Video #7 Attractions (12 narrated slides, 7:32)
Channel: Stan McGahey
Date: 2015-04-13

Link: https://youtu.be/FhZti3VZHfc
Slide #1: Welcome to video #7 in my series of presentations that will attempt to “demystify tourism”.  I’m Dr. Stan McGahey, the creator and narrator of the videos. Slide #2: “Attractions”, the “to do” sector, is the most important.  Without attractions, nobody would go anywhere, and there would no need to provide facilities for sleeping and eating. But wherever there are Attractions, the other sectors soon follow. Attractions define a destination. Their popularity makes you want to stay for an hour, a day, a week, or longer, and to visit only once, or return again. Slide #3: Attractions are whatever makes a place interesting enough to visit and stay awhile.  Attractions are based on two types of resources, natural and cultural (which includes manmade, and built attractions).   Primary attractions, are the main purpose of a visit, while secondary attractions round out a stay, or are visited enroute. Some attractions are part of the private sector, others are government-owned. Some are free, and some are paid. 
Slide #4: Attractions based on natural resources range from mountains and beaches to sunshine and snowfall. Wildlife and sea life are valuable to tourism. Any wonder that Tanzania’s most popular attractions are its “Big 5” wildlife? Sea life attracts tourists the world over to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Slide #5: Cultural attractions include the things people make, perform, or do that interests you. Would you visit India without seeing the Taj Mahal? Is a stay in Paris complete without visiting the Louvre? Would you enjoy dining at a potlatch with Eskimos? How about a ballet in Moscow? Would you like to run with the bulls in Pamplona? Slide #6: The traditional tourist activity is sightseeing, especially the “must see” sights. Tourists visiting as part of a tour itinerary normally see the highlights. Independent travelers can take a day tour or use their guidebook or an app. Sights that are clustered make popular itineraries.  Other tourist activities include all types of recreation and sports and the all-time favorites, shopping, people watching, and pub crawling. Slide #7: A destination with a highly-desirable attractions mix has enough variety, at all price levels, to satisfy various target markets, as well as everyone in a group, regardless of age, interest, or physical condition. It has indoor and outdoor attractions that satisfy tourists regardless of the weather conditions, or time of the year. A major destination also has exciting attractions open every day, with special events during the holidays.  A strong attractions mix makes the destination much easier to promote to multiple segments and source markets. Slide #8: Research shows that tourists want more active vacations, but also an increased interest in entertainment. So both ends of the spectrum must be provided in the attractions mix.  People are most attracted to other people. When we travel, we want to learn about other cultures and appreciate the beauty of their fine and performing arts. Entertainment is enjoyable and also reveals fascinating elements of history and modern culture. Nightlife extends the excitement of each travel day to its fullest and enables us to socialize with locals on their own terms, meet others tourists, and sometimes find romance and intrigue. 
Slide #9: My favorite type of tourism is lifestyle tourism where tourists spend lots of time experiencing how and where the locals live, such as staying in B&Bs or homestays, eating at non-touristy restaurants, and wandering through neighborhoods or rural areas to meet local people and have an authentic experience. You will also spend less money and gain a greater appreciation of the places you visit.Slide 10: Special Interest Tourism (SIT) is traveling to enjoy an activity or a topic that is of special interest to you.  Adventure Travel is a popular form of SIT. Religious Tourism and Spiritual Tourism soothe your soul, and Wellness Tourism, Spa Tourism, and Medical Tourism improve your physical health. My favorite SIT is Event Tourism which includes festivals that feature ancient traditions; plus ethnic festivals, processions, beer and wine festivals, and much more.Slide 11: In ancient times, a small group of amazing places was named the Seven Wonders of the World.  In modern times, UNESCO has designated a larger group of amazing places as World Heritage Sites. There are over 1,000 WHS, with the vast majority selected on their cultural merits.  About 30 sites have been designated on both natural and cultural criteria, including Ohrid, Macedonia, where I was a Fulbright Professor.
 Slide #12: Attractions come in many forms and satisfy many interests.  They are the drivers of tourism development, the principle reason tourists visit a destination, and the key components of a destination’s setting, ambiance, and tourism atmosphere. Now I invite you to watch Video #8: Accommodations. Thank you!