Tourism in France
France is known to the whole world for its rich culture and heritage. And no wonder, it has got an effect on the tourist attractions in France as well. France is the home to some of the most beautiful cities and tourist attractions in the world. France is home to several world-famous tourist attractions, attracting Tourist attractions in France are scattered all across the country, and every region has something special to offer to its visitors. In fact, there is so much to see and do in France that only a guided tour can help you cover best tourist attractions of France in a single visit. France is home to stunning mountain ranges, young and lively rivers, lush forests, and world-class beaches, promising endless choice of recreation for tourists. French Alps is one of the finest ski destinations in Europe, and it also offers excellent conditions for hiking, trekking, river rafting and other thrilling adventures. France also enjoys a long coastline dotted with strings of beautiful and exotic beaches.
Top Attractions of Spain
Spain is full of many interesting places to visit. Take a guided tour to Spain to visit Top attractions of Spain. Spanish culture has always been a centre of attraction for people all over the world. include natural attractions, historical and cultural attractions.
Spanish architecture and paintings have allured many people. Tourists can visit popular cities of Spain like Valencia, Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Barcelona, Bilbao, Palma, Murcia. will take you to Top attractions of Spain.
Most Spain holiday package will take you to Sala de las Cien Columnas in Barcelona, L'Aquàrium, beaches in Spain and Golf courses. On your trip to Pyrenees mountain ranges you can enjoy various activities like fishing in Spain, hiking in Spain, Mountain biking in Spain and .
Tourism in United Kingdom
The United Kingdom boasts a long, rich and vibrant history, making it one of the top tourist destinations in the world. If you're planning a , or living there and stuck for something to do, here - in no particular order - are some of the top tourist attractions you'll find in the United Kingdom. Among the tourists attractions in United Kingdom, the most famous places where tourists voted according to the lists are Stonehenge, York Minister, Portmeirion, Stratford-upon-Avon, the Roman Baths at Bath, Warwick Castle, Hampton Court Palace, The tower of London, Edinburgh Castle, and London Eye.
Comparison of the Developing and Leading Tourist Destination
Tourism in Dubai
Dubai has a special features for tourists and it can offer a variety of excitements to the tourists. It has spectacular beaches but is not Australia; it is one of the worlds most secure destinations but is not Singapore; it has opulent city hotels and superb beachside resorts but is neither Jakarta nor Bali. It has world class shopping but is not Hong Kong.
Welcome to Dubai, city of merchants, cultural crossroads, second largest of the seven United Arab Emirates. A country where the dust of the desert is clearing to reveal the potential for one of the most significant international cities of the 21st century. Wedged between Europe and Asia, buttressed by Africa, Dubais encouraging tax regimes,
state-of-the-art telecommunications and sympathetic business environment have produced a country that is building energetically on the advantages which location, centuries-old trading savvy and oil wealth have given it.
Dubai is not just a city of excitement. Its also a city of surprises. Try the ice skating rink in the Galleria shopping mall at the Hyatt Regency, where young men wearing traditional dish dash dress pirouette around the ice while their friends consume French pastries and coffee at Frostys cafe.
Moreover, most of the special events such as Dubai International Parachuting Championship and Gulf Cup, Dubai Shopping Festival 2010 - 15th edition, Dubai International Boat Show 2010 are going to celebrate in Dubai in coming years. So, we can imagine how Dubai tourism becoming more and more developed in recent years and it can give various attractions to the tourists visiting to that country. It can offer by means of natural attractions, shopping, full of excitements to tourists from all across the country.
Tourism in Thailand
Recently, Thailand has been recognized as the developing country for most tourists. There are lots of natural wonders, sight views, social features, and the culture of the country is unique so that these facts are grabbing tourists’ attentions towards the country. There are lots of things to do in Thailand, such as sight seeing, shopping by the river, night life and so on. So, the country itself is becoming more and more developing for the tourism industry and thus the numbers of tourists coming to that country is increasing as the result.
Compare with Dubai, tourism in Thailand is not as developed as tourism industry in Dubai since the government and other tourism organizations are willingness and put interest in that. Moreover, the political situations of Thailand are not stable and there are lots of protests and strikes between the government and the local community so that the country cannot give excellent safety and security like in Dubai. The political stability is also the main factor affecting the tourism industry and because of that, tourism in Thailand is not developed as in Dubai though the country has lots of tourists attractions.
Tourism in Thailand
CENTRAL & EAST COAST
There are 26 provinces that make up Central and Eastern Thailand, and Bangkok is one of them. Geographically, this is Thailand’s heartland, extending from Lop Buri in the north and covering the rice bowl of the Central Plains around the Chao Phraya River. Further south, the area embraces the east and west coasts of the upper Gulf of Thailand.
This is Thailand’s most fertile farming area, a wide-ranging landscape of paddy fields, orchards and plantations. More than 1,000 years ago Thai settlers moved down from the north, gradually replacing Mon and Khmer influences and establishing communities at Lop CENTRAL & EAST COAST Buri then at Sukhothai, before founding a kingdom that lasted 417 years with Ayutthaya as its capital. When the Burmese destroyed Ayutthaya in 1767, the capital moved to Bangkok.
The Central region has a dramatic history, and its heritage of ancient temples, battlefields and ruins and two capitals, Ayutthaya and Bangkok, are a continuing fascination for visitors. The east and west sea coasts at the region’s southern end also draw huge numbers of visitors every year. Bangkok residents spend long weekends enjoying the relaxing seaside atmosphere, while holiday-makers from around the world to discover the delights of the tropical beach life.
On the eastern side, 400 kilometres of coastline extend from Chon Buri to Rayong with some of the finest beaches in Asia. Pattaya, with an enormous range of resorts, hotels and guesthouses, is its centre. If you are seeking a more relaxing experience, travel further down the coast to Rayong or Ko Samet, and the lovely islands of Ko Chang National Park near the Cambodian border.
On the west coast, the resorts of Cha-am and Hua Hin attract international travellers who prefer their more sophisticated yet laid-back atmosphere.
Far from the sea in the northwest of the region is Kanchanaburi, whose forested mountains, waterfalls and caves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries on the border with Myanmar provide some of Thailand’s most enthralling scenery.
The 26 provinces of Central and East Coast are Ang Thong, Bangkok, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, Kanchanaburi, Lop Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phetchaburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Sa Kaeo, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Sing Buri, Suphan Buri and Trat.
THE NORTH
The North is the birthplace of the earliest Thai civilisation and has many sites of archaeological and cultural interest. Northern people are famous for their courtesy and hospitality, and the region is also noted for its variety of cultural traditions. Many tourists from the surrounding provinces converge on Chiang Mai for the annual Songkran Festival, and to Sukhothai for Loi Krathong.
The North falls into two distinct areas, the plains of the lower north from Nakhon Sawan to Sukhothai, and the mountainous upper north leading to borders of Myanmar and Laos. The mountain ranges along the borders are breathtaking, with waterfalls and fast-flowing rivers ideal for rafting. They are also the home of many ethnic hill people.
The region has three seasons, hot from March to May, wet from June to November and cool from December to February. High up in the mountains, though, “cool” may often mean extremely cold.
The Thai nation had its origins in the North, in city states that were gradually incorporated into the Lanna kingdom centred on Chiang Mai. Sukhothai became the first capital of Thailand, but the influence of the Lanna states of Laos and Myanmar can be clearly seen in the architecture and cuisine of the North.
The nomadic hill people of the region pursued their own course, moving back and forth across frontiers. There are six main tribal groups, Karen, Hmong, Lahu, Mien, Akha and Lisu, each with its own unique customs and clothing. Today, they are settled in villages on the mountainsides, a great attraction for travellers.
Most overseas visitors make for Chiang Mai, the northern capital, as a base for visiting ethnic tribes, soft adventure activities and shopping. Further north still, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son are centres for rafting, trekking and tours of tribal villages. To the south, the Historical Park at Sukhothai is an essential destination for all those wishing to discover more about the history and culture of Thailand.
The 17 provinces that comprise the North are Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nakhon Sawan, Nan, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phichit, Uthai Thani, Phitsanulok, Phrae, Sukhothai, and Uttaradit.
THE NORTHEAST
The Northeast of Thailand, a vast plateau covering nearly one third of the country, is usually known as Isan. It extends northwards to the Mekong River which divides Thailand from Laos, and to the south and it ends at the Dong Rek mountain range along the border with Cambodia.
It is known to be an arid region with soil of poor quality, but for tourism, Isan is one of the country’s most intriguing destinations with many Stone Age and Bronze Age dwellings and artifacts, and several significant temples that are a legacy of the great Khmer empire.
The sandstone shrines are popular tourist attractions, particularly the superbly restored sites at the historical parks of Phimai in Nakhon Ratchasima and Phanom Rung in Buri Ram. The great temple complex at Khao Phra Viharn in Si Sa Ket on the border with Cambodian is now accessible to visitors after a long period of isolation.
The Bronze Age settlements at Ban Chiang in the province of Udon Thani provide fascinating evidence of the work of the local potters some 5,000 years ago. The red and white pottery with characteristic “fingerprint” designs are thought to be the first earthenware vessels known to man.
Two of Thailand’s best-loved national parks, Khao Yai, Phu Kradung and Phu Rua in Loei, are in Isan. Other major attractions include the villages in Khorat and Khon Kaen where the beautiful local silk is woven by hand.
Isan is a comparatively poor region whose main income is from agriculture, and many of the younger people in the villages migrate to the city. But Isan folk have a distinctive character and dialect and a vigorous culture, with their old traditions still reflected in the many festivals unique to the region.
With its strategic position bordering Laos and Cambodia, Isan has in recent years risen to become a useful starting point for adventurous journeys to destinations along the mighty Mekong River. There have been important developments in infrastructure to accommodate what is expected to be a boom in tourism.
Travel in the region has been improved by domestic airlines with regular flights to regional airports; and it is no longer impossible to find luxury accommodation, especially in large provinces of Khon Kaen, Udon Thani Nakhon, Ratchasima and Ubon Ratchathani.
The Northeast consists of 19 provinces: Amnat Charoen, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Loei, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Roi Et, Sakon Nakhon, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani and Yasothon.
THE SOUTH
This region extends southward along a narrow peninsula lying between the Andaman Sea its west side and the South China Sea on the east. It is a rich land in terms of the abundance of its natural resources, the fertility of its soil, the diversity of its people and its commercial viability.
The South is made up of 14 provinces from Chumphon in the north down to the Malaysian border 1,200 kilometres from Bangkok. It has a long coastline on either side with sandy beaches and offshore islands on both, and a rugged central hinterland of mountains and forests.
The east coast on the Gulf of Thailand always seems to be more relaxed, with long, wide bays and calm seas; the Andaman Sea coast tends to be more rugged and exhilarating, with its strange limestone rock formations and cliffs.
The occurrence of two seasonal monsoons means that the climate differs from the rest of Thailand. The southwest monsoon sweeps the west coast and the Andaman Sea from May to October, while the northeast monsoon moves across the Gulf of Thailand form November to February. The peninsula forms a barrier so that rain rarely falls on both coastlines simultaneously.
The area was once part of the Buddhist Srivijaya Empire but later came under the rule of Ayutthaya and then Bangkok. Chinese and Malaysian influences have played a large part in the cultural makeup of the region; the further south, the stronger the Malaysian influence, with a dialect akin to Malay, a predominance of Muslim communities and mosques. Rice fields give way to rubber plantations, and Chinese tin mining operations become evidence.
The coastline attracts most tourists, though Samui island in the Gulf of Thailand is growing in popularity as a laid-back holiday spot with first class diving opportunities nearby on Tao and Pha-ngan islands.
The Andaman Sea coast offers more sophisticated choices in the island province of Phuket, Thailand’s premier holiday resort. However, the fascinating rock formations and offshore islands at Phang-nga, Krabi and Trang are extremely popular for the diving and sailing opportunities they offer.
The mountains, rivers and forests in the national parks in the interior of the peninsula are also gaining popularity with eco-tourists, as can be seen with the growing numbers of safari expeditions on foot, by elephant and in canoes.
The South of Thailand consists of 14 provinces: Chumphon, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pattani, Phang-nga, Phatthalung, Phuket, Ranong, Satun, Songkhla, Surat Thani, Trang and Yala.
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and one of the most cosmopolitan cities of the whole Asian continent. Bangkok is not only the capital of Thailand but also the national treasure house, spiritual, political, cultural, educational, commercial and diplomatic centre. The main tourist spot to see here is the tropical paradise island of Phuket.
Phuket is a place blessed with all beautiful things. You just name them and you find them in Phuket, beautiful beaches, tropical jungles, scrumptious local food and warm and welcoming people. There is a lot fun to have in Phuket. Bangkok has a dominating urban hierarchy. You can shop in air-conditioned environ of the western styled malls.
Ayuthaya Historical Park
A famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, the historic temples in Ayuthaya are scattered all over this magnificent city. It is located near the encircling rivers. There are many more central ruins to be seen by the tourists-Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Na Phra Meru, Wat Mongkhon Bophit, Wat Thammikarat, Wat Phra Mahathat and Wat Ratburana. You can have a tour of all these by foot. A tour on bicycle is the ideal for a visit to all the marvelous ruins. Another option is to take a charter boat to take a tour of the outlying ruins along the river.
Chiang Mai
A striking mountain backdrop, Chiang Mai has a picturesque historical aura with over 300 temples. It is an avant-garde, tourist's friendly city of admiring international flavour. Famous as the "Rose of the North", the city has a variety of different things to offer to the visitors. The list is endless-food, deluxe hotels and shopping of cheap rates but excellent quality. You can enjoy the nightlife too, which is bright and cool.
The group of temples is a big sightseeing to take. Apart this, you can wander round the night bazaar, get familiar with the local culture, amuse in the museums, or even practice the Buddhist meditation technique under a serene palm tree.
Ko Samui
A beautiful island off southeastern Thailand, Ko Samui is well laden with beautiful green coconut plantations and palm-laciniated beaches. Once a backpackers' Mecca, it has today flourished to become a complete tourist resort. The beaches like Hat Chaweng and Hat Lamai are popular. They offer good swimming and snorkeling facilities. If you find them a little crowded, go to Mae Nam beach to seek more peaceful and quiet environ.
Tourism in Phuket Beach
Phuket is a dreamy island with magical landscapes and international glamour. Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and is roughly the size of Singapore. It is famous for its stunning beaches, lively nightlife and the friendly Thai spirit of the island. It is a colorful world of emerald waters, golden temples and crimson sunsets.
The 14 provinces in the South stretch along the narrow peninsula of Thailand from Chumphon to Malaysian border. The Andaman Sea coast on the west with numerous offshore islands and a beautiful underwater world offers many fascinating travel opportunities to the sea loving tourists. The most prominent tourist attraction in the South is inevitably (862 km), the biggest island of Thailand located in the Andaman Sea. It has rapidly become one of the best known seaside resorts of the world.
Since, Phuket is one of the most natural wonders in the world, the numbers of tourists visiting to that beach is massive. Most tourists nowadays are likely to spend their time for their enjoyment so thus it’s a nice place and that’s the factor which appeal tourists from visiting there.
Current Issues in Thailand
Travellers are advised to defer non-essential travel to Bangkok until the situation stabilises. Those already in the city or elsewhere in the country are advised to exercise extreme caution at this time, to monitor local media for the latest updates and to avoid all large gatherings due to the potential for violence."
From (13 Apr 2009 19:16:23 GMT)
This is the latest news of what’s happening in Thailand so that the tourists can know and aware of the situation there.
In the year 2003, there was a problem of the health through out the whole country. There was a crisis because of the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS. Most tourist at that time, were afraid of going outside and even if they did, they all came up with the protective masks.
This time, however, the rebound could be weaker and take longer.
"It's much worse this time because people saw the city burning" after battles between antigovernment Red Shirt protestors and the military, said Apichart Sankary of the Association of Thai Travel Agents. "This has never happened before."
International tourist arrivals and revenues could fall between 10% and 20% this year, analysts said, depending on whether the protests flare up again. Such a decline would present serious problems for the country's economy, which relies on tourism for roughly 6% of gross domestic product and for more than 15% of its jobs.
Conclusion
For the development in the tourism sector of Thailand, the government should promote the health care for both the local community and the tourists visiting to them. Moreover, if the government educate the tourists and promoting environmentally friendly products and if they do so, tourists are become aware of the environment and they can save the environment as the whole. Last but not least, the government should promote safety and security for the tourists visiting to that country. If they do like the above that I mentioned, the tourism industry in Thailand will definitely develop and it can increase the country economy as well.
Reference:
Books
Boniface B C and Cooper C P- Worldwide Destinations: The Geography of Travel and Tourism (Butterworth – Heinemann, 2001)
Frechtling D C- Forecasting Tourism Demand: Methods and Strategies ( Butterworth – Heinemann, 2001)
Rob Davidson – Tourism 2ND Edition (LONGMAN)
Rob Davidson- Travel and Tourism in Europe (LONGMAN)
Pauline Horner – The Travel Industry in Britain (Stanle Thrones)
Leonard J. Lickorish & Carson L. Jenkins- An International Tourism (Butterworth – Heinemann)
Lecture notes from Margaret Amankwah
Websites
Journals
journals.worldnomads.com