This research paper is a critical analysis of visitor pressure in amusement parks. Overtourism and visitor pressure are growing themes in the tourism industry and in destination management. Different, big cities are affected. The phenomenon will be supported with a case study of an amusement park as an artificial destination – Europa Park in Germany.
The development towards overtourism and stakeholder relations are analysed in view of facing issues for the park itself and the main stakeholders on the micro level: the residents, the employees and the visitors. The transition from a day attraction towards a short-trip destination is used to show the process of growing visitor numbers.
Afterwards, critical issues like pollution, through traffic, and further developments are analysed considering the different stakeholders. Finally, recommendations are given to deal with problems of visitor pressure in amusement parks.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Abstract
- Introduction
- The case
- Literature review
- Analysis
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This research paper critically analyzes visitor pressure in amusement parks, using Europa-Park Germany as a case study. The objective is to understand the challenges of overtourism in an artificial destination, examining the impact on stakeholders (residents, employees, visitors) and the park's development from a day-trip to a short-break destination. The analysis considers issues arising from increasing visitor numbers, such as pollution.
- Visitor pressure in amusement parks
- Overtourism and its impact on stakeholders
- The transition from day-trip to short-break destination
- Environmental and social consequences of increasing visitor numbers
- Strategies for managing visitor pressure
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This chapter introduces the research paper's focus on critically analyzing visitor pressure in amusement parks, specifically using Europa-Park in Germany as a case study. It establishes the context of tourism development, highlighting the multifaceted roles of tourism—intruder, economic opportunity, and contributor to sustainable development. The chapter frames the central research question: How has Europa-Park developed in relation to visitor pressure, and how do different stakeholders manage it? It also previews the paper's structure and methodology, emphasizing the analysis of stakeholder interactions (locals, employees, visitors).
The case: This section details the Europa-Park case study. It traces the park's history from its 1975 opening in Rust, Germany, highlighting its growth from a local attraction to one of the world's largest amusement parks. The chapter discusses the strategic development of themed areas representing European countries, the expansion into hotels to accommodate short-break visitors, and the introduction of a winter season and a water park. Key statistics from 2017/18 (15 themed areas, over 100 attractions, 3,800 employees, over 5.6 million visitors, 82% revisit rate) illustrate the park's current scale and success.
Literature review: This chapter addresses the challenges of defining "visitor pressure" due to its context-dependent nature. It acknowledges the difficulties of quantifying the negative impacts of large visitor numbers and discusses how this challenge is approached in existing literature.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Amusement parks, visitor pressure, overtourism, stakeholder relations, artificial destination, capacity, transition, Europa-Park, Germany, sustainable tourism.
Europa-Park Case Study: Visitor Pressure and Overtourism - FAQ
What is the main focus of this research paper?
This research paper critically analyzes visitor pressure in amusement parks, using Europa-Park in Germany as a case study. It examines the challenges of overtourism in an artificial destination, focusing on the impact on stakeholders (residents, employees, visitors) and the park's development from a day-trip to a short-break destination.
What are the key objectives of the study?
The objective is to understand how Europa-Park has managed visitor pressure and the impact of increasing visitor numbers on various stakeholders and the park's development. The study also considers environmental and social consequences of high visitor numbers and explores strategies for managing visitor pressure.
What key themes are addressed in the research?
Key themes include visitor pressure in amusement parks, overtourism and its impact on stakeholders, the transition from day-trip to short-break destination, environmental and social consequences of increasing visitor numbers, and strategies for managing visitor pressure.
What is the structure of the research paper?
The paper includes an abstract, introduction, a case study focusing on Europa-Park, a literature review, analysis, and conclusion. The introduction sets the context and research question, the case study details Europa-Park's development, the literature review addresses the complexities of defining and measuring visitor pressure, and the analysis examines stakeholder interactions and management strategies.
What is the Europa-Park case study about?
The case study traces Europa-Park's growth from its opening in 1975 to its current status as one of the world's largest amusement parks. It examines the park's strategic development, including themed areas, hotels to accommodate short-break visitors, and the expansion into winter seasons and a water park. Key statistics illustrating the park's scale and success are also presented.
How does the paper address the concept of "visitor pressure"?
The literature review discusses the challenges of defining "visitor pressure" due to its context-dependent nature and the difficulties in quantifying its negative impacts. It explores how existing literature approaches this challenge.
What are the key stakeholders considered in this study?
The study considers the interactions and experiences of various stakeholders, including local residents, park employees, and visitors.
What are the key words associated with this research?
Key words include: Amusement parks, visitor pressure, overtourism, stakeholder relations, artificial destination, capacity, transition, Europa-Park, Germany, sustainable tourism.
What is the central research question?
The central research question is: How has Europa-Park developed in relation to visitor pressure, and how do different stakeholders manage it?
What kind of methodology is used in this research?
The methodology focuses on the analysis of stakeholder interactions (locals, employees, visitors) to understand the management of visitor pressure in Europa-Park.
- Quote paper
- Max Hoffmeister (Author), 2019, Visitor pressure in amusement parks, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/492946
