised as faster and cheaper than going down to the high street.

Answer 2

The developments in technology and transport infrastructure, such as jumbo jets, low-cost airlines and more accessible airports have made many types of tourism more affordable. WHO estimates that up to 500,000 people are on planes at any time. There have also been changes in lifestyles, such as retiree-age people who sustain year round tourism. This is facilitated by internet sales of tourism products. Some sites have now started to offer dynamic packaging, in which an inclusive price is quoted for a tailor-made package requested by the customer upon impulse.There have been a few setbacks in tourism, such as the September 11 attacks and terrorist threats to tourist destinations, such as in Bali and several European cities. Also, on December 26, 2004, a tsunami, caused by the 2004 Indian ocean earthquake, hit the Asian countries on the Indian Ocean, including the Maldives. Thousands of lives were lost and many tourists died. This, together with the vast clean-up operation in place, has stopped or severely hampered tourism to the area.

The terms tourism and travel are sometimes used interchangeably. In this context, travel has a similar definition to tourism, but implies a more purposeful journey. The terms tourism and tourist are sometimes used pejoratively, to imply a shallow interest in the cultures or locations visited by tourists.

Latest trendsAs a result of the Late-2000s recession, international arrivals suffered a strong slowdown beginning in June 2008. Growth from 2007 to 2008 was only 3.7% during the first eight months of 2008. The Asian and Pacific markets were affected and Europe stagnated during the cold summer months, while the Americas performed better, reducing their expansion rate but keeping a 6% growth from January to August 2008. Only the Middle East continued its rapid growth during the same period, reaching a 17% growth as compared to the same period in 2007. This slowdown on international tourism demand was also reflected in the air transport industry, with a negative growth in September 2008 and a 3.3% growth in passenger traffic through September. The hotel industry also reports a slowdown, as room occupancy continues to decline. As the global economic situation deteriorated dramatically during September and October as a result of the global financial crisis, growth of international tourism is expected to slow even further for the remaining of 2008, and this slowdown in demand growth is forecast to continue into 2009 as recession has already hit most of the top spender countries, with long-haul travel expected to be the most affected by the economic crisis. This negative trend intensified as international tourist arrivals fell by 8% during the first four months of 2009, and the decline was exacerbated in some regions due to the outbreak of the influenza AH1N1 virus.