An international competition will encourage great ideas for a new visitor attraction
Dilip Singh is a very rich man. He gives money generously to charities all over the world and provides finance for projects which will help local communities.
He has recently organised an international competition for people wanting to create a new attraction in their country. The winner(s) will receive $20 million to finance and develop their project.
Listen to a conversation between Dilip and his personal assistant, Jane Ferguson. Note down the three key points that Dilip makes about the new attraction.
Here are three attractions that have impressed Dilip because they are unusual and exciting.
He has put them on the website as examples to stimulate the imaginations of competitors.
Which one would you like to visit? Why?
Have you visited any attraction which greatly impressed you? If so, talk about it with your classmates.
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre – London, England
Opened in 1997, this modern building is a reconstruction of the original Globe Theatre, which was built in 1599. It was an open-air playhouse where Shakespeare’s plays were performed. An exhibition and tour show what life was really like in Shakespeare’s time. The Globe Theatre is a popular London attraction.
The Vulcan Tourism and Trek Station – Alberta, Canada
The town of Vulcan is in Alberta, Canada, and its name has helped it to become a tourist attraction. It has built a tourist station based on the theme of the famous Star Trek television and feature-film series. It shows many objects from the series, and there is a replica nearby of the starship Enterprise from Star Trek V.
The Sunken Ship Museum – Yangjiang, South China
Opened in 2010, the museum is located underwater.
The main exhibit is an 800-year-old ship which is 24 metres below the surface of the sea. Visitors can see the ship from underwater corridors. In addition, they can view the precious objects which have been taken from the ship.
TASK
1 Work in small groups. Brainstorm ideas for a new attraction in China.
2 Choose the best idea. Then discuss your concept, using these questions as a guide. Choose someone to lead your discussion.
What are the strong points of your great idea?
What kind of experience will your attraction offer visitors?
How will it make money for the local community?
How can you attract tourists?
What are your plans for marketing and promoting the attraction?
What corporate sponsorships will you try to obtain?
3 Describe your ideas to the other groups. Answer their questions.
4 Meet as one group. Choose someone to lead the meeting. Discuss all the projects and decide which one should be presented to Dilip Singh's committee. If you cannot agree, take a vote.
You are a member of the committee which helps Dilip to judge the projects. He has asked you to write a short report on the project you think should win, with your reasons for recommending it.
Outline the key features of the project and say why it would be a commercial success.
