Tourism Development – Choosing Destinations

Destinations, also called tourism destinations, refer to a place or area that possesses proper services and tourism attractions. Destination is an important factor that influence travel behaviour and consumers’ choices, as well as the quality of service provided. While deciding their destinations, tourists are affected by a number of different factors. These include accessibility (i.e. highways, railways), cost of accommodation, and accessibility to recreational facilities such as beaches, rivers, mountain trails, etc.

Tourism destinations provide consumers with the imagined communities that they visit. Destinations are formed according to the imagined communities that tourists visit. For example, a safari park in Kenya will be frequented by nature lovers who wish to commune with nature. A beach resort in Jamaica will be frequented by Caribbean honeymooners looking for a relaxed atmosphere. Each destination will have a different mix of demographics due to the various segments of the population.

To ensure that consumers enjoy their holidays, destinations should be chosen that will satisfy their needs and expectations. A destination that is too expensive will not appeal to tourists. The same can be said for a destination that lacks attractions. On the other hand, a location that lacks facilities may appeal to tourists who want a relaxed holiday experience. Destinations vary in price according to the services offered and amenities available. The location and services offered are often developed by professional tourism development agencies to ensure that the final destination has a high standard of cleanliness, comfort, and enjoyment for tourists.