Unit 1: The Scale of the Travel and Tourism
Industry – Key Terms and Definitions (IGCSE 2026)
Tourism: The temporary movement of people away from their normal place of residence for
leisure, business, or other purposes.
Tourist: A person who travels to another place for at least one night but less than a year, for leisure
or business.
Travel: The act of moving from one place to another — by air, land, or sea — for any purpose.
Domestic Tourism: Travel by people within their own country. Example: Someone from Gaborone
visiting Maun.
Inbound Tourism: When tourists come into a country from abroad. Example: Tourists from South
Africa visiting Botswana.
Outbound Tourism: When residents of one country travel out to visit another country. Example: A
Motswana travelling to Namibia.
International Tourism: Travel that involves crossing national borders — includes both inbound and
outbound tourism.
Leisure Travel: Travel for relaxation, pleasure, or enjoyment.
Business Travel: Travel for work purposes such as meetings, conferences, or trade fairs.
Specialised Tourism: Travel for a particular interest or purpose, such as adventure or medical
tourism.
Mass Tourism: Large numbers of people visiting the same destination at the same time, often
using package holidays.
Sustainable Tourism: Tourism that meets the needs of tourists and local communities while
protecting the environment for the future.
Eco-Tourism: A form of sustainable tourism focused on enjoying and protecting natural
environments and supporting local people.
Tourism Industry: All organisations and businesses that provide goods and services to tourists —
e.g. hotels, airlines, travel agents.
Destination: The place a tourist travels to and stays for leisure or business purposes.
Attraction: A place or event that draws tourists, such as a natural site, historic landmark, or cultural
activity.
Accommodation: Places where tourists stay overnight, such as hotels, lodges, or campsites.
Transport Sector: All services that help tourists move between and within destinations — e.g.
airlines, buses, trains, car rentals.
Travel Agent: A business that sells travel products such as flights, accommodation, and tours.
Tour Operator: A company that packages together flights, hotels, and excursions into one holiday
product.
Ancillary Services: Extra services that support the main travel experience — e.g. insurance, car
hire, currency exchange.
Visitor Expenditure: The total amount of money spent by tourists during their trip.
Industry – Key Terms and Definitions (IGCSE 2026)
Tourism: The temporary movement of people away from their normal place of residence for
leisure, business, or other purposes.
Tourist: A person who travels to another place for at least one night but less than a year, for leisure
or business.
Travel: The act of moving from one place to another — by air, land, or sea — for any purpose.
Domestic Tourism: Travel by people within their own country. Example: Someone from Gaborone
visiting Maun.
Inbound Tourism: When tourists come into a country from abroad. Example: Tourists from South
Africa visiting Botswana.
Outbound Tourism: When residents of one country travel out to visit another country. Example: A
Motswana travelling to Namibia.
International Tourism: Travel that involves crossing national borders — includes both inbound and
outbound tourism.
Leisure Travel: Travel for relaxation, pleasure, or enjoyment.
Business Travel: Travel for work purposes such as meetings, conferences, or trade fairs.
Specialised Tourism: Travel for a particular interest or purpose, such as adventure or medical
tourism.
Mass Tourism: Large numbers of people visiting the same destination at the same time, often
using package holidays.
Sustainable Tourism: Tourism that meets the needs of tourists and local communities while
protecting the environment for the future.
Eco-Tourism: A form of sustainable tourism focused on enjoying and protecting natural
environments and supporting local people.
Tourism Industry: All organisations and businesses that provide goods and services to tourists —
e.g. hotels, airlines, travel agents.
Destination: The place a tourist travels to and stays for leisure or business purposes.
Attraction: A place or event that draws tourists, such as a natural site, historic landmark, or cultural
activity.
Accommodation: Places where tourists stay overnight, such as hotels, lodges, or campsites.
Transport Sector: All services that help tourists move between and within destinations — e.g.
airlines, buses, trains, car rentals.
Travel Agent: A business that sells travel products such as flights, accommodation, and tours.
Tour Operator: A company that packages together flights, hotels, and excursions into one holiday
product.
Ancillary Services: Extra services that support the main travel experience — e.g. insurance, car
hire, currency exchange.
Visitor Expenditure: The total amount of money spent by tourists during their trip.
