One of the best ways of showing how destinations and attractions have to develop their products is through the development of new theme park rides. New rides such as the Wicker Man use the latest technologies combining wood, fire and special effects to give riders the feeling that they will be racing through real flames.
If attractions and destinations do not invest in their products and services, they will become dated and lack appeal. In this section, you will need to give careful consideration to the ways in which the destination you have been studying can increase its appeal to different types of tourist.
You will be able to think about a range of ways in which your chosen destination could increase its appeal to tourists.
In the next section, you will be asked to suggest what your chosen destination should do to increase its appeal.
Fact File – ICON
Location – Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Key facts: Vertical drop – 25 metres, Total length – 1,140 metres
Speed – 52 mph, Cost – £16.25 million
Wow factor: Two upside down spins and 80-foot drop
Fact File – The Wicker Man
Location – Alton Towers
Key facts: Vertical drop – 14 metres, Total length – 618 metres
Cost – £16 million
Wow factor: 17.5 metre Wicker Man appears to catch fire.
Other Biggies!
World’s tallest rollercoaster – 139 metres Kinga Ka at Jackson, New Jersey, USA
World’s fastest rollercoaster – 150 mph at Formula Rossa, Abu Dhabi, UAE
World’s longest rollercoaster – 2,479 metres, Mile, Japan