The Tourism Geography of East Asia

1
The Tourism Geography of East Asia
2
Learning Objectives

• 1.      Describe the major physical features and
  climates of the region and understand their
  importance for tourism
• 2.      Recognise that the economies of the
  countries in the region show many contrasts,
  ranging from the advanced to the least
  developed
• 3.      Appreciate that outbound and domestic
  tourism and recreation are of growing importance
  to the more prosperous countries of East Asia
• 4.      Recognise the effect of crises such as
  SARS and terrorism on demand for tourism in the
  region
• 5.      Show that inbound tourism is being
  encouraged by most countries in the region as a
  source of foreign exchange and employment
• 6.      Recognise that the tourist appeal of
  East Asia is mainly cultural, although beach
  tourism and event attractions are growing in
  importance
• 7.     Be aware of the extent of the cultural and
  environmental impacts on host communities
• 8.      Recognise the importance of
  infrastructure on tourism development
• 9.     Demonstrate a knowledge of the tourist
  regions, resorts, business centres and tourist
  attractions of East Asia.

3
East Asia Introduction

• Rapid economic growth
• Rapid tourism growth
• Varied tourism products
• Colonial influences
• Traditional cultures

4
Singapore

• Stable and prosperous
• Singapore Airlines
• Strong tourism market
• Resources
• A number of zoos and wildlife parks
• The waterfront area of Clarke Quay, with its
  leisure theatre and shopping developments
•  The Suntec conference and exhibition centre
• The beach resort of Sentosa Island, which
  includes a number of Asian-style theme parks and
• The Esplanade Centre for the performing arts,
  epitomising Singapores drive to become a
  cultural destination

5
Malaysia

• Multicultural
• Cultural areas
•         Peninsular or West Malaysia, known under
  British rule as Malaya, which is the southernmost
  peninsula of mainland Asia
•         East Malaysia, consisting of the states
  of Sabah and Sarawak, which form part of the
  island of Borneo
• Resources
•         The beaches of West Malaysia
•         A variety of cultural attractions
•         Facilities for conferences and meetings
  including the Putra World Trade Centre and the
  Malaysian International Exhibition Centre
• The wildlife resources of the interior mountains
  and rainforests.
• Brunei

6
Indonesia

• Large Muslim nation
• Demand
• Supply

• Resources
• Java
• Sumatra
• Bali
• Lombok
• Lesser Sunda Islands
• Sulawesi

7
Philippines

• Spanish and American influences
• Demand
• Supply

• Resources
• South Luzon
• Manila
• Beach resorts
• The Visayas
• Palawan
• Mindanao

8
Thailand

• Demand
• Supply

• Resources
• Bangkok
• Chiangmai
• Phuket
• Eastern Thailand

9
Indo-China

• Cambodia
• Laos
• Vietnam
• Reconstruction after war
• Resources (Hanoi, Saigon, beaches)
• Burma
• Political issues

10
Japan

• Industrial nation
• Four main islands
• Character
• It is remarkably homogenous, with one language,
  few social divisions and no large ethnic
  minorities
• It has enjoyed political stability since 1945
• Respect for tradition co-exists with admiration
  for the new
• There is a readiness to adopt the latest
  technological innovations
• Society is bound by discipline and respect for
  authority, but leisure is seen as increasingly
  important.

• Demand
• Domestic
• Outbound
• Inbound

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Japan Supply

• Transport
• Accommodation
• organisation

• Resources
• Tokyo
• Kyoto
• Nikko, Nara, Ise
• Inland Sea
• Kyushu
• Hokkaido
• Okinawa

12
China

• Large population
• Restructuring
• Outbound tourism will dominate world tourism
• Large landmass

• Demand
• Inbound
• Domestic
• outbound

13
China Resources

• North
• Xian
• Great Wall of China
• Chengde
• Beijing

• East Central
• Shanghai
• Historic Cities
• Yangtze
• West
• Tibet
• South
• Guilin
• Kunming
• Gwangzhou
• Hainan

14
Hong Kong and Macau

• Hong Kong
• SAR of China
• Colonial influence
• Free port status and a free-wheeling private
  enterprise economy
• Border controls with the rest of China, although
  visa controls are being relaxed
• The Hong Kong dollar as its official currency
• English as an official language
• Its own tourist authority for promotion and
  development The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB.)
  

• Major destination
• Resources
• Shopping for consumer goods and Chinese items
  such as jade
• The sampans and floating restaurants of Aberdeen
• Themed attractions such as the Sung Dynasty
  Village and the Middle Kingdom (showcasing
  Chinas history), Ocean Park, and the Space
  Museum
• The outlying islands with their temples and
  peaceful countryside, providing a relief from the
  hectic pace of urban Hong Kong
• Macau

15
Taiwan, Korea and Mongolia

• Taiwan
• Resources
• Taipei.
• The Taroko Gorge, on the East West Highway
  crossing the island
• Sun Moon Lake, a favourite resort for Taiwanese
  holidaymakers
• The beaches of the east coast and offshore
  islands.

• Korea
• Political division
• South Korea
• Economic growth
• Demand
• Resources
• Seoul
• Pusan
• Cheju Island
• Mountains
• North Korea
• Mongolia