U posljednjih pet godina, kako u Španjolskoj tako i u Europi, došlo je do ubrzane promjene ponude i potražnje masovnog turizma. Novi turist, koji putuje češće ali kraće, uživa u slobodnom vremenu koje je prije bilo namijenjeno samo društvenoj eliti. Živimo u vremenu koje Louis Turner naziva “era slobodnog vremena”. Skijanje, igranje golfa, uživanje u gastronomskim i kulturnim rutama, sedmodnevno krstarenje Mediteranom – to je postalo svima dostupno. Međutim, takve ponude na različite načine zauzimaju prostor. Demokratizacija hedonizma stvara nove krajolike: to su turističke topografije.
Nova vrsta turista
Uvođenje Interneta u svijet turizma, koje je ubrzalo i poboljšalo potragu za ponudama, osnivanje i naglo širenje jeftinih zrakoplovnih tvrtki, promjena radnog vremena, te nova organizacija vremena unutar firmi uvelike mijenjaju svijet turizma. Današnji turisti u prosjeku su mlađi – tridesetogodišnjaci – ostvaruju veći broj kraćih putovanja – od tri do pet dana – aktivnije koriste razne usluge, te zahtijevaju raznolikost unutar široke lepeze mogućnosti. U mnogo slučajeva rođaci ili prijatelji zadovoljavaju osnovne fizičke – smještaj, prehranu i sigurnost – kao i društvene potrebe. Uz današnje se potrebe vežu društvena svijest, različitost koja teži individualizmu i ostvarenje vlastitih snova.
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Over the last five years, both Spain and Europe have experienced an accelerated change in the supply of and demand for the products of mass tourism. The new tourist, traveling more often but staying a shorter time, enjoys leisure that used to be reserved for the social elite. We live in a time that Louis Turner dubbed Age of Leisure. Skiing, golfing, gastronomic and cultural trails or seven-day Mediterranean cruises are within everybody’s reach. But such products and programs take up space in different ways. The new democracy of hedonism is creating new landscapes: tourist topographies.
A new breed of tourists
The rise of the Internet in the world of tourism, accelerating and improving the search for opportunities, the creation and rapid expansion of low-cost airlines, new working hours, and differing allocations of time within companies have greatly changed the world of tourism. On average, today’s tourists are younger (around 30), go on several short trips (from 3 to 5 days), use various services more actively, and demand a diverse and wide array of options. In most cases, they need to fulfill their basic bodily needs - accommodation, food and safety - but also their social needs. Today’s needs are linked with social awareness, individual differences, and the realization of personal dreams.
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