Abstract
In the era of globalisation and economic crisis, an alarming issue has been raised in relation with the tourism product offered to visitors. Specifically, historical and important from a cultural perspective places are being severely affected by the latest socioeconomic evolutions and consist the first victims of these. Historically, visitor attraction management was neglected but during the last years it has emerged as an essential and vital means of survival for places, sometimes even countries.
The attractions sector is vital to the success of the Greek tourism industry. However, attraction managers today face a wide range of challenges, opportunities and threats, that will determine the future success of the sector. For example, for attractions which successfully embrace new technologies—such as Virtual Reality and the Internet—these technologies are an opportunity to achieve competitive advantage. Additionally, there is a need for the sector to become more cohesive and speak with one voice, so it can have greater influence on the government policy-making process and resulting legislation affecting the industry. Moreover, Greek attraction managers can learn a lot from successful foreign practices: from design and marketing, to catering and providing for disabled visitors.
Aim and main focus of this article lies on the opportunities that existing socioeconomic conditions have created by utilising a diverse way of thinking that could lead to the light at the end of the tunnel. Our study will explore the different strategies followed by Buckingham Palace and the Museum of Acropolis and how these paths led them to capitalise as well as drive them to success despite of the crisis. From a methodological approach, this study will utilise interviews and questionnaires with professionals who occupy themselves with these strategies as well as utilising all existing theoretical background on the subject.
Finally, within Greece, the government needs to take action to create a more level playing field for attraction operators. Subsidies to major national museums and huge National Lottery grants for new projects are probably ‘unfair’ competition for most small attractions.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Andriotis, K. (2009). Sacred site experience: A phenomenological study. Annals of Tourism Research, 36(1), 64–84.
Ashmore, G. M. (1988). Bringing information technology to life. The Journal of Business Strategy, 9(3), 48–50.
Beech, J., & Chadwick, S. (2006). The business of tourism management. Harlow: FT Prentice Hall.
Buhalis, D., Owen, R., & Pletinckx, D. (2006). Information communication technology applications for world heritage site management. In A. Leask & A. Fyall (Eds.), Managing world heritage sites. Oxford: Elsevier.
Burkhart, A., & Medlik, S. (1974). Tourism: Past present and future. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.
Butler, R. W. (1980). The concept of a tourist area cycle of evolution: Implications for the management of resources. Canadian Geographer, 24, 5–12.
Cheong, R. (1995). The virtual threat to travel and tourism. Tourism Management, 16(6), 417–422.
Cohen, E. (1979). Toward a sociology of international tourism. Social Research, 39(1), 164–182.
Cooper, C., Fletcher, J., Fyall, A., Gilbert, D., & Wanhill, S. (2005). Tourism: Principles and practice. Essex: Pearson Education.
Dillman, D. A. (1978). Mail and telephone surveys: The total design method. New York: Wiley.
Evans, N., Campbell, D., & Stonehouse, G. (2006). Strategic management for travel and tourism. Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Frechtling, D. (1987). Assessing the impacts of travel and tourism – measuring economic benefits. In J. Ritchie & C. Goeldner (Eds.), Travel, tourism, and hospitality research: A handbook for managers and researchers (pp. 333–351). New York: Wiley.
Garrod, B., Fyall, A., & Leask, A. (2007). An assessment of ‘international best practice’ in visitor attraction management: Does Scotland really lag behind? International Journal of Tourism Research, 9(1), 21–42.
Gartner, W. C. (2001). Tourism development: Principles and policies (in Greek). Athens: Ellin.
Gilmore, A., & Rentschler, R. (2002). Changes in museum management. Journal of Management Development, 21(10), 754–760.
Gunn, C. (1988). Vacationscape: Designing tourist regions (2nd ed.). New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.
Gunn, C. A. (1994). Tourism planning: Basic, concepts, cases (3rd ed.). New York: Taylor and Francis.
Holloway, J. C. (1985). The business of tourism (2nd ed.). London: Pitman.
Holloway, J. C. (2006). The business of tourism (7th ed.). Harlow: FT Prentice Hall.
Holman, T., & Epperson, A. (1989). Family leisure: A review of the literature with research recommendations. Journal of Leisure Research, 16, 277–294.
Hu, W., & Wall, G. (2005). Environmental management, environmental image and the competitive tourist attraction. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 13(6), 617–635.
Johnson, P., & Thomas, B. (1990). The employment potential of a tourist attraction: A study of a museum. Journal of Tourism Studies, 1(2), 18–25.
Jurowski, C., & Olsen, M. D. (1995). Scanning the environment of tourism attractions: A content analysis approach. Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing, 4(1), 71–95.
Kotler, P. (1998). Marketing (4th ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Kotler, P., Asplund, C., Rein, I., & Haider, D. (1999). Marketing places Europe. London: Pearson Education.
Lavery, P., & Stevens, T. (1990). Attendance trends and future developments at Europe’s leisure attractions. EUI Travel and Tourism Analyst, 2, 52–75.
Leask, A. (2008). Nature and purpose of visitor attractions. In A. Fyall, B. Garrod, A. Leask, & S. Wanhill (Eds.), Managing visitor attractions (2nd ed.). Oxford: Elsevier.
Leask, A. (2010). Progress in visitor attraction research: Towards more effective management. Tourism Management, 31, 155–166.
Leiper, N. (1990). Tourist attraction systems. Annals of Tourism Research, 17, 367–384.
Lew, A. A. (1994). A framework of tourist attraction research. In J. R. B. Ritchie & C. R. Goeldner (Eds.), Travel, tourism, and hospitality research: A handbook for managers and researchers. New York: Wiley.
Lundberg, D. (1980). The tourist business. Boston: Cahn-ers Books.
Lundberg, D. E. (1985). The tourism business (5th ed.). New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.
Martin, B., & Mason, S. (1990). What makes a successful attraction? Insights: Tourism Marketing Intelligence Service, A35–A37.
Martin, B., & Mason, S. (1993). The future for attractions: Meeting the needs of the new consumer. Tourism Management, 14(1), 34–40.
Middleton, V. T. C. (1988). Marketing in travel and tourism. Oxford: Heinemann.
Mill, R. C., & Morrison, A. M. (1985). The tourism system. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Milman, A. (2001). The future of the theme park and attraction industry: A management perspective. Journal of Travel Research, 40(2), 139–148.
Moutinho, L. (1988). Amusement park visitor behaviour – Scottish attitudes. Tourism Management, 9(4), 291–300.
Moutinho, L. (2005). Strategic management in tourism. Wallingford: CABI.
Pearce, D. W., Markandya, A., & Barbier, E. B. (1989). Blueprint for a green economy. London: Earthscan.
Pearce, P. L. (1989). Towards the better management of tourist queues. Tourism Management, 10(4), 279–284.
Pearce, P. L. (1991). Analysing tourist attractions. Journal of Tourism Studies, 2(1), 46–55.
Pearce, P. (1998). Marketing and management trends in tourist attractions. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 3(1), 1–8.
Pigram, J. (1983). Outdoor recreation and resource management. New York: Croom Helm.
Poria, Y., Reichel, A., & Brandt, Y. (2009). People with disabilities visit art museums: an exploratory study of obstacles and difficulties. Journal of Heritage Tourism, 4(2), 117–129.
Robinson, H. (1976). A geography of tourism. Plymouth: MacDonald and Evans.
Robinson, K. (1994). Future for tourist attractions. Insights: Tourism Marketing Intelligence Service, 5, D29–D40.
Robinson, J. M. (1999). Buckingham Palace. London: The Royal Collection, St. James’s Palace. ISBN 1-902163-36-2.
Scottish Tourist Board. (1991). Tourism and the arts: Towards an arts tourism development strategy. Edinburgh: Bonnar Keenlyside/ECOTEC.
Scott, P., Jones, B., Bramley, A., & Bolton, B. (1996). Enhancing technology and skills in small- and medium-sized manufacturing firms: Problems and prospects. International Small Business Journal, 14(4), 85–99.
Shafer, E. L. (1989). Future encounters with science and technology. Journal of Travel Research, 26(4), 2–7.
Stevens, T. R. (1991). Visitor attractions: Their management and contribution to tourism. In C. P. Cooper (Ed.), Progress in tourism, recreation and hospitality management (Vol. 3). London: Belhaven Press.
Swarbrooke, J. (1995). The development and management of visitor attractions. Oxford: Butterworth Heinemann.
Swarbrooke, J. (2006). The development and management of visitor attractions (2nd ed.). Oxford: Buttterworth-Heinemann.
Toffler, A. (1980). The third wave. London: Collins.
Van Aalst, I., & Boogaarts, I. (2002). From museum to mass entertainment: The evolution of the role of museums in cities. European Urban and Regional Studies, 9(3), 195–209.
Varvaresos, S. (2005). Tourism: meanings and structures – The Greek reality. Athens: Propompos (in Greek).
Wall, G. (1997). Is ecotourism sustainable? Environmental Management, 21(4), 483–491.
Walsh-Heron, J., & Stevens, T. (1990). The management of visitor attractions and events. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.
Whitfield, J. (2009). Why and how visitor attractions diversify their product to offer conference and event facilities. Journal of Convention and Event Tourism, 10, 72–88.
Yale, P. (1998). From tourist attractions to heritage tourism (2nd ed.). Huntingdon: Elm Publications.
Websites
http://www.theacropolismuseum.gr/el/content/i-organosi-0. Accessed on December 22, 2013.
http://www.theacropolismuseum.gr/el/content/istoria-0. Accessed on December 23, 2013.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this paper
Cite this paper
Aspridis, G., Sdrolias, L., Kimeris, T., Kyriakou, D., Grigoriou, I. (2015). Visitor Attraction Management: Is There Space for New Thinking Despite the Crisis? The Cases of Buckingham Palace and the Museum of Acropolis. In: Katsoni, V. (eds) Cultural Tourism in a Digital Era. Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15859-4_28
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15859-4_28
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-15858-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-15859-4
eBook Packages: Business and EconomicsBusiness and Management (R0)