Visitor attraction management - Essay Example

Analysis of different definitions of visitor attraction: Introduction: The term visitor attraction has been numerously defined by different philosophers and educationalists in different ways. There is a lot of variation in the various definitions of the term that have surfaced from time to time, which has conventionally made it very difficult for the authors and researchers to put forth a consolidated and well consented definition. Argument: According to Dewhurst and Dewhurst (2005, p. 8), the definition of visitor attraction which was made use of in the annual “Sightseeing in the UK” periodical, and that was originally given by English Tourism Council (ETC) is by far, the most usually cited among all others in the literature.

The very definition of visitor attraction is as follows: A permanently established excursion destination, a primary purpose of which is to allow public access for entertainment, interest or education; rather than being primarily a retail outlet or a venue for sporting, theatrical or film performances. (ETC, 2001, p. 8 cited in Dewhurst and Dewhurst, 2005, p. 8). The “Survey of Visits to Visitor Attractions” defines visitor attraction as something, of a permanent nature, which promotes education and entertainment, and for seeing which, it is reasonable to charge the tourists or day visitors that hold interest in it (Dale, and Oliver, 2005).

The attraction is essentially open to public in the stated period every year without any need to have a prior booking for visiting that. Visitor attraction as defined by The Scottish Tourism Board (cited in Lubbe, 2003) is “a permanent establishment that draws tourists and day visitors”. According to Middletown (1988, p. 7 cited in Mahmood, 2002, p. 122), visitor attraction is “A designed permanent resource which is controlled and managed for the enjoyment, amusement, entertainment, and education of the visiting public”.

Conclusion: Almost all definitions of the term “visit attraction” have one thing in common. i.e. they refer to them as “permanent establishments”. This is also one potential drawback in all such definitions because they are ignorant of such temporary events as the Olympic Games that are a primary source of visitors’ attraction all across the globe. Also, such events as the Olympic Games are organized at different places at different times, so it is irrational to consider them as permanent.

However, it is worth mentioning here that Swarbrooke (2002, p. 4) is of the view that sporting events that tend to build related visitor attractions like football club museums should be excluded from the core definition of visitor attraction. Secondly, all definitions of visitor attraction commonly refer to it as a fundamental means of entertainment meant for the visitors and tourists. Many definitions of the term also call it as a means of education for the tourists. I consider the definition provided by The Scottish Tourism Board as the most relevant to the true concept first because it is brief and concise, and secondly because, it does not specify why the tourists and day visitors may want to visit the visitor attractions.

Tourists may want to see the visitor attractions for purposes other than education or entertainment, so it is better not to mention their interests in them. References: Dale, G, and Oliver, GDH 2005, BTEC National Travel and Tourism, UK: Heinemann Educational Publishers. Dewhurst, P, and Dewhurst H 2005, A Study of ‘Success’ at England’s Most Visited Tourist Attraction, Tourism Today, no. 5, pp. 1-176, viewed, 7 February, 2011, . Lubbe, B 2003, Tourism management in Southern Africa, South Africa: Pearson Education.

Mahmood, A 2002, Advanced topics in end user computing, Volume 1, USA: Idea Group Publishing. Swarbrooke, J 2002, The development and management of visitor attractions, UK: Professional Publishing Ltd.