Global tourismMass tourism

Tourism develops due to natural and man-made factors. It is a global issue with positive and negative effects. Responsible management can minimise the impact of tourism in the 21st century.

Part ofGeographyTourism

Mass tourism

Features

occurs when large numbers of people visit the same place at any one time. This includes sunbathing on a beach, eg the Costa Del Sol (Spain), skiing in the mountains such as the Swiss Alps, visiting a such as Loch Lomond and the Trossachs (Scotland), or travelling to a theme park, eg Disney World in Florida.

Tourists sunbathing
Figure caption,
Tourists sunbathing

Governments and local people often favour mass tourism as it generates a lot of income. Mass tourism is often the most popular forms of tourism as it is usually the cheapest way to go on holiday, by booking a package deal through a .

Causes of mass tourism

  • Improvements in - road, rail and air travel.
  • Purpose built , and holiday camps.
  • Increase in paid time off work, following the 1871 .
  • Ability to finance time off work with holiday pay, following the 1938 .
  • More free time to travel and holiday at home and abroad.
  • Enhanced and more .
  • The impact of and travel agents making it easier to holiday with , which often include flights, transfers and meals.
  • Travel programmes on TV and encouraging people to visit different places.
  • Cheap package holidays and budget airlines making holidays more affordable to many people.
  • Attitudes to going abroad have changed as tour operators eliminate the stress by employing in the resorts.
  • Desire to experience different climates and guaranteed sunshine - away from the great Scottish summer!
  • Demand to explore different places of , , or interest.

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