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Tourism is one of the factors that contribute to economic progress and recreation facilities are the most visited parts of every cities and state. This paper posits that recreation facilities contribute to tourism thereby contributing to economic development. Further, this paper suggests taking into consideration the elements to consider in putting up recreational facilities. Along with this, this paper discusses the roles of the public sector in the construction of recreation facilities to enhance tourism as well as the negative effects of land-based transportation on rural tourism and how these effects are alleviated.
Tourism performs a significant role in helping the country’s GDP growth. The main objective of tourism is to establish destinations that will captivate the attention of more people from other countries. Recreation facilities are among the attractions of tourism. Recreation facilities deliver with it various benefits – physically, socially, and physiologically. Each summer, recreation professionals and parks open the gates to preparing programs, hiring lifeguards, and getting the community pools ready. Recreation pertains to products or services that support leisure (Crossley, Brayley, and Jamieson 10). Visitors from other places travel to other countries to have a breathtaking feel of unique recreational facilities and activities. For instance, Desert Islands are among the biggest environmentally friendly island travel destinations globally. Such nature-based destinations are made up of a group of natural islands off the coastline of Abu Dhabi’s Western Area. One of which is Sir Bani Yas Island, a destination for ecological and preservation tourism with its private hotel resort, wildlife park, and nature-based escapade events. Both the public and private sectors recognize development and real estate opportunities that will provide assistance for sustainable travel projects. All of these can help the economy progress through travelers visiting the sites and venture capitalists who are willing to invest their money on such business (Crossley, Brayley, and Jamieson 18).
According to the United Nations World Trade Organization (UNWTO), the number of tourist arrivals among emerging nations greatly increased from 1973 to 2000 (Richardson 1). Tourism makes up a substantial part of the world’s developing service sector (Richardson 1); in sub-Saharan Africa, tourism makes up for about55% of service sector exports (Richardson 1). Tourism embodies a chance for economic variation, predominantly in marginal places with a small number of export selections. Tourists are concerned with remote places with high standards of wildlife, cultural, and landscape resources. Tourism permits the poor communities with rich history and cultural legacy to control their exceptional resources for economic development (Richardson 2). Tourism is the only export zone where the customer goes on a trip to the exporting nation, which offers opportunities for the poor to become exporters through the sale of products and services to foreign tourists (Richardson 2). Tourism is labor-intensive and aids various multipurpose labor markets; it offers small-scale job opportunities, which assists in promoting gender equity. Through tourism, there is increased market access for remote areas through the expansion of roads, infrastructure, and communication systems (Richardson 2).
The public sector is that aspect of economic and administrative life responsible for the delivery of goods and services by and for the government be it national, regional, or local/municipal (Nans “The Role of Public Sector in Tourism Development”). The following are the roles of public sectors in tourism: Establishment of infrastructure and information services as well as creation of tourist attractions and facilities; facilitation of favorable economic climate; formation of tourism guidelines within which the commercial division of tourism business can operate effectively; organization, advertisement and control role in tourism establishment; and preservation of the physical and socio-cultural assets that lure tourists to destination (Nans “The Role of Public Sector in Tourism Development”). The rural transportation system performs an important role in each state's tourism industry, connecting visitors to urban areas and to key attractions, including state and national parks (FHWA “Our Rural Transportation System - Rural & Small Community Planning Areas Planning”). Land-based transportation system on rural areas is decentralized. Roads are subsidized and maintained by diverse levels of government. The federal and state governments are the ones that offer most of the capital funding for land transit in rural areas. However, the actual operation itself remains a local responsibility. Tourism and the service industry are becoming increasingly important to many rural areas, especially for areas that have parks, attractions, and natural scenic environments (FHWA “Our Rural Transportation System - Rural & Small Community Planning Areas Planning”). Among the problems of land based transport on rural areas are the long distances between centers, steep grades, dramatic weather events and impacts on road conditions, and disparate system with high costs for operations, service delivery, and maintenance. To mitigate the negative impacts, the government is pushing through transportation improvements despite of some urban sprawl spillover that are against of it because they want to control growth. Realizing the economic benefits of improving the transport system in rural areas, the government is improving the system of land-based transport.
Having recreation facilities in the area will necessitate careful planning and analysis. Furthermore, it will need proper reference to policies and other regulations. When organizations, private institutions, or parks and recreational areas are to be established, a governmental body will determine and approve the establishment of those projects (USBR 10). It is important to determine whether the site is privately or publicly owned. When properties have been recognized in the area, it is essential to decide if any of them would be employed by a substitute or replacements being supported forward for comprehensive study. The most typical method of usage is when property is always integrated into a carrying capacity. The second procedure of use is generally known as momentary habitation and takes effect when properties such as recreational properties, in whole or in part, are essential for development construction-related undertakings. The third and last kind of usage is known as constructive use (USBR 6). A constructive use of recreational areas encompasses no definite physical use of the recreational property such as parks and pools via permanent combination of land or a momentary habitation of land into a carriage facility. It is also important to determine any alternatives such as location; alternative actions including bus or transit service; alignment shifts or rerouting, and changes in design including reduction of planned width, combining design exceptions, and retaining walls. In putting up recreational areas, it is important to determine the safety and accessibility of the areas to the people who are possibly going to visit.
Works Cited
Crossley, John C, Russel E. Brayley, and Lynn M. Jamieson. Introduction to Commercial Recreation and Tourism: An Entrepreneurial Approach. Urbana, Ill: Sagamore Publ, 2012. Print.
Fhwa.dot.gov (2012). II. Our Rural Transportation System - Rural & Small Community Planning Areas Planning - Publications - Planning - FHWA. [online] Retrieved from: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/publications/rural_areas_planning/page03.cfm Web. 11 June 2014.
Nans, Sandra. "The Role of Public Sector in Tourism Development." Aboutuganda.com, Uganda Safari ,Tours and Travel Guide, Official Destination Guide to Uganda. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 June 2014. http://www.aboutuganda.com/tourism.html
Richardson, Robert. "The Contribution of Tourism to Economic Growth and Food Security." USAID Mali, Office of Economic Growth (2010): 1-6. Web.
