Honeypots

In geography, a honeypot is a particularly popular visitor attraction which attracts tourists (and sometimes locals) in large numbers. The term 'honeypot' originates from bees buzzing around a hive. Tourism planning

Honeypots are frequently used by cities or countries to manage their tourism industry. The use of honeypots can protect fragile land away from major cities while satisfying tourists. One such example is the construction of local parks to prevent tourists from damaging more valuable ecosystems farther from their main destination. Honeypots have the added benefit of concentrating a large number of income-generating visitors in one place, thus developing that area, and in turn making the area more appealing to tourists. However, honeypots can suffer from problems of overcrowding, including litter, crime, and strain on facilities and transport networks.

Bowness – Lake District Lyndhurst – New Forest.

Conflicts.

Tourists and residents.

 Tourists cause congestion so local residents can’t travel around easily.

 Parking is difficult so tourists park outside residents houses blocking their access.

 Shops are built for tourists so the local residents don’t get what they need and prices are more expensive.

 Tourist buy second homes in the area pushing up the prices so local residents can’t afford to live there.

Local business and local residents.

 They charge higher prices in the shops.

 Shops cater for tourists rather than the local people.

 Employment tends to be low paid and seasonal.

 Local businesses employ immigrant workers rather than the local people.

Tourists and farmers.

 Tourists leave litter that can injure animals.

 Dogs chase sheep and tourists can damage property by climbing over walls and leaving gates open.

Tourists and conservationists.  Tourist trample over flowers and wildlife habitats.

 They disturb mating wildlife.

 They damage places of special scientific interest.

How conflict can be managed.

Park rangers are employed to negotiate between different groups of people so they all work together. They arrange for areas throughout the national park to be repaired and educate people on how to look after the environment by giving talks and guided tours.

Give the car a holiday campaign. Free guide.

The guide shows visitors how to reach and get around using public transport and other modes. It describes the benefits of giving the car a holiday, including a positive impact on health and the added value that new experiences can give to a break or longer vacation. It helps to solve the conflict between tourists and local residents as well as the conservationsists.

Putting in footpaths to manage where tourists go.

To avoid erosion on the hills, footpaths have been put in so that the land is not eroded away by the millions of walkers that go there every year. People then stick to the path and don’t wonder off into other areas. This avoids conflict with farmers as tourists stick to the foot paths rather than walk over private land.

Parking:

1. In Bowness they charge for parking to discourage so many cars from staying in the area for a long time.

2. They have fenced off some of the roadside in the area roadsides so cars cannot damage verges and destroy wildlife habitats. 3. reinforce car-park surfaces to prevent damage. 'Waffles' are large concrete slabs with holes in them, like an edible waffle. Soil fills the holes and grass grows, giving a hard green surface.

These strategies help prevent conflict between tourists and local people as well as conservationists.

Litter

 Litter bins with lids to stop it flying away and making the place look untidy.

 Only in designated areas such as car parks and picnic sites.

 Litter bins have been taken away from footpaths to encourage tourists to take litter home with them.