Question
Answer either part (a) or part (b).
Either
(a) Examine the long-term benefits and costs to a country hosting an international sporting event. [10]
Or
(b) Examine reasons for variations in the spheres of influence for different kinds of leisure facility.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.
International sporting events include the Olympics, the FIFA World Cup and the Paralympic Games. Hosting such events may bring considerable prestige to a country, together with other economic, social and political benefits. However, there may be significant long-term costs, and the benefits may be unevenly distributed within the country.
Possible applied themes (AO2) demonstrating knowledge and understanding (AO1):
- Raising the international profile/reputation of a country: may result in increased tourism and economic investment.
- Improvements to transport infrastructure; urban regeneration.
- Economic investment into various regions within the country; this may be uneven.
- Legacy of improved sporting facilities, and of participation in sporting activities
- Increased inclusion of disability groups and gender equality.
- Increased diversity of recognized sports, resulting in greater funding.
- Environmental impacts such as loss of biodiversity, or positive impacts such as cleaning up of the area.
- Legacy of debt, owing to high costs of hosting the events; possible under-used stadia; economic boost and job creation may be temporary.
Good answers may be well structured (AO4) and may additionally offer a critical evaluation (AO3) of the statement in a way that examines the benefits and costs from different perspectives or on varying time or spatial scales. Another approach might be to examine why some places have benefited more than others and the varying power of
different places and people.
For 5–6 marks, expect some weakly-evidenced outlining of some relevant benefits and/or costs.
For 7–8 marks, expect a structured account, which includes:
• either an evidenced explanation of long-term benefits and costs for a country
• or a discursive conclusion (or ongoing evaluation) of the relative importance of benefits and costs to one or more countries.
For 9–10 marks, expect both of these traits.
(b) Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.
Leisure facilities might include small venues, such as gyms, swimming pools and
skateboarding parks, and large venues such as sports stadiums. They are usually
located within or close to urban areas, with easy access to client populations. The
number, size and importance of such facilities will vary according to threshold and
range of client populations. Other factors, such as relative wealth and political
influence may also be important.
Possible applied themes (AO2) demonstrating knowledge and
understanding (AO1):
• Sphere of influence, or catchment area, of facilities will be affected by the threshold and
range of populations utilizing the facilities.
• Threshold populations for, low-order facilities such as local gyms are usually low;
they will be more frequent and have a small sphere of influence.
• National parks are in designated areas of outstanding natural beauty which generate their
own sphere of influence.
• High-order facilities, such as sports stadiums, will have high threshold populations
and a large sphere of influence.
• Accessibility is also important; facilities with good communications links, larger
spheres of influence. Local gyms may be accessible to a large urban population,
in both city centres and suburban areas.
• Stadia of wealthy sports teams with high reputations have larger spheres than smaller,
poorer teams.
• Multi-purpose stadia will host a variety of different events and people from a wide area.
• Media has a powerful influence, extending the sphere of influence to national and
international scales.
Good answers may be well-structured (AO4) and may additionally offer a critical
evaluation (AO3) which examines reasons for variations in spheres of influence for
different types of leisure facility. How human and physical factors shape places into
sites of leisure. Another approach might be to examine why differences in economic
and political power influence distribution and variety of leisure facilities.
For 5–6 marks, expect some weakly-evidenced outlining of the sphere of influence for at
least one leisure facility.
For 7–8 marks, expect a structured account, which includes:
• either an evidenced explanation of variations in spheres of influence for a range of
different leisure facilities
• or a discursive conclusion (or ongoing evaluation) grounded in geographical concepts and/or perspectives.
For 9–10 marks, expect both of these traits.
Question
Outline one political and one economic factor that affect participation in sport.[2+2]
Referring to a national sports league you have studied, explain the factors that have determined the home location of its teams.[6]
To what extent can tourism ever be made sustainable?[10]
▶️Answer/Explanation
Markscheme
Political factors could include investment in sports facilities, public health and education investment, education policies, subsidies for sporting activities and governing bodies, legislation.
Economic factors could include availability of private sports facilities, level of public investment in sports facilities, quantity of personal disposable income, cost of sporting equipment. Any single factor may have different effects at different scales (local, national, international).
In each case, award [1 mark] for identifying a valid factor and [1 mark] for a brief outline of how it affects sports participation. For example, investment in public health and education can impact participation because it raises public awareness of the personal health benefits of involvement in sport, making it more likely for people to participate. Public education also makes people more likely to participate because they are frequently prompted to participate by the public information.
Answers will vary depending upon the sport chosen and its context but must examine a sports league of national importance. Factors are likely to include population density, socio-economic factors, cultural and historical factors, government and private investment, and proximity to competing teams. There are other valid responses that should be credited.
Award up to [3 marks] for each factor that is well-explained. A wider range of factors can compensate for less depth. A generic answer, or one using an inappropriate example, should not be awarded more than [3 marks].
Answers may make use of contrasting examples, some successful, some not. Answers should show a sound understanding of the concept of sustainability (supporting local people while conserving resources for the future).
Answers are likely to make reference to the pressures resulting from tourism, efforts to minimize impact of the tourism activity, including transport, accommodation, tourist activities and resource use and waste disposal. These efforts should be evaluated rather than simply described as a success or failure in order to access the higher markbands.
Responses may evaluate the effectiveness of tourism in sustaining both societies and ecosystems in the long-term.
Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.
Examiners report
This was well done by most candidates choosing to answer the question, although some candidates focused on elite athletes rather than participation.
The question tended to be misunderstood regarding the home location of the teams. Although most could refer to a national sports league, knowledge of the location of teams was virtually non-existent. A number of obvious sports fans described where their sport was played with little reasoning.
Good knowledge of the concept of sustainable tourism was shown but descended into broad and vague discussions with few references to examples and little evaluation. Failing to draw a conclusion followed by over-generalizing were the two most common problems.
Question
The graph shows the impact of hosting the Olympic Games on the GNI of a country.
State the change in GNI during the year of the Olympic Games.[1]
State the change in GNI one year after the Olympic Games.[1]
Describe what is meant by the sphere of influence of a sporting event.[2]
Suggest reasons why a country’s GNI increases before and during the Olympic Games.[6]
Examine the changes in the international tourism industry that have led to the development of more remote tourism locations.[10]
▶️Answer/Explanation
Markscheme
+0.4% (accept +0.35% to +0.45%)
–0.7% (accept –0.65% to –0.75%)
The area (do not accept distance) from which a sporting event draws [1 mark] its competitors and/or supporters [1 mark].
The answer can offer reasons for the specific changes shown in the graph, or may offer a general explanation (or one based on a case study). Any of these approaches is acceptable. For full marks both “before” and “during” must be addressed, but balance is not important.
Award up to [4 marks] for reasons why GNI is boosted before the Games. Reasons for growth could include investment (public and private), economic optimism, infrastructure development and its multiplier effect, sponsorship, development of specific sporting facilities etc. Credit any attempt made to distinguish between the higher and lower phases of growth shown in the graph (but do not expect this).
Award up to [4 marks] for each developed reason why GNI is boosted during the Games. Reasons for growth include tourism, retail sales, newspaper and media sales, food sales, transport receipts, etc.
In each case, award only [1 mark] for a list of benefits with no development, exemplification or use of data.
Responses are expected to acknowledge the overall global increase in tourist numbers and the associated increase in revenues. This increase in the overall industry has increased the saturation of existing locations and led to new, more remote locations being developed. Reference to models of tourism may be relevant here. Ecotourism, adventure tourism, high value luxury tourism and back-packing are types of tourism that may occur in remote locations. In addition, an increase in transport infrastructure and reduced flight costs has made new locations more financially viable. Global warming may be opening up some remote locations to tourism, such as Greenland and Svalbard. A recognition amongst governments of the development potential provided by tourism has increased investment thus increasing access. Increasing standards of living in emerging economies is leading to an increase in the volume of global tourists in recognized markets. This is compounded by mass media and marketing.
While examples are not a specific requirement of the question, those answers that provide supporting examples are likely to access the higher markbands. At band D, at least two changes are described and linked to perceived remote locations. To access bands E and F a variety of changes are examined (eg may examine the most important change, or categorise the changes). Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.
Examiners report
Most candidates were able to interpret the graph and state the change in GNI.
Most candidates were able to interpret the graph and state the change in GNI.
Relatively few were able to define the sphere of influence, and this was often not linked to sporting events.
Good knowledge and understanding was generally shown, but weaker answers did not structure their response into changes before and during the games.
Many answers were more about the growth and decline of traditional tourist locations, with some reference to the Butler Model, rather than giving reasons for the development of remote locations. Few had good supporting examples. “Remoteness” is a very subjective term in this context. There were some very superficial, historical answers such as “the invention of air travel”.
Question
Briefly describe what is meant by:
(i) heritage tourism;
(ii) ecotourism.[4]
Explain three political factors that affect participation and success in international sport.[6]
“The benefits of hosting an international sporting event always outweigh the costs.” Discuss this statement, using appropriate examples.[10]
▶️Answer/Explanation
Markscheme
(i) Heritage tourism is tourism based on a historic legacy [1] (landscape feature, historic building or event) as its major attraction [1].
[1] may alternatively be awarded for naming a valid example such as the Taj Mahal or Machu Picchu.
(ii) Ecotourism is tourism focusing on the natural environment [1] and respecting local communities [1].
[1] may alternatively be awarded for naming a valid example such as Monteverde cloud forest in Costa Rica.
Award [1] for each factor identified, and [1] for further development or exemplification.
For example:
- Government spending on specific/internationally-orientated sport facilities such as swimming pools and stadiums [1] thereby increasing chance of success in Olympic Games [1].
- The government’s hosting of an international sporting event, such as the Olympics [1], has promoted national pride and encouraged people to participate more widely in sport [1].
- The government’s role promoting sport in education, eg in national curricula, to promote sport in schools and colleges [1] enables elite athletes to reach global potential [1].
- Political initiatives to promote sport/government advertising [1] with emphasis on “world-beating” potential [1].
- Government support in the hosting of an international sporting event.
- Political isolation of North Korea or other countries [1] so North Korea underrepresented in many global competitions [1].
- Specific political values may encourage or deter participation [1] eg Islamic states’ attitudes to female participation or Soviet-era gymnastics, etc [1].
Credit other valid political factors.
Likely benefits and costs might include issues arising from:
- building infrastructure – stadiums, accommodation, and transport facilities
- international reputation
- impacts on the economy of the host country
- regeneration of urban areas
- sporting legacy
- encouragement of participation in sporting activities.
Good answers are likely to provide a structured discussion of different kinds of costs/benefits. Another approach would be to discuss how perspectives may differ on what constitutes a benefit (or cost). Another approach would be to choose examples which allow a discussion of whether the veracity of the statement is place-specific (may provide contrasts for countries at different levels of development, for instance).
For band D, expect some description of some costs and benefits for one or two international sporting events.
At band E, expect either more detailed explanation of costs and benefits for one or more events (do not expect balance) or a structured discussion (may discuss the cost-benefit balance for different groups of people in different kinds of place).
At band F expect both of these elements.
Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.
Examiners report
The definitions were often incomplete, especially “ecotourism”, which should refer to local communities. Heritage tourism was often poorly defined: it refers to history and not to culture. Exemplification or development was needed for the second mark in each case.
Each political factor needed to be developed/exemplified in order to gain full marks. Many answers included economic factors rather than political ones, or the answer did not focus on “participation and success in international sport”.
Stronger candidates gave good detailed answers using London Olympics, Sochi Winter Olympics, Rio World Cup and others. Some examples were not so current, such as Atlanta and Munich Olympics. Weaker candidates presented answers that tended to be descriptive and did not focus enough on the costs and the benefits in discussing the statement.
Question
Describe two characteristics of the leisure hierarchy.[4]
Explain three geographic factors that might influence decision-makers in choosing a host city for an international sports event.[6]
Using one or more examples, evaluate the strategies designed to manage tourism in rural areas.[10]
▶️Answer/Explanation
Markscheme
Responses may refer to number, frequency, sizes, spacing, range, catchment areas or cost of installation/facilities.
In each case, award [1] for a valid characteristic and [1] for development or exemplification.
For example: One characteristic of the leisure hierarchy is that there will be many more sports fields [1] for junior/student teams for a particular sport in a city than there are sports fields for professional teams [1] in the same city. In addition, while student team fields will have only a relatively small catchment area [1], the catchment area of the professional fields will be much larger [1].
[4 marks]
Award [1] for the identification of each suitable factor, and an additional [1] for further development/exemplification.
For example: Pre-existing venues, reducing construction costs [1] – eg Rio de Janeiro hosting the 2016 Olympics using venues developed for the World Cup [1].
Other factors might include:
- good international transport links, such as airports, increasing accessibility
- good local transport infrastructure, increasing accessibility
- available accommodation, for participants and supporters
- suitable climate, such as snow for winter sports
- corruption/money/politics.
[6 marks]
Strategies might include:
- designation of areas as National Parks or similar protected zones
- restrictions on use of cars in sensitive areas
- encouragement of cycling by provision of bike hire and cycleways
- improvement of local public transport
- improved education and signage; education and information centres
- increased focus on ecotourism
- limiting tourist numbers
- redistributing tourists from honeypot sites.
Good answers may carefully structure management to encompass minimizing environmental damage, reducing conflict between local residents and visitors and meeting economic needs, maximising carrying capacity, etc. Good answers might also evaluate the strategies from different perspectives of different user groups, or may evaluate the success of strategies in the short and long term, or for different places within the rural area.
Responses that do not name a rural area are unlikely to be awarded above band C.
To access band D, at least one example of a rural environment should be considered and candidates may describe some relevant management strategies.
At band E, expect either a wider variety of strategies discussed in more depth, or some evaluation of their success.
At band F, expect both.
Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.
[10 marks]
Question
Using a located example, outline two ways in which sustainable tourism supports the culture of local people.[4]
Explain two impacts of tourism on the natural environment of rural areas.[6]
Examine how the benefits of hosting one or more major international sporting events have been unevenly distributed.[10]
▶️Answer/Explanation
Markscheme
Possibilities include:
- respecting/supporting cultures of local communities
- conserving cultural heritage
- reduces out-migration therefore retaining distinctive practices
- employment of local guides can lead to environmental preservation (nature can be part of cultural heritage).
Award [1] for each way and [1] for exemplification/location. If only one location is used, the second point must be developed in order for full marks to be awarded.
For example: Ecotourism in Uluru, Australia [1], helps aboriginal customs survive due to educating visitors [1].
Some possible impacts include: natural resources, pollution, conservation and protection, for example:
- conservation and protection, including the establishment of National Parks and other protected areas
- provision and construction of tourist facilities may increase pressure on forests, wetlands, wildlife and other ecosystems; eg deforestation by wood fuel collection in Nepal
- tourism may cause various forms of local pollution, such as noise pollution from recreational vehicles (eg jet skis); transportation increases air pollution, especially in urban areas; littering, sewage and waste disposal.
Award [1] for the identification of an environmental impact, and [2] for further development and/or exemplification.
For example: There may be a depletion of local water resources due to increased demand from hotels and golf courses [1], which may lead to a lowering of local water tables [1] with consequent changes to local habitats [1].
The benefits may be economic, social, short term, long term, etc. Benefits could be distributed between neighbourhoods, businesses, national government, etc. The focus should be a major event, such as Olympics, football World Cup, or Formula One (F1) race.
Benefits may include:
- raising the profile of a city, may lead to increased tourism and economic investment
- legacy of improved sporting venues, public transport and infrastructure
- creation of new jobs and reducing unemployment
- urban regeneration, including new housing and cleaning up polluted landscapes and the uneven spatial pattern of gentrification
- short-term boost to the local economy
- the value of the sporting legacy at different spatial scales.
Benefits are not shared equally between groups of people. Groups who have not shared benefits may be identified; however, do not credit an extended account of costs for marginalized groups as this is not asked for.
Good answers should examine both the short-term and long-term benefits of hosting major sporting events. They will examine a range of benefits on both local and national scales, with reference to suitable examples. They may go on to arrive at a reasoned judgement of who/where benefits most.
For band D, expect answers that describe the uneven distribution of some benefits of hosting an international sporting event.
For band E, expect either greater depth of explanation of a range of benefits and their uneven distribution, or some structured examination of the statement.
For band F, expect both of these elements.
Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.