Final answer:
The passage describes contemporary tourists' preferences, including the variety of destinations they are attracted to, such as beaches, entertainment spots, and historical sites. It also addresses trends in tourism, sustainability concerns, and its broader economic importance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The passage discusses the preferences and behaviors of contemporary tourists. It highlights the various strategies and tactics that destinations use to attract visitors, such as nice beaches, warm weather, entertainment facilities, and historical sites. For example, it mentions how certain locations become popular due to their weather (like the states of Hawaii, Florida, and California) or due to unique attractions such as Las Vegas' entertainment, Disney's amusement parks, or natural wonders like Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon. Additionally, it touches upon the emerging trends in tourism such as festival malls, with the Mall of America being cited as a significant hotspot attracting millions. The passage also reflects on cultural variations and implications on tourism in different parts of the world, such as in Bulgaria and Bhutan. It further highlights the economic aspects and environmental concerns of tourism, pointing out efforts towards sustainable tourism through concepts like ecotourism and geo-tourism. Finally, the passage recognizes historical aspects of travel through references to the Grand Tour and mentions the importance of tourism in the modern globalized world.