Introduction
Tourism is a multi-faceted and complex industry that involves the movement of people to destinations outside of their normal place of residence. It encompasses activities such as travel, accommodation, food and beverage, attractions, and entertainment. The concept of tourism has evolved over time and has become a major driver of economic growth and job creation in many countries around the world.
Tourism provides an opportunity for people to experience different cultures, customs, and lifestyles, and can contribute to intercultural understanding and cooperation. At the same time, tourism can also have negative impacts on local communities and the environment, so it is important to manage tourism in a sustainable manner to ensure its long-term viability.
Tourism is a social, cultural and economic phenomenon which entails the movement of people to countries or places outside their usual environment for personal or business/professional purposes.
Tourism is an industry concerned with attracting people to a destination, transporting them, housing, feeling and entertaining them upon arrival and returning them to their homes.
Definitions of Tourism
“From the time of his decision to visit a particular place for purpose of tourism and travel actually undertaken till time, tourist returns home, wide range of activities would have taken place. All these activities undertaken by the millions of tourists around the world in a given period of time may be described as tourism.
World Tourism Organization (WTO) (1991)
“Tourism is defined as the activities of a person traveling to a place outside his or her usual environment for less than a specified period of time and whose main purpose of travel is other than the exercise of an industry remunerated from within the place visited”.
Hunziker and Kraft
“Tourism is the sum of phenomena and relationship arising from the travel and stay of non-residents in so far as they do not level to permanent residence and are not connected with any earning activity”.
Philip Kotler, a marketing professor and author
“Tourism is the business of attracting, accommodating, and entertaining tourists.”
UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization)
“Tourism is the sum total of the phenomena and relationships arising from the travel and stay of non-residents, insofar as they do not lead to permanent residence and are not connected with any earning activity.”
Kevin Roberts and Juliet McCaffery, authors of “Tourism Management: An Introduction,”
“A social, cultural, and economic phenomenon which involves the movement of people to countries or places outside their usual environment for personal or business/professional purposes.”
John Tribe, author of “An Introduction to Tourism,”
“The temporary movement of people to destinations outside their normal places of work and residence, the activities undertaken during their stay in those destinations, and the facilities created to cater to their needs.”
Concept of Tourism
Tourism is a multifaceted and complex phenomenon that encompasses various aspects of human activities. It refers to the process of traveling to and staying in a place outside one’s usual environment for not more than a year for leisure, business, or other purposes.
The concept of tourism is rooted in the human desire to explore and discover new places and cultures, which dates back to ancient times. However, the modern definition of tourism emerged in the 19th century with the growth of transportation systems and improvements in the standard of living, which made travel more accessible to the masses.
Tourism can be viewed as an industry, as a cultural exchange, and as a form of leisure. It is an industry because it creates jobs and generates revenue through the provision of services, such as accommodations, transportation, and attractions. The tourism industry encompasses a wide range of businesses and organizations, including hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, and tour operators.
Tourism can also be seen as a form of cultural exchange. Travelers can learn about different cultures and lifestyles, which can broaden their perspectives and promote understanding between different groups of people. The exchange of ideas and experiences between tourists and locals can also contribute to the development of local communities.
Tourism can be considered a form of leisure. It provides people with opportunities to relax, escape from their daily routines, and engage in various recreational activities. These activities can include exploring new destinations, experiencing different cultures, and participating in adventure sports and outdoor activities.
Tour – circular trip
Tourist- International Union of Official Tourists Organization (1937) IUOTO – The term tourist is defined as any person traveling for a period of 24 hours or more than in a country other than in which he usually resides.
Excursionist – Excursionist means temporary visitors staying less than 24 hours in the country visited. It includes day-trippers and persons traveling for pleasure and for domestic reasons etc.
Tourism Geography
Tourism geography is the study of how geography affects and is affected by tourism. It considers the spatial and temporal dimensions of tourism and examines the relationship between tourism and physical, human, and economic geography.
Tourism geography looks at the distribution of tourist destinations and the factors that influence where tourists go, such as accessibility, natural and cultural resources, and marketing strategies. It also examines the impacts of tourism on local environments, economies, and cultures, including both positive and negative effects.
In tourism geography, various concepts such as destination image, tourist behavior, travel motivations, and sustainability are studied to gain a better understanding of how tourism is influenced by and influences geography. The field also includes the study of regional tourism systems and the management of tourist destinations.
Conclusion
Tourism is a complex and dynamic concept that has a profound impact on the economic, cultural, and social aspects of a region. It can provide significant benefits to both travelers and local communities, but it also poses various challenges, such as overcrowding, environmental degradation, and cultural exploitation. Therefore, it is essential to manage tourism in a sustainable and responsible manner, ensuring that its positive impacts are maximized and its negative impacts are minimized.
