Six stages of tourism life cycle theory

The six stages of tourism life cycle theory are exploration, start-up, development, stability, stagnation and decline or recovery.

1. Exploration stage.

There are only scattered tourists and no special facilities. The natural and social environment has not developed and changed due to tourism.

2. Participation stage.

The number of tourists has increased, tourism activities have become organized and regular, local residents have provided some simple accommodation facilities for tourists, and local governments have been forced to improve facilities and transportation conditions.

3. Development stage.

Tourism advertising has increased the tourism market, and foreign investment has begun to increase sharply. Simple accommodation facilities have gradually been replaced by large-scale, modern facilities, and the natural appearance of tourist destinations has changed significantly.

4. Consolidation stage.

The number of tourists continues to increase but the growth rate is declining. The functional zoning of tourist destinations is obvious. Local economic activities are closely connected with the tourism industry. Aversion and dissatisfaction with tourism began to develop among permanent residents.

5. Stagnation stage.

The natural and cultural attractions of tourist destinations have been replaced by "man-made facilities". The good image of tourist destinations is no longer fashionable and it is difficult to maintain market volume. Problems related to capacity overloading of the tourism environment ensue.

6. Decline and recovery stage.

As the tourism market declines, the resale rate of real estate is very high, and tourism facilities disappear in large numbers. Eventually, tourism will turn into a veritable "tourism slum". On the other hand, tourist destinations may also adopt measures to increase artificial landscapes and develop New tourism resources and other measures will enhance the attractiveness of tourist destinations and thus enter the recovery stage.