Outline
TOURISM E
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TWELFTH EDITION
TOURISM Principles, Practices, Philosophies
Charles R. Goeldner J. R. Brent Ritchie
JOHNWILEY & SONS, INC.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Goeldner, Charles R. Tourism : principles, practices, philosophies / Charles R. Goeldner, J.R. Brent Ritchie.—12th ed.
p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-118-07177-9 (hardback) 1. Tourism. I. Ritchie, J. R. Brent. II. Title.
G155.A1M386 2011 338.4 0791—dc22
2011016026
Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
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Contents E
Preface xiii
PART 1 TOURISM OVERVIEW 1
CHAPTER 1 Tourism in Perspective 2
Introduction 3 What Is Tourism? 3 Components of Tourism and Tourism Management 9 Basic Approaches to the Study of Tourism 15 Economic Importance 18 Benefits and Costs of Tourism 24 Summary 25 Key Concepts 26 Internet Exercises 26 Questions for Review and Discussion 26 Case Problems 27
CHAPTER 2 Tourism through the Ages 28
Introduction 29 Early Beginnings 29 Early (and Later) Tourist Attractions 38 Early Economic References 39 The First Travel Agents 40 Historic Transportation 40 Accommodations 43 Chronologies of Travel 44 Summary 47 Key Concepts 48 Internet Exercises 48 Questions for Review and Discussion 48 Case Problem 49 Endnotes 49
CHAPTER 3 Career Opportunities 51
Introduction 52 Job Forecasts 52 Job Requirements 52 Career Possibilities 53 Career Paths in Tourism 62
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Internships 64 Other Sources of Career Information 65 Summary 66 Key Concepts 66 Internet Exercises 66 Questions for Review and Discussion 67 Case Problems 67
PART 2 HOW TOURISM IS ORGANIZED 69
CHAPTER 4 World, National, Regional, and Other Organizations 70
Introduction 71 International Organizations 71 Developmental Organizations (International and National) 77 Regional International Organizations 78 National Organizations 79 Regional Organizations 88 State and Community Organizations 88 Education and Educational Organizations 91 Summary 92 Key Concepts 92 Internet Exercises 92 Questions for Review and Discussion 93 Case Problems 94
CHAPTER 5 Passenger Transportation 95
Introduction 96 The Airline Industry 98 The Rail Industry 105 The Motorcoach Industry 108 The Automobile 111 The Cruise Industry 115 Other Modes of Transportation 120 Summary 120 Key Concepts 121 Internet Exercises 121 Questions for Review and Discussion 121 Case Problems 122 Endnotes 122
CHAPTER 6 Hospitality and Related Services 123
Introduction 124 The Lodging Industry 124 The Food Service Industry 136 Meetings Industry 140 Miscellaneous Services 146 Summary 146 Key Concepts 146
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Internet Exercises 147 Questions for Review and Discussion 147 Case Problems 147 Endnotes 148
CHAPTER 7 Organizations in the Distribution Process 149
Introduction 150 Travel Agents 151 The Internet 159 Consolidators 161 The Tour Wholesaler 162 Tour Wholesaler Organizations 165 Sightseeing and Receptive Service Agencies 165 Specialty Channelers 167 Choosing Channels 169 Summary 169 Key Concepts 169 Internet Exercises 169 Questions for Review and Discussion 170 Case Problems 170 Endnotes 171
CHAPTER 8 Attractions, Entertainment, Recreation, and Other Tourist Draws 172
Introduction 173 Attractions 173 Gaming 178 Recreation 181 Live Entertainment 188 Festivals and Events 188 Sporting Events 190 Shopping 190 Summary 192 Key Concepts 192 Internet Exercises 192 Questions for Review and Discussion 193 Case Problem 193 Endnotes 194
PART 3 UNDERSTANDING TRAVEL BEHAVIOR 195
CHAPTER 9 Motivation for Pleasure Travel 196
Introduction 197 A Focus on Customers 197 The Need for a Theory 203 The Development of Motivation Models 206 Summary 207 Key Concepts 207
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Internet Exercises 208 Questions for Review and Discussion 208 Case Problems 209 Endnotes 209
CHAPTER 10 Cultural and International Tourism for Life's Enrichment 211
Introduction 212 Importance 212 Life-Seeing Tourism 214 The Romance of Pleasure Travel 215 Developmental and Promotional Measures 216 Anthropography (Geography of Humankind) 218 Types of Destinations as Travel Experiences 219 Other Tourist Appeals 221 Tourism and Peace 229 Summary 235 Key Concepts 235 Internet Exercises 236 Questions for Review and Discussion 236 Case Problems 236 Endnotes 237
CHAPTER 11 Sociology of Tourism 238 Introduction 239 Effects on the Individual 239 Effects on the Family 239 Effects on Society 239 Life Characteristics and Travel 243 Emergence of Group Travel Patterns 249 Social (Subsidized) Tourism 250 Summary of the Principal Social Effects of Tourism 253 The International Tourist 253 Barriers to Travel 256 Summary 257 Key Concepts 257 Internet Exercises 257 Questions for Review and Discussion 258 Case Problems 258 Endnotes 258
PART 4 TOURISM SUPPLY, DEMAND, POLICY, PLANNING, AND DEVELOPMENT 261
CHAPTER 12 Tourism Components and Supply 262 Introduction 263 Supply Components 263 Natural Resources 264 Built Environment 265 Operating Sectors 267
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Spirit of Hospitality and Cultural Resources 273 Matching Supply with Demand 278 Summary 283 Key Concepts 283 Internet Exercises 283 Question for Review and Discussion 284 Case Problems 284
CHAPTER 13 Measuring and Forecasting Demand 285
Introduction 286 Why Demand Is Important 286 Demand to a Destination 286 Measuring Demand 288 Projection Methodology 290 Summary 296 Key Concepts 297 Internet Exercises 297 Questions for Review and Discussion 298 Case Problems 298
CHAPTER 14 Tourism's Economic Impact 299
Introduction 300 Tourism's Economic Impact: An International Perspective 300 Comparing International and Domestic Expenditures 302 Optimization 304 Economic Multipliers 312 Tourism Satellite Accounts 318 Summary 321 Key Concepts 323 Internet Exercises 323 Questions for Review and Discussion 323 Case Problems 324 Endnotes 324
CHAPTER 15 Tourism Policy: Structure, Content, and Process 325
Introduction 326 Tourism Policy: A Definition 326 The Focus of Tourism Policy: The Competitive/Sustainable Destination 328 The Major Parameters of Tourism Destination Management 329 Tourism Policy: Structure, Content, and Process 335 The Process of Tourism Policy Formulation 339 Translating Policy into Reality 343 Formulating Policy to Deal with Crises 343 Summary 345 Key Concepts 345 Internet Exercises 345 Questions for Review and Discussion 346 Case Problem 346 Endnotes 346
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CHAPTER 16 Tourism Planning, Development, and Social Considerations 348
Introduction 349 Planning for a Competitive/Sustainable Destination 349 The Nature of Tourism Planning 351 Relating Tourism Planning to Tourism Policy 352 Why Tourism Planning Is Necessary 355 The Planning Process 356 Goals of Tourism Development 358 Obstacles to Development of Supply 360 Political Aspects of Tourism Development 361 Development of Tourist Potential 364 Summary 368 Key Concepts 369 Internet Exercises 369 Questions for Review and Discussion 369 Case Problems 370
CHAPTER 17 Tourism and the Environment 371
Introduction 372 Does Tourism Threaten the Environment? The UNEP/UNWTO Position 372 Major Challenges Facing the Achievement of Sustainable Tourism 381 Ecotourism: Common Terms Used 386 Travel Organizations' Efforts 389 Summary 391 Key Concepts 391 Internet Exercises 391 Questions for Review and Discussion 392 Case Problems 392 Endnotes 393
PART 5 ESSENTIALS OF TOURISM RESEARCH AND MARKETING 395
CHAPTER 18 Travel and Tourism Research 396
Introduction 397 Types of Tourism Research 397 The Travel Research Process 400 Sources of Information 402 Exploratory Research 404 Basic Quantitative Research Methods 404 Who Does Travel Research? 409 The State of the Art 412 Travel and Tourism Research Association 413 Summary 414 Key Concepts 414 Internet Exercises 414 Questions for Review and Discussion 415
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Case Problem 415 Endnotes 415
CHAPTER 19 Tourism Marketing 416
Introduction 417 What Is Marketing? 417 Marketing Concept 417 The Marketing Mix 418 Market Segmentation 434 Marketing Planning: The Tourism Marketing Plan 439 Joint Marketing Efforts 440 Summary 440 Key Concepts 441 Internet Exercises 441 Questions for Review and Discussion 442 Case Problem 443 Endnotes 443
PART 6 TOURISM PROSPECTS 445
CHAPTER 20 Tourism's Future 446
Introduction 447 Tourism in the Third Millennium 447 World Tourism Forecasts for 2020 448 The Nature of Future Growth 448 Leisure, Tourism, and Society in the Third Millennium 450 New Realities—New Horizons: Global Forces Impacting the Future of Tourism 450 The Tourist of the Future 460 Managing the Future Effectively 466 Summary 466 Key Concepts 467 Internet Exercises 467 Questions for Review and Discussion 468 Case Problem 468 Endnotes 469
Selected References 471 Glossary 481 Index 487
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Preface E
S pace travel, only a few years ago the dream of a few space pioneers, is now a featured story in thetravel sections of leading newspapers. Billionaires write checks for a place in line to go into space while ordinary travelers note the emergence of the megaplane, the Airbus A380, with potential capacity of over 800. Meanwhile Boeing has responded with the smaller, lighter Boeing 787 Dreamliner about to enter commercial service. Most important, tourism planners recognize that technological change, peak oil prices, climate change, and other environmental issues necessitate adaptation if tourism is to thrive. And while tourism planners remain human, just over the horizon they foresee the imminent arrival of nonhuman robots who are about to change the future face of tourism—particularly as it pertains to the provision of routine services and the fulfillment of repetitive tasks required to keep the tourism product functional.
The industry must respond to these challenges and opportunities plus deal with options generated by the proliferation of travel blogs and social networking sites such as Facebook, Linkedin, YouTube, Twitter, and MySpace, which change the stream of communication about travel and tourism. Furthermore, security continues to present challenges and added cost. These factors underscore why the globe's most dynamic industry demands constant reassessment.
Although basic tourism principles remain, applications must constantly be reevaluated in light of new developments and more challenging economic times. Nevertheless, the world's largest industry, tourism, continues to grow even more as millions of travelers from such booming economies as China, India, Brazil, and Russia seek culture, comfortable climates, and recreation in offshore destinations. At the same time, additional millions of retiring baby boomers from industrialized nations will take advantage of leisure time to enjoy increased travel. All are lured to pack their bags as increasing access to the Internet and television whet appetites to see the modern wonders of the world. The travel industry must respond. Accordingly, Tourism, Twelfth Edition is designed to examine changes and relate them to the basic concepts of tourism.
This book is intended to be used primarily as a textbook for college and university courses in tourism. However, the book also provides valuable information and guidance for national/state/ provincial/local tourism offices, convention and visitors bureaus, chambers of commerce, tourism planning and development organizations, tourism promoters, tourist accommodations, attractions and other businesses, transportation carriers, oil and automotive companies, and any other organiza- tion that is interested or involved in the movement of people from their homes or businesses to destinations.
NEW TO THIS EDITION The Twelfth Edition updates the Eleventh Edition of this leading comprehensive tourism text. Because the tourism industry changes so rapidly, the revision involves adding new developments, updating data, updating profiles, expanding some sectors, adding new Web sites, adding selected references, and expanding the glossary. B&Bs, timeshares, meetings and conventions, sustainable tourism, climate change, social media, and mobile marketing are some topics given expanded coverage.
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The Twelfth Edition has been revised and updated to explore new trends in travel and tourism and discusses changes to the industry since the publication of the previous edition. New elements in the Twelfth Edition include:
& Profiles of travel industry leaders such as J. R. Marriott Jr. of Marriott International and Roger Dow of the U.S. Travel Association. Their comments about the future are included. These industry leaders have introduced practices that have transformed the nature and quality of the vacation experience. We are also proud to acknowledge the outstanding ethical and moral leadership that Taleb Rifai, the secretary-general of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), has brought to tourism.
& Global Insights are short features that cover timely, interesting, and even whimsical topics that are intended to serve as a stimulus for discussion. Examples are Dark Tourism, Tourism Forecasts, Travel Advisories, The Power of Travel, Emerging Markets, and Travel Experiences. These Global Insights facilitate and strengthen the ability of the instructor to identify selected areas of emerging importance in tourism. In addition, they assist the instructor in exploring the significance of these areas, without requiring extensive background reading.
& Chapter 3 has new information on technology, convention centers, arenas, stadium and public facilities management jobs, and an updated internship section.
& Chapter 5 has new information on the airline industry, updated cruise industry information, and added train travel as a tourist attraction.
& Chapter 6 has a new section on culinary tourism.
& Chapter 7 has extensive treatment of the changing world of travel distribution, with new information about the future and mobile marketing.
& Chapter 11 has added information on seniors, as well as a new section on gay and lesbian tourism.
& Chapter 15 has information on passports, visas, ethics, and government policy impacts, with clarified differences between destination vision and mission statement.
& Chapter 17 has been substantially revised to update information on sustainable development and climate change.
& Chapters 18 and 19 discuss the use of the Internet in tourism research, marketing, and promotion.
& Chapter 19 also has new material on social media, blogs, and podcasting.
& Chapter 20 takes a new look at the future of travel by identifying new trends such as space tourism.
& There is additional coverage of crisis management in Chapter 15 and Chapter 20.
& Updated and additional Internet Exercises are included at the end of each chapter to keep information current.
& Selected references for each chapter have been gathered in an appendix.
& Updated Internet sites for each chapter can be found on the companion Web site for the book at www.wiley.com/college/goeldner.
ORGANIZATION AND CONTENT This book explores major concepts in tourism, what makes tourism possible, and how tourism can become an important factor in the wealth of any nation. It is written in broad, global terms, discussing the principles, practices, and philosophies of tourism that have been found to bring about success. In this Twelfth Edition of Tourism, even greater attention has been paid to the global impact of tourism, both economically and socially.
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For tourism to be successful, a great variety of components must work together seamlessly to create a positive travel experience. This book is divided into six parts, which examine the various components of tourism, their function, and their significance.
Part 1 provides a broad overview of tourism, with chapters devoted specifically to the global impact of tourism, a history of travel, and career opportunities.
Part 2 looks at the governmental and private-sector organizations that provide services, products, and destinations for travelers. Individual chapters discuss tourist organizations, passenger transportation, lodging and food service providers, travel agents and wholesalers, and tourism attractions.
Part 3 examines travel motivation, travel behavior, and the sociology of tourism.
Part 4 is devoted to tourism planning and a further examination of the components of tourism. A chapter on formulating tourism policy is included in this part. Other chapters cover topics such as tourism supply, forecasting demand, the economic impact of tourism, tourism planning, and environmental issues. In light of the growing importance of the environment, a particular effort has been made to explore fully the managerial issues at the tourism/environment interface—a point at which there is much potential for conflict.
Part 5 examines the important fields of tourism research and tourism marketing.
Part 6 looks at projections for tourism in 2020 and 2030, and suggests how today's industry can prepare itself to accommodate future growth and meet tomorrow's challenges.
FEATURES To help students better understand and process the information presented, a number of pedagogical features have been integrated into this textbook.
The Learning Objectives at the beginning of each chapter alert students to the important concepts that will be covered.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Understand what tourism is and its many definitions.
Learn the components of tourism and tourism management.
Examine the various approaches to studying tourism and determine which is of greatest interest to you.
Appreciate how important this industry is to the economy of the world and of many countries.
Know the benefits and costs of tourism.
The chapter Introduction sets the scene and provides some context for what students are about to read. When appropriate, boxes, tables, illustrations, photos, and Internet sites have been included to help illustrate important topics and ideas. The chapter discussion concludes with a written Summary to help students reinforce what they have read.
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The list of Key Concepts serves as a valuable checkpoint for understanding the chapter topics. These terms are boldfaced and green within the chapter to call them to the reader's attention.
An updated directory of Internet Sites lists Web sites referred to in the chapter as well as additional sites students can turn to for more information. This directory can be found on the companion Web site for the book at www.wiley.com/college/goeldner.
Three types of exercises have been provided to gauge student understanding of the subject matter. The Questions for Review and Discussion test student recall of important chapter concepts and include some critical thinking questions.
The Case Problems present hypothetical situations that require students to apply what they have learned. They can be used for written assignments or as the catalyst for class discussions.
Also included is a series of Internet Exercises, designed to increase students' familiarity with technology by having them visit important travel industry Web sites and answer questions based on their investigation. This section has been expanded in this edition.
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Features updated to this edition are Global Insights on timely subjects that can serve as a springboard for lively discussion and as the basis for encouraging deeper study into key issues of the day.
Also featured are Profiles of eight travel and tourism leaders and WATG, one of the top destination design firms in the world. Our goal in including these profiles is to acknowledge the very special contributions that these industry leaders have made to tourism.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES An Instructor's Manual (ISBN 978-1-118-15224-9) is available to professors who have adopted this textbook. The Instructor's Manual contains teaching suggestions, sample syllabi, and test questions and answers. An electronic version of the Instructor's Manual is available to qualified instructors on the companion Web site at www.wiley.com/college/goeldner. The Web site also includes PowerPoint slides and Internet resources.
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The Test Bank for this text has been specifically formatted for Respondus, an easy-to-use software for creating and managing exams that can be printed to paper or published directly to Blackboard, WebCT, Desire2Learn, eCollege, ANGEL, and other eLearning systems. Instructors who adopt Tourism: Principles, Practices, Philosophies can download the Test Bank for free. Additional Wiley resources also can be uploaded into your LMS course at no charge. To view and access these resources and the Test Bank, visit www.wiley.com/college/goeldner, click on the ‘‘Visit the Companion Sites’’ link, then click on ‘‘Instructor Companion Site.’’
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS As Tourism, Twelfth Edition goes to press, we celebrate the thousands of students who have already begun their education in travel and tourism with previous editions of this book. We acknowledge their participation through their letters to us and to our publisher.
We are grateful for the help of all of the educators who have contributed to this and previous editions through their constructive comments and feedback at conferences, via telephone, and written correspondence.
Many thanks go to the current and past reviewers of the manuscript for their helpful comments. They include:
Jim Clark, president and CEO, Fort Collins Convention & Visitors Bureau
Dogon Gursoy, Washington State University
Tammie J. Kaufman, University of Central Florida
Richard F. Patterson, Western Kentucky University
Wayne W. Smith, College of Charleston
Daniel M. Spencer, Black Hills State University
Victor Teye, Arizona State University
Dallen J. Timothy, Arizona State University
We cannot emphasize too much the extent to which their comments have provided guidance to us in our revision efforts and as we constantly seek to maintain the pioneering standard for quality set for us by the founder of this textbook, Dr. Robert W. McIntosh. We once again salute him.
We especially wish to thank Philip L. Pearce, Department of Tourism, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia, for his contribution of Chapter 9, ‘‘Motivation for Pleasure Travel.’’ A special word of thanks must also go to Dr. Richard F. Patterson, Western Kentucky University, who developed a number of the Internet exercises for this textbook, and Cindy DiPersio, University of Colorado, who proofread the manuscript.
We also acknowledge the support of the staff at John Wiley & Sons, especially JoAnna Turtletaub, Mary Cassells, Julie Kerr, Jenni Lee, and Amy Weintraub. Special recognition must go to Deb Angus at the University of Calgary, who tirelessly prepared the manuscript, artwork, index, and Instructor's Manual.
Charles R. Goeldner University of Colorado
J. R. Brent Ritchie University of Calgary
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E P A R T 1 Tourism Overview Chapter 1 Tourism in Perspective Chapter 2 Tourism through the Ages Chapter 3 Career Opportunities
Florence, Italy, is a favorite destination in Europe for travelers around the world. Photo courtesy of Corbis Digital Stock.
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C H A P T E R 1 E Tourism in Perspective
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
& Understand what tourism is and its many definitions.
& Learn the components of tourism and tourism management.
& Examine the various approaches to studying tourism and determine which is of greatest interest to you.
& Appreciate how important this industry is to the economy of the world and of many countries.
& Know the benefits and costs of tourism.
Tourism is visiting the exquisite canaled city of Venice, Italy; exploring the waterways and walkways; riding in a gondola; taking the vaporetti (public ‘‘bus’’ ferries); admiring the bridges, museums, palaces, and churches. This magical city with its unique beauty provides tourists from all over the world enjoyment. Photo courtesy of PhotoDisc, Inc./Getty Images.
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INTRODUCTION
Bon Voyage! You are setting off on a voyage to learn about the subject of tourism. Assuming that the forecasters and futurists are correct, you are studying the world’s largest industry. Tourism is alive with dynamic growth, new activities, new destinations, new technology, new markets, and rapid changes. Record numbers of tourists are traveling the globe, attracted by an increased variety of tour packages, cruises, adventure experiences, and independent itineraries. All of these visitors and the activities they generate change local communities. They have an economic and social impact that cannot be ignored. In today’s society, attention must be paid to environmental issues, cultural issues, economic issues, the way landscapes are created to appeal to tourists, and how tourists behave.
The tourism industry is global. It is big business and will continue to grow. Meeting this growth with well-planned, environmentally sound development is a challenge for planning all over the world, whether it is Indonesia, Nepal, the United States, Australia, Thailand, or France. The goal of this chapter and the book is to raise issues, provide frameworks, and generate your thoughtful consideration of the issues and changes facing this complex field as it operates in an increasingly technological and global age.
WHAT IS TOURISM? When we think of tourism, we think primarily of people who are visiting a particular place for sightseeing, visiting friends and relatives, taking a vacation, and having a good time. They might spend their leisure time engaging in various sports, sunbathing, talking, singing, taking rides, touring, reading, or simply enjoying the environment. If we consider the subject further, we may include in our definition of tourism people who are participating in a convention, a business conference, or some other kind of business or professional activity, as well as those who are taking a study tour under an expert guide or doing some kind of scientific research or study.
These visitors use all forms of transportation, from hiking in a wilderness park to flying in a jet to an exciting city. Transportation can include taking a chairlift up a Colorado mountainside or standing at the rail of a cruise ship looking across the blue Caribbean. Whether people travel by one of these means or by car, motorcoach, camper, train, taxi, motorbike, or bicycle, they are taking a trip and thus are engaging in tourism. That is what this book is all about—why people travel (and why some don’t) and the socioeconomic effects that their presence and expenditures have on a society.
Any attempt to define tourism and to describe its scope fully must consider the various groups that participate in and are affected by this industry. Their perspectives are vital to the development of a comprehensive definition. Four different perspectives of tourism can be identified:
1. The tourist. The tourist seeks various psychic and physical experiences and satisfactions. The nature of these will largely determine the destinations chosen and the activities enjoyed.
2. The businesses providing tourist goods and services. Businesspeople see tourism as an opportunity to make a profit by supplying the goods and services that the tourist market demands.
3. The government of the host community or area. Politicians view tourism as a wealth factor in the economy of their jurisdictions. Their perspective is related to the incomes their citizens can earn from this business. Politicians also consider the foreign exchange receipts from international tourism, as well as the tax receipts collected from tourist expenditures, either directly or indirectly. The host government can play an important role in tourism policy, development, promotion, and implementation (see Chapter 15).
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4. The host community. Local people usually see tourism as a cultural and employment factor. Of importance to the host community, for example, is the effect of the interaction between large numbers of international visitors and residents. This effect may be beneficial or harmful, or both.
Thus, tourism can be defined as the processes, activities, and outcomes arising from the relationships and the interactions among tourists, tourism suppliers, host governments, host communities, and surrounding environments that are involved in the attracting and hosting of visitors. (See the Glossary for definitions of tourist and excursionist.)
Tourism is a composite of activities, services, and industries that deliver a travel experience: transportation, accommodations, eating and drinking establishments, shops, entertainment, activity facilities, and other hospitality services available for individuals or groups that are traveling away from home. It encompasses all providers of visitor and visitor-related services. Tourism is the entire world industry of travel, hotels, transportation, and all other components, including promotion, that serve the needs and wants of travelers. Finally, tourism is the sum total of tourist expenditures within the borders of a nation or a political subdivision or a transportation-centered economic area of contiguous states or nations. This economic concept also considers the income multiplier of these tourist expenditures (discussed in Chapter 14).
One has only to consider the multidimensional aspects of tourism and its interactions with other activities to understand why it is difficult to come up with a meaningful definition that will be universally accepted. Each of the many definitions that have arisen is aimed at fitting a special situation and solving an immediate problem, and the lack of uniform definitions has hampered the study of tourism as a discipline. Development of a field depends on: (1) uniform definitions, (2) description, (3) analysis, (4) prediction, and (5) control.
Modern tourism is a discipline that has only recently attracted the attention of scholars from many fields. The majority of studies have been conducted for special purposes and have used narrow
In the United States, the definition of a person-trip is one person traveling 50 miles (one way) or more away from home, or staying overnight regardless of distance. U.S. residents take over two billion person-trips a year—mostly by motor vehicle on the nation's highways. Photo courtesy of The Adirondack Regional Tourism Council.
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operational definitions to suit particular needs of researchers or government officials; these studies have not encompassed a systems approach. Consequently, many definitions of tourism and the tourist are based on distance traveled, the length of time spent, and the purpose of the trip. This makes it difficult to gather statistical information that scholars can use to develop a database, describe the tour- ism phenomenon, and do analyses.
The problem is not trivial. It has been tackled by a number of august bodies over the years, including the League of Nations, the United Nations, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Organi- zation for Economic Cooperation and De- velopment (OECD), the National Tourism Resources Review Commission, and the U.S. Senate’s National Tourism Policy Study.