Growth of tourism as an industry (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Geography): Revision Note

Factors leading to the growth of tourism

• Tourism is one aspect of globalisation

  • It is defined as time spent away from the home environment for leisure, business or professional reasons

• Over the last 50 years, mass tourism has expanded into a major global industry

• In 2024, the global tourism industry contributed $10.9 trillion to the global economy, accounting for 10% of global GDP

• International visitor spending in 2024 was $1.9 trillion

• The tourism sector accounts for 357 million jobs worldwide

• Europe remains the region with the greatest number of tourist arrivals, with France being the top destination

• Approximately, 53% of inbound tourism is for leisure (holiday); the second reason is for visiting friends and relatives

• The main reasons for the rise in tourism are due to:

Improvements in transport

• The development of low-cost airlines, such as easyJet and Ryanair, has led to cheaper and faster air travel

• Expansion of high-speed rail networks (e.g. TGV in France, Shinkansen in Japan)

• Larger cruise ships make international travel more accessible.

• There has been an improvement in road networks and an increase in the ownership of private cars

Economic factors

• Increased disposable incomes: typically, both couples work, which boosts the amount of money coming into the home, especially in emerging economies (China, Brazil)

• Better pay and leave benefits in many countries: most workers now work less than 40 hours a week and have paid annual leave

• Globalisation has expanded middle-class populations, creating new tourist markets

Technological developments

• Online booking platforms such as Booking.com and Airbnb have experienced significant growth

• Instant access to information via smartphones and the internet

• Technology lets tourists share their experiences and influence others (social media effect)

Social and cultural change

• More people are becoming aware of and interested in different cultures and environments

• People now value experiences more than material goods

• Specialist tourism is growing, including eco-tourism, adventure tourism, and medical tourism

Political factors

• There are more open borders and fewer visa restrictions in many regions

• Political stability in many regions has created new travel destinations

• International agreements make travel easier, like the Schengen Area in Europe

Marketing and media

• National tourist boards launch global marketing campaigns

• Popular culture, like films and television, often highlight specific locations, such as New Zealand in 'The Lord of the Rings'

Demographic factors

• The population is ageing and has the means and leisure to travel, a trend known as 'grey tourism'

• Young travellers taking gap years and backpacking

• There is an increasing trend of family mobility and multi-generational travel

Environmental factors

• More people are showing interest in natural landscapes and wildlife tourism

• Awareness of sustainable travel options

What is the Butler model?

• Richard W. Butler proposed the Butler Model in 1980 to describe the life cycle of tourist resorts

• It shows us how tourism changes over time and how destinations can handle their growth

Awaiting Image

The Butler Model showing the life cycle of a tourist resort

Stages of the model

1. Exploration

• Small numbers of adventurous tourists discover a location

• There are limited tourist facilities, and the impact is minimal

2. Involvement

• Local people offer basic services like homestays and guiding

• Interest is growing through word of mouth

3. Development

• Larger companies invest in the area

• Significant tourism infrastructure develops (hotels, transport)

• The number of tourists increases rapidly

4. Consolidation

• Tourism becomes the dominant economic activity

• The destination gains a strong reputation; however, negative impacts such as pollution and congestion begin to emerge

5. Stagnation

• Visitor numbers peak

• The environment and local culture may suffer

• The resort loses appeal due to overcrowding and loss of authenticity

6. Rejuvenation, continued stagnation or decline

• Rejuvenation: The destination reinvents itself by promoting eco-tourism and heritage tourism, attracting new markets

• Continued stagnation: The destination invests the minimum amount in infrastructure and services and fails to adapt to changing preferences

• Decline: Tourists go elsewhere, businesses close and the area deteriorates

Strengths and limitations of the Butler model

Strengths of the Butler Model

• The Butler Model offers a clear visual representation of how tourism evolves.

• The Butler Model helps with planning and management by encouraging proactive revitalisation.

• The Butler Model is flexible, as it can be applied to a wide range of destinations

Limitations of the Butler Model

• This model is simple — real-world development rarely follows clear stages

• It does not consider global shocks like pandemics and terrorism that can suddenly change trends

• All destinations eventually decline or rejuvenate, but some remain stagnant or stay stable for long periods

• External factors such as climate change, political change, and economic crises are not well represented

Using the Butler Model to promote sustainable tourism

• This approach allows planners to spot stagnation and put sustainable strategies in place early

  • Control the number of visitors (the carrying capacity)

  • Develop sustainable transport and lodging options

  • Help local communities so that tourism benefits everyone

  • Protect natural and cultural heritage

• Recognises the need for constant innovation to prevent stagnation and decline

Is the model still relevant today?

• Yes, but there are some conditions

• New forms of tourism, such as digital nomadism and remote eco-tourism, make tourist life cycles more complex

• The model offers valuable insights for long-term planning, particularly in cities facing overtourism, such as Venice and Barcelona

• In the digital age, tourist destinations can quickly rise and fall, with stages compressing or repeating unpredictably

• Sustainability is now more important than when the model was first introduced