Tourism in Valais - Research Paper Example

? Tourism in Valais Introduction Various places in the world have different tourist attractions, which pull visitors from different parts of the world. People are attracted to an area due to various factors; culture, wildlife, sporting activities, weather and climate and natural features. Tourism benefits a country in that it is a source of foreign exchange whenever people visit a new area. Besides, tourism promotes relations between various countries. Among the countries around the world, Switzerland rates as one of the greatest tourism hub. This country situated in central Europe keeps pulling a vast number of visitors every year, and this is increasing by the time (Lew, 2008). Various factors have ensured that Switzerland remains as one of Europe’s greatest tourist destinations. The country has a beautiful landscape and scenery comprised of beautiful mountains and undulating valleys. This scenic beauty pulls millions of visitors every year. Apart from the landscape, the country has beautiful lakes and water catchment areas which are a site to behold. Lakes like Lucerne are very beautiful and every year, thousands of people travel there to see this beautiful lake. Apart from this, people are attracted to Switzerland due to winter activities like ice hockey. Such sports are interesting; hence, they pull very many people to Switzerland. The summers are also warm and tourists take part in summer activities like sun bathing and beach activities. Cable cars that connect various mountains in Switzerland are another tourist attraction site in Switzerland. People who have never been in such cars will want to go and board them so that they can also be part of the experience. Apart from these attractions, Switzerland has very many animal zoos which have various wild animals that have been tamed. As much as these animals are not in their natural habitat, they provide a potent tourism attraction. Therefore, Switzerland has succeeded in its tourist activities due to the fact that it has a diverse range of tourist attractions which have ensured that it receives thousands of visitors every year. This has in turn boosted the economy of the country. Currently, Switzerland is one of the richest countries in Central Europe, and this can be attributed to its noteworthy tourist activities (William, 2008). Factors that have contributed to tourism success in Switzerland Various factors have contributed to the tourism success in Switzerland. For one, Switzerland is strategically located in Central Europe, which has ensured that the country receives visitors all round Europe. Visitors are able to transit from the north, south, east and west, and meet at the central zone of Europe. As a result of this, its geographical position has enhanced its tourism capability. Secondly, the people of Switzerland are very friendly and hospitable, which implies that tourists from any part of the world are assured that they will be in good hands. Most tourists long to visit Switzerland as a result of this hospitality. Another advantage that Switzerland has is that it has the policy of neutrality. Banks in Switzerland allow investments from any citizens of the world without any hindrances or conditions. As a result of this, people are able to visit Switzerland without any fears as compared to other countries where there is thorough vetting of documents before one is allowed in. To most people, this is a tedious procedure which discourages one from touring countries. Thirdly, Switzerland has many cultures. Very many cultures and races intermingle in Switzerland. As a result of this, people from various races are encouraged to visit Switzerland which has ensured that tourist numbers have increased every year. This country has cultural intermingling, and as a result of this, it is possible to find various resorts belonging to many cultural backgrounds. For example, Valais is an area in Switzerland that is exclusively French, hence, people of French cultures are attracted to this area so that they are able to experience their culture (Waeber, 2008). Valais Tourism Valais Overview Valais is a French region in Switzerland that is widely known for its noteworthy tourist activities. Valais is a valley that is located at the base of the Swiss Alps. This area is quite remarkable; hence, it is an all year round favorite spot for tourists coming from Switzerland, around Europe and the world as a whole. Valais has spectacular winter activities which include ice skiing and superb summer activities which include summer hiking. Apart from this, Valais is known for its beautiful lakes, glaciers, castle churches, wealthy resorts and mountain paths. Notable landmarks in Valais include The Great St Benard Pass, Zermatt and the Matterhorn. Tourists will; also be attracted to Valais to witness the Fondation Pierre Gianadda, an ancient Roman ruin. Currently, this is a building used to keep modern art in Valais. Another remarkable feature is L'Hospice du Grand St Bernard, which is widely known for keeping animals. Therefore, Valais is one of the best tourist attractions centers in Switzerland (Stucki, 2009). The Capstone Project Overview The commune of mayens de Chamoson plans to institute a new hotel development in Valais, Switzerland. The project team plans to organize the project in such a way that one part of the area has a hotel comprising of restaurants and a grocery. Another part of the project is to be used as a public park while the third part of the project is to be used as land for constructing two apartments. This property to be constructed does not belong to the commune, hence the commune does not intend to sell and this is not an investment. What the commune intends to do is that, they are advertising so that potential investors can come up and undertake the project. However, one project requirement is that, whoever is to undertake the project must use the provided building density, height and other specifications as provided by the commune. The specifications on the commune concerning the project are as follows: maximum of 5 floors for the building and 3,000 square meters for the hotel. Hotel plan Considerations In constructing the hotel plan, the investors are expected to consider various issues that will enable the project reap benefits of being in a tourist hub of Switzerland at Valais. For one, the project must ensure that there is sustainability. Without sustainability, the project would collapse, hence, the project team is expected to ensure that the project has the necessary financial input and staffing requirements that would bring about success. Noteworthy sustainability will also ensure that the demands of the commune will be met. Therefore, in order to ensure that there will be sustainability, the project team needs to institute a potent project team that would ensure that this project will be a success. Any investors willing to undertake the project are also expected to collaborate with various hotel chains and suppliers. By so doing, they will be able to ensure that the hotel serves its customers notably well. The hotel industry needs connections with various suppliers since it is through this way that it would be able to experience sufficiency in its services. Apart from this, collaborations would ensure that there is exchange of employees between the hotel of this project and surrounding successful hotels. Economic considerations are another factor that any investors in the hotel need to consider. A project of this magnitude needs a considerable financial input if at all the project will success. In order for the project to have a firm economic base, the project team needs to recruit a potent project sponsor who will enable the project to be undertaken up to completion. Construction of tourist resorts like those in Valais need a considerable financial input, hence the project team would need to come up with enough capital. As much as the capital required for this massive project is high, the project would bring considerable returns, hence, the project team needs to consider this. The project team is further expected to be organized in its operations. By so doing, it will be possible for finances of the project to be well managed. Mismanagement of project funds would bring about project collapse; hence, it is the role of the project manager and project sponsor to ensure that the project is well managed. One way that the project team can guarantee noteworthy management of finances is by dividing the project into phases. Each phase will be allocated a specific financial kitty. The project team will be expected to stick to the allocated kitty, and by so doing, establishment of the hotel would be a success. In establishing the hotel, the project team would need to enhance product variety so that the constructed area would pull a considerable number of tourists. Valais has had considerable success in terms of tourism due to variety in its tourist attractions. This ranges from glaciers, hotels, resorts and beautiful sceneries. Therefore, the project team would be expected to ensure that its products are diverse so that tourism would be boosted after the project is completed. Limitation in the number of products would imply that only a minimal number of tourists would visit the completed project. This should not be allowed since; the hotel project in Valais is expected to benefit from the tourism potential at Valais. This would enhance earnings and personal connections. In all these activities, the project team would need to be fast and proficient in its operations. This would ensure that, the project is not only completed within the stipulated time frame, but is also done well so that the desired results are achieved. Project teams that would register success at this project are those that undertake various measures. From this, it would be possible for this project top bring about a tourism boom in Valais. Parameters of the project Tourism This project is expected to tap from the tourism potential of Valais. The project has a potential of bringing very many tourists, and, hence, foreign exchange to the owners and to the country as a whole. There are various reasons that predispose this project to be a success. Valais has very warm summers and cool winters whereby people are able to take part in various sporting activities. There are about 300 days of sunshine in this area of Switzerland. Coupled with summer activities and winter events, this would ensure that the project would bring about success. Secondly, there are various accommodation points and resorts in Valais which pulls tourists to the area for long holiday. As a result of this, the project would benefit from the long queue of tourists. Another reason why this project is likely to succeed in amplifying tourism in Valais is that the area has a rich French culture which would attract people from various French cultures, and boost tourism in the area (Morgan, 2008). Bettering Tourism in Valais Various measures can be put in place so that tourism in the area can be improved. For one, stakeholders in this industry need to enhance advertisements so that regions around Valais receive information concerning new tourist destinations in the area. For example, upon completion of the project, potent advertisements would ensure that tourists are aware of the new destination. Another way that stakeholders can ensure that tourism demand in the area is enhanced is through increasing the variety of tourist attractions. Diversifying these varieties would imply that people have wider options to choose from. This would enhance tourism in Valais. Valais also needs to reduce tourist’s expenditures by giving them tax waivers. Tourists come from as far as France and German so that they can witness the beautiful landscape and potent scenery. However, the taxes they are charged in the form of foreign exchange are extremely high. These taxes should have waivers, so that more and more tourists are encouraged to come and visit the area. The area receives various visitors from Switzerland and around the world as whole. However, the optimal market segment in terms of tourists comes from France and German. Valais is strategically located in Europe which has ensured that tourists from surrounding destinations come to this area. The French are notable due to the rich culture in this place considering that Valais is almost exclusively a French destination. The stakeholders of tourism need to target this market segment because they are closer to Valais as compared to the other countries. Another positive impact of considering this market segment is that the culture of Valais goes in tandem with this culture. Therefore, the area will receive visitors from this region all round the year. However, targeting this market segment would impact negatively on tourist activities in Valais since it would neglect other tourist from other destinations. As a result of this, the area would not be marketed extensively all around the world. All in all, Valais is a potent tourist attraction center in Switzerland. Therefore, tourism stakeholders need to increase projects in the area and tap the potential. Tourists are also encouraged to visit this area due to its noteworthy attractions. References Alan Lew, C. M. (2008). World Geography of Travel and Tourism: A Regional Approach. California: Butterworth-Heinemann. Allan M. Williams, G. S. (2008). Tourism and economic development: European experiences. New Jersey: J. Wiley. Ellul, A. (2008). Tourism and the environment in European countries, Issues 18-116. Geneva: Council of Europe. Friedl, J. (2008). Kippel: a changing village in the Alps. california: Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Hsu, C. H. (2009). Global tourism higher education: past, present, and future. London: Routledge. Michael Waeber, H. S. (2008). Valais West: 50 selected day walks round Sion, Sierre, Martigny and in the val de Zinal, val d'Herens, val de Bagnes and val d'Entremont. Lucerne: R. Rother. 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