One of the strongest growth areas in european tourism market in recent years has been the rises of 'clubbing & party tourism'. This phenomenon consists of large numbers of young people from northern europe taking vacations in Mediterranean destinations in the summer to 'party'.
It has taken the old 'sun, sand, sea, sex' tourism & added new elements to this experiences, namely music & dance culture, heavy consumpon of alcohol, drugs,daytime activities, notably watersports.
The rises of the new trend :
*The growing independence of young people in Northern Europea countries, who are able to take on holidays on their own, or with friends.
*The changing role of women in NE & the fact that woman can now behave in the same way as man in terms of drinking and casual sex.
*The development of clubbing and dance culture had become part of their everyday's life.
*Developed nightclubs in Mediterranean destination to attract tourists.
*Other ancillary services such as bars grow up to exploit the market.
*Tour operators packages this form of tourism for the tourist.
However , there are a number of important points to be made about the destinations for clubbing tourism:
*Clubbing destination are based on fashion and trendiness so they can rise in popularity & decline in popularity relatively quickly, with no apparent reason, other than fashionability.
*Once destination have become established as clubbing destination, it is difficult for them to re-position and move into new market.
*They are often difficulties in between market segment, as the lifestyles of young conflicts with that of older couples and families.
Some impacts of party & clubbing tourism on the destinations. ( In Mediterranean )
* There is no doubt that this form of tourism brings huge economic benefits to the destination. However, in general these benefits go to ba, club & fast food outlets owner rather than accommodation suppliers or cultural activities.
*Much of the income from party tourists is probably lost to the destination, particully the island, because many of the clubs and bars are owned by foreign-based companies & they tend to empoly labour from their own country who are in tune with the customers own culture.
*Faces some extra costs because of this form of tourism, because of the extra burden which the influx of tourists places on the local police and medical services.
*The presence of young foreign tourists can cause conflict with the local families if their children are tempted to join in with the party & develop 'romantic' links with some of the tourists.
*Causes environment problems, most notably litter & noise polluation.
Impacts of party & clubbing tourism on the tourists & their own country.
*Many of the tourists develop friendships & relationships which may continue after the holiday. - some of the tourist's lives are changed for ever by this experiences.
*It can also be harmful to the tourists, as the emphasis on casual sex can lead tourists suffering STD inculding HIV infections.
* The ready presence of drugs can lead some tourists into drugs.
*Leading to their country having a -VE images in the destination countries because of the behaviour of their young people.
*Reinforcing social problems such as heavy drinking among young people & violence.
Souce: International cases in tourism management Susan Horner & John Swarbrooke