The Tourism Geography of
East Asia
Learning Objectives
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Describe the major physical features and climates of the region and understand
their importance for tourism;
Recognise that the economies of the countries in the region show many contrasts,
ranging from the advanced to the least developed;
Appreciate that outbound and domestic tourism and recreation are of growing
importance to the more prosperous countries of East Asia;
Recognise the effect of crises such as SARS and terrorism on demand for tourism
in the region;
Show that inbound tourism is being encouraged by most countries in the region
as a source of foreign exchange and employment;
Recognise that the tourist appeal of East Asia is mainly cultural, although beach
tourism and event attractions are growing in importance;
Be aware of the extent of the cultural and environmental impacts on host
communities;
Recognise the importance of infrastructure on tourism development;
Demonstrate a knowledge of the tourist regions, resorts, business centres and
tourist attractions of East Asia.
East Asia: Introduction
•
•
•
•
•
Rapid economic growth
Rapid tourism growth
Varied tourism products
Colonial influences
Traditional cultures
Singapore
• Stable and prosperous
• Singapore Airlines
• Strong tourism market
Resources
  A number of zoos and wildlife parks
  The waterfront area of Clarke Quay, with its leisure theatre and shopping
developments
  The Suntec conference and exhibition centre
  The beach resort of Sentosa Island, which includes a number of Asianstyle theme parks and
  The Esplanade Centre for the performing arts, epitomising Singapore’s
drive to become a cultural destination
Malaysia
• Multicultural
• Cultural areas:



Peninsular or West Malaysia, known under British rule as Malaya, which is the
southernmost peninsula of mainland Asia

East Malaysia, consisting of the states of Sabah and Sarawak, which form part of
the island of Borneo
• Resources:
 
 
 
•
The beaches of West Malaysia
A variety of cultural attractions
Facilities for conferences and meetings including the Putra World Trade
Centre and the Malaysian International Exhibition Centre
The wildlife resources of the interior mountains and rainforests.
Brunei
Indonesia
• Large Muslim nation
• Demand
• Supply
Resources:
• Java
• Sumatra
• Bali
• Lombok
• Lesser Sunda Islands
• Sulawesi
Philippines
• Spanish and American
influences
• Demand
• Supply
Resources:
• South Luzon
• Manila
• Beach resorts
• The Visayas
• Palawan
• Mindanao
Thailand
• Demand
• Supply
Resources:
• Bangkok
• Chiangmai
• Phuket
• Eastern Thailand
Indo-China
• Cambodia
• Laos
• Vietnam
– Reconstruction after
war
– Resources (Hanoi,
Saigon, beaches)
• Burma
– Political issues
Japan
• Industrial nation
• Four main islands
• Character
•
•
•
•
•
It is remarkably homogenous, with
one language, few social divisions
and no large ethnic minorities
It has enjoyed political stability
since 1945;
Respect for tradition co-exists with
admiration for the new
There is a readiness to adopt the
latest technological innovations
Society is bound by discipline and
respect for authority, but leisure is
seen as increasingly important.
• Demand
– Domestic
– Outbound
– Inbound
Japan: Supply
• Transport
• Accommodation
• organisation
Resources:
• Tokyo
• Kyoto
• Nikko, Nara, Ise
• Inland Sea
• Kyushu
• Hokkaido
• Okinawa
China
• Large population
• Restructuring
• Outbound tourism will
dominate world
tourism
• Large landmass
•
•
•
•
Demand
Inbound
Domestic
outbound
China: Resources
North
Xian
Great Wall of China
Chengde
Beijing
East Central
• Shanghai
• Historic Cities
• Yangtze
West
• Tibet
South
• Guilin
• Kunming
• Gwangzhou
• Hainan
Hong Kong and Macau
Hong Kong
• SAR of China
• Colonial influence:
•
•
•
•
•
Free port status and a free-wheeling
private enterprise economy
Border controls with the rest of
China, although visa controls are
being relaxed
The Hong Kong dollar as its
official currency;
English as an official language
Its own tourist authority for
promotion and development – The
Hong Kong Tourism Board
(HKTB.)
• Major destination
• Resources
•
•
•
•
Shopping for consumer goods and
Chinese items such as jade
The
sampans
and
floating
restaurants of Aberdeen
Themed attractions such as the
Sung Dynasty Village and the
Middle Kingdom (showcasing
China’s history), Ocean Park, and
the Space Museum
The outlying islands with their
temples and peaceful countryside,
providing a relief from the hectic
pace of urban Hong Kong
• Macau
Taiwan, Korea and Mongolia
• Taiwan
• Resources
– Taipei.
– The Taroko Gorge, on the
East West Highway
crossing the island
– Sun Moon Lake, a favourite
resort for Taiwanese
holidaymakers
– The beaches of the east
coast and offshore islands.
• Korea
– Political division
• South Korea
– Economic growth
– Demand
– Resources
•
•
•
•
Seoul
Pusan
Cheju Island
Mountains
• North Korea
• Mongolia