The Development of New Tourism Products

Abstract

The rapidity of tourism development worldwide over the past twenty years has been startling. The principal features of this period have been the rapid expansion of cheap package holidays in the Mediterranean and the development of new seaside resort areas to accommodate this sun-seeking mass tourism market; the introduction of larger and more economic aircraft and increasing competition between airlines opening up services to long-haul destinations at costs which more and more people are able to afford; the dominance of a small number of major tour operators which has forced prices downwards almost to the point of self-destruction; and, in England, the loss of a significant share of the domestic long holiday market, and the consequent embarrassment of the traditional seaside resort.