I like the idea of an underlying growth story helping certain shares. It should mean that business has a better chance of growing over the long-term.
One of the best 'stories' out there is the growth of tourism.
Australia and New Zealand are often ranked in the top few countries when Asians, Europeans or North Americans are asked where they would like to visit.
Tourism is good for our countries as a whole, but particularly for a select few businesses, such as these two:
Auckland International Airport Ltd (ASX: AIA)
Most passengers arriving into New Zealand will do so through Auckland Airport and then perhaps transit to another destination via a smaller plane.
Auckland Airport is very open about its passenger number growth, it gives a monthly update to the market.
In its latest update for October 2017 it revealed that international passengers had grown by 6.8% over October 2016. Domestic passengers also grew by 8.9%.
The business is also exposed to tourism growth with its investments in Queenstown Airport, Cairns Airport and Mackay Airport.
I think Auckland Airport is one of the best ways to get exposure to the tourism tailwind.
It's currently trading at 30x FY18's estimated earnings with an unfranked dividend yield of 3.24%.
Crown Resorts Ltd (ASX: CWN)
Crown is one of Australia's largest entertainment and hotel businesses.
Crown is banking on the growth of tourism, it is building a new casino and hotel complex in Sydney's Barangaroo. This should allow it to challenge and perhaps overtake Star Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SGR) as the main destination in Sydney.
The casino operator also plans to build another hotel at its Melbourne complex to cement its position as the biggest single accommodation in Australia.
Crown relies on wealthy tourists to stay in its rooms and gamble in its casinos. AuMake International Limited (ASX: AU8) estimates that annual Chinese tourists visiting Australia will grow from one million to three million over the next decade.
Crown is currently trading at 22x FY18's estimated earnings with a partially franked dividend yield of 4.86%.
Foolish takeaway
I think both businesses are on track for long-term success thanks to tourism. Neither share is cheap, but I'd rather buy Auckland Airport shares over Crown shares unless the share price comes back to $10.
