Transport and destination development

[Extract] Destinations are a key feature of the tourism industry and their evolution, structure, operation, image, economy and marketing have featured widely in the research literature. Destinations are also one of the key building blocks for developing both domestic and international tourism through their function of providing a focus for visitors and investment in tourism-related activities. Over time, and as growth occurs, some destinations will also become generators of visitors. This chapter examines a range of transport issues involved in destination development and demonstrates how the transport system can stimulate tourism by analysing the emergence of Cairns (Queensland, Australia) as an international destination. The chapter draws together previous research in this area to build a theoretical basis of future study of the role of transport in destination development. Given the significant impact that new transport technologies have had on the shape, structure and economics of travel and tourism since Thomas Cook's addition of rail as the third passenger mode (road and sea being the first and second respectively), and the significance of that journey as the start of the contemporary tourism era 1 (Prideaux 2002a), an understanding of the central position that transport occupies in the tourism industry is important if the future evolution of destinations is to be comprehensively understood