AC 1.1

Question 1

External pressures

Answer 1

External pressures are environmental, economic and political events over which the tourism industry has no control (but needs to respond to).

Question 2

Environmental pressures

Answer 2

Severe weather events e.g. floods, storms, high winds (gales) e.g. Cumbria floods December 2015 which led to a collapse in bookings in the county

Climate change – threats to UK tourism include rising sea levels, increased storms and coastal erosion, snow melt in Scottish ski resorts (such as Aviemore) and increased temperatures and water shortages in cities.

Question 3

Economic pressures

Answer 3

People will not go on holiday if they cannot afford it. A recession, whether it be global or UK based, is likely to result in fewer tourists visiting the UK’s tourism destinations and organisations as they will have less disposable income.

Examples of external economic pressures:

· fuel costs

· the economic climate

· currency fluctuations

· interest rates

· new markets

· taxes
· possible tariffs

Question 4

Political pressures

Answer 4

Government legislation and changes in government policy can impact on the UK’s tourism industry. For example, the number of international students applying to study in the UK has decreased in recent years due to the tightening of visa requirements.

Examples of political external pressures:

· legislation

· economic policy

· foreign policy

· change of government