Tourists are not all bad, says industry expert

Wednesday, 17 Jul, 2002 0

Tourists are too often seen as “grockles, punters, hordes” and “despised destroyers” according to one of the speakers at The Tourism Society’s annual general meeting which took place on Monday (15 July).

The meeting, which marked the society’s 25th anniversary, looked at what the next 25 years could hold for the travel industry. Independent consultant Professor Victor Middleton, who stood down from the Council at the event, told fellow delegates: “Today’s tourists are more economically able to travel where and when they wish, are more educated and experienced as tourists, and have expectations in terms of quality, value and satisfaction.In 25 years time they will seek, indeed demand more insight, involvement,interest and inspiration from their visits.

“The seeds of the future are already sown in the present. The tourism environment has been exploited for profit and in many places there is growing unease at the evident damage caused by unmanaged demand. Eco-taxes and greater management will be essential in the future. If regulation becomes essential, it will be problematical, as it will impact on the freedoms of tourists and of tourism businesses.”

Professor Middleton added that it was concerning that tourists are viewed as “grockles, punters, hordes [and] despised destroyers instead of a manageable and sustainable source of revenue, jobs and improvements in the quality of life for residents”.

Around 100 tourism professionals attended the event which took place at the Millennium Copthorne Tara Hotel in Kensington, London. Other attendees included ABTA chief executive Ian Reynolds, British Incoming Tour Operators Association chief executive Richard Tobias and Sir Rocco Forte.