State the change in GNI during the year of the Olympic Games.

State the change in GNI one year after the Olympic Games.

Describe what is meant by the sphere of influence of a sporting event.

Suggest reasons why a country’s GNI increases before and during the Olympic Games.

Examine the changes in the international tourism industry that have led to the development of more remote tourism locations.

+0.4% (accept +0.35% to +0.45%)

–0.7% (accept –0.65% to –0.75%)

The area (do not accept distance) from which a sporting event draws [1 mark] its competitors and/or supporters [1 mark].

The answer can offer reasons for the specific changes shown in the graph, or may offer a general explanation (or one based on a case study). Any of these approaches is acceptable. For full marks both “before” and “during” must be addressed, but balance is not important.

Award up to [4 marks] for reasons why GNI is boosted before the Games. Reasons for growth could include investment (public and private), economic optimism, infrastructure development and its multiplier effect, sponsorship, development of specific sporting facilities etc. Credit any attempt made to distinguish between the higher and lower phases of growth shown in the graph (but do not expect this).

Award up to [4 marks] for each developed reason why GNI is boosted during the Games. Reasons for growth include tourism, retail sales, newspaper and media sales, food sales, transport receipts, etc.

In each case, award only [1 mark] for a list of benefits with no development, exemplification or use of data.

Responses are expected to acknowledge the overall global increase in tourist numbers and the associated increase in revenues. This increase in the overall industry has increased the saturation of existing locations and led to new, more remote locations being developed. Reference to models of tourism may be relevant here. Ecotourism, adventure tourism, high value luxury tourism and back-packing are types of tourism that may occur in remote locations. In addition, an increase in transport infrastructure and reduced flight costs has made new locations more financially viable. Global warming may be opening up some remote locations to tourism, such as Greenland and Svalbard. A recognition amongst governments of the development potential provided by tourism has increased investment thus increasing access. Increasing standards of living in emerging economies is leading to an increase in the volume of global tourists in recognized markets. This is compounded by mass media and marketing.

While examples are not a specific requirement of the question, those answers that provide supporting examples are likely to access the higher markbands. At band D, at least two changes are described and linked to perceived remote locations. To access bands E and F a variety of changes are examined (eg may examine the most important change, or categorise the changes). Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.

Most candidates were able to interpret the graph and state the change in GNI.

Most candidates were able to interpret the graph and state the change in GNI.

Relatively few were able to define the sphere of influence, and this was often not linked to sporting events.

Good knowledge and understanding was generally shown, but weaker answers did not structure their response into changes before and during the games.

Many answers were more about the growth and decline of traditional tourist locations, with some reference to the Butler Model, rather than giving reasons for the development of remote locations. Few had good supporting examples. “Remoteness” is a very subjective term in this context. There were some very superficial, historical answers such as “the invention of air travel”.