The aim of this report is to compare the history of tourism in two areas and show how tourist typology and image has changed over time. The areas chosen are the Lake District in the UK and the Rheinsteig Hiking Trail in Germany. These areas were chosen due to nationality of the authors and their personal knowledge of the areas.
Understanding the image of an area and the tourist typology is important in understanding why destinations rise and fall in popularity over time. Numerous models have been created to attempt to define and predict the evolution of tourism including Butler‟s model of evolution of tourist areas and Plog‟s psychographic scale. This report aims to evaluate whether these models can be used to define the tourist typology within the areas selected and to show how it has developed over time.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Methods
3 Background
3.1.1 Lake District -General Information
3.1.2 History of Tourism in the Area
3.1.3 Rheinsteig -General Information
3.1.4 History of Tourism in the Area
4 Results
4.1.1 Burkart and Medlik, 1974
4.1.2 Plog´s Model
4.1.3 Butler´s Model
5 Conclusions and discussion
Objectives and Scope
This report aims to compare the history of tourism in the Lake District, UK, and the Rheinsteig hiking trail, Germany, to evaluate how tourist typologies and destination images have evolved over time. By applying established tourism models, the analysis explores the factors contributing to the rise and fall of destination popularity.
- Comparative historical analysis of two distinct nature-based tourism destinations.
- Application of Burkart and Medlik’s tourism epochs to explain regional development.
- Evaluation of visitor behavior using Plog’s psychographic scale.
- Assessment of destination evolution stages based on Butler’s model.
- Exploration of sustainable tourism practices and future management strategies.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1.2 History of Tourism in the Area
At the start of the 16th Century the Lake District was mainly visited by the very rich and exploring academics. Large summer mansions were built which employed the local population during the summer season. Popularity with travellers grew towards the end of the 18th century, and the first guide book to the area was written by Father Thomas West in 1778. With increasing numbers of visitors, more visitor infrastructure was put in place. Examples include the viewpoint stations set up for tourists which gave the best views of the landscape at popular sites.
At the start of the Napoleonic wars the popularity of the “Grand Tour” to Europe declined and travellers were forced to look for alternative destinations within Britain itself. This was also the start of the period of romanticism of nature in the area started by William Wordsworth when he wrote “Guide to the Lakes” in 1810. In 1847 the railway was opened to Kendal and Windermere and local tourists began to flock to the Lakes. The new railway allowed the working population from the surrounding towns and cities to escape the pollution on day trips and enjoy the open space and beauty of the area.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter outlines the purpose of the report, which is to compare the tourism history and evolution of the Lake District and the Rheinsteig.
2 Methods: This section details the data sources, including reports from the Cumbria Tourism Board and research material from the German Hiking Institute used to analyze the two destinations.
3 Background: This chapter provides contextual information and historical timelines for the Lake District and the Rheinsteig, covering their geographic characteristics and development as tourism regions.
4 Results: This chapter applies theoretical models—specifically Burkart and Medlik, Plog, and Butler—to interpret the evolution of tourist typologies and destination lifecycles in both regions.
5 Conclusions and discussion: This section summarizes the key differences and similarities between the two areas, noting the challenges in applying generalized models to destinations with different structures and lifespans.
Keywords
Lake District, Rheinsteig, Tourism History, Plog's Model, Butler's Model, Tourist Typology, Destination Image, Sustainable Tourism, Hiking, Cumbria, Premium Hiking Trail, Tourism Evolution, Heritage Tourism, Romanticism, Visitor Survey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this study?
The study examines and compares the history of tourism in the Lake District (UK) and the Rheinsteig (Germany), focusing on how tourist typologies and the image of these regions have changed over time.
What are the central themes of this research?
The central themes include the evolution of destination popularity, the shift in tourist profiles, the impact of infrastructure development, and the application of classical tourism models to modern hiking destinations.
What is the main objective of the report?
The objective is to evaluate whether established models—such as Butler's model of evolution and Plog's psychographic scale—can effectively define and predict the development of tourist typologies in the selected areas.
Which scientific methods were applied?
The authors utilized a comparative case study approach, analyzing secondary data from tourist boards, visitor surveys, historical accounts, and research materials from tourism institutes to reconstruct historical timelines and assess current tourism trends.
What does the main body of the paper cover?
The main body covers the background and historical context of both regions, followed by a results section that applies the Burkart and Medlik model, Plog's model of personality types, and Butler's destination lifecycle model to explain the data.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The study is best characterized by terms such as destination evolution, tourist typology, sustainable tourism, historical tourism analysis, and destination management.
How does the Rheinsteig differ from the Lake District in terms of tourism structure?
The Lake District functions as a distinct national park with a clear boundary, while the Rheinsteig is a linear-structured hiking trail embedded within the larger tourism landscape of the Rhine valley.
Why is it difficult to apply Butler's model to the Rheinsteig?
It is challenging because the Rheinsteig was only established in 2005, making it difficult to define its current lifecycle stage and predict its long-term future compared to regions with centuries of tourism history.
- Arbeit zitieren
- B.Sc. Matthias Breuer (Autor:in), Victoria Taylor (Autor:in), 2010, Development of tourist typology and image of the area in the Lake District, UK and Rheinsteig (Hiking Trail), Germany, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/214055
