​Learning Objectives

​By the end of this lesson, you should be able to: Describe key physical and infrastructural features of destinations. Explain how these features attract different types of tourists. Apply examples from real destinations to show understanding.

​What Makes a Destination Appealing?

​Tourists choose destinations based on a combination of: Physical geography (landscape, weather) Accessibility (ease of travel) Facilities and infrastructure Attractions and culture Today we focus on the first two.

​The Continents

​Physical Feature 1: Location

​Location refers to where a destination is found in the world.

It affects: Climate and daylight hours

Proximity to tourist markets

Travel time and cost

Example: The Maldives attract long-haul luxury tourists because of remote, tropical location. Spain attracts short-haul Europeans due to proximity and warm weather.

​Physical Feature 2: Weather and Seasonality

​Weather and climate determine the best time to visit. Hot, dry conditions → beach tourism. Cold, snowy conditions → winter sports. Mild, dry seasons → cultural city breaks. Example: Thailand’s dry season (Nov–Apr) suits beach holidays; monsoon months reduce visitor numbers.

​Seasonal Appeal

​Different tourist types prefer different seasons: Families travel during school holidays. Retired tourists travel in off-peak seasons (cheaper, quieter). Adventure tourists seek specific climates (snow, surf, trekking).

​Physical Feature 3: Topography

​Topography means the shape of the land – mountains, plains, rivers, coasts.
It influences activities available: Mountains → skiing, hiking, scenery.
Coasts → beaches, diving, cruises. Plains → safaris, national parks. Example: Switzerland’s Alps attract winter-sports and adventure tourists.

​Accessibility & Gateways

​Accessibility refers to how easily tourists can reach a destination. It depends on: Distance from major markets Availability of flights, roads, or ferries Presence of gateways (airports, ports, rail hubs)

​Example: Singapore – A Global Gateway

​Singapore Changi Airport serves over 100 airlines to 400 cities. This makes Singapore both a stopover and a destination. Easy connections attract business travellers and regional short-break tourists.

​Transport Hubs

​Major hubs increase accessibility for surrounding regions: Dubai International Airport – links Europe, Asia & Africa. Heathrow (London) – gateway to UK & Europe. Atlanta (USA) – North America’s busiest airport.

​Local Accessibility

​Once tourists arrive, they need to move within the destination. Good internal transport improves visitor experience: Metro systems (Paris, Tokyo) Tourist buses & trams (Barcelona, San Francisco) Ferries and cable cars (Hong Kong)

​Infrastructure: What Does It Include?

​Infrastructure is everything that supports tourism operations: Transport networks (roads, ports, airports) Utilities (water, power, sanitation) Communication systems (Wi-Fi, mobile coverage) Accommodation and visitor facilities

​Case Study: Switzerland

​High-quality rail network links all resorts.
Integrated public transport passes (e.g. Swiss Travel Pass). Excellent signage and multilingual staff.
Result: Highly accessible for all tourist types – families, skiers, and elderly visitors.

​Infrastructure and Tourist Satisfaction

​Infrastructure affects how easy, safe, and comfortable a trip feels.
Poor roads or unreliable electricity can discourage repeat visits.

Model answer: A destination with modern transport and clean facilities attracts more tourists because it feels organised and trustworthy.

​Dubai has world-class accessibility with one of the busiest international airports in the world, a modern metro network, and high-quality roads that link luxury hotels, malls, and attractions.
This makes travel fast, safe, and comfortable for visitors.


Kenya’s infrastructure is less developed. Although it has an international airport in Nairobi, transport between national parks and resorts often involves long road journeys or internal flights on small aircraft. Roads may be rough and travel times unpredictable.



As a result, Dubai mainly attracts business travellers, families, and luxury tourists who value comfort, convenience, and short travel times. Kenya appeals more to adventure tourists and nature enthusiasts who are willing to travel further and tolerate basic facilities in exchange for unique wildlife experiences.

​Model Profile: Maldives

​Location: Indian Ocean, SW of India. Weather: Hot, tropical climate, dry season Dec–Apr. Topography: 1 200 low coral islands – white sand beaches. Accessibility: Reached by long-haul flights via Doha or Dubai. Infrastructure: Luxury resorts with private airports and speedboats. Appeal: Honeymoon and luxury tourists seeking peace and scenery.

​Challenges of Infrastructure Growth

​Cost of building and maintenance is high. Environmental damage from expansion (e.g. airport runways). Over-tourism and crowding in popular areas. Unequal benefits – urban areas develop faster than rural ones.

​Sustainability Link

​Infrastructure should be: Environmentally friendly (e.g. electric buses). Socially inclusive (benefits locals too). Economically viable (long-term maintenance costs). Example: Switzerland’s electric trains reduce emissions while supporting tourism.

​Learning Objectives

​By the end of this lesson, you should be able to: Describe key physical and infrastructural features of destinations. Explain how these features attract different types of tourists. Apply examples from real destinations to show understanding.