Assessing potential

The previous chapter discussed products in more generic terms by identifying the core, tangible and augmented product, discussing the benefits of environmental bubble creation and the need for compatibility with the destination's image. Chapters 17 and 18 focus on a range of issues at an asset-specific level. This chapter introduces the reader to a proven assessment tool to determine if a place or potential experience has market appeal and is robust enough to withstand increased visitation by non-traditional users. Tourism in general and cultural tourism in particular are linked closely to the broader social and political context in which they operate. If conditions are not favourable for cultural tourism development its chances of success will be limited, regardless of how appealing the project may seem.