PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF TOURISM

B-TECH 1(regular and Weekend)

Introduction
Tourism is one of the world’s fastest-growing industries and a major foreign exchange and
employment generation for many countries. It is one of the most remarkable economic and social
phenomena. The word ‘tour’ is derived from the Latin word tornus, meaning ‘a tool for making a
circle.’ Tourism may be defined as the movement of people from their usual place of residence
to another place (with the intention to return) for a minimum period of twenty-four hours to a
maximum of six months for the sole purpose of leisure and pleasure.

According to WTO (1993),” Tourism encompasses the activities of persons traveling and
staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for
leisure, business, and other purposes.”

The Rome conference on tourism in 1963 defined tourism as ‘a visit to a country other than
one’s own or where one usually resides and works. This definition, however, did not take into
account domestic tourism, which has become a vital money-spinner and job generator for the
hospitality industry.

The UNWTO defines tourists as ‘ people who travel to and stay in place outside their usual
environment for 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.

According to the Tourism Society of Britain,” tourism is the temporary short-period

movement of people to destination outside the places where they usually live, work; and
activities during their stay at these destinations.” This definition includes the movement of
people for all purposes.

The development of technology and transportation infrastructure, such as jumbos jets, low-cost
airlines, and more accessible airports, have made tourism affordable and convenient. There have
been changes in lifestyle – for example, now retiree-age people sustain tourism around the year.
The sale of tourism products on the internet, besides the aggressive marketing of the tour
operators and travel agencies, has also contributed to the growth of tourism.

History of Travel and Tourism

Travel is as old as mankind on earth. At the beginning of his existence, man roamed about the
planet’s surface in search of food, shelter, security, and better habitat. However, with time, such
movements were transformed into wanderlust. About five thousand years ago, climate changes,
dwindling food and shelter conditions hostile invaders made the people leave their homes to seek
refuge elsewhere like the Aryans left their homes in Central Asia due to climate changes.
Perhaps, this leads to the development of commerce, trade, and industry.

Religion, education, and cultural movement began during the Hindu and Chinese civilizations.
Christian missionaries, Buddhist monks, and others travelled far and wide carrying religious
messages and returned with fantastic images and opinions about alien people. For centuries
movement of people continued to grow due to the efficiency of transport and the assistance and
safety with which the people could travel. By the end of the 15th century, Italy had become
Europe’s intellectual and cultural centre. It represented the classical heritage both for the
intelligentsia and the aristocracy.

During the 16th century, travel came to be considered an essential part of the education of every
young Englishman. Travel thus became a means of self-development and education in its
broadest sense. The educational travel was known as the ‘Grand Tour.’The industrial revolution
brought about significant changes in the pattern and structure of British society. Thus, the
economy of Britain was greatly responsible for the beginning of modern tourism. It also created
a large and prosperous middle class. Because of remarkable improvement in transportation
systems in the latter half of the 18th century and the first quarter of the 19th century, an
increasing number of people began to travel for pleasure.

Travel was inspired initially by the need for survival (food, shelter, and security), the desire to
expand trade, and the quest to conquer. As the transportation system improved, the curiosity for
transforming the vast and virgin world into a close neighbourhood created a new industry, i.e.,
Travel and Tourism. However, the developments of rails, roads, steamships, automobiles, and
airplanes helped to spread technology across the globe. Earlier travel was a privilege only for
wealthy people, but with the industrial revolution, the scenario altogether changed.
Transportation, as well as accommodation, became affordable to middle and working-class
citizens. Essentially, with the development of jet travel, communication, new technology,
tourism, and travel became the world’s largest and fastest-growing industry.

Travel and tourism have recently emerged as a dominant economic force on the global scene,
accounting for more than 12% of total world trade and growing at 8 percent annually.

Types of Tourism

Tourism has two types and various forms. Based on the movement of people, tourism is
categorized into two kinds. These are the following:

International Tourism

When people visit a foreign country, it is referred to as International Tourism. To travel to a

foreign country, one needs a valid passport, visa, health documents, foreign exchange, etc.

Inbound Tourism

This refers to tourists of outside origin entering a particular country. Traveling outside their
host/native country to another country is called inbound tourism for the country where they are
traveling. For example, when a tourist of Indian origin travels to Japan, it is Inbound tourism for
Japan because foreign tourists come to Japan.

Outbound Tourism

This refers to tourists traveling from the country of their origin to another country. When tourists
travel to a foreign region, it is outbound tourism for their own country because they are going
outside their country. For example, when a tourist from India travels to Japan, it is outbound
tourism for India and Inbound tourism for Japan.

Domestic Tourism

The tourism activity of the people within their own country is known as domestic tourism.
Traveling within the same country is easier because it does not require formal travel documents
and tedious formalities like compulsory health checks and foreign exchange. A traveller
generally does not face many language problems or currency exchange issues in domestic
tourism.

Forms of Tourism

Tourism has various forms based on the purpose of the visit and alternative forms. These are
further divided into many types according to their nature. Forms of tourism are the following:

Some most basic forms of tourism are the following:

Adventure Tourism

Beach Tourism

Cultural Tourism

Ecotourism

Industrial Tourism

Medical Tourism

Religious Tourism

Rural Tourism

Sports Tourism

Sustainable Tourism

Wildlife Tourism
 Unit 2
Types of Tourism explained

Tourism can be classified into six distinct categories according to the purpose of travel. These
are the following:

1. Recreational: Recreational or leisure tourism takes a person away from the everyday
life. In this case, people spend their leisure time in the hills, sea beaches, etc.
2. Cultural tourism satisfies cultural and intellectual curiosity and involves visits to
ancient monuments, places of historical or religious importance, etc.
3. Sports/Adventure: Trips taken by people with a view to playing golf, skiing and hiking,
fall within this category.
4. Health: Under this category, people travel for medical, treatment or visit places where
there are curative possibilities, for example, hot springs, spa yoga, etc.
5. Convention Tourism: It is becoming an increasingly important component of travel.
People travel within a country or overseas to attend conventions relating to their business,
profession, or interest.
6. Incentive Tourism: Holiday trips are offered as incentives by major companies to
dealers and salesmen who achieve high targets in sales. This is a new and expanding
phenomenon in tourism, these are in lieu of cash incentives or gifts, today incentive
tourism is a 3 billion dollar business in the USA alone.

Nature of Tourism

Tourism as a socio-economic phenomenon comprises the activities and experiences of tourists

and visitors away from their home environment and are serviced by the travel and tourism
industry and host destination. The sum total of this activity experience and services can be seen
as a tourism product.

The tourism system can be described in terms of supply and demand. Tourism planning should
strive for a balance between demands and supply. This requires an understanding not only of
market characteristics and trends but also of the planning process to meet the market needs.
Often tourists from core generating markets are identified as the demand side; the supply side
includes all facilities, programs, attractions, and land uses designed and managed for the visitors.
These supply-side factors may be under the control of private enterprises, non-profit
organizations, and the government. New and innovative forms of partnerships are also evolving
to ensure the sustainable development and management of tourism-related resources.

The supply and demand side can be seen to be linked by flows of resources such as capital,
labour, goods, and tourist expenditures into the destination, and flows of marketing, promotion,
tourist artefacts, and experiences from the destination back into the tourist generating region.

In addition, some tourist expenditures may leak back into the visitors generating areas through
repatriation of profits of foreign tourism investors and payment for improved goods and services
provided to tourists at the destination. Transportation provides an important linkage both to and
from the destination. For planning purposes, the major components that comprise the supply side
are:

Meaning, characteristics and types of Tourism

Tourism is a multifaceted industry that involves the movement of people from one place to
another for various purposes, including leisure, business, cultural exchange, and exploration.
Here are the key aspects of tourism:

Meaning and Definition:

Tourism refers to the activities of people traveling to and staying in places outside their usual
environment for leisure, business, or other purposes.

(World Tourism Organization): "Tourism comprises the activities of persons traveling to and
staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for
leisure, business, and other purposes."

Characteristics of Tourism:

i. Temporary Movement: Tourism involves temporary movement, implying that individuals

do not permanently relocate to the destination.
 ii. Leisure and Recreation: One of the primary purposes of tourism is leisure and recreation,
including activities such as sightseeing, relaxation, and enjoyment.
iii. Diverse Motivations: Tourists may have various motivations, such as cultural
exploration, adventure, nature appreciation, or business-related activities.
iv. Infrastructure and Services: Tourism is dependent on a developed infrastructure and
services, including accommodation, transportation, and recreational facilities.
v. Economic Impact: Tourism has significant economic implications, contributing to the
economy of the destination through spending on goods and services.

History of Tourism through the Ages

The history of tourism can be traced back to ancient civilizations and has evolved
significantly over time. Key milestones include:

i. Ancient Times: Early travel was primarily for trade, military purposes, and religious
pilgrimages. The Egyptians and Babylonians traveled for necessity rather than leisure.

ii. Roman Empire: From 27 BC to 476 AD, the Romans built extensive road networks,
facilitating travel for leisure and commerce. This era marked the beginning of travel for
pleasure.

iii. Middle Ages: Pilgrimages became popular, with travelers visiting religious sites across
Europe. Inns and taverns were established along these routes to accommodate pilgrims.

iv. The Grand Tour: In the 17th and 18th centuries, young European nobles embarked on
the Grand Tour, traveling to experience art, culture, and education.

v. 19th Century: The Industrial Revolution led to advancements in transportation,

including steamships and railways, making travel more accessible to the middle class.
Thomas Cook pioneered organized tours during this period.

vi. 20th Century: Post-World War II saw a boom in mass tourism due to improvements in
air travel and increased disposable income among the population.

Linkages of Tourism with Other Subjects

Tourism is interconnected with various academic disciplines, each contributing unique
perspectives and insights into its development and impact. The linkages can be summarized as
follows:

i. History: Tourism reflects historical trends, cultural exchanges, and the evolution of
societies. Historical events often shape travel patterns and destinations.

ii. Sociology: Examines the social dynamics of tourism, including the interactions between
tourists and host communities, cultural impacts, and social structures influenced by
tourism.

iii. Geography: Focuses on the spatial aspects of tourism, such as destination development,
geographic distribution of tourist attractions, and the environmental impacts of tourism.

iv. Management: Involves strategic planning, marketing, and operational management

within the tourism sector to enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction.

v. Economics: Analyzes the economic contributions of tourism, including its role in job
creation, GDP growth, and its intersect-oral linkages with other industries

Explanation of Terms Related to Tourism

1. Tours: Organized journeys that typically involve visiting multiple destinations or

attractions, often with a set itinerary.
2. Leisure: Free time spent away from work or duties, often associated with relaxation and
enjoyment.
3. Recreation: Activities engaged in for enjoyment and relaxation, which may include
sports, hobbies, and other forms of entertainment.
4. Tourist: A person who travels to a destination for leisure or business purposes, typically
staying overnight.
5. Visitor: A broader term encompassing anyone who travels to a destination for any
purpose, including tourists and excursionists.
6. Traveller: An individual who moves from one place to another for any reason, not
limited to tourism.
7. Excursionist: A visitor who travels to a destination for a short period without an
overnight stay.
8. Resource: Natural or man-made elements that attract tourists, such as landscapes,
historical sites, or cultural experiences.
9. Attraction: Specific sites or activities that draw visitors due to their unique
characteristics or entertainment value.

Impacts of Tourism to a given Nation

Tourism has significant economic, social, and environmental impacts, which can be both
positive and negative. Understanding these impacts is crucial for sustainable development
in the tourism sector.

Positive Impacts

1. Economic Growth: Tourism contributes to GDP and creates jobs, boosting local
economies.

2. Infrastructure Development: Increased tourism often leads to improved infrastructure,

such as roads, airports, and utilities.

3. Cultural Preservation: Revenue from tourism can fund the preservation of cultural
heritage and historical sites.

4. Environmental Conservation: Sustainable tourism practices can promote the protection

of natural resources and ecosystems.

Negative Impacts

1. Overcrowding: High tourist numbers can lead to overcrowding in popular destinations,

affecting local residents.

2. Environmental Degradation: Increased foot traffic and development can harm natural
landscapes and wildlife.

3. Cultural Erosion: The commercialization of culture for tourism can dilute local
traditions and customs.
4. Economic Dependency: Regions heavily reliant on tourism may suffer economic
instability if visitor numbers decline.