Kofi Akpabli: Things people do when they travel (final)

Experts say tourists do not visit a town. They actually visit a destination, or more specifically an attraction. Where that attraction is located then only becomes a happenstance.

The main preoccupation of a tourist is his engagements with regards to an attraction within a particular community.
In the past few weeks, we have discussed other activities of the leisure traveller. These were related to the kind of transport they prefer, lodging, picture taking and shopping. All these actions and processes are peripheral to the main actions of a tourist.
What does the tourist do at an attraction? This question is interesting as it also conjures the debate “what is a tourist attraction?’’ Fact of the matter is that the list of tourist attractions is varied and inexhaustible.
What was considered attractive in a past era may no longer be attractive. Similarly, what would be considered a tourist attraction today may for certain reasons cease to pull the crowd in the future.
Furthermore, what would be seen as an attraction in one geographical context may actually be an ordinary occurrence in another. For example, if snow should start falling on the peak of Amedzofe today, that would be an interesting phenomenon. On this basis, curiosity alone would drive tourists to go that way to see snow. On the contrary, snowfall in a place such as England is a no-news event.
The question “what is a tourist attraction?” is of a day-to-day relevance because the tourist attraction is the raison d’etre of tourism – the very basis why the various stakeholders are in business.
If the tourist is seen as the centre of the tourism industry, then the tourist attraction is what keeps him in that centre.
The reality is that a wide range of natural conditions, landmarks, practices and events form what we consider as tourist attractions. In addition, people’s individual or group experiences go a long way to determine what they would call attractions.
To facilitate our understanding of how tourists engage attractions, we would use a simple approach. Destinations must ask themselves, “why do tourists come to our area?’’
Another helpful question would be; ‘‘what activities do these people engage in when they visit?’’
The above approach implies that the focus is the tourist. This is rightly so because at any given point, it is the tourist who dictates what attracts him. Tour guides are familiar with the scenario where during planned trips, tourists suddenly overturn the itinerary because they have come across another attraction.
This could be an ongoing event or a natural phenomenon which they consider equally attractive. Could we then say ‘a tourist attraction lies in the eye of the tourist’?
Whatever the case, technically, the tourist attraction must have a specific geographical location, sited in a particular destination. Another litmus test is that the tourist attraction must have the capacity to draw sustained crowd visits.
We are going to outline what tourists do based on the types of attractions which are generally available.
Scenic - This is linked to nature and the environment. Examples are flora and fauna in general. Natural parks, beaches and mountain resorts are also included. Tourists just love to immerse themselves in such environments.
For some, it is a worship of a sort just to take in the scenes and admire nature. Some enjoy natural beauty while having tea, wine, listening to music or just being in the company of some one special.
Cultural - The cultural group of attractions includes sites of historical, religious importance, museums, theme parks etc. Here tourists, observe, ask questions, obtain extra information. Main experience here is enjoyment and learning.
However, as tourists go through this types of attractions, they are figuring out things that they find similar or different with regards to where they are from.
Traditions - The music, folklore and native customs of a given people are part of this attraction. Major examples are traditional festivals and handicrafts. Tourists love to dress up as the celebrants ought to.
There is also the call to role-play, exchange experiences and have fun. If they could, they would also want to take away samples so they can relive the experiences back at home. So tapes, CDs, T-shirts, and other such memorabilia come handy.
Entertainment - The activities here include patronising sports events, cinema and amusement parks. Sampling of nightlife – visits to night clubs – are other examples.
This helps the tourists to wind down and have a good time. The entertainment attractions also allow tourists to bond properly not only with the people they meet but the places as well.
That’s how come in a couple of years down the line; that tourists in New York hears Ghana and are excited about ‘Labadi Beach!’
kofiakpabli@yahoo.com
The writer is a Communication and Tourism Specialist. Books he has authored include ‘Romancing Ghanaland- the Beauty of Ten Regions’, Tickling the Ghanaian-Encounters with Contemporary Culture & ‘Harmattan- a Cultural Profile of Northern Ghana.’