Niche and Mass Tourism

• Mass Tourism


  When large numbers of tourists visit the same destination

  -is a defined tourist season/area

  -sea, sun, sand (SSS)
• Why Have Some Countries Moved Away from Mass Tourism ?

  -Carrying capacity been exceeded

  -Enclaves are reducing local benefits

  -Over tourism, e.g Venice and Canary Islands
• Niche Tourism

  Specialist tourism catering for specific interest groups.

  -Small number (often large price tag)

  -Support locals and more sustainable
• Examples of Niche Tourism

  -Volunteer tourism

  -Adventure tourism

  -Dark tourism

  -Food and wine tourism

  -Solo travelling

  -Libertine travel

  -Staycations
• Reasons for Niche Tourism

  -Some areas were experiencing decline e.g Bali, Blackpool

  -May create more sustainable tourism and greater economic benefit.

  E.g snorkling, heliskiing, water skiing, trekking
• Benefits of Niche Tourism

  -Perception of higher quality experience

  -Economic gains (stakeholders)

  -Reduction of honeypot sites or over tourism

  -Diversification of the industry and in terms of employment opportunities

  -Employs locals as they know the area e.g Nepalese sherpas

  -New lease of life

  -Environmental protection
• Issues of Niche Tourism

  -Money may still not be going to locals (leakage)

  -Not accessible to all

  -High end tourism is susceptible to shocks due to high prices

  -Multiplier effect possibly reduced

  -Employment is local but less are employed overall

  -Some areas start out as Niche but turn to mass (Bali)
• Rwanda-Ecotourism and Adventure Tourism (Niche/Eco Example)

  Capital City-KigaliBorders-DRC, Uganda, TanzaniaGNI PPP-$800HDI (2019)-0.5432010-approximately 300 gorillas now over 7001st country to ban plastic bags
• Rwanda-Places to Visit

  -Akagera National Park

  -Volcano National Park (gorillas)

  -Nyungwe National Park (monkeys, birds)
• Importance of Tourism for Rwanda Overall

  Social-HDI improved over last decade, tourism helped 400+ community projects, water supply improved in deltas, poverty alleviation, schools helped, improved conservation knowledge.Economic-10% of money going back to local community, foreign exchange earner, large revenues ($1500 permit for visitors), now flies to 26 destinations, 90,000 jobs created as a result of tourism, 29th best place for business.Environmental-gorilla numbers increased (300 to 700), granted national park status (1st gorilla national park), carrying capacity (increase in permit prices and fall in number of permits), buildings built to be renewable, however has been poaching.Political-reputation after genocide now improved, revenue is used to invest in infrastructure and services (capital stock), help with meeting SDGs, future growth plans.
• Rwanda-History of Virunga Mountain Gorillas Before/Since Tourism

  -Dates back to 1902

  -1st National park around 1952

  -National tourism and development office set up in 1973
• Rwanda-Carrying Capacity Management

  -Permit costs $1500

  -Quota on visitors per day-maximum 16 tourists on a trek, 8 people per visit of gorilla, 1 group can visit a gorilla group a day.
• Rwanda-Safety of Gorillas Managed By

  -Not allowed to visit if unwell

  -Before you visit must be educated

  -No food/drink within 200m

  -Faecies buried

  -Must keep 7m distance

  -Not allowed to clear vegetation
• Rwanda-Education of Tourists

  Educated on;

  -conservation/dangers

  -group of gorillas

  -sense
• Rwanda-Involvement of Locals

  -Everybody who works in national park is locals

  -Rangers and guides are locals who lived with gorillas

  -Sustainable materials

  -Reafforested schemes

  -Mid 2000s was a push in renewable and reducing food miles