Chapter 6
In today’s world, tourism has been an important driver in the economy of many countries. This is due to the amount of revenue it earns annually as foreign exchange and the funding that it provides to the country are very significant towards the development of the country as a whole. Tourism mainly influences infrastructure positively as transport networks are developed in all areas that are involved with tourism activities. As such, the development of tourism has been very gradual especially and this has also been observed in cities and urban areas.
The development of tourism in cities has been more gradual due to the fact that they are the origin and destination points of the tourists. The cities do provide an administrative base of government operations which in turn create spin off effects of business travel. As such, it would be a significant destination for business men and women who travel around. They also provide the setting for the national cultures, democracy and history and this can therefore be a form of attraction for those interested in knowing more about the country’s history and culture together with values. The cities also hold some of the major national and international institutions that are of significance to tourism and also presenting and preserving national heritage and culture, which oftenly are involved in tourist precincts. Tourism in cities plays a major role in the diversification of the public sector economy and also is involved in changing negative images and stereotypes that cities may bring out. As such, tourism in cities and urban areas is of great importance and hence should be preserved and developed all times through the development of new tourism areas.
Chapter 7
Cultural routes are developed and maintained by specific bodies in a country. For example in Europe, the European Institute of Cultural routes is entitled to the mandate of developing and co-coordinating these routes. They also develop some of the routes as scenic roads to serve the motorists. Way of St. James rout towards Santiago de Compostela was the first route that was awarded European Cultural Route status. The major role and significance of the cultural routes is to protect the transmission and valorization of the cultural heritage of Europe and also its cultural diversity. Secondly, they aim at developing intercultural dialogue.
The Budapest cultural avenue is one of the major attraction sites in the world. The cultural attractions that constitute it are not located in the same quarter or street but rather they are located in a long vertical axis that comprises of Andrassy Avenue, City Park and Buda Castle District. The hills of the Danube which are found in the Buda Castle District are the richest part in cultural and historical attraction. The Andrassy mainly consists of attractions of buildings an example is the Hungarian Art Nouveau architecture that is built in perfect symmetry with Chain Bridge. City Park on its part has the biggest open square and also Museum of Fine Arts among others.
Chapter 8
Despite there being tourist attractions such as game parks and snowy mountains, many tourist are much more interested in cultural attractions which make them know more of certain people and this also makes them appreciate their cultures and those of others. Here we will look at cultural tourism in Castilla and Leon. This is a community that is autonomous in the northwestern Spain. This region boasts of having six different UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These include the following;
- Old City and aqueduct of Segovia
- Gothic-style cathedral of Burgos
- Old City of Salamanca
- The Way of Saint James road to Santiago de Compostela
- Old City of Avila
- Las Medulas in Leon: Roman gold mines
Motivation for the tourists to travel to their place of choice is generated in their minds as a need. Motivation comes in when the involved person has the capability to create an impulse that will be able to lead to a need which would then bring in a feeling of dissatisfaction which will propel one to satisfy it.
Reference
Richards, Greg. Cultural Tourism: Global and Local Perspectives. New York: Routledge, 2007.
