What Is the Butler Model for Tourism?

By Michael Ferguson

The Butler Model for tourism is a conceptual framework developed by tourism expert, Richard Butler. The model aims to explain the evolution of tourist destinations over time and identify the different stages of development that they go through. The model is based on the idea that every destination has a life cycle, and understanding this cycle can help destinations plan for their future and manage their growth.

The Butler Model has six stages that destinations typically go through: exploration, involvement, development, consolidation, stagnation, and decline. Let’s take a closer look at each stage.

Exploration: This is the first stage of the Butler Model and is characterized by small numbers of visitors who are looking for new experiences. At this stage, tourism is not well-established in the destination and there may be limited infrastructure to support visitors.

Involvement: Involvement is the second stage of the model. At this point, more tourists begin to visit the destination and local businesses start to cater to their needs. There may be some investment in tourism infrastructure such as hotels and transportation.

Development:

The development stage is characterized by rapid growth in visitor numbers as well as increased investment in tourism infrastructure. This can include new hotels, restaurants, and attractions designed to cater specifically to tourists.

Consolidation:

Consolidation represents a period of stability following rapid growth in visitor numbers during the development stage. At this point, visitor numbers may continue to grow but at a slower pace than before. During consolidation, there is often an emphasis on improving quality rather than quantity.

  • Stagnation:

Stagnation occurs when a destination has reached its peak in terms of visitor numbers and begins to experience a decline. This can be due to a variety of factors including changing market conditions or competition from other destinations.

  • Decline:
  • The final stage of the Butler Model is decline. At this point, a destination has experienced a sustained decrease in visitor numbers and may struggle to attract tourists back.

    It’s important to note that not all destinations will go through all six stages of the Butler Model. Some may skip certain stages or experience them in a different order. Additionally, the length of time that a destination spends in each stage can vary widely depending on a range of factors including market conditions, infrastructure investment and changes in visitor preferences.

    Understanding the Butler Model can be incredibly beneficial for destinations looking to plan for their future and manage their growth effectively. By identifying which stage they are currently in, destinations can make informed decisions about where to focus their resources and how best to attract visitors in the future.