Architecture and tourism are closely related to each other. In this modern and developing era with enormous facilities for transportation, individuals from all around the globe travel to various places irrespective of race, culture, and lifestyle. They travel for different objectives – business, building personal and professional relations, interest and enthusiasm, adventure, etc. Whatever may be the reason for traveling, tourism is increasingly becoming a source of revenue in prime cities of the countries. While many attractive places are architectural monuments, architecture plays a prominent role not only in developing tourism but also helps in understanding different places of history, culture, and lifestyle.
Architecture helps contribute to developing tourism in different ways:
- Spectacular and Magnificent places
- Global landmarks
- History and Heritage value
- Wonders of the World
- Provides employment facilities to local people.
- Infrastructure development
- Creates Unforgettable memories for families
Spectacular and Magnificent Places | Developing Tourism
Most spectacular and magnificent architectural buildings exist in different countries and cities, attracting visitors with their uniqueness in style. These structures are awe-inspiring and established their identity right from ancient times. From Pyramids and Fortresses of Egyptian architecture; Amphitheaters, Basilicas, and Forums of Roman architecture to international airports, museums, and Skyscrapers of the present century, architecture continue to fascinate people with distinctive facades, style, ornamentation and draws one’s attention to a striking manner.
Global landmarks
Anyone can easily recognize the exact location of their destinations with the help of prime landmarks. Architectural creations form significant landmarks that can be smoothly established in localities and are connected to set up prominent attractions. For example, famous landmarks include the Eiffel Tower in France, the Great Wall of China, the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, the Taj Mahal in India, Statue of Liberty in New York, Sydney Opera House in Australia,etc.
History and heritage value
The historical structures represent ancient people’s choices, way of living, tradition, and culture, giving an identity to respective countries. Preservation of buildings raises the aesthetic expression and provides an experience of overall built heritage. Thereby, the built heritage attracts tourists because of its value, and thus it relates to Identity and pride, cultural heritage, architectural value, originality, and environmental value.
Wonders of the world
Prominent architectural examples are also seen in the seven wonders of the world. The Great Wall of China was built across the borders of China to protect and strengthen states, encouragement of trade, Chichen Itza-stepped pyramid in Mexico, home to tlachtli (a type of sporting field), Petra, a city in Jordan became an important trade center, Machu Picchu near Peru features plazas, agricultural terraces, temples, and residential areas, Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janerio, the largest Art Deco Sculpture in the world, The Colosseum in Rome, an engineering and architectural marvel, Amphitheatre capable of holding 50,000 spectators, Taj Mahal in India –world’s most iconic monuments with impressive gardens and landscapes. At the same time, these monuments as landmarks escalate trade and strengthen nations globally.
Infrastructure Development
Architecture, landscapes, and urban design form a part of economic development. Just like a shopping mall with excellent architecture fascinates customers, thereby escalating revenue for it; Similarly, well-designed city development draws major businesses, institutes, industries, and commercial centres that play a significant role in economic development. One of the finest examples is the well-planned and executed Singapore city. Today Singapore is a thriving city and international hub with a high standard of living in clean and greenery compared to 40 years ago. GDP per capita at market prices was $1,310 in 1960 and had grown to $71,318 by 2014-among the highest in the world. (From Public Service Commission, Singapore, website).
Provides employment facilities to local people
Tourism engages the public on a larger scale; and thus, provides facilities for local people to run small businesses like food stalls, local sovereigns store that displays wooden batik handicrafts, miniature carvings of a temple on bamboo, etc., which not only creates employment opportunities but also enhance local markets. Secondly, when tourists spend their money purchasing them, it creates revenue for the government as a tax form. Then it creates opportunities for builders and investors to establish resorts, hotels, gardens, and infrastructure in surrounding areas leading to the city, state, and national development.
Creates Unforgettable Memories for Families | Developing Tourism
The marvelous structures of architecture can create beautiful and long-lasting memories for families who are spending time with each other. They form a vital attraction and strengthen a strong bond between families, friends, colleagues, and also other tourists. In addition, one can get to know the tourists of different countries, know each other’s lifestyle, language and culture thus help to gain new friends and acquaintances.
On the whole, architecture is the part and parcel in contributing enormously for uplifting tourism in various ways. The economic development of the country also relies on tourism and architecture plays a key role in overall nation building.
