What are the 7 stages of tourism?

Butler's Stages of Tourism

The stages of tourism as proposed by Butler include several distinct phases that illustrate the evolution of a tourist destination. Initially, the exploration stage attracts a small number of visitors who seek unique experiences. Following this, the involvement stage occurs as more tourists start visiting, leading to local businesses catering to their needs.

As the destination gains popularity, it enters the development phase, marked by significant investments in infrastructure and services. However, this can lead into the consolidation stage where tourism becomes a major economic factor, resulting in an increase in visitor numbers but potentially at the cost of maintaining the original charm.

The next stage is stagnation, where the destination may experience a plateau in visitor growth. If not managed properly, it can go into decline, marked by a decrease in tourist interest. Finally, the destination can either rejuvenate through innovative changes or continue to decline, leading to what is known as rejuvenation or decline.