ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the nature and scope of visitor attractions and explores a number of issues associated with their development, operation and management. Visitor attractions form one of the basic components of the tourism industry, along with transport and accommodation, and play a crucial role in the appeal of destinations. A study by M. Hansen examined visits to 40 museums in 1864–2015 and found a relationship between average earnings and visitation, indicating that such visits were dependent upon disposable income. The definition of attractions adopted by the national tourism organizations (NTOs) in the UK states that an attraction is: where the main purpose is sightseeing. The core product offered by an attraction is one method of classification, which is commonly used by NTOs. Attractions can be grouped as: historic houses, museums and galleries, wildlife attractions, castles and gardens. Attractions are owned and managed by a range of organizations, trusts and individuals, working in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
