TDP Experience Perth - Tourism Western Australia

The development stage reflects a well defined tourism market area shapes by
heavy advertising in target catchment areas. Local involvement and development
typically starts to decline, superseded by larger and more up-to-date facilities
provided by external organisations and chains (particularly accommodation).
Natural and cultural attractions are developed and potentially supported
by complementary man-made facilities. Noticeable changes in the physical
appearance of the area is likely and it can be expected that not all of these
changes will be welcomed by local residents. Regional, state and/or national
involvement in the planning and development of facilities, as well as imported
labour, will be required to cope with growing demand, as the number of visitors
exceeds the local population during peak periods. The range and type of visitors
will also change as broader market awareness increases.
As the consolidation stage is entered, total visitor numbers continue to increase
albeit at a slower rate. A major part of the areas economy is now intrinsically
linked to tourism, and marketing activities become further-reaching with efforts
made to extend the tourism season and catchment areas. A number of major
tourism chains will now be represented, but few additions will be made. The
larger number of visitors and range of tourism facilities can be expected to
engender opposition from local residents not involved in the tourism industry.
Defined recreational districts or hubs in the area may emerge and older tourist
facilities and amenities may start to be considered less desirable.
When the peak number of visitors has been reached, the area will reach the
stagnation stage. Capacity levels for many tourism products and facilities will have
been either reached or exceeded, leading to potential environmental, social and
economic problems. By this stage, the area will usually have a well established
image in the marketplace, but will no longer be fashionable. There will be surplus
capacity, requiring greater marketing efforts to maintain current visitor levels. As a
result, there is heavier reliance on repeat visitation and organised mass tourists.
In the decline stage, the area will not be able to compete with newer and more
fashionable destinations in the region and will experience a decline in visitor
numbers. As a result, turnover of tourism developments and operators towards
non-tourism operations becomes high as the area becomes less attractive
to tourists and the viability of tourism operations becomes more difficult.
Opportunities may arise for local residents to take over smaller tourism operations
due to lower competition as the market declines. However, many tourism
operations (particularly accommodation) are eventually converted to permanent
residences (most commonly for retirees).
Alternatively, it is possible that rejuvenation may occur, although the extent to
which this can be achieved will usually depend on a complete change in the
attractions, on which tourism is based, by either a) creating new man-made
attractions, and/or b) developing previously untapped natural tourism assets.
Experience Perth
Tourism Western Australia | Tourism Development Priorities
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