Production for export to over come the problem of small home market.
Importation of raw materials from abroad for example cotton from Egypt and iron ore from France.
Production of commodities which require few raw materials but high skill and precision. The end process is very light in weight, small in volume but of high monetary value. This has enabled overcoming the problem of raw materials and high transport costs.
Neutrality is emphasized to discourage economic embargos.
Rhine river is used to link the country to the sea via Rotterdam. This has minimized the problem of land lockedness.
Automation of industries to reduce the problem of labour shortage.
Widening the market through market research and organizing annual international trade fairs
An icon is a tourist attraction that is world-famous and comes to represent or be symbolic of the country or city in which it is located.
Icons can be human-made or natural.
A World Heritage Site is a place such as a forest, mountain, lake, desert, monument, building, complex, or city that is listed by UNESCO as being of special cultural or physical significance
Tourist attractions and icons are both significant elements in the tourism industry, but they differ in their nature and significance. While tourist attractions are places or sites that draw visitors due to their unique features or appeal, icons represent recognizable symbols or landmarks associated with a particular destination. Understanding the difference between these concepts helps in analyzing the diverse aspects of tourism and destination branding.
Table: Difference between Tourist Attractions and Icons
Aspect
Tourist Attractions
Icons
Definition
Tourist attractions are specific places, sites, or experiences that attract visitors due to their unique characteristics, historical or cultural significance, natural beauty, or recreational opportunities.
Icons are recognizable symbols, landmarks, or cultural references associated with a particular destination, representing its identity, heritage, or cultural heritage.
Nature
Tourist attractions can be tangible (such as natural landscapes, historical sites, theme parks, museums) or intangible (such as festivals, events, local traditions) experiences.
Icons are primarily tangible elements, including landmarks, monuments, buildings, or natural features that have symbolic value and are widely recognized and associated with a specific destination.
Significance
Tourist attractions contribute to the overall appeal of a destination, attracting visitors and generating tourism revenue. They play a crucial role in destination marketing and visitor satisfaction.
Icons are prominent symbols or landmarks that represent the identity, character, or cultural significance of a destination. They are often used in destination branding and marketing to create recognition and evoke a sense of place.
Variety
Tourist attractions can be diverse and encompass a wide range of categories, such as natural attractions, cultural sites, historical landmarks, recreational facilities, entertainment venues, and unique experiences.
Icons are usually limited to a select few prominent symbols or landmarks that have gained significant recognition and become synonymous with a destination. They represent the essence or distinctiveness of the place.
Importance
Tourist attractions contribute to the economic growth of a destination through visitor spending, job creation, and investment in infrastructure and tourism-related services. They also enhance the cultural heritage and sense of place.
Icons have cultural, historical, or symbolic importance for a destination. They serve as recognizable symbols that help in creating a distinct image and attracting visitors. Icons often have significant cultural or historical value for the local community.
Accessibility
Tourist attractions can vary in terms of accessibility, with some being easily accessible to tourists while others may require permits, transportation arrangements, or guided tours.
Icons are often well-known and easily accessible to visitors. They are usually located in popular tourist areas and are easily recognizable, often becoming focal points for tourists’ visitations.
Scope of Interest
Tourist attractions cater to a wide range of interests, including nature enthusiasts, history buffs, adventure seekers, cultural explorers, and recreational tourists. They offer diverse experiences to cater to different preferences.
Icons have a broad appeal and captivate the interest of a wide range of visitors. They are recognized and admired by people from various backgrounds and interests, often serving as must-see landmarks or symbols of a destination.
Preservation
Tourist attractions may require conservation and preservation efforts to protect their natural or cultural significance and ensure their long-term sustainability.
Icons are often preserved and protected as part of a destination’s heritage and identity. They are considered valuable assets and may have legal protections or conservation measures in place to safeguard their integrity.
Association
Tourist attractions may change over time due to evolving visitor preferences, development activities, or natural changes in the environment. New attractions may emerge, and existing ones may be upgraded or redeveloped to meet the changing demands of tourists.
Icons tend to have a lasting presence and may retain their significance and recognition over long periods. They often become synonymous with the destination and are less susceptible to rapid changes or modifications.
Marketing
Tourist attractions are promoted as key selling points for a destination, featuring prominently in destination marketing campaigns, travel guides, websites, and promotional materials.
Icons play a crucial role in destination branding and marketing efforts. They are often used as visual representations and symbols of a destination, helping to create a recognizable identity and attracting potential visitors.
Conclusion: Tourist attractions and icons are distinct concepts within the tourism industry. Tourist attractions refer to specific places, sites, or experiences that attract visitors due to their unique features, while icons represent recognizable symbols or landmarks associated with a particular destination.
Tourist attractions offer diverse experiences and contribute to the economic growth of a destination, while icons represent the identity and cultural significance of a place. Understanding the difference between these concepts helps in developing effective tourism strategies and destination branding efforts.
Eviction of encroachers and reduction of human settlement within the surroundings of the game reserves and National parks to reduce poaching.
Setting up of anti-poaching squads to reduce on poaching to increase the animal population.
Regular patrols and supervision should be done to protect the animals from poachers.
Increased advertisement should be done through radio programs, TVs, News papers, magazines both within and abroad to increase on the level of awareness about tourism potentials within the region.
The government should improve on the accessibility of tourist potentials e.g. Rehabilitation of roads for better transport.
Educating the local people about the values of wild life and environmental conservation to reduce on the level of poaching and deforestation.
Encouraging the local people to use family planning methods so as to control population growth and reduce the negative effects like deforestation.
The government should fight corruption so that the resources allocated to the tourism industry are put into proper use.
Switzerland has varied scenery that includes rivers, climate, glaciated, lakes, mountain scenery, etc. that attract tourists who involve themselves in sight-seeing and sports.
Suitable location
Switzerland is centrally located in Europe making it relatively accessible to the neighbouring industrialised European countries that are major sources of tourists e.g. Germany, Spain, Italy and England.
It is linked to the neighbouring countries by excellent road, railway and air networks making travelling to and from easier and cheaper.
Hospitality & culture
The personnel handling tourists are highly trained and offer quality service and management to the tourists.
They are also very hospitable (generous and friendly to visitors).
There is also easy communication with neighbours from other countries since there are four major languages spoken in the Swiss i.e. French, Germany, English and Latin
Political stability & policy of neutrality
During the cold war between East and West Europe, Switzerland was never aligned to any bloc.
Visitors from either side of the political divide can visit it without any discrimination.
It has also enjoyed relative peace and political stability making it a favourite destination for people on holiday.
Accommodation
Switzerland has numerous hotels and campsites in tourist’s sites that offer excellent accommodation facilities to the visitors.
The hotels are fairly priced and offer good rates to groups through organisations of group travels and bookings – thus lowering the rates.
Centre for International meetings
Switzerland is the headquarter of many international organisations such as the International Labour Organisation, UN, and Red Cross thus hosts many international conferences, meetings and seminars.
People visiting the country for such meetings take time off to tour the attraction sites.
Transport
Switzerland has a well-developed transport system – in terms of means and network i.e. road network connecting various parts, there are also electric trains and cable cars and aerial lifts to carry the tourists up and down the mountains
Enhancement of political stability and government projections. The government and other stakeholders are making concerted efforts to improve security situation in the country. This will increase the number of tourists
Conservation of the rich traditions and cultural practices of the Kenyan communities
Preservation and maintenance of tourist attraction site like fort Jesus in Mombasa
Aggressive promotion by the ministry of tourism through the Kenya Tourism Board which portrays a good picture of the country and its tourist sites in major cities of tourists’ origin by opening offices in such cities.
Lowering of tariffs. Some tourists find the charges to the hotels, game parks, and airport taxes a little high and expensive.
The strength of the Kenya shilling has a bearing on the number of visitors who wish to spend their holidays in Kenya. If our shilling depreciates, it will attract tourists to the country who will find it cheaper to visit Kenya.
Switzerland receives more tourists and thus earns more revenue compared to Kenya.
Kenya has a variety of scenery and landscape with physical features e.g. the Rift Valley, lakes, mountains, lakes, plains and rivers while in Switzerland, the Alps is the main physical feature that attracts tourists.
Kenya’s only snow-capped mountain (Mt. Kenya) is too high and steep thus less suitable for mountain sports while the Swiss has large and smooth slopes covered with snow during winter for such sports.
Kenya has a seafront with warm waters for sun/sand bathing, swimming, surfing, and yachting whereas Switzerland is landlocked – lacks a sea front/has no access to beaches and associated sports.
In Switzerland domestic tourism is more pronounced than in Kenya due to high levels of income.
In Kenya animals are kept in game parks while in Switzerland they are kept in zoos
Switzerland has winter sports such as skiing and ice-skating which Kenya lacks.
Kenya is richer in traditional culture than Switzerland due to its many ethnic groups.
Kenya has tropical wildlife such as the elephant, cheetah, lion etc. which Switzerland lacks
Kenya’s climate is warm throughout the year while Switzerland experiences warm summers and cold winters.
Kenya has more physical features which attract tourists than Switzerland e.g. Rift valley, lakes, mountains
Insecurity in parks. Some tourists are attacked and their property stolen from them. This scares the tourists who fear to visit again.
Terrorist attacks. Our country has in the recent past been a victim of terror attack where hundreds of people have been killed and property destroyed. E.g, the recent Westgate Mall Attack in Nairobi and the Mpeketoni killings has made some countries to issue travel advisories to its citizens.
Civil strife in the region. The civil wars that have been fought in neighboring countries like Somalia, Uganda and Rwanda impacts negatively on the tourism sector in Kenya. Most of the would be tourists do not know the difference between the countries of Africa.
High travel costs. Airfares are increasingly becoming unaffordable to many people. This forces tourists to use charter planes and travel in groups which restrict those who would want to stay in the country for longer.
Pollution in parks. There is an increase in pollution in the tourist sites as tourists litter the sites with cans, bottles and plastic papers rendering the sites ugly, dirty and unsafe to visit.
High tariffs. The high taxes charged on tourists discourage many from coming to our country. Visa charges and airport taxes in Kenya are said to be among the highest in Africa.
The attitude of Kenyans. Most Kenyans believe that tourism belongs to international travelers and therefore keep way from tourist sites. Also domestic tourists are discriminated upon in hotels in favour of foreigners.
