Mass tourism

 Mass Tourism Class: Travel and Tourism TT220 Egle burneikaite Student ID: bueg111088 Mass tourism The mass tourism started in the beginning of 20th century. Some people say that as the industry, it “began on a massive scale only in the 1960’s, has grown rapidly and steadily for the past 30 years in terms of the income it generates and the number of people who travel abroad.” (Reference2). Mass tourism is an inexperienced type of traveling. It began to expand because of the increasing wealth and curiosity reasons. Also there were other reasons why mass tourism started: the improvement of transport. With 20th century came cars (it gave a huge advantage to travel independently), advances in air travel (for example: Boeing 707 was introduced to travel and tourism industry), cheap aircraft… Other causes were TV, radio, even World War II. World War II had an indispensable impact on infrastructure. Some years after World War II the paid holidays were introduced and enforced on law, and the seaside holiday started. It became as the traditional annual holiday destination for the mass tourism, especially for British public. Before, people couldn’t experience and even afford seaside holiday because of the wars, such as World War I and World War II. (Reference1) With mass tourism, the tourism agencies introduced package tours, where accommodation is provided, the prices are cheap, faster and easier to organize the trip, tour operators take care of tourists, their problems etc. “The mass-market tourism entered a period of maturity by the 1980’s. Although still showing steady growth” (Reference1). It’s interesting that tourism hadn’t shown any signs of slowing down. If we look at what had happened during past few years, it seems that tourism should at least to stop for a while. As an example we can take September 11 and other terrorist threats. Despite terrorism, there are unexpected new illnesses such as SARS. And still, the tourism is growing. For some countries mass tourism is steady or replaced by new tourism, but in countries such as Baltic States, the mass tourism just started. (Reverence1: “The Business of Tourism”, seventh edition, J. Christopher Holloway, chapter 2, pg. 40, 45.) (Reverence2: “Global Tourism” Third Edition, Edited by William F. Theobald) Mass Tourism in Lithuania Usually when people talk about mass tourism, they think about countries such as France, England, Spain, Greek Islands, Morocco, Turkey and others. But recently, during the past few years, the mass tourism started develop in not so well-know countries. One of them is Lithuania- the country that is situated on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea and borders Latvia on the north, Belarus on the east and south, and Poland and the Kaliningrad region of Russia on the southwest. It is a country of gently rolling hills, many forests, rivers and streams, and lakes. “Lithuania is a proud little country inhabited by people of Baltic descent. It was once a powerful empire stretching from Baltic Sea to Black Sea. Now it's still unique, but modern as well; traditional, yet forward looking. It is known for its fascinating history, beautiful nature and friendly, open-hearted people. This northernmost catholic country has one of the nicest capitals in Europe, Vilnius, which is just now discovered by mass tourism. There are plenty of other sights like national parks abundant with lakes and rivers, the Baltic Sea coast with it's gorgeous sand dunes and little charming villages hidden away from obvious tourist path” (Reference1). The short description about mass tourism in other countries would sound like this: it’s popular to travel to some exotic place, when you order this trip in tourism agency, where proposing “all-included” in different countries. When you look at brochures you can see almost identical swimming pools, beaches, hotels. You pay, you fly there, and you sit down and enjoy your place, even food is included- to go to some place to eat, there is no need. Therefore that’s the mass tourism, which is one of the main sectors of economy. Unfortunately, the mass tourism not avoidable causes a lot of damage: environment pollution (planes are the main causers), wild territory decrease, local cultural traditions commercialization and other things. But mass tourism is a little bit different in Lithuania… “Approximately from 1998 Lithuania experiences a constant increase of foreign visitors. “As of the first half of 2006 the number of visitors has risen 11.1 percent compared to 2005”(Reference2). Lithuania attracts most foreign visitors from Poland, Germany, Russia, Latvia, Finland, and The United Kingdom. The majority of visitors stay in hotels and lodging houses. From January to September of 2006, Lithuanian hotels have experienced a 13.7 percent increase of occupiers compared to 2005, 51 percent of them being foreign visitors. Almost a half of the foreign visitors were staying in the capital, Vilnius that experienced and increase of 10.6 percent.” (Reference2) Characteristics of Mass tourism and impacts that are caused to Lithuania by this phenomenon Lithuanian mass tourism in Lithuania is advertised through massive information means: tourist agencies publish periodic brochures, methodic, commercial, regional literature and touring maps. Lithuania develops tourism through different types of sports- walking, skiing, rock climbing, and water sports, car sports. Also different types of clubs organize events such as organized shows, active marches, sportive trips and travelers’ contests. Other stage is republic events. Long-lived traditions have: pedestrian marathon, water tourism rally, water tourism marathon, automarch “Family”, massive march “Snowflake”, all tourist technique contests, and Baltic countries travelers’ jamboree. There are organizations which have programs were travelers’ groups make an exchange with foreigner business partners. Those organizations take cares of travelers health protection, organize prophylactic job, prevent travelers from accidents in campaigns, marches and events. Moreover, Lithuania develops children, youth and family tourism, allots methodical and organized help in education and teaching system for all tourism organizations. Disadvantages of mass tourism in Lithuania As I’m going to mention latter in my essay, Lithuania is well know for its’ nature. It’s full of trackless forests and woods and spanless fields of grass. In the book “Special Interest Tourism” is mentioning that “ numerous studies suggest that even the most lightly trodden path of tourism can destroy fragile soils and flora and fauna can be adversely affected merely by being watched.”(pg. 35). Therefore imagine country with 3.7 million habitants, and its’ flora and fauna. Lithuania’s forest started suffering from tourism. Lot’s of parts of forest have been cut down, the fields of grass, where birds could find home now became commercial centers and hotels. With this came cars, fabrics which pollute nature. Exhaust gas toxic lakes, rivers and ponds. Another problem is caused by tourism is social. Lithuania is not a big county, so the cities and villages are also small. In villages such as Kuršių Nerija and Nida, the mass tourism develops rapidly, because those cities are full of nature and their on Baltic sea’s shore. Also they’re well known for they sandy beaches and parks which are next to the cities. Therefore when tourists come to those cities, villagers get annoyed by them, because some of the tourists take pictures of their houses (most of them are fisherman houses). so the habitants of villagers are interrupted by fully tourists. Advantages of Mass tourism in Lithuania • Many people visit Lithuania, which each traveler comes and his/her part of experience, culture, customs, and traditions. Lithuanians observe tourist, how they act and behave (I’m talking here about tourist from West), in that way Lithuanians become closer to western culture, by copying tourists. It’s an advantage because Lithuania not just learns, but also becomes modernized. • Economy grows with each tourist. Besides places that tourists visit, they also order services, and buy souvenirs. After Mass tourism started in Lithuania, Lithuania experiences the growth in restaurants, individual shops, services companies (especially companies, which organize activities for leisure), tourism agencies, airline companies, transportation services, etc. • The unemployment of level decreased since Lithuania started to experience mass tourism. Because tourists need place to stay, visit, eat, etc, therefore with growth of tourism industry came need for employees, not just any common employee, but the one who knows about hospitality industry. Therefore… • …Education started growing as well. As employers need educated persons, people’s education became higher: they started to have special courses, go to institutions to get knowledge that in the future they could be able to find a job. Why people go to Lithuania (what’s attractive): • New and undiscovered destination- original and fancy places to go in Lithuania. • Friendly and charming people- Lithunian speak many foreign languages. Therefore, visitors and tourist don‘t have a lot of problems with communicating with lithuanians. • Traditions still alive! It‘s saying that Lithuanians like to celebrate a lot. this country has mane festivals and feasts. for example: each year the night of June 23 is very special in Lithuania, usually cities are empty, people decorate their cars, bicycles, horses etc. (even the yellow public busses are decorated) with leaves and flowers and goes out into the countryside to drink locally brewed beer, eat special Midsummer's cheese, build campfires, wave wreath of oak leaves and flowers, and sing and dance until the morning light! • Paradise for nature lovers-Approximately 50% of the territory is covered with forests, the population density is one of the lowest in the world. Lithuania is small country, but it has enormous numbers of clean and unpolluted lakes. Many plant and animal species, such as wolfs, foxes, elks, bears, wild boar and storks which are rare or no longer found elsewhere in Europe, except Lithuania. • Delicious and healthy food. There is a lot of different served food in Lithuania! Lots of people, even those from the big cities, have their own gardens, where there are vegetables, fruit and berries grown. People have the tradition to make jam, sour marinated cucumbers and other tasty things for the long winter season by their selves. • Beer brewed using natural ingredients. Lithuania is well-know for its good and natural beer. Usually tourists like it better than Germany’s beer. • Real snowy Christmas! Winters in the Lithuania are relatively cold. White snow is guaranteed during December, January and February. Although there are no large mountains in Lithuania, tourists still can enjoy downhill skiing. Why mass tourism started so late in Lithuania? Well, the mass tourism itself started in 20th century. But in Lithuania is started to develop just in the end of 20th century. Here are some reasons why: • In 1940 and 1994 Lithuania was occupied by Nazi and Soviet Union, no tourism at the time. All Europe was at war. • For 46 years Lithuania was occupied by Soviet Union. It ended in late 1980s. (For a couple of years). • Lithuania finally proclaims independence on March 11, 1990. Because of those occupations Lithuania couldn’t experience tourism at all. People from other countries either couldn’t visit Lithuania (because of Soviet Union law), either they were afraid, because during this period of time in Lithuania were many conflicts and fight for Lithuania’s independency. And after all, the last Red Army troops left Lithuania just on August 31, 1993. Everything started to move and change after Iceland on February 4, 1991 recognized Lithuania as a country and when Sweden opened an embassy in Lithuania (Sweden was the first country which did that). • The level of economy started to rise in Lithuania just in 1995. • From 21st century Lithuania was recognized as one of the most developing countries (in East Europe) in means of infrastructure of railways, airports and four lane highways • The medicine’s level started to compete with other economical strongest countries from 1995. Therefore, because of improvement in social and economical life, foreigners weren’t afraid now to visit Lithuania. The biggest impact for mass tourism had medicine, because lots of tourist weren’t sure that Lithuanian doctors can take care of them properly in case of an accident. On economical side, Lithuania is mass visited by investors. As it considered a young country(though Lithuania has a long history), it’s a great place for investors to invest money in new companies. As I mentioned Lithuania develops rapidly (especially in economical way), therefore, investors get a lot of profit and Lithuania’s economy becomes stronger. The number of investors who are coming from other countries is very high. • Lithuania entered Europe Union on May 1, 2004. We can say that on that day, Lithuania opened the doors to mass tourism widely. Therefore it’s the date when Mass Tourism started in Lithuania. There was no need to have a visa to go to Lithuania for other Europeans. Places, towns, spas, hotels where mass tourism takes place in Lithuania. Mass Tourism Cities: • Vilnius- capital of Lithuania • Kaunas- temporary capital of Lithuania in the past with prominent Functionalism architecture • Klaipėda- sea port with an attractive old town and heritage of the German culture • Šiauliai- famous for nearby Hill of Crosses • Kėdainiai- city in central Lithuania with prominent Renaissance architecture monuments National Parks which experiences huge tourist groups: • Aukštaitija National Park • Žemaitija National Park • Kuršių Nerija National Park • Dzūkija National Park • Trakai Historical National Park UNESCO World Heritage Sites • Kernavė- a complex of historical hill forts and an archeological site, nicknamed “ Lithuanian Troy” • Vilnius Old Town – the old capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, is among the largest in the Eastern Europe (UNESCO World Heritage Sites- Reference2) Seaside resorts • Palanga- the summer capital of Lithuania within sandy beaches • Nida- a world heritage site with unique heritage and nature • Juodkrantė- a former German Luxury resort Spa towns • Druskininkai- a developed spa town within the largest water park in the Eastern Europe. • Birštonas (Reference1: http://www.delfi.lt) (Reference2: http://www.wikipedia.com) (Reference: Special Interest Tourism, edited by Norman Douglas, Ngaire Douglas and Ros Derrett, pg 35) Summing-up As time goes by, tourists get more income, have more leisure time and become particular about their traveling destinations. Many people have been mass traveling to well-known countries, which are popular because of their sandy beaches, hot sun, high mountains, infinite deserts and blue seas. But because mass tourism started half century ago, people started to get tired of all of this; therefore the time has finally come for those countries which are unexplored. One of them is Lithuania.

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