Tourism Master Essay Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Tourism Master Essay - Research Paper Example In Great Britain, and indeed all over the world, the spurt of the tourism industry has spear-headed economic activity. Tourism has helped create jobs and consequent earnings, in large as well as small communities; it is a major industry by itself in many places. The impact is hardly restricted to the economics of the Lake District area. Tourism often impacts broad areas beyond those commonly associated with tourism too. However, the impact of tourism on a community or a place is not always well understood (Kreag, 2001). The Ambleside residents' problems present a typical case in the study. Understanding the potential consequences of tourism and how they can integrate this industry into their community proactively, shall make way for the progress of the community as a whole, including its leaders and as well as residents. To have an in-depth understanding of the Ambleside scenario and the perceptions of its residents, it is imperative to study some salient features that govern the tou rism industry while first having a vivid picture of the background. This dissertation envisages to analyse the basis of Ambleside's perceptions of socio-cultural impacts of tourism under the posts of the Social Exchange Theory (Ap 1992), Irridex of Irritation (Doxey 1975), and the Tourist Product Life Cycle (Butler 1980) ; so as to develop suitable research methodology and instruments that will direct and inform the research process. Background: "For a tourism-based economy to sustain itself in local communities, the residents must be willing partners in the process. Their attitudes toward tourism and perceptions of its impact on community life must be continually assessed". (Allen et al. 1988) The truth of this statement is well understood while studying the plight of Ambleside residents for whom tourism is twin phenomenon, which while helping them sustain a living, has also contributed to the deterioration of its quality. The town of Ambleside, and the four smaller wards of Troutbeck, Rydal, Langdale, and Grasmere which lie separately from each other in the beautiful surrounding valleys. At the center of the problem is the inadequacy of the infrastructure which has been overwhelmed by the sudden spurt in tourism and various aspects in which it has impacted the hitherto rustic area of the Lakeside area. The foremost problem in the above is the Roadway system. The Ambleside Relief Road Council cites a national su rvey (1994) estimate which states that 17 million recreational visit days were spent in the Park. 89% of visitors arrive by car. The high amount of traffic flow almost 19,000 vehicles per day at peak season (ARRC 1996), requires near perfect road conditions.  Ã‚