Growth of tourism as an industry (Cambridge International IGCSE Geography)

Specification link

This page covers sections 9.3.1 and 9.3.2 of the CIE IGCSE specification.

• 9.3.1- The factors that have led to the growth of tourism as an industry.
• 9.3.2 - The Butler model and its strengths and limitations.

Factors leading to the growth of tourism

Spec point — The factors that have led to the growth of tourism as an industry

• Tourism is one aspect of globalisation

  • It is defined as time spent away from the home environment for leisure, business or professional reasons

• Over the last 50 years, mass tourism has expanded into a major global industry

• In 2024, the global tourism industry contributed $10.9 trillion to the global economy, accounting for 10% of global GDP

• International visitor spending in 2024 was $1.9 trillion

• The tourism sector accounts for 357 million jobs worldwide

• Europe remains the region with the greatest number of tourist arrivals, with France being the top destination

• Approximately, 53% of inbound tourism is for leisure (holiday); the second reason is for visiting friends and relatives

• The main reasons for the increase in tourism are as follows:

Improvements in transport

• The development of low-cost airlines, such as easyJet and Ryanair, has led to cheaper and faster air travel
• Expansion of high-speed rail networks (e.g. TGV in France, Shinkansen in Japan)
• Larger cruise ships make international travel more accessible.
• There has been an improvement in road networks and an increase in the ownership of private cars

Economic factors

• Increased disposable incomes: typically, both couples work, which boosts the amount of money coming into the home, especially in emerging economies (China, Brazil)
• Better pay and leave benefits in many countries: most workers now work less than 40 hours a week and have paid annual leave
• Globalisation has expanded middle-class populations, creating new tourist markets

Technological developments

• Online booking platforms such as Booking.com and Airbnb have experienced significant growth
• Instant access to information via smartphones and the internet
• Technology lets tourists share their experiences and influence others (social media effect)

Social and cultural change

• More people are becoming aware of and interested in different cultures and environments
• People now value experiences more than material goods
• Specialist tourism is growing, including eco-tourism, adventure tourism, and medical tourism

Political factors

• There are more open borders and fewer visa restrictions in many regions
• Political stability in many regions has created new travel destinations
• International agreements make travel easier, like the Schengen Area in Europe

Marketing and media

• National tourist boards launch global marketing campaigns
• Popular culture, like films and television, often highlight specific locations, such as New Zealand in 'The Lord of the Rings'

Demographic factors

• The population is ageing and has the means and leisure to travel, a trend known as 'grey tourism'
• Young travellers taking gap years and backpacking
• There is an increasing trend of family mobility and multi-generational travel

Environmental factors

• More people are showing interest in natural landscapes and wildlife tourism

• Awareness of sustainable travel options

• Physical landscapes such as:

  • Tropical islands with beaches, warm waters, coral reefs, palm trees, etc.
  • Mountains for hiking, walking and climbing
  • Coastal bays, headlands and cliffs, etc.

What is the Butler model?

Spec point — The Butler model and its strengths and limitations.

• Richard W. Butler proposed the Butler Model in 1980 to describe the life cycle of tourist resorts
• It shows us how tourism changes over time and how destinations can handle their growth

The Butler Model showing the life cycle of a tourist resort

Stages of the model

1. Exploration

• Small numbers of adventurous tourists discover a location
• There are limited tourist facilities, and the impact is minimal

2. Involvement

• Local people offer basic services like homestays and guiding
• Interest is growing through word of mouth

3. Development

• Larger companies invest in the area
• Significant tourism infrastructure develops (hotels, transport)
• The number of tourists increases rapidly

4. Consolidation

• Tourism becomes the dominant economic activity
• The destination gains a strong reputation; however, negative impacts such as pollution and congestion begin to emerge

5. Stagnation

• Visitor numbers peak
• The environment and local culture may suffer
• The resort loses appeal due to overcrowding and loss of authenticity

6. Rejuvenation, continued stagnation or decline

• Rejuvenation: The destination reinvents itself by promoting eco-tourism and heritage tourism, attracting new markets
• Continued stagnation: The destination invests the minimum amount in infrastructure and services and fails to adapt to changing preferences
• Decline: Tourists go elsewhere, businesses close and the area deteriorates

Strengths and limitations of the Butler model

Spec point — The Butler model and its strengths and limitations.

Strengths of the Butler Model

• The Butler Model offers a clear visual representation of how tourism evolves.
• The Butler Model helps with planning and management by encouraging proactive rejuvenation.
• The Butler Model is flexible, as it can be applied to a wide range of destinations

Limitations of the Butler Model

• This model is simple — real-world development rarely follows clear stages
• It does not consider global shocks like pandemics and terrorism that can suddenly change trends
• All destinations eventually decline or rejuvenate, but some remain stagnant or stay stable for long periods
• External factors such as climate change, political change, and economic crises are not well represented

Using the Butler Model to promote sustainable tourism

• This approach allows planners to spot stagnation and put sustainable strategies in place early

  • Control the number of visitors (the carrying capacity)
  • Develop sustainable transport and lodging options
  • Help local communities so that tourism benefits everyone
  • Protect natural and cultural heritage

• Recognises the need for constant innovation to prevent stagnation and decline

Is the model still relevant today?

• Yes, but there are some conditions
• New forms of tourism, such as digital nomadism and remote eco-tourism, make tourist life cycles more complex
• The model offers valuable insights for long-term planning, particularly in cities facing overtourism, such as Venice and Barcelona
• In the digital age, tourist destinations can quickly rise and fall, with stages compressing or repeating unpredictably
• Sustainability is now more important than when the model was first introduced