Page 87 - Tourism The International Business

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most important generators of foreign traffic are West Germany, the United Kingdom and France. The growth of
travelers to Spain is the most significant trend in receiving countries. There is a marked seasonal effect with the vast
majority of travel occurring during the summer. The automobile is used for about half the vacations taken, and

hotels are the primary source of accommodation.
On a global basis Europe is the major tourist destination, accounting for about 75 per cent of all international
tourist movements. Tourists come primarily from Western Europe and North America. Tourists from outside of
Europe mainly frequent Italy, France, the United Kingdom and Spain.
When Europeans vacation outside of Europe they travel to North America and North Africa, the offshore
Atlantic islands, and East Africa.
United Kingdom. The United Kingdom is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The

annual "holiday" is very important to the British, and the proportion of the population taking a vacation is over 60
per cent. While an increasing percentage vacation abroad, most holidays are taken within Britain itself. Recent
growth in the number of vacations has come from the growing numbers of people who are taking a second and even
a third break, usually a short, off-season holiday. However, approximately two out of three vacations are taken in
either July or August.
Traditionally the British have had a pattern of spending their vacations at the same seaside resorts year after
year. Habits are changing as more and more people travel outside the country. However, the old pattern,
particularly with manual workers, can still be observed. Almost three-fourths of main holidays involve a stay by the
seaside. Workers from the north of England make for Blackpool; in the south the favored places are Brighton,

Margate, and Southend. The Southwest, because of increased accessibility to major population areas and its reliable
climate, is the most important tourist region and has been ever since World War II. The major attraction is the
coast. The Southwest is closely followed in importance by the Southeast and the South. The coast and the climate
are, again, the major reasons.
Most tourists travel to one spot and stay. Only a small percentage take a touring holiday.
Outside of the Southwest, which attracts people from regions both near and far, the majority of visitors to other
regions come from areas close by. Analysts have also noted a reluctance for people from the south to travel north on

vacation, particularly on their main vacation.
There has been a tremendous growth in the numbers of British tourists traveling abroad. A major reason for the
increase has been the growth of inclusive tours offering cut-rate holidays. The average length of stay abroad is two
weeks in Europe although visits to North America average four to five weeks. About 90 per cent of all visits abroad
are to Europe. In the 1950s the most popular destinations were France and Switzerland; today it is Spain.
Increasing numbers are traveling farther afield to Yugoslavia, Turkey, Tunisia and Morocco.
The United States generates more visitors to Britain than any other country. Significant numbers also come
from France, West Germany, the Netherlands and Canada. Visits from North America are primarily because of
ethnic, cultural and historical ties. Geographic proximity together with the standard of living in the generating

country probably accounts for the numbers from Western Europe.
The United Kingdom runs a surplus in its tourism account.
The so-called milk run for international visitors is London, Stonehenge, Stratford-Upon-Avon and Edinburgh.
Yet outside of these four places, there is a variety of things to see and do. London is known for its history, its
museums, the pageantry of royal occasions, and its theater. A number of famous cathedrals such as Canterbury,

Tourism the International Business 87 A Global Text