(i) Define the term leisure.

(ii) Define the term tourism.

Suggest two reasons why demand for international tourist services has increased rapidly in recent decades.

Explain two ways in which environmental damage from tourism has been minimized in one named city or large town.

Examine the view that tourism offers a guaranteed route towards economic development for low-income countries.

(i) Any freely chosen activity or experience that takes place in non-work time.

(ii) Travel away from home for at least one night [1 mark] usually for the purpose of leisure.

Award [1 mark] for each valid reason offered. Possible reasons include: rising incomes, increased leisure time, cheaper tourist packages generating greater demand, advertising, growth of international chains/tourist TNCs, “no-frills” airlines, more student travel, ease of internet booking raising demand, “aging” population of “sun-seekers”. There may be other valid reasons.

In each case award another [1 mark] for development or exemplification of the growth of international demand, for example, one which explains incomes are rising in post-industrial MEDCs, or new emerging middle-class in India/China.

Answer is context-specific but award [1 mark] for each action described and [1 mark] for each link established with environmental protection, for example, reduced vehicle emissions, reduced noise pollution, pedestrianized areas, provision of bicycles for tourists, waste disposal strategies, control of effluent from coastal towns, usage zoning.

In Oxford [1 mark] increased traffic congestion resulting from tourism has been reduced by traffic management strategies [1 mark]. 

Damage limitation should be specific to the chosen town/city (do not credit “reduced carbon footprint”, etc). Award no more than [3 marks] if case study not given.

Answer invites debate around “guaranteed”, in addition to recognizing that there are positives and negatives in any case, which in itself makes the statement controversial.

Economic benefits can be discussed for individuals working in the tourist industry or for national income. Expect details of multiplier effects, foreign earnings. This must be balanced against financial losses (leakage of profits from foreign-owned ventures). Good answers should recognize that tourism is not a one-size-fits-all development strategy: it may not be the best strategy in some cases (and parallel strategies might exist).

For band D, there should be an understanding of how tourism may lead to economic development, and an awareness of the limitations of tourism to economic development.

At band E the general truth of the statement should be explored, using exemplification.

At band F there should be a balanced evaluation.

Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.