Tourism & Travel

An Introduction To Tourism & Travel Industry

Travel is as old as mankind. From the beginning of existence man roamed about in search of food, shelter, security & better habitat. In course of time, these movements transformed into wanderlust. Thousands of years ago, changes in climate, dwindling food & shelter conditions & hostile invaders forced people to leave their homes to seek refuge elsewhere, e.g., Aryans leaving their home in central Asia due to climatic changes. These movements led to emergence of trade between various areas. It was trade that first motivated travel in the real sense.

The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people who “travel to and stay in places outside their usual environment for more than twenty-four (24) hours and not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited.”  Here is a brief overview of what Tourism is all about.

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Presentation Transcript

What is Tourism

Since time immemorial humans have traveled. Food, water, safety or trade were the early travel motivations.  As mankind progressed, the idea of travel for pleasure or exploration soon emerged.

Travel has always depended upon technology to provide the means or mode of travel. Earliest travellers walked or rode domesticated animals. The invention of the wheel and the sail provided new modes of transportation. Then came the Steamboats… The Railways… And the Motor Car… Each improvement in technology increased individuals’ opportunities to travel. As roads improved and governments stabilized, interest in travel increased for education, sightseeing, and religious purposes.

A collection of activities, services and industries that delivers a travel experience, which includes …

  • Transportation
  • Accommodation
  • Food & Beverage Service Establishments
  • Retail Outlets
  • Entertainment & Amusement Industry
  • Gambling
  • Activities etc…

As per The World Tourism Organization (WTO): Tourism is currently the world’s largest industry with annual revenues of over $3 trillion dollars.

Tourism: The Basic Forms

  • Inbound : Inbound Involves non-residents traveling in the country.
  • Outbound : Outbound Involves residents traveling in another country.
  • Domestic : Domestic Involves residents of the given country traveling only within this country.

Essential Requirements for Tourism

Time : Time Availability of Leisure Time determines the length of vacations. Current hectic schedules have seen vacation time receding from several weeks to just a few days.

Money : This is what makes the world go round… Disposable income is a prerequisite for a holiday. Everything comes at a cost. Disposable income must be backed by a willingness to spend.

Motivation : Motivation The reason why people travel. May include seeking novelty, education, visiting friends & relatives, adventure or stress reduction etc .

Lodging : Home away from home. Includes a variety of services, ranging from…

  • Campgrounds
  • Motels
  • Guesthouses
  • Star Category Hotels
  • Resorts etc.

Food & Beverage : Not only basic sustenance, but an important factor in the overall tourism experience.

Support Services : Usually represented by small retail businesses providing souvenirs and personal services. Shopping is an integral part of the travel experience. Tourists seek unique & novel items which represent the area and cultures they visit.

Infrastructure : Infrastructure Basic services on which all tourism depends. This includes…

  • Local Transport Systems
  • Water Supply & Drainage Systems
  • Communication Networks
  • Medical Facilities
  • Electricity Supply
  • Police / Law & Order
  • Fire Protection
  • Road Network

Hospitality :  The community’s attitude which permeates every tourism location – – that makes the tourist feel welcome and safe. The result of the interaction between the tourist and the local population.

Mobility : Access to easy transportation is a major deciding factor for choice of destination.

Tourism – Categories & Types :Classified by typical features of spending time in the destination…

  • Seaside Tourism Recreation by the sea, water sports etc… (swimming, rowing, sailing, surfing, windsurfing)
  • Mountain Tourism Mountain hiking, climbing, biking, trekking etc
  • Eco Tourism Sustainable preservation of a naturally endowed area or region while making sure not to damage the ecological balance.
  • Wildlife Tourism
  • Sports Tourism Includes Winter sports – skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing etc. Summer sports, extreme sports (rafting, paragliding, sky diving, etc.) Sports events – FIFA, Cricket matches etc
  • Heritage / Cultural Tourism Historical sites, buildings and monuments Places of historical events, e.g. battles etc.
  • Health Tourism Spas, fitness, relaxation, wellness etc.
  • Medical Tourism
  • Visiting Friends & Relatives – VFR
  • Religious Tourism / Pilgrimage
  • Business Tourism Combining business with pleasure… Conferences, seminars, business trips, etc.
  • And the Future… Space Tourism ?

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