Chapter Nine:

Destinations

Cook: Tourism: The Business of Travel, 3rd edition (c) 2006 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved

Learning Objectives
Explain how destinations combine many of the suppliers
in the tourism industry
Describe the similarities and differences among the
destination resorts, resort areas/communities, and
urban tourist destinations
Identify the major classifications of destination resorts
Identify the types of services and facilities that may be
included in resort operations
Identify the recreational amenities that guest may
encounter at resort locations
Explain why cruise ships are considered floating
destination resorts

Cook: Tourism: The Business of Travel, 3rd edition (c) 2006 Pearson Education, Upper

Introduction
Destinations bring together the services of a
variety of tourism suppliers in one place
Primary goal of serving vacationers
Include locales featuring beauty, special
weather conditions, and/or entertainment
opportunities
Usually are accessible and close to heavily
populated areas

Cook: Tourism: The Business of Travel, 3rd edition (c) 2006 Pearson Education, Upper

From Resorts to Urban

Destinations
Early U.S., Europe and Roman resorts
were health spas
Appeal of resorts has been transferred
from rest to recreation
A resort is a specific place to enjoy in
its own right in addition to serving as a
gateway to other resources.
Cook: Tourism: The Business of Travel, 3rd edition (c) 2006 Pearson Education, Upper

Classifying Destinations
Seasonality classification
Summer resorts, winter resorts, winter vacation
resorts, and four-season resorts

Trip type classification

Cruise, beach, casino, ski, summer country resorts

Umbrella classification
Integrated resorts, town resorts, retreat resorts

Strategic grouping
Used to categorize destinations into groups that are
similar
Cook: Tourism: The Business of Travel, 3rd edition (c) 2006 Pearson Education, Upper

Far from the Maddening Crowds

Significantly affected by changes in weather
yet have little commercial development
Hunting and fishing resorts
Retreats and guest ranches

Challenges faced by these seasonal, low

commercialization resorts
Hire and train staff in a very short period of time
Open the resort each season
Often difficult to obtain necessary supplies and
services due to location
Cook: Tourism: The Business of Travel, 3rd edition (c) 2006 Pearson Education, Upper

Links to the past

Primarily consist of religious and
heritage sites
May or may not be affected by season
Less modern commercial development
Some experts believe heritage tourism
is the hottest trend in the industry

Cook: Tourism: The Business of Travel, 3rd edition (c) 2006 Pearson Education, Upper

Seasonal Delights
Some effect due to weather but greater
commercialization lessens seasonal effect
Traditional resorts attempting to gain visitors
during longer period of time than the
traditional season
Provide and escape from the heat or cold
Expansion of the attractions/recreation
possibilities in resort areas
Cook: Tourism: The Business of Travel, 3rd edition (c) 2006 Pearson Education, Upper

Spotlight on Sporting Activities

Affected by seasonal weather and are high in
commercial development
Snow Holiday Resorts
Unpredictable weather patterns for snow
Reduce risk by investing in snow making equipment
Opposition from environmental groups
Offer summer recreational opportunities

Golf Resorts
Recreational activity and social event
Influence on meeting planners site selection decision
Course design is a key factor to success
Greens fees and other golf support services are
important source of revenue
Cook: Tourism: The Business of Travel, 3rd edition (c) 2006 Pearson Education, Upper

Year-Round Playgrounds
Only slightly affected by seasonal changes and
highly developed
Offer a complex blend of facilities and services
Spas
Resort specializing in the rejuvenation of mind and body
Often a piece of larger resorts
Key feature is complete guest pampering

Cruise ships
Fastest growing segment of the travel industry
Floating destination resorts in consumers minds

Cook: Tourism: The Business of Travel, 3rd edition (c) 2006 Pearson Education, Upper

Year-Round Playgrounds, continued

Casino resorts
Have added non-gaming activities to transform casino
into resort
Spread of gaming resorts throughout US and Canada
Mega-resort theme park/casinos appeal to families and
just about everyone

Integrated resorts
Located so that they can be appealing all year round
Similar to cruises in the variety of activities

Cook: Tourism: The Business of Travel, 3rd edition (c) 2006 Pearson Education, Upper

Bright Lights and City Sights

Urban areas that have developed into
tourist destinations
Urban destination has an image that
sets it apart from other urban areas

Cook: Tourism: The Business of Travel, 3rd edition (c) 2006 Pearson Education, Upper

Building on Success
Greater affluence worldwide will
increase travel to resorts
More targeted marketing will also
increase demand
Gaining year-round business by
targeting groups and conventions

Cook: Tourism: The Business of Travel, 3rd edition (c) 2006 Pearson Education, Upper