Outline two types of carrying capacity that apply to rural areas.

Explain how land values and accessibility can affect the distribution of sports facilities within urban areas.

Evaluate the role of tourism as a development strategy in low-income countries.

Award [1] for each outline of each type of carrying capacity, and a further [1] for some development of each.

Reference should be made to both environmental carrying capacity and perceptual carrying capacity.

For example:

Environmental carrying capacity is the maximum number of visitors before the local environment becomes damaged [1]. A large number of walkers in an upland area may cause extensive damage due to footpath erosion [1].

Perceptual carrying capacity is the maximum number before a specific group of visitors considers the level of impact, such as noise, to be excessive [1]. Excessive numbers of people on a beach may cause stress due to overcrowding and noise [1].

Do not award marks for reference to urban areas.

Responses must address both land values and accessibility; award [1] for each valid point, up to a maximum of [3] in each case.

For example: Sports facilities requiring a large area, such as cricket grounds, may not be able to afford to locate in central areas due to high land values [1]; they may locate on cheaper ground in the suburbs [1]. Gymnasia are less space-demanding and can locate in central areas [1].
Stadiums and arenas need to be accessible to a large number of participants/spectators [1] and therefore locate near good communication links [1]; golf courses have fewer participants and can locate in rural areas on the edge of an urban area [1].

In recent years there has been a rapid growth of international tourism, and this has been viewed as a stimulus to economic development in developing countries. However, the effectiveness of using tourism as a development
strategy has been questioned.

Good answers will put forward both sides of the argument, evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of tourism as a development strategy. On the positive side, it could be argued that tourism leads to the development of such things as infrastructure and communications, the multiplier effect, foreign currency, employment, and a greater integration into the world economy. On the other hand, it could be argued that the impacts of tourism are limited and spatially concentrated, including factors such as tourist enclaves, mainly low-paid and unskilled labour, “leakage” of revenues, domination by TNCs, and uncertainty regarding tourist numbers due to natural hazard events or political problems.

Inappropriate examples, eg MEDCs or cities, cannot progress beyond B and D

For band D, expect some description of the importance of tourism as a development strategy in one or more low-income countries.

For band E, expect either a more detailed explanation of the advantages and disadvantages of tourism as a development strategy, or an evaluation of the spatial and temporal role tourism can play in development.

For band F, expect both.

Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.