Manual on elective ii - theme parks and attractions

2.1 Impacts on a destination
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Theme Parks and Attractions
Attractions are important to the development of tourism for that destination. In fact,
many popular destinations have evolved as the result of the development of one major
attraction. For example, the following destinations developed from the existence of
particular attractions:
• Luxor, Egypt – pyramids
• Siem Reap, Cambodia – Angkor Wat temple
• Orlando, USA – Walt Disney World resort.
While the development of some destinations was based on a single attraction, most
destinations develop new attractions together with accommodation, catering and retail
facilities and services to diversify the market and extend tourists’ length of stay. For
example, the Walt Disney Company now refers to and names all their properties as
resorts.
Types of impacts
Attractions affect tourism development at a destination in various ways. Typically, the
impact of attractions may be classified as economic, environmental and socio-cultural.
Crowding and congestion impacts also exist and such impacts do not neatly fit into one
of the three typical types of impacts. Crowding impacts may be environmental (traffic
and/or people queues) or socio-cultural (impatience or annoyance with the presence of
a crowd of people). Attractions also create demand for services provided by the
transportation and the tour operation sectors and boost their business.
Economic
In general, the economic impacts of attractions on a destination include:
• Improvement of balance of payments
• Provide government with income through fees and taxes
• Provide direct and indirect job opportunities for locals
• Increase visitor spending