1. Global Tourism
Fluctuations in
the Global Tourism Industry

2. Based on the figure, has tourism increased
constantly over the years?
International Tourist Arrivals
13.1 mil
14
12
10
11.6 mil
9.8mil 10.3 mil 10.1 mil 9.7 mil
8
6
4
2
0
2006
International Tourist Arrivals
2007
2008
2009
2010
Source: STB, 2011
2011

3. By the end of this lesson
You should be able to:
1. Explain why tourism is subject to
regional fluctuations using authentic
examples

4. Do you know what this event is?

5. The aftermath of the 2011 Tohoku
Tsunami

6. Is Japan trying to
promote the increase
of
demand
or
destination factors by
offering free flights to
save
the
tourism
industry?

7. Can you think of any other
events that will affect demand
or destination factors?

8. Hong Kong (2003) SARS Epidemic
299 Dead
Widespread Hysteria

9. Hong Kong (2003) SARS Epidemic
• Tourist arrivals fell 63% (850,000) from
March to April 2003
• Outbound bookings for the Easter
holiday period fell by 80%.

10. Iceland (2010) Eyjafjallajökull eruption
Halted air travel in Europe and Trans-Atlantic
for a week
Affected tourism during the Easter holiday

11. Iceland (2010) Eyjafjallajökull eruption
• 107,000 flights cancelled during 8 day
period- 48% of total air traffic (10 million
passengers)
• Airlines collectively losing £130m per day in
lost revenues
• Tourism industry will lose money from
tourists unable to make the trip

12. Global Financial Crisis(2007-2008)
• Caused by the bubble burst in the
property market of the US
• Banks and financial institutions declared
bankrupt due to massive debts

13. Global Financial Crisis(2007-2008)
• Consumer spending lowered due to rising
unemployment (5.4 million jobs lost in USA
in 2008)
• Assets have lowered due to the collapse of
the stock and property markets
• There is less disposable income that can be
used to finance holidays

14. Tourist arrivals in 2008/2009 could be the
consequence of the financial crisis
International Tourist Arrivals
13.1 mil
14
12
10
11.6 mil
9.8mil 10.3 mil 10.1 mil 9.7 mil
8
6
4
2
0
2006
International Tourist Arrivals
2007
2008
2009
2010
Source: STB, 2011
2011

15. Thailand (2008) Political Crisis
Began with coup d'état in 2006 which ousted
then PM Thaksin Shinawatra
Two factions: United Front for Democracy
Against Dictatorship (Pro-Thaksin) and
People's Alliance for Democracy
(AntiThaksin)

16. Thailand (2008) Political Crisis
Series of political incidents which have affected
tourism:
30 August -PAD Supporters laid siege to
airports in Phuket, Krabi and Hatyai (15,000
visitors trapped)
2 September- Violent clashes leaving 1 dead
and 43 injured, state of emergency is declared
in Bangkok until 14 September.

17. Thailand (2008) Political Crisis
6 October- Violent clashes day-long leave 2
dead and over 300 injured, including 20
policemen
25 November- PAD blocks Suvarnabhumi
International Airports, leaving thousands of
tourists stranded and cutting off most of
Thailand's international air connections.
Several explosions and clashes occur in the
following day.

18. Thailand (2008) Political Crisis

20. Factors affecting
tourism are
constantly changing
due to these
unforeseen events!

21. Learning Points
• The tourism industry is not stable and
regional/international events may affect its
growth
• Tourism is fuelled by a combination of
demand and destination factors, that
fluctuates across space, time and scale