History, Growth and Impact of the Leisure Industry in Australia


 


Bertrand Russell on one occasion commented, “The ability to use leisure wisely is the final test of a civilization”. There is a reality on Russell’s statement as today’s civilization is dynamic and ever-changing resulting to forgetfulness of the idea of leisure and fun. Thus, the use of leisure and its forms is considered as the antidote for the hustles and bustles of contemporary lifestyle. Leisure is the most fundamental expression of an individual’s freedom. It is because leisure is tantamount to people’s ability to do things they enjoy with or without justified intentions. Leisure opens up new opportunities for a person to explore a destination, an activity, or other interesting things, places, and circumstance. In leisure, a person explores not only life’s treasures but also the self, which in turn prompts him/her in a deeper appreciation of life and of creation. Leisure or the pursuit of leisure, whether travel or entertainment such as the movies and video games has become a profitable business for some people and source of economic advantage of some countries worldwide.


This paper briefly looks on the case of Australia’s leisure industry particularly its history, growth and impact. It is argued that the leisure industry consists of entertainment, recreation, and tourism including related products, services, and activities. In this paper, the case of tourism, gaming and amusement parks, and sports activities are illuminated. Further, the role of the government and the private sector is evaluated considering that leisure specifically tourism as among Australia’s major source of national economic advantage. Since tourism is already synonymous on the case of leisure industry, the discussion of its history, growth and impact focuses on this feature.


 


History: a brief perspective


Australia is the only continent that occupies a single national territory. Considering its national history, it is considered that the country’s historical development in leisure goes hand in hand with other aspects of development. The history of the leisure industry dates back on the same era where leisure and tourism became a global trend as a result of changing lifestyles among modern societies and its people (Lanfant 1980). According to Urry (1990), the evolution of the tourism industry resulted to its commercialization. Evidence shows that over the last four decades, dominant tourism production model changes from Fordist mass tourism to post-Fordism (Urry 1990) or the 20th century capitalism. The leisure industry of Australia includes tourism, gaming and amusement, recreation, and sports. Today, Australia promotes its leisure industry through various media particularly the internet, wherein a domain is maintained and features all year round schedule of leisure and tourism activities, tourism and destination features and packages, and other travel information. It is also understood that the industry is a major source of revenue and economic activity.


 


Growth: the case of tourism


            Tourism Research Australia, in its Quarterly Results of the International Visitor Survey report summarizing tourism activity in the country last March this year, indicates that the growth of leisure and tourism industry is increasing. Data presented says that “there were 5,206,349 visitors to Australia aged 15 years and over”, which is calculated to be 1% higher compared to March 2007. People travel and spend their leisure time for several reasons. On Australian context, people visit due to the following reasons: holiday (49%); visiting friends and relatives (21%); business (17%); education (7%); employment (2%); and other (4%). The same report identifies the country of origin of visitors on the year period: New Zealand (1,030,142); the United Kingdom (643,034); Japan (504,890); and USA (432,394).


 


Impact: a mirror of national development


Leisure and tourism can raise the profile of a destination like Australia, attracting the interest of investors and visitors alike. It is not simply the case that many countries turn to tourism out of desperation, but because it affords their population a better standard of living. There are a number of benefits that may be derived from tourism provided that it is managed properly (Ghimire 2001). These have, of course, been well documented in tourism literature and might include the creation of employment, the receipt of foreign exchange, the expansion of other economic sectors, and infrastructural developments. In environmental and socio-cultural terms, tourism development can provide a stimulus and funding for conservation, and the preservation of cultural heritage and traditions. Some of the more intangible benefits may include the renewal of cultural pride, the revitalisation of customs and traditions, and opportunities for cross-cultural exchange and integration. Again, these are more difficult to measure, but can be perceptible within local communities. Aside from economic benefits (Ap and Crompton 1998), among the perceptible impacts of leisure and tourism include more employment opportunities; enhanced transportation system; and increased cultural consciousness (Mak 2004). More employment opportunities are a result of the presence of foreigners in the place that would spark the labor interest to explore the investment possibilities of the area. It also leads to an enhanced transportation system through advances in vehicle and route-way design that will allow greater opportunity for pleasurable and meaningful participation in this worldwide phenomenon. With the existence of tourism come stimulated restoration of culture and historic sites. Heritage features could not be kept intact if their preservation had not become the ongoing concern of tourists, resulting both in financial contributions and state support from them. It is also utilized as a tool to resolve or even avert conflict (Moli 2003).


 


Different sectors of the leisure industry: three examples


Tourism. Within the sphere of the environmental factors are the groups of participants involved and affected. According to Kandampully, Mok and Sparks (2001), they are: (1) the tourists; (2) the businesses providing the goods and services that the tourist market demands; (3) the government of the host community; and (4) the host community. In Australian perspective, tourism is booming. This is supported by the same results obtained from the reports of the Tourism Australia and the Tourism Research Australia accessible in their corporate domains.


Gaming and Amusement Parks. This is just a feature of the entire leisure and tourism package in the country. In particular, amusement parks are available in specific areas and are able to compete with other amusement parks worldwide (e.g. Disneyland in USA and Hong Kong). The condition of gaming and amusement parks in the country is highly monitored as it boosts economic benefits brought about by patrons and visitors.


Sports. Australia, for the purposes of developing its National Sports Tourism Strategy, defined sports tourism according to its classifications; domestic sports tourism and international sports tourism. The first is defined as any sports-related trip of over 40 kms and involving a stay of at least one night away from home; while the second is any trip to Australia a prime purpose of which is to participate in a sporting activity, either as a spectator, participant or official. 


 


Role of the Government and Private Industry


            Basically, the role of the Government and the private sector is similar as they are among the stakeholders particularly on the creation of sustainable leisure and tourism industry through strategic planning and development of policies. As part of tourism strategic planning and development, there are specific motives why governments all over the world sustain the development of tourism (Gray 1997) and are adapted below. Initially, the prospective for tourism to produce foreign currency is vital, even more so in countries which have artificial or controlled exchange rates, or which are, frequently accordingly, caused to undergo balance of payments difficulties. Second is the truth that tourism is labor exhaustive, and generates employment throughout the economy. Similarly, tourists pay out money on lodges, transportation, and meals, but also on an extensive assortment of goods and services. Third is the actuality that the tourism industry does not, in general, have need of costly or intricate technology or an extremely skilled labor force. With the exemption of a handful of multifaceted projects like airline operations, investment in tourism is not relatively costly, and will frequently give back a profit practically speedily. Furthermore, a lot of nations previously have prepared the basic and most imperative prerequisites for the improvement of the tourism segment; an agreeable climate, striking surroundings, historical locations, and welcoming population. In other words, governments frequently sense that their nation possesses an unexploited economic resource, and come to a decision to take advantage of it. Because leisure and tourism industry serves millions of people from in places across the globe and generate multibillion-dollar revenues (Brymer, et al. 2005), there is a need to constantly monitor, develop, and maintain sustainable development among all aspects. The issue of long-term sustainability or sustainable development and its management turn out to be a challenge to all stakeholders including agents from national governments, international and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the whole of the industries itself (Rondinelli and Berry 2000). There is an urgent need and call for the effective performance of organizations and partnerships particularly those who are involved in the implementation of tourism policies and their success in moving towards a sustainable destination like Australia.


 


 


References


Ap, J. & Crompton, J. L. (1998). Developing and testing a tourism impact scale. Journal of Tourism Research, 37(2), 120-130.


 


Brymer, R.A., March, L., Palmer, M., & Schmidgall, R.S. (2005). Cultural influences on ethical decisions of students enrolled in European hospitality programmes. Tourism and Hospitality Research, 5: 4, 346-357


 


Ghimire, K. B. (2001). Regional Tourism and South-South Economic Cooperation. The Geographical Journal, 167(2); 99.


 


Gray, M. (1997). The Political Economy of Tourism in Syria: State, Society, and Economic Liberalization. Arab Studies Quarterly (ASQ), 19(2); 57+.


 


Kandampully, J., Mok, C. & Sparks, B. (2001). Service Quality Management in Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure. New York: The Haworth Press, Inc.


 


Lanfant, M. F. (1980). Introduction: Tourism in the process of internationalisation. International Social Science Journal, 32(1), 14-45.


 


Mak, J. (2004). Tourism and the Economy. Hawaii: University of Hawaii Press.


 


Moli, G. P. (2003). Promotion of Peace and Sustainability by Community Based Heritage Eco-Cultural Tourism in India. International Journal of Humanities and Peace, 19(1), 40+.


 


Rondinelli, D.A. & Berry, M.A. (2000). Environmental Citizenship in Multinational Corporations: Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development. European Management Journal, 18:1, 70–84


 


Urry J. (1990) The tourist gaze: leisure and travel in contemporary societies. London: Sage.


 



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