Tourist Resort Life Cycle Model

Time Number of Tourists Exploration Involvement Development Consolidation Stagnation Rejuvenation Decline

Exploration

Involvement

Development

Consolidation

Stagnation

Rejuvenation Decline

Exploration Small numbers of visitors attracted by natural beauty or cultural characteristics Tourist numbers are limited. Few tourist facilities exist.

Small numbers of visitors attracted by natural beauty or cultural characteristics

Tourist numbers are limited.

Few tourist facilities exist.

Involvement Limited involvement by local residents to provide some facilities for tourists. There is a recognisable ‘tourist season’. There begins to be a definite tourist market.

Limited involvement by local residents to provide some facilities for tourists.

There is a recognisable ‘tourist season’.

There begins to be a definite tourist market.

Development Large numbers of tourists arrive. Control passes from the locals to external organisations (TNCs). Increase in tension between local people and tourists.

Large numbers of tourists arrive.

Control passes from the locals to external organisations (TNCs).

Increase in tension between local people and tourists.

Consolidation Tourism has become a major part of the local economy. Visitor numbers start to level off (at a high number). Some older facilities are seen as second-rate.

Tourism has become a major part of the local economy.

Visitor numbers start to level off (at a high number).

Some older facilities are seen as second-rate.

Stagnation Peak numbers of tourists have been reached. The resort is no longer considered fashionable.

Peak numbers of tourists have been reached.

The resort is no longer considered fashionable.

Rejuvenation / Decline Attractiveness continues to decline. Visitors are lost to other resorts and destinations. Resort becomes dependent on day visitors and weekend recreationalists from a limited geographical area. Long term decline will continue unless action is taken to rejuvenate the area and modernise.

Attractiveness continues to decline.

Visitors are lost to other resorts and destinations.

Resort becomes dependent on day visitors and weekend recreationalists from a limited geographical area.

Long term decline will continue unless action is taken to rejuvenate the area and modernise.