VISITOR ATTRACTIONS

A visitor attraction is ...
a place that attracts tourists and offers enjoyment, amusement, entertainment and education.

The English Tourism Council categorises visitor attractions into:
historic buildings - Blenheim Palace, Buckingham Palace, Warwick Castle
Museums and art galleries: British Museum, Tate Modern, National Portrait Gallery
Wildlife attractions: Whipsnade Zoo, Woburn Safari Park, Sea Life Centre
Gardens: Kew Gardens, Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Steam Railways: Bluebell railway
Leisure Parks: Drayton Manor


Products and Services:
Toilets and disabled toilets
Telephones
Cash dispensers
baby changing
drinking water fountains
First aid
Guest lockers
lost and found


There are many factors that should be considered when choosing to visit a theme park. Give two reasons why each of the following three factors are important:
Cost
Location
Interest

Cost
Is it too expensive for a family
Consideration of extra costs – eating out, accommodation, cost of merchandise

Location
Is the theme park accessible
How long is the journey?
Is there car park provision
Is the theme park accessible by public transport

Interest
Enjoyed by thrill seekers – roller coaster rides
Are there attractions other than rides – e.g. shows, circus, wildlife or farms, restaurants


For a theme park which you have studied - describe its location and key attractions (6 marks)
Drayton Manor, Tamworth Staffs

Attractions
White knuckle rides – Pandemonium, Maelstrom, Shockwave, Apocalypse
Log flume storm force 10
Splash Canyon
New for children in 2008 Thomas the Tank Engine rides suit ages 3 - 6

Catering facilities – range of cafes, take away places

Using a visitor attraction with which you are familiar, explain how it meets the needs of families who have one or more of their children under the age of 5
Level 1
•List ways the facility meets needs e.g. baby changing facilities, children, creche facilities with brief explanation of how these meet needs (2marks)
Level 2
•How do the facilities meet the needs of families e.g. a creche allows parents to spend time with their older children whilst the younger children are cared for
•Different prices mean that families can afford to use the facilities together or more frequently



Visitor attractions have many impacts on the area where they are situated. Using a visitor attraction you have studied, analyse the economic and environmental impacts that it has on the area


Economic impacts
Positive
• Jobs
More income to area (L1)

Negative
•Seasonal employment


Environmental impacts
Positive

Negative
•Overcrowding (L1)
•Pollution (L1)
noise pollution from rides, people, cars,
congestion on local roads causing air pollution, noise pollution and visual pollution
•Litter which looks untidy (L2)
•Litter looks untidy and may harm animals (L3) and deter people from returning to the area in the future