CONSOLIDATION STAGE

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia has emerged as a major destination for urban tourism. This is in contrast with the rest of the country which is better known for its beautiful scenery, beaches, majestic rainforest and mountains .(Turner, 1975). Kuala Lumpur, as the youngest capital in South-East Asia has only recently been promoted as a tourist destination. It is now the most economically successful city after Singapore. It attracts visitors for its mix of old and new. The few remaining colonial buildings lend charm among the ultra modern skyscrapers and buildings which has transformed Kuala Lumpur into a major destination for urban tourism. 

Urban tourism becomes one of the main functions of the cities and its importance is still growing. This is the result of, among others, increasing prosperity, as well as improvement of the mobility of societies. The cities offer a number of products aimed at tourists, the quality and attractiveness of which often determine the competitiveness of cities thus determining their development. On the one hand, intensive tourism is a favourable phenomenon associated with the activation of the local economy, but on the other hand, it can interfere with the functioning of the city. High volume of tourist traffic can also cause degradation of tourist values, thereby reducing - in the long term - the tourist attractiveness of the place.

The development strategies for the next 20 years are focused on the vision for Kuala Lumpur to become a World-Class City. The strategies are also firmly grounded on the direction and accomplishments of the KLSP 1984 that set the framework for the structure and present growth patterns of Kuala Lumpur. The physical shape of Kuala Lumpur, the distribution of land uses, the new growth areas, infrastructure development especially roads and rail systems are all directly attributable to the policies and strategies set out in the KLSP 1984.

Consolidation is the area continues to attract tourists. The growth in tourist numbers may not be a fast as before. Some tensions develop between the host and the tourists. The local economy is probably dominated by tourism at this stage, and many local people will make their money from this type of industry.  However, this can remove people from other industries such as farming and fishing and these industries can suffer as a result.  There will be continued building and expansion of the resort BUT some of the older buildings will start to become unattractive and a lower quality client base might result.

*      Tourism growth slows but the numbers of tourists exceeds the local population

*      The area's economy is tied to tourism

*      Marketing and advertising will be wide-reaching

*      Major franchises and tourism chains will be represented

*      Resort areas will have a well-defined recreational business district

 *      Tourism arouses opposition and discontent from some local people