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O level Geography – Tourism
1. a) What do you understand by the terms ‘‘recreation’’ and ‘‘tourism’’? (4 marks). Approximate time to answer the question — 8 minutes.

“The term tourism refers to the industry that provides for tourists such as the tour operators and the provision of hotels. It also refers to the process travel by a tourist.”

“Recreation is an activity that somebody chooses to do in his or her spare time for the purposes of health both mental and physical, pleasure, fun, intellectual stimulation or any combination of these. It differs from sport as it is not governed by a strict set of rules but sport can be recreation if it is pursued primarily for the reasons outlined above.”

b) For a region or regions you have studied examine the effects of recreation and tourism on the human and physical environment.

(10 marks). Approximate time to answer the question — 20 minutes.

You need to be careful to differentiate between the impacts of tourism and the impacts of recreation.

To gain the highest marks you should have a balanced answer that examine impacts of recreation and tourism on the built and physical environment. You should also make specific references to places.

Some factors you could discuss are outlined below . . .

Impact of recreation on the built environment include:

The built environment can be conserved or enhanced as tourism is used to regenerate an area. In the Bristol dockside regeneration several listed buildings have been renovated and now form a vibrant part of the economy. Specifically related to recreation would be the Watershed media centre or the new ‘‘@Bristol’’ interactive technology museum that are based in listed buildings.

The growth in the leisure industry has seen the development of many purpose built ‘‘health clubs’’ such as those under the David Lloyd banner.

Impact of recreation on the physical environment include:

Footpath erosion is a problem in all national parks these days as a result of the increase in walking and mountain biking. Problems are particularly bad in the Peak district and Snowdonia.

Scuba diving has led to the destruction in many areas of coral reef. As a consequence scuba diving in Australia is covered by strict legislation.

Many regions of the European Alps have faced major deforestation as new ski runs are made to provide for the increased demand. This has increased the frequency and impact of avalanches.

Impact of tourism on the built environment include:

In areas of historic importance many buildings are suffering badly because of the increase in tourism. The physical numbers can erode away steps whilst the increase in corrosive fumes from cars and coaches can corrode buildings.

The vibrations from vehicles can also have an effect on the foundations of buildings. Both of these are occurring in many areas of historic Greece.

Tourism can have a beneficial effect on the built environment as entrance charges can pay for the maintenance or renovation of historic buildings. The National trust care for over 200 hundred historic buildings including entire villages using money from entrance fees and subscriptions. They are also helping to preserve over 600 miles of the UK’s coastline.

Impact of tourism on the physical environment include:

Again tourism can benefit a natural environment if the tourism is affectively managed. As mentioned above the National Trust has used entrance fees and subscriptions to manage and conserve over 600 miles of the UK’s coast.

A less desirable impact is the deforestation and loss of natural habitat that occurs when a holiday complex is built. The large hotels on the Costa del Sol and Goa could be used as examples.

Hotel complexes demand a vast quantity of water for watering gardens, laundry, guests and swimming pools. This can have a disastrous effect by lowering the water table. This can effect crop growth or cause springs to dry up. Very often the locals are dependent on these springs for their water. This has occurred in Goa.

2. a) Identify two major changes in global tourism that have occurred in the past twenty-five years. (4 marks)

a) There are several major changes that you could choose from including:

Increase in numbers of international and domestic tourists.

Greater diversity of destinations including more long haul destinations.

The growth of tourism in the developing world.

Greater diversification in holiday type to include activity based, culture based, safari type, educative, theme park holidays (Disney world).

Increase in the duration of holidays.

b) Explain why these changes have occurred.

(10 marks)

b) Depending on your answers to 2a you should refer to several of the following factors:

More holidays: paid holidays increased

A smaller world: faster travel time increase tourism

Development: Governments promote tourism as it can benefit their economy

Elderly: Health care and pensions has meant that people are living longer

Society: Holidays are a normal part of Western society

Income: People are earning more than ever before and prices are relatively cheaper

Communication: TV travel programmes raise awareness whilst credit cards and ICT makes booking holidays easier

You will be marked on your ability to identify relevant factors from the above options and relate them to your answer for ‘‘2a’’. For a ten-mark question you should be fully explaining at least four factors.

3. a) For an area you have studied explain why it is in need of regeneration. (4 marks)

For this question you need good case study knowledge.

a) You would have 10 minutes at most for this bit. Clearly state the reasons why the area is/ was rundown.

b) How has tourism been utilised to regenerate the area mentioned in 3a?

b) You would have 10 minutes maximum for this as well. You’ll need good knowledge of your case study so you can clearly explain what has been done to regenerate the area and importantly what part tourism has played. Your answer could include:

The area identified for redevelopment

The source of finance

How the environment was improved.

What tourist attractions were developed

c) Evaluate the success of the regeneration programme you have discussed.

c) 10 marks available so approximately 20 minutes of time.

This is an evaluation question so you have to look at the good points and bad points. It is a good idea to quickly scribble down as many as you can think of on a piece of rough paper so that you can plan you answer.

It is important to discuss good and bad, as this is what the examiner will be looking for.

4. a) What do you understand by the term sustainable tourism? (2 marks)

a) 4 minutes for this. Simple definition, something like . . .

“Sustainable tourism is the term that refers to tourism which utilizes resources (Coastlines, wildlife, Mountains, historic buildings) to benefit people today but through effective management also conserves those resources for future generations. It is often small scale with local people involved in the decision-making and management. Profits are invested back into the local community or natural environment.”

b) State a case study example of sustainable tourism and justify your choice.

b) 5 marks — 10 minutes.

Think about what we have just said sustainable tourism is and try and fit a case study to it. One that is very relevant is Operation Campfire.

To justify your choice simply explain why it is an example of sustainable tourism. There are 5 marks available so 3 well explained points would be enough.

3 factors you could expand on from operation campfire could be . . .

The fact that they only cull 5 percent of the wildlife so the resource is infinite and will therefore benefit future generations.

Any profits from hunting licenses are injected back into the villages so local people are benefiting from the tourism. Profits are used to build hospitals and schools

Local people are the decision makers so they can get optimum benefit from the resources.

c) How can tourism be used to improve the quality of life in developing world countries?

c) 8 marks — 16 minutes.

To explain how tourism can improve the quality of life in the developing world you should refer to case studies when you can and discuss at least 4 of the following points:

A valuable source of foreign currency

Reduce levels of unemployment

Improves the infra-structure — better for industry

Can provide new training and education

Multiplier effect — encouraging supportive industries

Need to make sure you have local owners and employees to reduce leakage

Foreign currency can be invested in schools, hospitals, housing programmes etc. (Marks available: 15). — s-cool.co.uk

O level Geography – Tourism
1. a) What do you understand by the terms ‘‘recreation’’ and ‘‘tourism’’? (4 marks). Approximate time to answer the question — 8 minutes.
“The term tourism refers to the industry that provides for tourists such as the tour operators and the provision of hotels. It also refers to the process travel by a tourist.”
“Recreation is an activity that somebody chooses to do in his or her spare time for the purposes of health both mental and physical, pleasure, fun, intellectual stimulation or any combination of these. It differs from sport as it is not governed by a strict set of rules but sport can be recreation if it is pursued primarily for the reasons outlined             above.”
b) For a region or regions you have studied examine the effects of recreation and tourism on the human and physical environment.
(10 marks). Approximate time to answer the question — 20 minutes.
You need to be careful to differentiate between the impacts of tourism and the impacts of recreation.
To gain the highest marks you should have a balanced answer that examine impacts of recreation and tourism on the built and physical environment. You should also make specific references to places.
Some factors you could discuss are outlined below . . .
Impact of recreation on the built environment include:
The built environment can be conserved or enhanced as tourism is used to regenerate an area. In the Bristol dockside regeneration several listed buildings have been renovated and now form a vibrant part of the economy. Specifically related to recreation would be the Watershed media centre or the new ‘‘@Bristol’’ interactive technology museum that are based in listed buildings.
The growth in the leisure industry has seen the development of many purpose built ‘‘health clubs’’ such as those under the David Lloyd banner.
Impact of recreation on the physical environment include:
Footpath erosion is a problem in all national parks these days as a result of the increase in walking and mountain biking. Problems are particularly bad in the Peak district and Snowdonia.
Scuba diving has led to the destruction in many areas of coral reef. As a consequence scuba diving in Australia is covered by strict legislation.
Many regions of the European Alps have faced major deforestation as new ski runs are made to provide for the increased demand. This has increased the frequency and impact of avalanches.
Impact of tourism on the built environment include:
In areas of historic importance many buildings are suffering badly because of the increase in tourism. The physical numbers can erode away steps whilst the increase in corrosive fumes from cars and coaches can corrode buildings.
The vibrations from vehicles can also have an effect on the foundations of buildings. Both of these are occurring in many areas of historic Greece.
Tourism can have a beneficial effect on the built environment as entrance charges can pay for the maintenance or renovation of historic buildings. The National trust care for over 200 hundred historic buildings including entire villages using money from entrance fees and subscriptions. They are also helping to preserve over 600 miles of the UK’s coastline.
Impact of tourism on the physical environment include:
Again tourism can benefit a natural environment if the tourism is affectively managed. As mentioned above the National Trust has used entrance fees and subscriptions to manage and conserve over 600 miles of the UK’s coast.
A less desirable impact is the deforestation and loss of natural habitat that occurs when a holiday complex is built. The large hotels on the Costa del Sol and Goa could be used as examples.
Hotel complexes demand a vast quantity of water for watering gardens, laundry, guests and swimming pools. This can have a disastrous effect by lowering the water table. This can effect crop growth or cause springs to dry up. Very often the locals are dependent on these springs for their water. This has occurred in Goa.
2. a) Identify two major changes in global tourism that have occurred in the past twenty-five years. (4 marks)
a) There are several major changes that you could choose from including:
Increase in numbers of international and domestic tourists.
Greater diversity of destinations including more long haul destinations.
The growth of tourism in the developing world.
Greater diversification in holiday type to include activity based, culture based, safari type, educative, theme park holidays (Disney world).
Increase in the duration of holidays.
b) Explain why these changes have occurred.
(10 marks)
b) Depending on your answers to 2a you should refer to several of the following factors:
More holidays: paid holidays increased
A smaller world: faster travel time increase tourism
Development: Governments promote tourism as it can benefit their economy
Elderly: Health care and pensions has meant that people are living longer
Society: Holidays are a normal part of Western society
Income: People are earning more than ever before and prices are relatively cheaper
Communication: TV travel programmes raise awareness whilst credit cards and ICT makes booking holidays easier
You will be marked on your ability to identify relevant factors from the above options and relate them to your answer for ‘‘2a’’. For a ten-mark question you should be fully explaining at least four factors.
3. a) For an area you have studied explain why it is in need of regeneration. (4 marks)
For this question you need good case study knowledge.
a) You would have 10 minutes at most for this bit. Clearly state the reasons why the area is/ was rundown.
b) How has tourism been utilised to regenerate the area mentioned in 3a?
b) You would have 10 minutes maximum for this as well. You’ll need good knowledge of your case study so you can clearly explain what has been done to regenerate the area and importantly what part tourism has played. Your answer could include:
The area identified for redevelopment
The source of finance
How the environment was improved.
What tourist attractions were developed
c) Evaluate the success of the regeneration programme you have discussed.
c) 10 marks available so approximately 20 minutes of time.
This is an evaluation question so you have to look at the good points and bad points. It is a good idea to quickly scribble down as many as you can think of on a piece of rough paper so that you can plan you answer.
It is important to discuss good and bad, as this is what the examiner will be looking for.
4. a) What do you understand by the term sustainable tourism? (2 marks)
a) 4 minutes for this. Simple definition, something like . . .
“Sustainable tourism is the term that refers to tourism which utilizes resources (Coastlines, wildlife, Mountains, historic buildings) to benefit people today but through effective management also conserves those resources for future generations. It is often small scale with local people involved in the decision-making and management. Profits are invested back into the local community or natural environment.”
b) State a case study example of sustainable tourism and justify your choice.
b) 5 marks — 10 minutes.
Think about what we have just said sustainable tourism is and try and fit a case study to it. One that is very relevant is Operation Campfire.
To justify your choice simply explain why it is an example of sustainable tourism. There are 5 marks available so 3 well explained points would be enough.
3 factors you could expand on from operation campfire could be . . .
The fact that they only cull 5 percent of the wildlife so the resource is infinite and will therefore benefit future generations.
Any profits from hunting licenses are injected back into the villages so local people are benefiting from the tourism. Profits are used to build hospitals and schools
Local people are the decision makers so they can get optimum benefit from the resources.
c) How can tourism be used to improve the quality of life in developing world countries?
c) 8 marks — 16 minutes.
To explain how tourism can improve the quality of life in the developing world you should refer to case studies when you can and discuss at least 4 of the following points:
A valuable source of foreign currency
Reduce levels of unemployment
Improves the infra-structure — better for industry
Can provide new training and education
Multiplier effect — encouraging supportive industries
Need to make sure you have local owners and employees to reduce leakage
Foreign currency can be invested in schools, hospitals, housing programmes etc. (Marks available: 15). — s-cool.co.uk