of mice and men

My coursework is a study of tourism on Bourton-on-the-water. In this coursework I will investigate two hypotheses. A hypothesis is an idea which can be tested based on geographical theory. To test these hypotheses we will use data collected from our Environmental Quality Survey and our Traffic count.

To carry out this study, we visited both Bourton-on-the-water and
Charlbury. I went round in a group of four people and we all came to an appropriate final conclusion on each of the questions/observations asked of us. However due to any inaccuracies, we will be given a set of results that are most correct in future, to help us analyse the data as accurately as possible. The reason behind using
Bourton-on-the-water for a study is to hopefully a contrasting pattern, therefore telling us whethere my hypothesis is correct or not.

Bourton-on-the-water is a major tourist town, with picturesque views set in the heart of the Cotswold's. It has a steady growing population today but the 1991 census tells us that there was a population of around 3500 people. Bourton-on-the-water is located approximately 28 miles north west of Oxford and roughly 16 miles east of Cheltenham.

A map of the position of Bourton-on-the-water

Bourton on the water Charlbury

Tourism is described in the dictionary as:

The practice of traveling for pleasure.

The business of providing tours and services for tourists

The effects of tourism are grouped under different headings, these are; Ø Social impacts

Ø Environmental impacts

Ø Economic impacts.

In order to assess impact of tourism on Bourton-on-the-water, I will compare and contrast impact of tourism at Bourton to a town which is not noted for tourism but a similar size. Such a comparison will allow me to highlight the impacts of tourism in bourton.

Finally geographical theory asserts that tourism has a range of positive and negative impacts on the quality of life of