The Whole Tourism System - Travelling from Sydney to Hong Kong via Singapore - Case Study Example

Whole Tourism System is a topic which is gaining relevance and is a system where the different elements look towards interacting and interrelating with each other and plays the role in the environment they are present (Leiper, 2004). The interaction between the Whole Tourism System and the environment helps to create the required system which helps to generate the required interaction between the elements (Weaver & Lawton, 2010). This helps to find the manner the different elements of the environment like PESTEL have an effect of the tourism industry. The importance of Whole Tourism System has increased as it includes the five different elements which have a relation with each other and is required in the tourism industry (Leiper, 2004). As a different part a system has Whole Tourism System also has some inputs, a process and output which complete the entire system (Backer, 2008). The five elements which are very important in the tourism industry and have relevance in Whole Tourism System are tourist generating region, the tourist transit route, tourist destination region (TDR), the human element and the organisational element (Leiper, 2004). The most important part of these five elements is that they work together and cannot be separated (Daichi, 2007). This helps to find tourist generating region as a place where tourist resides and work (Weaver & Lawton, 2010) and also can be identified as a source where the tour states and end for tourist (Daichi, 2007). The tour tends to include different factors like leisure time, destination information, tourist places, the different motivating factors (123helpme, 2005) which has a role in tours and helps to determine the manner in which the conditions have an effect on the trips (Weaver & Lawton, 2010). The above mentioned factors have a role in the tourism industry and tourists that are able to identify these factors are able to build a positive impression which helps them to satisfy their urge and enhance their experience. This helps to understand transit route as the path followed by the tourist to reach their tourist generating region as it has an effect on the overall experience of tourist (123helpme, 2005). Tourists are attracted to these regions because of a mixture of different factors and attractions which make the tourist come to these places again and again (Weaver & Lawton, 2010). There are certain factors like cost of travel, time of travel, stop points, service quality and others which have a relevance of transit route (Weaver & Lawton, 2010). Thus, it is important that the tourist generating region covers various points so that most of the travelling results in enhanced experience. This helps to identify tourist destination place as one where tourist tend to stay for a short duration (Backer, 2008). This thereby makes the Whole Tourism System include different aspects like food, transport and other facilities which change the outlook of the tourism industry (Weaver & Lawton, 2010).Thus, the overall management constitutes an important aspect of the Whole Tourism System as managing the human aspect and the geographical areas towards the enhancement of pleasure reckoned by tourist helps to ensure higher satisfaction. This paper thereby looks into the Whole Tourism System where tourist travelling from Sydney to Hong Kong via Singapore has been looked into. This route has been taken as the transit route instead of Sydney to Hong Kong via Macau because Singapore and Hong Kong have very similar characteristics being depicted by the people. This will help the tourist understand the culture better and will tend to attract more tourist (HKTB, 2011). Hong Kong will tend to attract more tourists because of the different attractions present there. The most important is that it is a shopping paradise which will tend to attract tourist who have a desire to shop (Yeung, Wong, & Ko, 2004). Along, with the shopping facilities available at Hong Kong the location also attracts tourist. Hong Kong has a splendid location which tends to attract all tourists as the climatic factor suits most; the goods have a price quality equality, proper security arrangements and services which helps to enhance the pleasure of tourist (Cho 2008). The fact that the surrounding environment in Hong Kong generates a feeling of purchasing new product it will tend to attract all tourists wanting and having a desire to purchase (Lau & McKercher, 2006). This helps to find out price, availability, variety, timing, quality and value of spending which has a role in determining the demand for tourist destination (Yeung, Wong, & Ko, 2004). A research supports the findings which have been conducted by Yeung, Wong and Ko (2004) which states that price is one of the most important factor which tends to attract tourist to Hong Kong as the place is inexpensive and the goods are available easily. Hong Kong is also attracting tourist for the heritage sites which have a presence in Hong Kong and appeals to a certain section of tourist. Heritage also contributes towards attracting tourist as it provides the required knowledge regarding the culture and identity about Hong Kong (Henderson, 2002). The heritage out here includes both the tangible and intangible objects along with the conducive environment which is friendly and tends to attract tourist and makes them feel at home (Lau & McKercher, 2006).This has been supported by a research by Henderson (2002) which states that steps to promote the cultural heritage has helped in attracting tourist to Hong Kong (Henderson, 2002). Hong Kong has an advantage in terms of it as the location as the places are nearby thereby enabling the tourist to manage the travel time. Another factor having a role here is the location which is accessible by all. With the availability of different mode of transport the tourist travelling to Hong Kong can manage the time factor and ensure that they are able to reach the places easily and comfortably (Lau & McKercher, 2006). The availability of flights to Hong Kong makes it a destination easily approachable by tourist. Tourist visiting to different location look to find out the time taken to travel from one place to another as it determined their stay duration (Lau & McKercher, 2006). Hong Kong thereby presents an opportunity for tourist as the location and different tourist attractions make it a destination which can be easily reached by all tourist. Tourists prefer Hong Kong as a preferable destination for short duration as the culture in Hong Kong has similarity with the culture of people travelling to the country. Another finding which helps to find the kind of travellers visiting Hong Kong shows that Hong Kong is visited most by families followed by businessman and friends (Kayak, 2011). The prime reason which tends to attract people like adults and children to Hong Kong is the variety of destinations available to people visiting Hong Kong. This is seen by the fact that Ocean Park tends to attract families as the theme museum can be a learning curve where children and families can enhance their knowledge and also enjoy the various games which are present there (Kayak, 2011). The location, attraction and shopping experience have ensured growth in tourist visiting to Hong Kong. This has been supported by Hong Kong Tourism Board (2011) which shows that tourist making a short haul stay tend to visit Hong Kong more often when we don’t consider China and Macau. This is seen from the data presented by ESDlife (2011) highlighting the increase in number of visitors to Hong Kong after 2008. There is slight difference when we consider the long term haul as the number is 60% of the tourist visiting the place (HKTB, 2011). The manner in which Hong Kong tends to provide different attractions to tourist has helped to attract people and has also ensured a steady income for the country. The economy of Hong Kong has grown due to it as seen by a study by Sinclair (1998) which shows that economies which have a high contribution of tourism are able to sustain high growth rates as it helps to earn foreign exchange and employment opportunities for the country (Sinclair, 1998). The Whole Tourism System will thereby help to generate more employment as seen from the growth in the accommodation business which has grown and increased the income earned from accommodation (Cheung & Law, 2001). Tourism thereby contributes towards the economy of Hong Kong and has been affected by the recent economic crisis (Song, Lin, Zhan & Gao, 2010). Thus the Whole Tourism System helps in generation of foreign exchange. This is seen by a finding from Song, Lin, Zhan and Gao (2010) showing that more and more people tend to be attracted towards tourism industry as it is making a change in their carrier and helping to improve the financial position. The development of different transport facilities like train, buses, ferries, flights and road ways have helped to change the manner in which the tourism industry has grown in Hong Kong and has contributed towards the growth (Tong & Wong, 1997). There are various factors which have ensured growth in the business like marketing, tours, food and transport which has helped and contributed towards the growth of tourism business (Weaver & Lawton, 2010). Also, the frequency and timing of different modes has helped to ensure that the tourists are attracted to the destinations. It is thereby seen that tourist visiting to Hong Kong travel for the purpose of shopping, recreational and other purposes thereby attracting tourist and helping the tour operators to ensure that the trip is managed smoothly. The paper thereby presents that the five elements required in the tourism industry is a must and should be looked into. People tend to be attracted to Hong Kong due to enhanced shopping experience, attractions and heritage sites. Also, the fact that the geographical location and travelling time within Hong Kong is managed well and ensures the required time frame for tourist tends to attract more tourists. Hong Kong also tend to attract tourist more for short hauls and provides access to different parks, educational themes and learning both for the families and children. This has resulted in more families being attracted towards Hong Kong. This has thereby affected the economy and has helped in earning foreign exchange which has greatly contributed towards the growth. Thus tourism industry has a large role to play followed by the transport industry in Whole Tourism System. This helps tourist in ensuring that their tours plan are managed efficiently and helps to enhance their experience. References 123 helpme 2005, The tourism system and Singapore, viewed December 27 2011, . Backer, E 2008, Visiting the Destination or Visiting US? A look at VFR Tourism, viewed December 27 2011, . Cheung, C & Law, R 2001, ‘Determinants of tourism hotel expenditure in Hong Kong’, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 151 – 159. Cho, V 2008, ‘Linking location attractiveness and tourist intention’, Tourism and Hospitality Research, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 220 – 225. Daichi, I 2007, The challenge to research in an ecosystem approach for reorganizing the tourism system, viewed December 27 2011, . EDSlife 2011, Facts and Statistics, viewed December 27 2011, . Henderson, JC 2002, ‘Heritage attractions and tourism development in Asia: a comparative study of Hong Kong and Singapore’, International Journal of Tourism Research, vol. 4, no. 5, pp. 337 – 344. Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) 2011, Location, viewed December 27 2011, . Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) 2011, Visitor arrivals to Hong Kong in 2010, viewed December 27 2011, . Lau, G & Mckercher, B 2006, ‘Understanding tourist movement patterns in a destination : A GIS approach’, Tourism and Hospitality Research, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 39 – 49. Leiper, N 2004, Tourism Management, 3rd edn, Sydney, Pearson, Australia. 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