Comparing Types Of Visitor Attractions

Millions of guest visit tourist attraction each year. The majorities of them enjoy the experience and tell their friends about the attraction. The extent of attraction development is increasing throughout the world. The nature and type of attraction now available may be a large theme park, with several “white- knuckle” thrill rides, a historic property, a museum, a heritage center, a cave system, a zoo, a brewery or distillery, a cathedral, or even a nuclear power station.

Tourist attractions are an essential ingredient for successful tourism, destination development. “Attractions are designed to attract; they are prime motivators for visiting a destination or resort” – (Clare Gunn, 1972). Attractions are clearly at the forefront of tourism, both culturally and economically.

Unfortunately, a succinct, rigorous definition relevant to all visitor attractions does not exist. Attractions can, however, be identified and categorized by applying the following criteria. A visitor attraction is a feature in an area that is a place, venue, or focus of activity and does the following:

Sets out to attract visitors (day visitors from resident and tourist population) and is managed accordingly.

Provides a fun and pleasurable experience and an enjoyable way for customers to spend their leisure time.

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Is developed to realize this potential

Is managed as an attraction providing satisfaction to its customers.

Provide an appropriate level of facilities and services to meet and cater to the demands, needs, and interest of its visitors.

Today we have many of escaping, but tourist attraction still growing in number and admissions are increasing. The reasons are not mystical. In fact, the fundamental reason remains the same enjoyment. Increasingly, enjoyment is now qualified by other deeper sociological and psychological motivations such as enhancing life and experiencing things first-hand.

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Today’s attraction markets are more sophisticated in their tastes than the predecessors. The new generation of hands-on museums and exploration centers involve the customer in complex experience that is both enjoyable and interpretive. Attractions, now more than ever, have to animate, or bring to life, their message, be it fun or educational, be it heritage or thrill-creating.

Although the nature of all attractions is similar, their particular individual quality is different. Each offers a unique experience to its customers. The operation and management of attractions do, however, share a number of similarities and common features. Each attraction has to operate effectively and efficiently and achieve a high degree of visitor satisfaction within the resources available to it.

Comparing and contrast two different distinct types of visitor attraction-

The word “castle” may be seen on English maps against all manner of different sites and buildings, some fortified, some purely residential, from long abandoned prehistoric camps to pseudo- Gothic shams. A castle was a private fortress, of king or noble, and was a product of the feudal system. The castle, then, is the fortified residence of a lord and a manifestation of feudal society and more especially feudal lordship.

Leeds Castle is perhaps the loveliest, most romantic castle in England. This fairy- tail structure is situated on two islands in the middle of the River Len near Maidstone, Kent , not far from London.

The history of Leeds Castle England can be traced to the 9th century, when a Saxon lord built a manor on the one of the islands on the River Len. The most famous resident in the history of Leeds Castle was King Henry VIII, who made further additions to the

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structure, converting it from a fortress to a royal palace for his first wife, Catherine of Aragon.

Leeds Castle England has been open to the public since 1976 and is maintained by the Leeds Castle Foundation. A Leeds Castle tour includes visits to the old keep, the Gloriette, named after Eleanor of Castle. Dog lovers will enjoy the unique dog collar museum, also part of the Leeds Castle Tour. Outside, the Leeds Castle tour features the Culpepper Gardens, a classic English country garden; several aviaries of native and exotic birds, including a duckery with rare black swans; woodland gardens; a grotto; and a yew-tree maze. The extensive parkland surrounding the castle was landscaped in the early 18th century. Many of the trees that were planted then still remain. The park is split by streams and lakes that are home to over 30 species of waterfowl. The Duckery provides habitat for ducks, geese, and swans. There is a lovely woodland garden, at its best in spring when daffodils, narcissi, and anemones are in bloom, and an English Cottage Garden. Leeds Castle is also home to the National Collection of Bergamot. In the gardens is an aviary housing rare and endangered bird species from across the globe. More exotic still is the yew Maze, planted and trimmed to resemble a topiary castle. Within the Maze is a secret underground grotto. There is even a 9-hole public golf course.

Leeds Castle provides a venue for many country events in Kent. The castle can be booked for conferences, weddings, and other private gatherings.

Heligan is a modern miracle. Until the First World War, the estate gardens at Heligan were one of the glories of Cornwall. But they were left to sleep for many years.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall were created mainly in the 19th century, of were one of the finest gardens in England of their period, with 57 acres of planted gardens, around 100 acres of ornamental woodlands, and 300 acres of rides. Scattered throughout were follies and temples. Henry Hawkins, Tremayne and John Claude Tremayne in turn created and planted the gardens and ornamental woodlands with walks and rides. They were noted botanists and horticulturist and by the 1900 had a amassed a wonderful collection of trees and shrubs from all over the globe, many of which can be seen today. It was the centre of the community with 20 house staff and up to 22 garden staff, with the local economy dependent on the estate for their income and

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parishes assisted by the Tremaynes benevolence. Created as a horticultural playground for experimenting with the new passion for subtropical plants that swept the country one hundred and fifty years ago, this twenty two acre steep-sided valley garden is home to some of the lushest vegetation in the country.

The Pleasure grounds- The pleasure grounds house rare and exotic shrubs, collected by plant hunters, from all over the world in the 19th century. There are lots of parts to the Northern Summerhouse with its sea views, the Italian Garden, the Fern Ravine, the Wishing Well, one of the finest beehole walls in the country and the Crystal grotto whose interior was lit by candles for romantic summer evenings. Recently opened in 1997 is the walled sundial garden. And there is the cast herbaceous border described as the finest in England in Victoria times.

The Vegetable, flower and fruit gardens- In previous centuries the Productive Gardens were called upon to supply the “Big House” with all of its day-to-day requirements of fruits, vegetables, herbs, ornamental plants and cut flowers. Four walled gardens complete with glasshouses, frames and pits, produced the flowers, fruit and vegetables for the Big House. The melon garden even gas a manure heated pineapple pit, the glasshouses produce citrus fruit, grapes and peaches. Here is also a wonderful collection of working buildings, a potting shed, a fruit store, tool sheds and a dark store.

The Jungle- the Big House looks down the valley which eventually winds its way to the fishing village of Mevagissy. The jungle was created to house a collection of sub tropical plants.

The Lost Valley- The latest in the string of restorations. The area has a history of charcoal burning and Georgian rides, with a water meadow and restored lakes. It was opened to visitors in 1998 to visit this native Cornish woodland- a circular walk of an extra mile now incorporates the Medieval Sunken Lane and additional sections of the original Georgian Ride. The lakes and ponds are home to several species of fish and skimming the surface of the water, magnificent dragonflies and damselflies hunt their prey on the wing. For all those with a spirit of adventure this is a unique opportunity to roam through a wild and beautiful landscape.

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Since it opened, visitors have flocked to Heligan. By 1998 it became the most visited private garden in Britain with over 200, 000 visitors. It also won the “Country Life” Garden of the Year award 1995.

Compare: The Leeds Castle and The Lost Gardens are opened for the public. They both have gardens. In the Leeds Castle there is a lovely woodland garden, at its best in spring when daffodils, narcissi, and anemones are in bloom, and an English Cottage Garden. In the gardens is an aviary housing rare and endangered bird species from across the globe. The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall are created in 19th century, of were one of the finest gardens in England of their period. There are few different kind of gardens- The Northern Gardens, The Vegetable, flowers and fruit gardens, The Jungle. In the both places there are located lakes. Leeds Castle has to be one of the most beautifully situated medieval castles in England, projecting into its natural lake. In the Leeds Castle, the park is split by stream and lakes that are home to over 30 species of waterfowl. In the Lost Gardens of Heligan, there is a place called The Last Valley. With its history of charcoal burning and Georgian rides, its water meadows and restored lakes and ponds. The Leeds Castle and The Lost Gardens of Heligan are open every day of the year. This two visitor attractions have their own web-sites where you can find out what information you need.

Contrast: The first visitor attraction is a castle and the second is a garden. This makes them different from each other. Leeds Castle provides a venue for many country events in Kent. The castle can be booked for conferences, banquets, weddings, and other private gatherings. Leeds Castle is not just a museum but also a place where people meet and special events bring the grounds to life. On the first Saturday of every month, the castle hosts Kentish Evenings, featuring a cocktail reception, a private Leeds Castle tour, and five- course meal. In June and July, Leeds Castle hosts large open- air concerts, featuring music and performances. The Lost Gardens of Heligan doesn’t offer

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such an option, people just go for a day- trip. But in the web-site they offer a hotel, where you can stay when visiting Cornwall.

Attraction is a good word; it releases managers and visitors from the limitations of the more popular but restrictive titles such as parks and resorts. It is also important to consider some of the less obvious reasons that people visit attractions, because these play an important part in the way customers are treated and how managers understand customer aspirations, their disappointments, and complaints. Customer perceptions can vary widely from the image that is promoted.

In the days before television, video, cable, or satellite communications and with little other mass entertainment for the growing populations of the main industrial countries, these “fun” attractions soon developed strong market interest. People worked longer hours in more difficult circumstances. Wars were never far away, together with considerable repression of either ethnic, religious, or cultural groups. People needed some magic in their lives to escape the rather difficult realities of everyday life.

Today we have many ways of escaping, but tourist attractions still growing in number and admissions are increasing. In reasons are not mystical. In fact, the fundamental reason remains the same- enjoyment.