| Date | November 2021 | Marks available | 1 | Reference code | 21N.1.bp.9 |
| Level | SL and HL | Paper | 1 | Time zone | |
| Command term | State | Question number | 9 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
The table shows the number of visitors to 15 selected major tourist hotspots in 2017.
[Source: Mastercard, Dubai one of the World’s Most Visited Cities: Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index 2018. [online]
Available at: https://newsroom.mastercard.com/mea/press-releases/dubai-one-of-the-worlds-most-visited-citiesmastercard-
global-destination-cities-index-2018/ [Accessed 26 October 2020].]
State the range of number of visitors, in millions, for the 15 major tourist hotspots.
State the median number of visitors, in millions, for the 15 major tourist hotspots.
Outline one way in which investment by transnational corporations (TNCs) can help places grow as tourist destinations.
Suggest two reasons why further visitor growth at major tourist hotspots such as these could be unsustainable.
Markscheme
20.0–8.3 (or 11.7).
12
Award [1] for a valid way and [1] for explanation or developed exemplification.
For example: TNCs organize/advertise package/all-in holidays [1] to destinations that people would otherwise not be aware of [1].
Other possibilities:
- A TNC/MNC might hold a conference in a city [1] helping to raise its profile and attracting visitors [1]
- Developing resort complexes (hotels, swimming pools etc.) [1] attracting package holiday makers [1].
In each case award [1] for a valid reason and [2] for further development / explanation / exemplification (with a link to sustainability).
For example: There may already be a shortage of accommodation in these hotspots [1] so prices are forced up further by increasing numbers [1] becoming unaffordable for local communities [1].
Other possibilities for the contexts shown include:
- Over-tourism
- Threats to culture
- Exceeds carrying capacity
- Increase in pollution.
Examiners report
This seemed straightforward for candidates.
Most stated the median correctly, but some incorrectly calculated the mean.
There was the ongoing issue of not reading the question carefully and simply stating what TNCs might do; but not relating investment to the growth of tourist destinations for the second mark. Some looked at TNC investment generally in a country rather than investment in the tourist sector.
Most could identify problems caused by visitor growth, but the reasons given were often either very general or not developed. Few responses were explicitly linked to sustainability. Many responses were repetitive and some listed multiple reasons without developing any.
