Tourism of a country paper

Section 1: ThatCountry Overview

Geography/Location of ThatCountry

The Kingdom of ThatCountry is a sovereign nation in ThatContinent, nestled between OtherCountry and OtherCountry on the southwest slope of the ThoseMountains. The topography of this landlocked nation includes high rugged mountains, deep valleys, and systems of streams (Wully, 1991). The climate varies due to the vast differences in altitudes and the ThoseKindOf storms. Western ThatCountry is hot, humid, and sub-tropical, while the central parts have warm summers and cold, dry winters (Wully, 1991). ThatCountry is divided into 15 districts, called ThoseDistricts (CIA, 2016). Government/Economy/Population

Women in line for Election Day, Tourism Council of ThatCountry

In March of 2008, ThatCountry had its first national elections, shifting from an absolute monarchy, to a constitutional monarchy (Tourism Council of ThatCountry, n.d.). The king is the head of state, the executive power is headed by the prime minister, and the two parts of parliament comprise the legislative power. Most recent population was recorded at 675,444 (CIA, 2016). Three main ethnic groups make up the population of ThatCountryese people: the ThisGroup, or indigenous inhabitants, the ThatGroup, who have ThatKindOf origin, and the ThatOtherGroup, who are believed to have migrated from ThatFarAwayPlace (Tourism Council of ThatCountry, n.d.). The economy of ThatCountry is rapidly growing, but it is still considered a developing nation. The GDP per capita was $4,561 in

2013, while the gross domestic product grew 7.5% to $1,962 million, showing a consistent positive growth pattern since 1975. ThatCountry earns most of its revenue from tourism and exports of hydropower electricity to ThatBigNeighborCountry. Agriculture is another major industry, with much of the labor force growing rice, corn, wheat, oranges, grapes, basil, and peppers. Animal products such as cheese, butter, and milk are also produced, but as the nation is

ThatReligion, the slaughter of animals is prohibited (Tourism Council of ThatCountry, n.d.).

Social Issues

ThatCountry is the only country in the world to measure its success by gross total happiness [GTH] instead of the common monetary measurement of gross national product (Ethir, 2013). In a 2015 report, ThatCountry ranked second in the world with a 0.562 nation-level index of national happiness. King What’sHisName defined the four main pillars of GTH as “equitable and equal socioeconomic development, preservation and promotion of cultural and spiritual heritage, conservation of the environment, and good governance, which are interwoven, complementary, and consistent.” (Tourism Council of ThatCountry, para. 2, n.d.). The King is credited with implementing legislation that protects the integrity of the ThatCountryese culture and choosing to develop slowly so as to avoid stretching the land and the people. A small sector of the population still lives in very rural areas that because of the rough terrain, are cut off from modern comforts like heat or electricity. Many citizens are illiterate and 1 in 6 still live under the poverty line (Tourism Council of ThatCountry, n.d.). ThatReligion is a huge part of

ThatCountryese life, as seen by the presence of ThatReligiosAttraction, cloisters, prayer flags, and prayer stands. ThatCountryese traditional and legal doctrines reflect gender equality. Gender ratio of property ownership is approximated at 60 to 40, female to male, and the head of the household is not based on gender, but on capability (Rinner, 2003). ThatCountry is one of the few ThatDirection countries where female dowries are nonexistent.

Section 2: Overview of Tourism in ThatCountry

Visitors/Inbound Tourism Statistics, Entry/Exit, & Safety

Tourism first opened in 1972 as a way to generate revenue, as well as publicize the country’s unique culture and traditions to the outside world. ThatCountry’s tourism industry is built on a high value, low impact model (Tourism Council of ThatCountry, n.d.). The Department of Tourism stresses limiting the negative impact of mass tourism on culture and conserving the natural environment. In 1986, the government raised the tourist tariff to attract only affluent visitors, and in 1991, tourism was privatized in order to more tightly control the type and quantity of tourists (Rinner, 2003). Visitors must obtain a visa from the Ministry of Tourist Affairs before landing in ThatCity, and must have a licensed tour guide accompany them to and from the airport. The minimum tour package a tourist can buy costs $100-230 a day per person and includes a minimum 3-star hotel, all meals, a licensed ThatCountryese tour guide, all transportation, and the sustainable tourism fee of $75 (Tourism Council of ThatCountry, n.d.). 2014 saw an increase in tourism of 15.25%, totaling 157,124 arrivals. International visitors represented 55,500 visitors and domestic arrivals totaling 87,584 (ThatCountry Tourism Monitor Annual Report, 2015). Gross earnings from tourism in 2014 totaled 38.93 million with fee payment to the government at $18.28 million (ThatCountry Tourism Monitor Annual Report, 2015). ThatCountry is a very politically stable country and is one of the safest countries in the world, almost completely devoid of scams, begging, and theft. It ranked 14th on the global peace ranking, compared to 94th reflected in the OtherCountry (CIA, 2016). It is the only country in the top 20 that is not a developed nation. Since its inception in 1972, tourism has been the country’s largest foreign-exchange earner.

Types of Tourism & Major Attractions of ThatCountry

ThatCountry’s main tourism attractions are its religious festivals, historic temples, traditional culture, and breath-taking landscapes. Heritage tourism is visible in the capital of ThatCity, which is the hub of the local handicraft and art scene. Here locals sell traditional ThatCountryese art like colorful embroidered hangings and clothing, silk fabrics, mats, and trinkets. Event tourism is popular as the many religious festivals are a big draw of domestic and international tourists. Sport and adventure tourism can be seen in the mountain biking, rafting, trekking, and archery activities. Cultural tourism opportunities include staying with a local rural family to try their food and see their daily chores, such as picking corn in the corn patties. Nature and wildlife tourism opportunities include bird-watching, wildlife guides, and once a year, tourist flock to see the endangered ThatRareKindofBird’s nest (Tourism Council of ThatCountry, n.d.).

The most well known destination in ThatCountry is the NameofMonastery. This monastery is the holiest site in ThatCountry and towers 11,000 feet on the side of a rocky cliff overlooking ThatBeautiful valley (Broom, 2014). The monastery is said to be the site where

AMysteriousMystic landed 1,000 years ago on the NameofMonastery, Lonely Planet back of a flying NameofAnimal. He is responsible for bringing ThatReligion to the

ThatCountryese. The hike to the monastery passes by waterfalls, thousands of prayer flags, and small religious handicrafts containing ashes of the dead. Another popular attraction is the NameofFamous Park in NameofCity. The park was established in 2004 to preserve the natural biodiversity in of the area. Measuring 50 square kilometers, this area has been developed into a site for ecotourism featuring a lake, camp sites, viewpoints, and trekking routes. The park boasts

50 species of ThatRarePlant, 210 species of birds, and animals such as musk deer, ThatKindofPredator, ThoseKindof Bears, ThatKindofEndangeredAnimal, ThisAnimal, and

ThatAnimal (BGCI, 2005).

Section 3: Tourism Opportunities and Barriers in ThatCountry

ThatCountry attracts many tourism opportunities, thanks to its beautiful environment, religious traditions, and unique culture. The Department of Tourism has been vocal about adopting a cautious approach to growth and development so as to preserve the country’s cultural heritage, and if the residents and business leaders are able to stick to this plan, the opportunities for tourism seem great. Tourism has created employment opportunities and has encouraged the growth of locally owned private sector enterprises (ThatCountry Tourism Monitor Annual Report, 2015). Domestic revenues now cover about 47% of total expenditures and much of this has been generated by the tourism royalty tax. The rest is funded by external grants or loans, and ThatCountry’s external debt is nearly 80% of its GDP (Ethir, 2013). Like many developing countries, ThatCountry must fight the draw of expanding too fast on foreign loans.

As tourism increases, the demands for imports could greatly hinder this country that already depends heavily on ThatNeighborCountry for food and fuel imports. Its landlocked geography makes it particulate prone to inflation (Rinner, 2003). Seasonality can also pose a challenge to tourism, as nearly half of all arrivals come between the three months of ThisMonth, ThatMonth, and TheOtherMonth (ThatCountry Monitor Tourism Annual Report, 2015). This unequal distribution of visitors adds pressure to the limited infrastructure. Lack of infrastructure could prove to be a big barrier to tourism. There is currently no railway system, and only one airport. A sizeable chunk (38%) of roads are unpaved and susceptible to flooding and mud (CIA, 2016). The Department of Roads employs 7,600 people to maintain its 41,000km network, and because of its steep topography, road building is very slow, dangerous, and labor intensive. In an exit survey conducted of tourists, 50.85% highlighted their discomfort with the condition of the roads (ThatCountry Monitor Tourism Annual Report, 2015). This could discourage future tourism prospects, especially in a niche industry highly influenced by word-of-mouth advertisement.

Part of ThatCountry’s major appeal is through eco-tourism, so it is paramount that the ecosystem is protected. To ensure this, the government enacted a law requiring 50% of its forest cover to be maintained for all time (Rinner, 2003). ThatCountry currently boasts a 82.1% forest cover and has designated 35% of its land mass to protected areas and parks. Construction of infrastructure and clearing of trees to make way for roads has increased to meet the needs of tourists. This increases the potential for erosion and landslides and destroys the habitat of the wildlife. Most of the population rely on sustenance farming, but meeting the demands of tourism could put a strain on the farmers and create overgrazing. The government must balance revenue needs with ecological considerations, water management, and soil preservation (ThatCountry Monitor Tourism Annual Report, 2015).

ThatCountry is particularly sensitive to climate changes, because of the large presence of glaciers and glacial lakes in the ThoseReallyTallMountains. Vertical shifts as great as 50m have been recorded in the last 50 years, and some lakes have grown as much as 700 percent. Glacial lake outburst floods could have drastic consequences for the 9% of the world’s population that count on these rivers for renewable storehouses of freshwater. Scientists in the area must continue to monitor these glacial levels to avoid a disaster (Baja et al., 2007).

Section 4: Personal Perspectives on ThatCountry Tourism

I chose to study ThatCountry because of its uniqueness and culture, as well as its notoriety for adhering to a strict tourism policy founded on sustainability. When I started researching, I had already booked my trip there, and learning about the admirable culture and values of the ThatCountryese further my excitement to visit. Because of ThatCountry’s self-

imposed 60-year isolation, it is unmarred and uncorrupt, and has the luxury of looking to other countries mistakes and successes for guidance. The Department of Tourism requires all legislation passed to be environmentally and ecologically friendly, and socially and culturally reflective of their ThatCountryese traditions. Although it may be impossible for the juggernaut of tourism to bring only positive aspects, I think ThatCountry has the potential to serve as a successful example of civic tourism.

Western cultures have much to learn from Novice Monks at ThatSpecial ThatCountryese ideas and values, from their adherence to Monastery, Lonely Planet moderation to their protection of the ecosystem. Much of

western society seems founded on the acquisition of material goods, on superficiality, and on environmental and moral decay. We are always searching for the next material possession that will make us happy, and yet we, as a culture, are not happy. It is apparent in the violence, crime, and hate that make the headlines daily. I was struck by the happiness that shown from the ThatCountryese people’s faces that I met, even ones who lived in meager shacks without heat or electricity. With their strong ThatReligion beliefs, their respect for nature, and their pride in their culture and traditions, this country’s citizens can definitely prove as a model for happiness. I think society can benefit from following a philosophy that defines happiness and contentment not by placing importance on material goods and material gains, but on the union between the physical and the spiritual, and the respect for nature and community. Instructor’s Note: Many thanks to former student, C.S., who wrote this great paper that serves as a helpful example to other learners.

Works Cited

Baja, S.R, Mole, P.K., Sheesh, B. (2007). Impact of Climate Change on ThoseTallMountains and

Those Lakes. Retrieved from http://ib.iciod.org /1111.

Basics of ThatCountry Tourism Monitor Annual Report for 2015. Retrieved from www.tourism.gov.bt

Broom, D.M. (November 30, 2014). Ascending ThatCountry’s Sacred ThatPlace. National Geographic. Retrieved from http:/nationalgeographic.com/2014/11/30/ascending-

ThatCountrys-place-place-place/.

Ethir, A. (October 29, 2013). Reality Hits Charming ThatCountry. BBC News. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/business-2472

Lamp, B. (2005). ThatCountry Declared That Botanical Park. (November 23, 2005). Those Gardens Conservation International. Retrieved from http://www.lala.org/news-andevents/news/0134/?sec=resources=com_news&id=8888.

Rinner, M.A. (2003). Preservation: A Case Study of ThatCountry. Journal of Public and

International Agents 14. Retrieved from LibraryofCongress.com

The World Factbook 2016-2017. Washington, D.C: Central Intelligence Agency, 2016.

Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/librarythe-world-factbook/index.html

Tourism Council of ThatCountry. Retrieved from http://www.tourism.gov.ttt

Wully, R.L. (1991). ThisCountry and ThatCountry: Country Studies. Federal Research Division Library of Congress. Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/resource/frdcstdy.ThatCountrycount00sava/?sp=2