Tourist trap

From ArticleWorld


The term Tourist Trap has been coined to describe establishments or sets of establishments that have been formed with the aim of luring travelers to spend their money. In short, it is called a T.T.

There is another name for tourist traps in Southern United States. There they are popularly known as “Yankee” traps.

Though the term has a negative implication, it is considered by travelers as an interesting diversion. They are regarded as being fun though the travelers often are aware of their relative significance, if any. While on a vacation, people do not mind spending money if they are having a good time.

Tourist traps are not necessarily present to loot travelers. They offer fun experiances and charge a higher – than – normal price. The travelers are usually aware of the realistic importance of such things or the lack of it, but do not mind paying extra if they find the experience enjoyable.

These tourist traps are more often than not mere “sideshows” to a major attraction nearby. For example a souvenir shop close to the Statue of Liberty would qualify as a tourist trap. Some other examples are theme restaurants, games arcades, museums especially wax museums, places displays unique artefacts, souvenir shops etc.

[edit]

Existing examples

Some existing examples of tourist traps are listed below :

  • House on the Rock near Spring Green, Wisconsin,
  • Clifton Hill at Niagara Falls
  • International Drive in Orlando, Florida
  • South of the Border near Dillon, South Carolina
  • Harold Warp's Pioneer Village near Minden, Nebraska [1]
  • Mystery Hill near Salem, New Hampshire, It has recently been renamed the even-more ostentatious "America's Stonehenge".
  • Mystery Hole in Ansted, West Virginia [2]
  • The Thing in Dragoon, Arizona
  • Silver Dollar City near Branson, Missouri
  • Wall Drug in Wall, South Dakota
  • Meramec Caverns near Stanton, Missouri, "Jesse James' Hideout"
  • Rock City near Lookout Mountain and Chattanooga, Tennessee
  • Oregon Vortex in Gold Hill, Oregon
  • Mijas in Costa del sol or Gibraltar
  • Trees of Mystery in the redwood region of Northern California [3]
Retrieved from "http://www.articleworld.org/index.php/Tourist_trap"