An Introduction to the Tourism

Geography of Europe

Learning Objectives
1 Appreciate why Europe continues to dominate world tourism;
2 Understand the major patterns of tourism demand in Europe;
3 Be aware of the major physical and social features in Europe and their
implications for tourism;
4 Appreciate the role of the European Union and the Euro in tourism
organisation and development;
5 Recognise the major geographical influences on the distribution of
tourism resources in Europe;
6 Recognise the role of improvements in transport infrastructure in
encouraging a freer movement of tourists throughout Europe.

Introduction
A region of economic, cultural and social diversity
Dominates tourism but market share falling
Dominates tourism because:
Mature economies
Affluent population
World Class attraction
The Euro
Small countries in close proximity
Climatic variation
Mature tourism sector
Competent public sector

The Physical Setting
The North European Plain
The Mountain ranges
The Alps
The Pyrenees
The Balkans
The Carpathians
The Caucasus
The Kjolen Mountains
The Mediterranean
The Baltic sea

Cultural Features
A mosaic of languages, traditions and cultures
Lifestyle differences
Between North and South
Between West and East
Between Mountains and Plains
Historic stages of development
Prehistoric
Greco Roman
Romanesque
Gothic
Renaissance/Baroque
Industrial Revolution
Post-Industrial


Tourism demand: Demographic
Trends
Decreasing propensity to marry
Increasing diversity of lifestyles and living arrangements
A trend to marrying later in life
A decline in fertility
An increase in the number of divorces
An increase in immigration

Tourism demand
Changing flows away from north/south due to:
Consumers are tiring of the inclusive-tour format;
The Mediterranean is becoming increasingly polluted;
Traditional sun, sea and sand holidays are less popular, as people become more
aware of the risk of skin cancer;
Competing destinations for other forms of tourism have become increasingly
available;
New destinations are opening up in the east of Europe;
Long-haul destinations are growing in popularity;
The adoption of the Euro making what had been reasonably-priced destinations,
such as Spain more expensive.
Tourism Demand Trends
Shorter tourism trips
Short break city and cultural tours
East-West travel and West-East travel
Growth of the young and the elderly travelling
More trips within Europe
Trend to activity holidays
Greater use of air travel (budget airlines)
Business tourism continues to be strong
Growth potential in the East and South
Capacity ceilings reached in the West


Supply of Tourism: Transport
Influence of de-regulation
Growth of regional airports and airlines
Growth of budget airlines
Negative impact of 9/11
Investment in high-speed rail
Easier pan-European road travel
Tourism Supply Transport Trends
A more deregulated and liberal environment for transport and other tourism
sectors, although this has been set back by the need for the public sector to
support the airlines following 9/11;
Improved quality of existing provision of tourism supply in the former
countries of the Eastern Bloc;
Diversification of products in established destinations, such as coastal
resorts;
Special interest, city-based, activity-centred developments growing at the
expense of traditional beach resorts;
Consumer and government support for sustainable tourism products and
destinations;
Cruising combined with special interest activities as a growth area; and
Expansion of business tourism facilities in the former Eastern Bloc.

Tourism Supply
Attractions
High Quality
Cultural and Physical
Southern Pleasure
Periphery
Mountains
Lowlands
Accommodation
Small businesses dominate

Organisation
Complex
Varies nationally
Role is to develop and promote
Trend to devolution
Tourism Demand
Europeans will continue to take more, but shorter tourism trips
Short-break city and cultural tourism is growing rapidly;
Traditional north-south holidays are still a significant feature of European tourism,
but east-west and west-east travel is growing rapidly;
Significant market segments for the growth of tourism will be those aged over 55
years, and those aged under 25 years of age;
Intra-regional flows of tourism dominate Europes international tourism, but their
share is decreasing;
The market is moving increasingly towards holidays which involve active pursuits,
and/or exposure to local society and culture;
Decreasing popularity of the car for leisure-based trips and an increase in the use of
air travel, encouraged by the growth of budget airlines;
Demand for business tourism in Europe will continue to be strong despite the
growth of communication technologies; and
Capacity ceilings are being reached in some Western European countries, whereas
countries in eastern and southern Europe have considerable growth potential.