Manual on elective ii - theme parks and attractions

Theme Parks and Attractions
Catchment area
This is the area from which an attraction is able to draw its visitors. The size of the
catchment varies from local to regional to international. Some attractions are able to
entice visitors from only within a few kilometers (eg Sam Tung Uk Museum in Tsuen
Wan, Hong Kong SAR) while other famous attractions are more appealing in the
region in which they are located (eg Big Buddha at the Po Lin Monastery on Lantau
Island, Hong Kong SAR). In reality, many attractions like small-scale museums and
country parks only enjoy a local catchment area for they serve more as leisure facilities
for local residents rather than as major tourist attractions.
Very few attractions in the world enjoy an international catchment area. They are
usually unique and famous so that everyone would like to visit once in their lifetime.
Examples include the Grand Canyon, Victoria Falls, Pyramids at Giza, Walt Disney
World and the Olympic Games (wherever they are held).
It is an advantage if an attraction is located in a destination with or next to a large
population. This means that there will be a greater market potential for the attraction.
Apart from population, other major attractions and supporting infrastructure such as
the transportation network, accommodation and catering outlets etc. within the
catchment area are also key indicators which facilitate and enable the forecasting of
potential visitor numbers to an attraction.
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