TOPIC 3.4 TOURISM
CONCEPT OF TOURISM
Tourism is defined as any activities related to travel away from the usual home for at least 1 night, but no
more than 1 consecutive year, for the purpose of leisure, recreation, holidays, visiting friends and relations,
business or other professional reasons.
GROWTH OF TOURISM
Largest employer in the world
Main source of income for 80% of countries
Reasons that explain the growth of tourism:
o People in many countries earn more money so they have more disposable income
o People have paid time off work for holidays
o Speed travelling is much quicker and is easier to travel long distances
o People own cars so which gives them freedom to travel
o Life expectancy has increased and many retired people remain active and have time and
wealth to travel
o Television programmes and advertising makes people of how and where to spend their
freetime
o Internet makes it easier to book holidays at home
o There is more choice of holiday destinations and different types of holiday available
o Rising icome of middle class
o Government incentives
o Globalization has increased international migration, so people travel to visit friends and
family abroad
o Organisation of international events
FACTORS TO DETERMINE DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM
Growth of tourism in an area will depend on factors such as:
o Accessibility
o Scenery
o Climate
o Accommodation
o Amenities
o Sustainability
ATTRACTIONS FOR TOURISM
Physical
o Natural places such as beaches, mountains, rivers or climate.
Human
o Some tourists prefer historical buildings, monuments, theaters, theme parks…
, ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF TOURISM
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Employment for local (formal and Jobs for the local are badly paid, with
informal) long hours and poor working conditions.
Local can learn new skills and languages Sometimes the employment is seasonal
Benefits the economy as people spend so people can only earn money for part
money in local business (positive of the year
multiplier effect) Transnational tour companies, travel
Infrastructure is developed agents, airlines and hotels get most of
Income may be used to help protect the the money, so only small amount gets to
natural environment and historical locals
buildings Tourist in large scale may damage the
May help to preserve local cultures and environment and destroy or disturb
festivals as tourist attraction wildlife and habitats
Foreign currency earned and taxed Tourists cause problems such as litter,
raised from tourism can be invested in water, etc.
education and health care Local cultures could be changed as
locals imitate tourist behaviour.
Traditional cultures may become
westernized
Supplying water for tourist can lead in
water shortage
Land and property rises
Some areas may be lost when hotels and
other facilities are built
Tourism can be affected by local and
world events and drop very quickly
It may increase crime rate or cause
conflict
Overreliance of tourism can create
economic problems as this source of
income can collapse due to changes in
tourist patterns
CONCEPT OF TOURISM
Tourism is defined as any activities related to travel away from the usual home for at least 1 night, but no
more than 1 consecutive year, for the purpose of leisure, recreation, holidays, visiting friends and relations,
business or other professional reasons.
GROWTH OF TOURISM
Largest employer in the world
Main source of income for 80% of countries
Reasons that explain the growth of tourism:
o People in many countries earn more money so they have more disposable income
o People have paid time off work for holidays
o Speed travelling is much quicker and is easier to travel long distances
o People own cars so which gives them freedom to travel
o Life expectancy has increased and many retired people remain active and have time and
wealth to travel
o Television programmes and advertising makes people of how and where to spend their
freetime
o Internet makes it easier to book holidays at home
o There is more choice of holiday destinations and different types of holiday available
o Rising icome of middle class
o Government incentives
o Globalization has increased international migration, so people travel to visit friends and
family abroad
o Organisation of international events
FACTORS TO DETERMINE DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM
Growth of tourism in an area will depend on factors such as:
o Accessibility
o Scenery
o Climate
o Accommodation
o Amenities
o Sustainability
ATTRACTIONS FOR TOURISM
Physical
o Natural places such as beaches, mountains, rivers or climate.
Human
o Some tourists prefer historical buildings, monuments, theaters, theme parks…
, ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF TOURISM
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Employment for local (formal and Jobs for the local are badly paid, with
informal) long hours and poor working conditions.
Local can learn new skills and languages Sometimes the employment is seasonal
Benefits the economy as people spend so people can only earn money for part
money in local business (positive of the year
multiplier effect) Transnational tour companies, travel
Infrastructure is developed agents, airlines and hotels get most of
Income may be used to help protect the the money, so only small amount gets to
natural environment and historical locals
buildings Tourist in large scale may damage the
May help to preserve local cultures and environment and destroy or disturb
festivals as tourist attraction wildlife and habitats
Foreign currency earned and taxed Tourists cause problems such as litter,
raised from tourism can be invested in water, etc.
education and health care Local cultures could be changed as
locals imitate tourist behaviour.
Traditional cultures may become
westernized
Supplying water for tourist can lead in
water shortage
Land and property rises
Some areas may be lost when hotels and
other facilities are built
Tourism can be affected by local and
world events and drop very quickly
It may increase crime rate or cause
conflict
Overreliance of tourism can create
economic problems as this source of
income can collapse due to changes in
tourist patterns
