Page 116 - Introduction to Tourism
P. 116
Shopping is an important tourist activity and thus
an essential element in tourism supply because it
affects the success of the tourist destination
area. The most important
single element in shopping is the authenticity of
the products offered for sale as they relate to the
local area. A product that is supposedly a “ native
handicraft ” should be that. If it is an import, the
purchaser may be disappointed if he or she
expected an authentic, locally made item.
Tourists who are shopping are particularly
interested in handicraft items that are typical or
indigenous to the particular locale or region. Of
course, they are also interested in essential items
such as toothpaste, but our discussion here is
confined to purchases that tourists make as
souvenirs or special gifts.
Tourists can be encouraged to spend more
money on shopping if displays are high quality,
imaginative, and attractive. Hotels are excellent
places for shops; and if these
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