GEOGRAPHY TOURISM Shenley Rountree What is geography The

GEOGRAPHY + TOURISM Shenley Rountree

What is geography? • The study of interaction between people, places, & environments • • Ø Physical geography - study of natural features of region Human geography - study of a region’s cultures and peoples Helps answer why people desire to travel to different places

Physical Geography • Creates an environment that can either encourage or discourage tourism activities • • Mountains for skiing Beaches for sun and surf Changes with the seasons Accessibility

Human Geography • Enhances the tourism experience • • Culture of dress, language, food, arts, crafts Economics and politics can play an important in tourism • Ex. European Common Union

Why is geography important? • As world citizens, we need to understand geography in order to deal with major issues • • • Climate change Energy dependence War & regional conflicts Globalization International terrorism

1. Globalization • • • We travel and work in areas beyond our communities, states, & nation Technology allows the world to be a smaller and more interactive place We must understand foreign cultures who represent a labor force and a marketplace for products

2. Cultural Diversity • Human geography includes differences in language, race, religion, & politics • • How and why people live the way they do Awareness of these differences increases understanding • • When visiting new places When serving visitors in your area

3. Technology • • Information revolution expands our geographic horizons from local to global Helps us travel from one location to another or learn more about specific locations • • • Internet Global Information Systems (GIS) Global Positioning Systems (GPS)

Map of Internet Usage

4. Business & Industry • Location, Location! • • Find the best location for economic activity A good location results in higher profits, more convenience, and accessibility • Restaurants, shopping centers, hotels, museums

5. Climate • • Continuously changing Effects global, regional, and local environmental conditions Effects seasonality in tourism industry Long-term changes & reports of global warming require adaptation to climate

6. Energy • • Critical resources are distributed across the Earth’s geographic surface Access and availability of these resources impact how & why people travel • • Non-renewable: Coal & Oil Renewable: Solar, Wind & Water

7. Natural & Technology Hazards • • • Natural: Hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, landslides, volcanic eruptions, drought Technology: Air pollution, solid- and toxicwaste materials, water pollution Be sure to avoid hazards when planning a trip!

8. Transportation • Highways, railroads, airports, & seaports tie physical and human geography together • • In U. S. , rely on cars and the highway system Europe & Asia uses commuter trains Intercontinental travel relies heavily on airlines Understanding geography helps utilize new, efficient ways to travel

Why study geography?

Geography = Tourism • Geographic knowledge is essential to understand the activities & patterns of our lives • • • We search for interesting destinations for recreation and vacations We observe & learn about other cultures around the world We move from place to place with transportation & navigation systems

Questions?