As in other economic sectors, tourism follows a "product
life cycle", with a curve similar to that of the above graph. In this
process several stages can be identified:
STAGE 1: DISCOVERY During the early
"discovery stage" of the cycle a small number of unobtrusive visitors
arrive seeking "unspoiled" destinations. These early
"explorer" tourists generally speak the language and identify with the
local culture. The social impact in this stage is generally small and resident
attitudes are fairly positive towards tourism.
STAGE 2: LAUNCH During this stage the number of incoming
tourists increases. The host community responds to the increasing numbers of
tourist by providing facilities. Businesses remain family based and the
visitor-resident relationship is still harmonious. Later in this stage, visitor
numbers increase and the community becomes a tourist resort. Outside interests
become involved developing businesses and tourist facilities. This is typically
the stage during which TNC (Trans-National Corporations) foreign investment
enters the cycle. Migrant workers, attracted by the prospect of tourist-related
jobs, may enter the community and reduce resident contact with visitors. The
tourist-relationship is converted into one of business as the novelty of new
visitor arrivals declines. The more culturally sensitive "explorers"
move on to new "unspoiled" areas and are replaced by the mass market.
STAGE 3: STAGNATION The stage in which saturation is
reached. The quality of tourist services falls, demand levels off, and the
environmental degradation of the tourist destination begins to be obvious and
worrying. The tourist destination at this stage is said to have reached
'maturity'. Mature
tourist destinations
STAGE 4: DECLINE which represents the current state of
mature tourist destinations on the Costa Brava in Spain. Falling profits lead to
foreign-owned businesses withdrawing and the community is left to "pick up
the pieces". more
