Strategic Planning And Tourism Development Essay.

In this assignment, you are required to:

A. Examine the benefits of producing tourism strategic plans and give an example of a destination that has benefited from it. (academic and other sources must be used)

B. Evaluate at least one planning approach (i.e Economic, Spatial/Physical, Collaborative, Community based Approach, Co-operative approach etc.) for tourism development and illustrate your evaluation with an example of where this planning approach has been implemented. Discuss the pros and cons of this approach.

A. Assess how the reuse of historic buildings contributes to strategic tourism development. Give one example of a historic building in London that is used for tourism, leisure, and events functions and how it benefits its local area socially and economically.

Tourism industry and strategic plans

The tourism industry “is a very nascent one” yet within a very short time the industry has become one of the major industries of the world (Moutinho and Vargas-Sanchez 2018). The “rapid growth of the tourism industry in the present times can be seen as a reflection of the inherent desire of the human beings” to travel and also to explore the world around them (Moutinho and Vargas-Sanchez 2018). It is significant to note that the human beings since the ancient times like to make effective use of their leisure time by traveling and seeing the world around them (Swanson and Edgell Sr 2013). However, in the recent times it is seen that the human beings not just want to see the world around them in their near proximity but also to explore the other major cities as well as nations of the world (Swanson and Edgell Sr 2013). Therefore, the growth of the tourism industry in the present times can be traced to this particular nature of the human beings. It is significant to note that the major industries of the world are still reeling from the adverse effects of the economic recession which the world faced a few years back (Moutinho and Vargas-Sanchez 2018). However, “the tourism industry is one of the very few industries of the world” which has not been affected in a significant manner on the score of the adverse effect of the economic recession (Swanson and Edgell Sr 2013). Furthermore, the tourism industry entails with itself the infrastructural growth of the nation or the city in which it is centered (Dredge and Jenkins 2007). Moreover, the tourism industry is a very high revenue generating industry and therefore it is seen that the majority of the nations of the world take the help of this particular industry “to stabilize their deteriorating or dwindling economies” (Moutinho and Vargas-Sanchez 2018). It is significant to note that the tourism industry just like the other industries of the world requires the use of effective business strategies “not only for the growth as well as the development of the concerned business organization related to the tourism industry but also to provide effective services to the customers who take the help of the services provided by the business organization related to the tourism industry” (Dredge and Jenkins 2007). The “tourism industry is a part of the service industry and therefore it becomes very important for the business organizations related to this particular industry” to take into effective consideration the concept of relationship management (Dredge and Jenkins 2007). This particular report will discuss about the concept of strategic management in the specific context of the tourism industry.

Strategies refer to the tactics or the plans which the “various business organizations in the present times” often take the help in a bid “not only to enhance the overall productivity of the concerned business organization but also to bring about the overall growth as well as the development of their business organization” (Gunn and Var 2002). However, it is often seen that the whereas effective business strategies “can lead to the overall growth as well as development of the concerned business organization ineffective or mistimed business strategies can serious affect the prospects of the concerned business organization in a negative manner” (Gunn and Var 2002). Therefore, “it becomes very important for the various business organizations” to thoroughly analyze the conditions in which they are operational and formulate the required strategies as per the requirements of the business (Morçöl and Wolf 2010). The tourism industry belongs to the genre of the service industry and the success of a business organization related to this particular industry depends on the kind of service which they provide to the customers and also the kind of strategies which are taking the help of “in a bid to provide better quality services to the customers who take the help of the services provided by them” (Morçöl and Wolf 2010). It is reflection of this particular fact the “various business organizations related to this particular industry often take the help of effective strategies for the purposes of their business” (Yung and Chan 2012). In the present times “it is seen that the various business organizations related to this particular industry take the help of various kinds of innovative strategies in a bid to reach out to a larger number of people”. The nature of the business world in the present times has undergone a drastic change and the number of choices which are available to the various customers has increased in a significant manner (Yung and Chan 2012). Therefore, it is generally seen that the various customers in the present times have become much more dynamic than they were in the earlier times and in the opinion of people this particular trend can be seen as a reflection of the increased number of choices which are available to them (Yung and Chan 2012). Furthermore, as the number of choices available to the customers has increased significantly therefore the customers in the present times want the very best services and that too at very affordable prices (Law, Buhalis and Cobanoglu 2014). It is precisely here that the role of the various business strategies which the diverse business organizations operational in the tourism industry often take the help of gains special prominence (Law, Buhalis and Cobanoglu 2014). Therefore, it has become kind of mandatory for the various business organizations related to the tourism industry “to take the help of various kinds of effective business strategies” for the purpose of their business. Moreover, the various strategic plans are designed keeping in view the needs of the customers thus they help the concerned business organization related to the tourism industry to cater to the needs of the customers in the most effective manner (Law, Buhalis and Cobanoglu 2014). In addition to these, “it is also seen that the various business organizations related to the tourism industry” take the help of the concept of cost leadership in a bid not only to attract more number of customers to the services offered by them but also to provide the best quality services to the customers at very affordable prices (Law, Buhalis and Cobanoglu 2014). Moreover, “it is also seen that the various business organizations related to the tourism industry in the present times” takes the help of various kinds of attractive offers as well as discounted offers to further the interest of their business.

Popular Tourist Destinations in London

The city of London is “one of the most popular tourism destinations not only of the United Kingdom but also of the entire world” (Visitlondon.com 2018). The city of London is one of the most ancient cities of the world and is famous all over the world not only for its cultural diversity but also for the wide range of tourist attraction which it currently has (Visitlondon.com 2018). Some of the most popular tourist destinations of the city of London are “London Aquarium, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Nelson's Column” (Visitlondon.com 2018). In addition to these, there are other attractions as well as in the city of London like “Tower of London, Buckingham Palace (although this is only open to the public during a limited number of months in the summer), Tower Bridge Experience, Madame Tussauds, ZSL London Zoo, London Dungeon and St Paul's Cathedral” (Visitlondon.com 2018). The tallest building of the city, namely, Shard, is also being used as one of the tourist destination by the authorities of the city to attract a much larger number of tourists to the city (Visitlondon.com 2018). It is a reflection of this particular fact that the “total revenue earned by the various business organizations related to the tourism industry of the city of London” for the year 2011 was around “£9.4 billion which is approximately half of the revenue earned by the entire nation of United Kingdom through the tourism industry” (Visitlondon.com 2018). Another interesting to note about the tourism industry of the city of London is the fact that for the year 2017 the city of London attracted more than “19.1 million international visitors thereby making it one of the most visited locations of the world” (Visitlondon.com 2018). It is significant to “note that the various business organizations related to the tourism industry in the city of London also take the help of various kinds of above mentioned strategic plans” in a bid to enhance the prospects of their business organization. Thus, it is generally seen that the “various business organizations related to the tourism industry in the city of London take the help of various kinds of attractive as well as discounted offers to attract a larger number of customers to the services provided by them” (Wilks, Stephen and Moore 2013). Furthermore, it is generally seen “that the various business organizations related to the tourism industry in the city of London” also takes the help of the concept of cost leadership to provide better quality services to the customers and that too at very affordable prices (Wilks, Stephen and Moore 2013). In addition to these, it is seen that the services provided by these business organizations related to the tourism industry are very beneficial for the tourists who come from the various other nations to the city of London for recreation and also for entertainment (Wilks, Stephen and Moore 2013). It is a reflection of all these strategic plans adopted “by the various business organizations related to the tourism industry” which has enabled the city of London to become one of the most preferred locations of the tourists not only from the United Kingdom but also from the various parts of the world.

The concept of collaboration has gained much critical attention “in the present times and it is a reflection of this particular fact that the various business organizations” not only related to the tourism industry but also to the other genre are increasingly taking the help of this particular policy to further the interests of their business (Waligo, Clarke and Hawkins 2013). In the opinion of many people the strategic tool of collaboration can be seen as a symbiotic process where both the entities related to the process stands to gain in a significant manner (Waligo, Clarke and Hawkins 2013). Thus, “it is seen that the various business organizations related to the different industries” are taking the help of this particular method to further the prospects of their business. The concept of collaboration when seen through the lens of the tourism industry also becomes a very significant one. It is “significant to note that the tourism industry” requires the help of the various hotels, resorts, restaurants and others for the sound working of their business operation (Waligo, Clarke and Hawkins 2013). The tourism industry not only the effective development but also the working if these diverse entities for its growth and development and thus in a way it can be said that they form an important part of their business process. Furthermore, it is generally seen that the services provided by the various hotels, resorts, restaurants and others leaves a lasting impression on them. Moreover, the quality of the services provided by these diverse entities decides to a large extent whether the tourists are going to come back to that particular location or not (Evans, Stonehouse and Campbell 2012). Therefore, in a bid to enhance the quality of the services provided by these diverse entities and also to further their own interests the various business organizations related to the tourism industry in the present times have undergone several kinds of collaborations with them (Evans, Stonehouse and Campbell 2012). Furthermore, these collaborations have diverse benefits for both the parties involved in the process of collaboration. It is true that the various business organizations related to the tourism industry depend in a significant way on the various hotels, resorts, restaurants and others (Evans, Stonehouse and Campbell 2012). However, these entities also depend in a significant manner on the tourism industry and vice versa. It is generally seen that the more number of hotels, resorts, restaurants and others a particular tourist destination has the more will be its prospects to attract a larger number of tourists (Mok, Sparks and Kadampully 2013). Thus, with this particular objective it is generally seen that the various nations in the present times take the onus on themselves for the construction of these entities with the inherent objective to further boost their tourism industry. In addition to this, the various collaborations which the various business organizations related to the tourism industry undertake with the various hotels, resorts, restaurants and others enables them to provide better services to the customers who seek their services as these collaborations make the entire vacation of the tourists from the different parts of the nation very easy as well as peaceful as the tourists do not have to go and look for lodgings and other services by them as they are included in the services provided by the business organizations which they take the help of on the score of the various collaborations undergone by them (Mok, Sparks and Kadampully 2013).

The city of London is a typical example where it is seen that the various business organizations related to the tourism industry have undergone various collaborations with the various hotels, resorts, restaurants and others (Nieves and Segarra-Ciprés 2015). In the opinion of many people it is a reflection of these collaborations which has helped the city of London to emerge as one of the major tourist destinations not only of the United Kingdom but also of the world (Nieves and Segarra-Ciprés 2015). Therefore, it is seen that all the major tourist locations of the city of London has various hotels, resorts, restaurants and others adjacent to them and thus the amount of harassment faced by them is considerably less. In addition to these, the collaborations undergone by the various business organizations related to the tourism industry with the various hotels, resorts, restaurants and others have enabled these business organizations to “cater to the needs as well as the requirements of the various tourists who seen their services in a much better manner” (Nieves and Segarra-Ciprés 2015). A typical example of this particular kind of collaboration is the ones undergone by the various business organizations related to the tourism industry with the various eateries as well as the restaurants adjacent to the diverse tourist spots in the city of London. Therefore, it can be said that these collaborations not only helps to enhance the profit margin of both the entities involved in the process of collaboration but also helps to enhance the satisfaction level of the customers.

The tourism industry in the present times has undergone rapid transformation in the recent times and it is a reflection of this particular fact that the tourism industry as well as the various people who take the help of the services provided by this particular industry are no longer content with the exploration of the natural beauties as well as the natural sites (Cabiddu, Lui and Piccoli 2013). Therefore, “in the present times it has been seen that” the focus of the tourism industry has shifted from the natural locations to the various historical locations as well as the historical sites (Cabiddu, Lui and Piccoli 2013). This particular change within the tourism industry can be traced back to the inherent desire of the human beings to be a part of the historical events and explore the process of the making of history at first hand. Therefore, in a bid to cater to changing needs of the customers “it is seen that the various nations as well as the business organizations related to the tourism industry” have started to take the help of the various kinds of historical locations as well as buildings which are of considerable historical importance as possible sites where tourism can be promoted (Cabiddu, Lui and Piccoli 2013). In the opinion of many people, the use if the various kinds of historical buildings as well as historical sites have considerably boosted the tourism industry of the various nations of the world in the present times and it is a reflection of this particular fact that the tourism industry of the various nations of the world are increasingly depending on the use of historical locations of their nation for the purposes of tourism (Hall, Timothy and Duval 2012). Furthermore, it is seen that the various nations of the world are currently resurrecting the diverse historical locations as well as buildings related to them in a bid to enhance the prospects of the tourism industry of their nation (Hall, Timothy and Duval 2012).

The city of London in this particular context is one of the most important tourist destinations of the world which is currently reusing the various historical locations related to it for the purposes of tourism (Kalaci and Dervishi 2014). It is significant to note that the city of London is a historical city and since the ancient times this particular city has been used as the capital city of the United Kingdom on the score of various factors like the suitable location of the city and others (Visitlondon.com 2018). Therefore, it in a way to can be said that the historicity of the city is one of the factors which has considerably attracted a large number of tourists from the various parts of the world to this particular since the traditional times (Kalaci and Dervishi 2014). Some of the most popular historical locations of the city of London which has been used as a tourist spot by the city to attract a larger number of tourists to it from the diverse parts of the world are “Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard, The Tower of London and Tower Bridge, The British Museum, Big Ben and Parliament, National Gallery, The Victoria and Albert Museum, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square, The Two Tates: Tate Britain and Tate Modern” and others (Visitlondon.com 2018). It is “significant to note that in the present times” these historical locations have been used by the various business organizations related to the tourism industry of the city as well as the authorities related to the city in a bid to reinvigorate the tourism industry of the city in a significant manner (Molina-Azorín et al. 2015). Therefore, it would b apt to say that the various business organizations related to the tourism industry of the city of London have used as strategic tools not only to reinvigorate the tourism industry of the city but also to attract a larger number of tourists to these locations (Molina-Azorín et al. 2015).

The “The Tower of London” is one of the most visited historical locations not only of the city of London but also of the world (Visitlondon.com 2018). The Tower was constructed by “William the Conqueror in 1066-7” and later modifications were performed by his successors who modified it as per their needs (Visitlondon.com 2018). Furthermore, the Tower has been “used for diverse purposes since the ancient times and it is a reflection of this particular fact” that the Tower has been used as a “royal palace, a fortress, a prison, an armoury, a treasury and an astronomical observatory” (Visitlondon.com 2018). However, the most significant use of this particular building in the traditional times was as a prison and the various notorious individuals from the diverse parts of the United Kingdom were kept in this particular location (Visitlondon.com 2018). Thus, this is one of the primary reasons why this particular building achieved a very notorious reputation during the Middle Ages (Visitlondon.com 2018). However, in the recent times the most significant use of this particular historical site which the city of London is for the purpose of tourism. The “Tower Bridge”, on the other hand, is a recently constructed bridge and is also used for the purpose of tourism (Visitlondon.com 2018). This particular bridge was constructed in the year 1894 and it stands over the Thames River, which is another popular tourist spot of the city of London (Visitlondon.com 2018). The “Tower” and the “Tower Bridge” are very close to each and in the opinion of many people apart from the historical value which the tourist destination under consideration here holds for the people the presence of the nearby Thames River has also contributed in a significant manner towards the recent growth of this particular destination as one of the most preferred tourist destinations not only of the city of London but also of the entire nation itself (Visitlondon.com 2018). Furthermore, since the place under consideration here was used for different purposes at different point of times therefore it holds special attraction for the people belonging to various different fields. Moreover, in the recent times it is also seen that the location under consideration here is also used as a recreational spot by the various individuals and also a place where they spend their leisure time (Kavoura and Stavrianea 2014). In the opinion of many people the long hours for which this particular destination is operational and also the very cheap prices of tickets has contributed in a significant manner towards the growth of this particular location as one of the most important tourist destinations of the city of London (Molina-Azorín et al. 2015). The adjoining area of the location is also very congenial for the growth of the tourism industry in this particular location. As already mentioned the “Tower Bridge” stands over the Thames River which is another popular tourist spot of the city of London. Therefore, it can be said that incorporation of three most popular tourist destinations of the city of London at one particular location has significantly contributed towards the rise of this particular location as one of the most important tourist destinations of the city of London. Furthermore, this particular tourist destination lies at the heart of the city of London and therefore enjoys easy transport and other facilities (Kavoura and Stavrianea 2014). Moreover, adjacent to this particular location there are many hotels, resorts, restaurants and others which provides the various tourists with quality food and also lodging facilities in a bid to enhance the experience of the tourists (Buhalis and Crotts 2013). It is seen that this particular tourist destination has contributed in a significant manner towards “the economic growth of the adjacent region in a significant manner in the recent times” and in the present times it is also seen that this particular location is also being used for the hosting of various events and other activities (Buhalis and Crotts 2013). Furthermore, the influx of the cultures of the different people who come to visit this particular location has contributed in a significant manner towards the growth of this particular location as a famous historical tourist destination and has contributed much towards the development of the society of London as a multicultural one  (Tribe 2016).

Conclusion

The “tourism industry has emerged as one of the most important industries of the world in the present times” and “it is being increasingly being used by the various nations of the world to stabilize their dwindling economies and the annual revenue which this particular generates on yearly basis is very high”. Moreover, “in the present times it is seen that the various business organizations related to the tourism industry” takes the help of various kinds of innovative strategies for the promotion of the services offered by them to the people who take the help of the services offered by them. Furthermore, another innovative strategies which the various business organizations related to the tourism industry are using in the present times for the enhancement of the prospects of the tourism industry is the use of the various historical buildings as well as locations as possible sites for tourist activities. The development of tourism activities at a particular location contributes “in a significant manner towards the economic as well as the social growth” of that particular location. Therefore, it would be apt to say that the “tourism industry has emerged as one of the most important industries in the present day business world”.

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