Contribution of Architecture In Developing Tourism
Tourism in a country depends on its demographics, resources, heritage, and economic advancements. The major of these advancements depend on infrastructure and architectural development. The contribution of architecture to developing tourism within nations is phenomenal. It also includes historical places to attract curious tourists to experience the past’s culture, heritage, and lifestyle.
People travel for specific reasons, while some travel for fun. Regardless of their reasons, traveling contributes a hefty revenue to tourism-rich nations. Thus the governments take special care to maintain the tourist aspects of these places. Some of the significant reasons architecture contributes toward tourism and the country’s betterment are as follows,
- Architectural Spectacularity and Magnificence
- Global Identity
- Heritage and Historical Aspects
- The 7 Wonders of the World
- Employs the local communities
- Infrastructure development
- Memories for lifetime
Architectural Spectacularity and Magnificence
Spectacularity attracts spectators. Eventually, our curiosity provokes us to explore such spectacular places. Some elements that can add spectacularity to any place include culture, people, tradition, heritage, and magnificence. However, architecture depicts these elements holistically.
People travel places to witness such spectacularity in person. These adorations can be due to the distinctive use of materials, construction techniques, or any attention-seeking adaptation. Be it the pyramids of Egypt, the basilicas and amphitheaters of Rome, or the modern-day architectural milestones with skyscrapers, airports, museums, etc. Everything calls for fascination.
Global Identity
If we skim through the history of architecture, people built monuments and forts to show superiority. Many places around the globe have such monuments or infrastructure to anchor their global identity. These architectural accomplishments have now become landmarks for them on global platforms.
Which country comes to your mind when we mention the Eiffel tower? France right? How about the Taj Mahal? Doesn’t it remind you about India? Well, how does this occur? Perhaps, people built these architectural monuments to own such an identity or, over the years, history has entitled them to such significance. Nobody knows. We know that countries use this contribution of architecture to develop tourism.
Heritage and Historical Aspects
We evolve by acknowledging our heritages. It helps us prepare for future outcomes. The contribution of architecture in the past provides a massive value to our ancestor’s lifestyles and adaptations. It also preserves the culture, heritage, and values our ancestors followed.
Tourism floods these historical places to experience the past. The thrill of exploring our ancestors’ lifestyle and culture encourages tourism to flourish in these historically rich places. People in the same countries also visit their heritage places with the same fascination and admiration.
The 7 Wonders of the World
Travelers often include the 7 wonders on their bucket list. Be it the Petra in Jordan, Taj Mahal in India, Macchu Picchu in Peru, Chichen Itza in Mexico, Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, Colosseum, Italy, or The Great Wall in China. These places aren’t just monumental extravagance. They are a symbolic representation of their identity, heritage, culture, uniqueness, originality, and creativity.
These wonders also encourage tourism in nearby cities as travelers optimize their exploration. Taj Mahal has around 7 -8 million visitors annually, of which 0.8 million overseas visitors. Whereby the Taj Mahal annually earns over INR 200 crores through tourism alone. Perhaps architecture also encourages other financial benefits for the country’s well being.
Employs the local communities
Tourism encourages the local communities to indulge in small businesses near these tourist spots. Small businesses like local food stalls, sovereign shops, handicrafts, etc., create community growth opportunities. People earn and employ people to support these small businesses.
Architecture’s contribution to developing tourism also encourages revenue and economic benefits to the country. These tourist places also provide employment opportunities for the locals to collaborate with them. Endless requirements for renovation, cleaning, crowd, and aesthetic management, provide regular employment opportunities.
Infrastructure development
Architectural and infrastructural advancements regulate the type of community it accommodates. These developments are consciously made to upgrade the country’s revenue to attract more businesses and companies to collaborate. People shift over to these well-designed urban spaces to upgrade their lifestyles.
People gradually prefer the cityscapes to their countryside as metropolitan cities provide better career opportunities, lifestyle, and travel accessibility. Architectural development encourages these advancements in roadways, amenities, and business development. These developments naturally attract more tourists to witness these infrastructural and lifestyle advancements.
Urban development contributes to revenue by attracting overseas business opportunities. For instance, the growth of Singapore is an outstanding example of urban planning. The city is the hub for high lifestyle standards and infrastructures. It is greener, rich, and cleaner than 40 years ago. Reason? Great urban layout, architectural upgradation, and infrastructural advancement. It is reported that Singapore has over 19 million annual visitors, almost thrice its population.
Memories for lifetime
Architecture is a reference point. We symbolize these places in memorial time and lifestyle. Memories that can last forever in our lifetime. These built-up spaces hold the essence of heritage, culture, and experience. Tourists often explore these spaces to collect life-worthy experiences. Whether a solo traveler or a team, the built-up space unfolds experiences that are cherished for a lifetime.
The contribution of architecture to developing tourism is exceptional. It provoked the government to take necessary measures to preserve the heritage and encourage future advancements. Apart from the financial benefits of tourism, these places promote a lot more. Tourism encourages people to celebrate diversity in culture and beliefs. People acknowledge the differences and cherish them.
In a nutshell, architecture’s contribution to tourism encourages the holistic development of a nation in economic and cultural aspects. Preserving the historical buildings and funding for new infrastructural advancements can uplift the country’s tourism and global networking approach.
By Hajara Banu
Hajara Banu is a professional architect, content writer, and strategist. She is on her journey to share her love of architecture, design, and content creation. Besides writing, Hajara loves coffee and often experiments with cooking and organizing in her free time.
