Month: November 2024

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Domestic and inbound tourism – France

Domestic tourism in France is often about relaxation, cultural connection, and convenience. French residents might visit places like the peaceful countryside, the beaches, or the snowy Alps for skiing. They also enjoy attractions like Disneyland Paris (FRANCE.FR, no date). Inbound tourism, on the other hand, is focused on international travelers who come to see famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, or the châteaux of the Loire Valley. These visitors often seek luxury experiences, including wine tours in Bordeaux or shopping in Paris (Condor Ferries, 2024).

Domestic tourists in France usually take shorter trips, such as weekends or one- to two-week holidays, and often spend less, choosing budget-friendly options. Inbound tourists tend to stay longer because international trips require more planning. They spend more on average, investing in luxury hotels, guided tours, and French goods like wine, fashion, and gourmet products (UNWTO, no date).

French residents often prefer quieter, lesser-known areas, enjoying activities, exploring local markets, or visiting spa towns like Vichy. In contrast, inbound tourists focus on famous attractions and cities. Paris, Nice, and Lyon are popular, with many international visitors choosing guided tours, iconic photo spots, and cultural experiences (Condor Ferries, 2024).

Domestic tourists frequently use their own cars or the fast and efficient train network for their trips. They rarely take domestic flights. Inbound tourists typically arrive through international airports. Once in France, they rely on rental cars, tour buses, or public transportation, especially in major cities like Paris (FRANCE.FR, no date).

Domestic tourism in France peaks during school holidays and public breaks, such as summer vacations in July and August or the winter ski season. Many French residents travel to beaches in summer or mountains in winter. Inbound tourists visit year-round but prefer spring (April–June) and fall (September–October), when the weather is pleasant and crowds are smaller. December is also popular for Christmas markets and holiday events (Condor Ferries, 2024).

Domestic and inbound tourism in France differ in many ways. Domestic tourism is more focused on convenience and exploring lesser-known areas, while inbound tourism centers on iconic attractions and luxury experiences. Together, they showcase the diversity of France’s tourism industry (UNWTO, no date)

References –

&64;CondorFerries (2024) Latest France Tourism Statistics & Industry trends 2024, Condor Ferries. Available at: https://www.condorferries.co.uk/france-tourism-statistics (Accessed: 24 November 2024). 

Explore la France et ses merveilles – explore France (no date) FRANCE.FR. Available at: https://www.france.fr/ (Accessed: 24 November 2024). 

Un tourism: Bringing the world closer (no date) UN Tourism | Bringing the world closer. Available at: https://www.unwto.org/ (Accessed: 24 November 2024). 

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According to the Tourism Area Life Cycle destinations move through a series of stages, but is decline inevitable?

The Tourism Area Life Cycle (TALC), created by Richard Butler, explains how tourist destinations usually move through stages: exploration, involvement, development, consolidation, stagnation, and then either decline or rejuvenation. Decline, however, isn’t inevitable; destinations can recover if they adapt (Buler,1980).

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Blackpool became one of the UK’s most popular seaside spots, drawing visitors with its beach, Blackpool Tower, and lively entertainment. Over time, though, affordable overseas travel started to lure people away, and Blackpool’s attractions began to feel outdated, which led to a period of stagnation (Millson and Spina-Matthews, 2024).

But Blackpool didn’t just decline. Instead, it took steps to reinvent itself. It renovated key attractions like Blackpool Tower and the Pleasure Beach, began hosting the Blackpool Illuminations, and modernised its seafront (A Better Blackpool, 2024).

Also, the town focuses on attracting new types of visitors, like families and business travelers. With the development of the Enterprise Zone, a modernised town center business hub, a £30 million conference center, and ambitious plans for full-fiber gigabit internet connectivity, Blackpool offers an exciting future for businesses. Combined with extensive support and advisory services, there’s plenty for both existing businesses and new ones to look forward to in this vibrant location (A Better Blackpool, 2024).

Blackpool’s residents are also set to benefit from £90 million of regeneration investments to support the creation of new, well-designed homes and neighborhoods to transform local communities (Walker, 2024).

Finally, Blackpool’s experience shows that, while decline is a risk, it’s not unavoidable. Destinations can revitalise tourism by updating attractions and offering new experiences. With the right actions, places like Blackpool can adapt and thrive instead of falling into decline (Millson and Spina-Matthews, 2024).

References ~

A better Blackpool (2024) A Better Blackpool. Available at: https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Your-Council/Creating-a-better-Blackpool/A-better-Blackpool.aspx#:~:text=With%20the%20development%20of%20the,look%20forward%20to%20for%20businesses (Accessed: 21 November 2024). 

Millson, G. and Spina-Matthews, S. (2024) Blackpool’s £300m regeneration firm files for Administration, BBC News. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2dlg4plkwko (Accessed: 21 November 2024). 

Walker, E. (2024) Inside blackpool’s regeneration story, The Lead. Available at: https://thelead.uk/inside-blackpools-regeneration-story (Accessed: 21 November 2024).