Acta turistica, Vol. 21 No. 1, 2009.
Original scientific paper
INNOVATION IN ATTRACTION DEVELOPMENT: LESSONS OF EXPERIENCE
Stephen R. C. Wanhill
; Keminy Business School. University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
Abstract
The variety of visitor attractions is large and there are endless variations In terms of the product concept. However, the latter is inextricably bound up with the assessment of market potential
and vice-versa. Thus, while there is a clear demand for entertainment attractions, success is related to the creativity of the design and its appeal, namely the 'imagescape'. Location is also linked to market assessment and the imagescape; heritage attractions may have little choice as to their location, whereas created entertainments have the possibility of locating wbere they can maximise visitor potential. Successful innovation in attraction development is about the creation of imagescapes that have strong associations, conform to taste and fashion, and are flexible enough to encourage visitors to retum. The business environment has a major contribution to make in attraction innovation, depending whether it is a public sector regeneration project, an offshoot of an industrial project or market led, which in turn affects success criteria.
Keywords
Attractions; Innovation; Imagescape; Business Environment
Hrčak ID:
76233
URI
Publication date:
1.6.2009.
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