The Tourism Geography of East Asia

Learning Objectives

1.      Describe the major physical features and climates of the region and understand their importance for tourism;

2.      Recognise that the economies of the countries in the region show many contrasts, ranging from the advanced to the least developed;

3.      Appreciate that outbound and domestic tourism and recreation are of growing importance to the more prosperous countries of East Asia;

4.      Recognise the effect of crises such as SARS and terrorism on demand for tourism in the region;

5.      Show that inbound tourism is being encouraged by most countries in the region as a source of foreign exchange and employment;

6.      Recognise that the tourist appeal of East Asia is mainly cultural, although beach tourism and event attractions are growing in importance;

7.     Be aware of the extent of the cultural and environmental impacts on host communities;

8.      Recognise the importance of infrastructure on tourism development;9.     Demonstrate a knowledge of the tourist regions, resorts, business centres and

tourist attractions of East Asia.

East Asia: Introduction

• Rapid economic growth

• Rapid tourism growth

• Varied tourism products

• Colonial influences

• Traditional cultures

Singapore

• Stable and prosperous• Singapore Airlines• Strong tourism marketResources A number of zoos and wildlife parks The waterfront area of Clarke Quay, with its leisure theatre and

shopping developments  The Suntec conference and exhibition centre The beach resort of Sentosa Island, which includes a number of Asian-

style theme parks and The Esplanade Centre for the performing arts, epitomising Singapore’s

drive to become a cultural destination

Malaysia

• Multicultural • Cultural areas:         Peninsular or West Malaysia, known under British rule as Malaya, which is the

southernmost peninsula of mainland Asia         East Malaysia, consisting of the states of Sabah and Sarawak, which form part of the

island of Borneo

• Resources:         The beaches of West Malaysia         A variety of cultural attractions         Facilities for conferences and meetings including the Putra World Trade

Centre and the Malaysian International Exhibition Centre

• The wildlife resources of the interior mountains and rainforests. Brunei

Indonesia

• Large Muslim nation• Demand• Supply

Resources:• Java• Sumatra• Bali• Lombok• Lesser Sunda Islands

• Sulawesi

Philippines

• Spanish and American influences

• Demand• Supply

Resources:• South Luzon• Manila• Beach resorts• The Visayas• Palawan• Mindanao

Thailand

• Demand• Supply

Resources:• Bangkok

• Chiangmai • Phuket

• Eastern Thailand

Indo-China

• Cambodia• Laos• Vietnam

– Reconstruction after war

– Resources (Hanoi, Saigon, beaches)

• Burma– Political issues

Japan

• Industrial nation• Four main islands• Character• It is remarkably homogenous, with

one language, few social divisions and no large ethnic minorities

• It has enjoyed political stability since 1945;

• Respect for tradition co-exists with admiration for the new

• There is a readiness to adopt the latest technological innovations

• Society is bound by discipline and respect for authority, but leisure is seen as increasingly important.

• Demand– Domestic

– Outbound

– Inbound

Japan: Supply

• Transport• Accommodation• organisation

Resources:• Tokyo• Kyoto• Nikko, Nara, Ise• Inland Sea• Kyushu• Hokkaido• Okinawa

China

• Large population• Restructuring • Outbound tourism will

dominate world tourism

• Large landmass

• Demand• Inbound• Domestic • outbound

China: Resources

North

Xian

Great Wall of China

Chengde

Beijing

East Central• Shanghai• Historic Cities• YangtzeWest• TibetSouth• Guilin• Kunming• Gwangzhou• Hainan

Hong Kong and MacauHong Kong• SAR of China• Colonial influence:• Free port status and a free-wheeling

private enterprise economy • Border controls with the rest of

China, although visa controls are being relaxed

• The Hong Kong dollar as its official currency;

• English as an official language• Its own tourist authority for

promotion and development – The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB.)

• Major destination• Resources• Shopping for consumer goods and

Chinese items such as jade • The sampans and floating restaurants

of Aberdeen • Themed attractions such as the Sung

Dynasty Village and the Middle Kingdom (showcasing China’s history), Ocean Park, and the Space Museum

• The outlying islands with their temples and peaceful countryside, providing a relief from the hectic pace of urban Hong Kong

• Macau

Taiwan, Korea and Mongolia

• Taiwan

• Resources– Taipei.

– The Taroko Gorge, on the East West Highway crossing the island

– Sun Moon Lake, a favourite resort for Taiwanese holidaymakers

– The beaches of the east coast and offshore islands.

• Korea– Political division

• South Korea– Economic growth– Demand– Resources

• Seoul• Pusan• Cheju Island• Mountains

• North Korea• Mongolia