5.6: Location of Tertiary Economic Activity
In this lesson you will:
 Examine factors that affect the location of a tertiary activity. (a)
Students will be expected to analyze patterns in the location of selected tertiary and
quaternary activities, including the following delineations:
 5.6.1 Examine factors that affect the location of a tertiary activity. (a)
 5.6.2 Examine factors that affect the location of a quaternary activity. (a)
 5.6.3 Analyze factors that account for patterns in world trade for a selected
commodity. (a)
 5.6.4 Analyze factors that account for patterns in mass communications. (a)
 5.6.5 Examine how mass communications can affect the location of a workplace.
(a)
Lesson
 Proximity & price are two key factors that determine the location of service
industries.
o Location: services must be located close to a large enough market to
produce DEMAND.
o Viability: services are only viable as businesses if the demand is high
enough & the price is reasonable.
 Service Availability vs. Population Size.
o Larger populations support a wider range of services.
o Consider: Health services, Education, recreation facilities, shopping
facilities, hotels, restaurants and you will see that the range of services
available is directly related to community size.
Assigned Readings & Activities
 "The Location of Tertiary Activities" on page 244 of your text book.
 Complete Question #9-10 on page 244.
Lesson
Although this lesson focuses on the tourism industry in particular the methods
employed could be used to analyse any Tertiary industry.
Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy. It is also one of the most
profitable. If your country happens to be located in a sunny area or to have good ski
slopes or to have cultural attractions then people will flock there and spend money.
Furthermore from a country's perspective international tourism is new money coming to
the country.
International tourism has increased dramatically for 6 reasons:
5.6: Location of Tertiary Economic Activity
1.people have increased leisure time due to available technologies;
2.retired people have secure incomes and are able to travel;
3.people have increased discretionary spending money;
4.travel has become easier and less expensive;
5.travel agencies have packaged attractive "all expenses paid" trips;
6.advertising has been effective using attractive & exotic pictures.
Travel agents see that people are usually looking for one of three different kinds of
vacations:
1.Climate oriented (skiing & sun bathing are at opposite extremes but both rely on
climate)
2.Landscape oriented (some people like to view the sites)
3.Culture oriented (cultural land marks are of interest to people ex. Athens)
Assigned Readings & Activities
 "International Tourism in the Tertiary Sector" p. 245-246
 Complete questions # 11-14 on page 246 of your text book.
 Case Study "Costa Del Sol" p. 247-248 complete questions #15-18