Attractions and entertainment are the primary pull factors for leisure travelers to make their decision on where to travel. All travelers, including business travelers, always fill their leisure time at the destination with visits to attractions (e.g., theme parks or amusement parks, zoos, aquariums, museums, historical buildings, and sports venues) and entertainment (e.g., live events, concerts, sporting events). Extra attractions and entertainment options often entice visitors to stay in a tourism destination for additional days, which in turn generates more revenues for hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, local transportation services, etc. Therefore, attractions and entertainment are very important components of the hospitality and tourism industries.

Discussion Topics:

How does seasonality create marketing, management, and financial challenges for attractions and entertainment operators? Give a couple of examples in New Jersey.

What are the similarities and differences between heritage attractions and commercial attractions? Give one example of each type of attraction in New Jersey that you like the most.

Some shopping malls have become tourism destinations in and of themselves, such as West Edmonton Mall in Canada, Mall of America in MN, and American Dream in NJ. What are the challenges for these megamall destinations?

What are the factors that impact the survival and success of a seasonal tourist destination like a winter ski resort?