For an Area/Country describe how and explain why its Tourist industry has changed in recent decades

Essay by barbie86uk February 2004

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The world tourism organisation defines tourism as; 'activities that require travel from home and staying away from home for at least one night'. This definition not only includes people going on holiday but also people taking business trips and visiting friends and relatives.

Tourism today is a vital part of the Spanish economy and has seen drastic and rapid changes over the past 40 years. Previously tourism had been held back by Franco, the Spanish ruler, and his nationalistic dictatorship, some people feared Spain and its political regime. However after the second World War Franco was accepted a little more and the initial infra structure of the country was developed. This set out the basis for a productive tourism industry. Franco made sure that there were very good transport communications and connections between the major areas of Spain. He also encouraged foreigners to set up in Spain and help convert a basically backward rural area into a prime site for redevelopment and modern industry.

This gave Spain a great advantage when its popularity increased.

The Spanish tourism industry began spontaneously in the 1950's and continued growing until 1988 with only a few small interruptions at the time of the 1974, 1979 and 1983 international crises. It has now, however, entered a transitional stage partly due to the 1990 world recession, which lasted longer in Europe than in Britain, and has had to rethink its market and adjust to new trends in tourist demands.

To begin, the Spanish economy relied on agriculture and fishing. This primary employment brought in little money and therefore made it difficult for the country to develop. The fish sources were also becoming smaller and more countries were competing for a share of the stocks. Tourism was seen to be the solution to these problems. As...