Life Cycle Model

• Who Created the Model

  -Professor Richard Butler

  -"Butler" proposed a tourism area life cycle model showing how a tourist area/destination may develop over time.

  -Created in 1980
• What Were the Original Purposes of the Model ?

  -Butler wanted to give stakeholders in tourism some guidance.

  -Simply put, 'model is a line graph that shows the different stages in tourism development over time'.

  -Butler created a visual, graphical depiction of tourism development, and identifies 6 stages of tourist area evolution.

  -Butler wanted to demonstrate that tourism development is not a static process but dynamic.

  -Model demonstrates that tourism destinations/attractions will typically follow the path outlined
• Exploration Stage


  -Destination begins as relatively unknown and visitors initially come in small numbers restricted by lack of access, facilities and lack of local knowledge.

  -Social and economic benefits small, attractions focused on nature/culture.
• Involvement Stage


  -Word spreads about areas attractions

  -Tourists become accepted by local people, who become involved in the industry and the amenities are increased and improved.

  -May mark the emergence of seasonality in tourism
• Development Stage


  -Tourist arrivals grow rapidly and tourism becomes a major industry.

  -TNCs and firms from HIC's become involved and take control

  -Lots of building and planning, package holidays developed
• Consolidation Stage


  -Tourism growth slows

  -Tourism is a well established, some facilities e.g beaches may be reserved for tourists.

  -Resentment develops among locals because of e.g congestion.
• Possible Stages

  Rejuvenation-modernisation of resorts/infrastructure improvements lead to increased carrying capacity and numbers grow.Stabilisation-development of new activities/niche markets.Natural Disaster-lead to decreased visitor numbersDecline-increased congestion and unsustainable development may mean less visitors, international firms may pull out.
• Usefulness of Model

  -Provides simplistic theoretical guidance to tourism stakeholders.

  -Those who are just starting out can use the model to plan their tourism infrastructure and development.

  -Encourages critical thinking and long term thinking

  -Allows governments or local councils to plan whats to come e.g can reinvest to get out of stagnation.

  -Tourism is not static, which the model shows

  -Descriptive

  -Helps to develop sustainable practices
• Limitations of Model

  -Linear approach does not allow for unique and unaccounted for occurrences.

  -As developed in 1980s, doesn't account for many of the complexities of todays travel and tourism industry.

  -Doesn't account for sustainability

  -Limited practical use of the model

  -There is more than 1 model of tourism development

  -Lack of evidence/support for the concept

  -Does not include possible role of local and national governments in the destination country.
• Example of a Country Fitting the Model-Spain (Sitges)


  -Located to South of Barcelona, surrounded by Garraf Mountains.

  -Originally was a fishing village, occupied since Roman times.

  -23,000 population.

  -300 days of sun a year.
• Sitges-Exploration Stage


  -Was in this stage at end of the 19th century, the town attracted artists and intellectuals.

  -In 1891, artist 'Santiago Rusinoi' arrived in Sitges and their modernist art driving force behind discovery.

  -Railway enabled town to develop as a cultural centre and place for Barcelona to develop.
• Sitges-Consolidation Stage


  -Success of the development enabled economy to grow.

  -Growth also aided by increase in number of people who migrated and people who bought second home.

  -Increase in population also meant an increase in retail services (150 clothes shops)

  -Has 4x more retail services than expected for a town of its size.
• Sitges-Involvement and Development Stages

  -1960s, development of international tourism and intervention of the package holiday, which brought many people from outside Spain to discover Sitges.

  -Building of large hotels took place on seafront, e.g Terramar and Calipolis.

  -Restaurants and shops increased in number to cater for the needs of the tourists in the main summer season, extending from May until mid October.
• Sitges-Stagnation, Decline and Possible Rejuvenation

  Stagnation-spread of tourism means that there are now more options available, opening of destinations saw a fall in all inclusive holiday makers, e.g Thompson stopped marketing the town.Decline-strength of the Euro against the pound means that it has become more expensive for people to visit Spain compared to e.g Turkey, not a typical 'Benidorm' high rise development so can't benefit from economies of scale and is expensive.Rejuvenation-Sitges aims to rejuvenate itself by investing in infrastructure and to diversify from reliance solely on tourism, done through local council 'Tourist Excellence Plan' which aims to utilise towns hotels throughout year.
• Example of a Country Fitting the Model-Blackpool,Uk


  -Located on the NW coast of England

  -Classic seaside resort

  -Population of 141,000
• Blackpool-Exploration Stage


  -In 19th century rich people went to Blackpool to visit the beach

  -Practice of sea bathing to cure diseases was becoming fashionable among wealthy

  -Bracing, fresh sea air

  -Health of sea air
• Blackpool-Involvement Stage

  Henry Banks-holiday cottages built, assembly rooms on Bank Hey street.

  John Cocker-built the Victorian promenade

  1875-Winter gardens and aquarium built

  1868-central pier built

  -Rich, wealthy land owners and gentry

  1846-railway to Blackpool was built
• Blackpool-Development and Consolidation Stage


  -Occurred between 1900-1950 and visitor numbers increased from 4m to 17m.

  -Became main holiday destination for industrial workers from mines and steel workers from North England and Scotland.

  -"Wakes weeks", each town in Lancashire and Yorkshire took holiday on a different week in the summer so constant flow of tourists.

  -1907, workers guaranteed 12 days annual paid holiday.
• Blackpool-Stagnation/Decline Stage

  -1960 onwards, visitors declined

  -Resort had many rundown areas, derelict buildings and many social problems e.g drug and alcohol use.

  -Developed a reputation for rowdy stag and hen parties, visitors fell to 11m in 2000.
• Blackpool-Rejuvenation Stage

  2015-2017, was a transformation.

  -£200m transformation of the seafront, replacing sea wall and remodelling the promenade

  -£100m tramway scheme to improve visitor movement around Blackpool.
• Example of a Country NOT Fitting the Model-Costa Rica (Ecotourism)

  -Ecotourism in Costa Rica started in 1960s when only 25% of the forest remained untouched.-Ecotourism immerses travellers in natural areas, with the aim of educating, so there is no development of infrastructure like the model.-Doesn't follow the model as the aim is to be sustainable and not "boom" with lots of people, so not worried about money.-Ecolodge, where travellers stay, they are isolated lodges giving travellers access to the outdoors.However-critics argue that it's impossible to truly conserve nature with so many people visiting fragile outdoor areas.
• Example of a Country NOT Fitting the Model-Dubai, UAE


  History;

  1833-started off as a small settlement with 800 members of the Yas tribe, who turned the area into a small centre for fishing and pearling.

  1960s-economy dependent on revenues generated from trade and oil

  1969-huge amount of revenue from oil reserves stimulated development

  -Vast sums of cash thrown into the picture and major infrastructure started to develop.

  -Airport to be extended to handle 120m passengers, meaning there is no sign of decline only growth!

  As a result exploration, development and consolidation occurred quickly which stimulated huge growth.