LESSON 3
FORMS OF TOURISM
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
After studying this lesson, you will be able to:
1. Compare and contrast the different forms of tourism.
2. Appreciate the concepts and evaluate the ethical issues surrounding some forms.
The International Recommendations for Tourism Statistics 2008 (IRTS 2008) aims to present a
system of definitions, concepts, classifications and indicators that are internally Satellite
consistent and that facilitate the link to the conceptual frameworks of the Tourism Satellite
Account (TSA) national accounts, the balance of payments and labor statistics..." (UNWTO 2010,
p. 1).
The IRTS 2008 distinguishes three forms of tourism, namely, domestic tourism inbound
tourism, and outbound tourism.
Domestic tourism: Comprises the activities of a resident visitor within the country
of reference either as part of a domestic tourism trip or part of an outbound tourism
trip (IRTS 2008, 2.39a)
Inbound tourism: Comprises the activities of a non-resident visitor within the
country of reference on an inbound tourism trip (IRTS 2008, 2.39b)
Outbound tourism: Comprises the activities of a resident visitor outside the
country of reference, either as part of an outbound tourism trip or as part of a
domestic tourism trip (IRTS 2008, 2.39c)
When these forms are combined, there are three other categories: internal
tourism, national tourism, and international tourism.
Internal tourism: Comprises domestic tourism and inbound tourism, that is, the
activities of resident and non-resident visitors within the country of reference as
part of domestic or international tourism trips (IRTS 2008, 2.40a).
National tourism: Comprises domestic tourism and outbound tourism that is, the
activities of resident visitors within and outside the country of reference, either as
part of domestic or outbound tourism trips (IRTS 2008' 2.40b).
International tourism: Comprises inbound tourism and outbound tourism, that is,
the activities of resident visitors outside the country of reference, either as part of
domestic or outbound tourism trips and as the activities of non-resident visitors
within the country of reference on inbound tourism trips (IRTS 2008, 2.40c).
Other Forms of Tourism
Tourism comes in different forms. Each activity or objective that is undertaken for the purpose
of leisure and pleasure can be a distinct form of tourism. These forms are usually named
based on the unique activity exercised. These forms of tourism are sometimes referred to as
adjectival tourism which specifically refers to the numerous niche or specialty travel forms
of tourism that have emerged over the years, each with its own adjective.
A significant number has become a byword among tourism industry practitioners and those
who study tourism as a discipline. Some are relatively new and are expected to become as
popular as with the others. Following are some of the forms of tourism:
Adventure Tourism is a form of tourism that involves certain amount of risk and
excitement. Travelers under this form usually go to destinations that remote and exotic.
The more challenging the destination or the activity is, the more enticing it is to the traveler.
Tourists who indulge in this form of activity are normally the adventurous and push the
challenges to the limit. This from can be categorize into two – the soft adventure and the
hard adventure. Sot adventure involves activities that are low risk and can be undertaken
by a person who is physically fit and able. Hard adventure would require previous
experience and must possess a level of competency. Soft adventures include cycling and
mountaineering, paragliding, kayaking backcountry trekking.
Culinary Tourism is a form of tourism where tourists travel to different destinations in
order to experience the taste and uniqueness of gastronomy they can offer. Culinary
tourism will not only provide the tourists different food but guest will even be given a brief
lecture about the place and the history of the food preparation. A food preparation
demonstration can also be held to enlighten the tourists. Experience will not just be limited
to food tasting; it may even incorporate activities ingredients collection, visitation to famous
food establishments, kitchen and/ or factories and appreciation of link between food and
locales history.
Disaster Tourism people travel to
disaster areas out of curiosity. The
intention of people who engage of this
kind of tourism is to satisfy their appetite
of knowing what happened. Although
these travelers go to the area to observe
and watch, they are still regarded as
nuisance. Their mere presence alone can
be impede rescue (refugees), evacuation
and rehabilitation of those that are
affected.
Examples of disaster tourism are
Thailand tsunami (2004), Hindenburg
incident (1937), Hurricane Katrina (2005),
earthquake in Nepal (2015), eruption of
Source: Disaster tourism at Mount Merapi, after
Eyjafjallajökull (2015) and eruption of Mt the 2010 eruptions
Merapi. https://.wikipedia.com
Dark Tourism refers to visits of tourists to areas
that were once sites of events involving death,
suffering and grief. The activity includes visit to
concentration camps, prisons, battlefield, ruins,
castles and forts. Sites are visited to remember
the events that happened and personally see
what remains of the past. Some of the
destinations include: underground tunnels used
by Vietnamese soldiers during the Vietnam War,
battlefields in England, Nazi extermination camp
at Poland and castles in Romania.
For more information, see also Dark Murambi Technical School where many of the
Tourists a television series, is a New murders in the Rwandan genocide took place is
now a genocide museum.
Zealand documentary series about the
phenomenon of dark tourism, presented by journalist David Farrier. The series, which
was released by Netflix, has eight episodes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxLBOJAOylI
Ecotourism also called as ecological tourism. A form of tourism that promotes the
advocacy of protection and preservation of the natural resources. Normally it involves
travel of tourism to relatively untouched/ undisturbed environment to admire and
appreciate nature without causing much damage to the area.
Heritage tourism, also known as cultural heritage tourism that is focused on the
appreciation of the different attributes of society shaped by its tradition, history, art,
architecture, belief, and customs.
The culture of one society has a major factor in contributing to the attractiveness of a
destination Many tourists who are traveling at present do not only see and admire the
culture of the destination they visit, some even immerse themselves to the community in
order to better understand and appreciate it
LGBT Tourism, otherwise known as Gay Tourism is a form tourism that caters to a
specific market of tourists. In the marketing term, these specific markets are called niche
markets in niche tourism Gay tourism is primarily directed to tourists who belong to the
group of lesbian, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ+) people. This niche
market is increasingly becoming popular since those who to this market have the
capacity and time to spend vacations and travel. It is believed that a significant number
of income amounting to millions of dollars are being contributed by this market in the
industry. The gay market is also called Pink Market.
WHAT IS NICHE TOURISM?
G
Niche tourism is a tourism strategy that appeals to a small number of people who are especially
L interested in something. Another way to describe ‘niche’ tourism is ‘specialized’ tourism.
A national tourism strategy is a government policy that encourages tourism that brings benefits
O to the country. Niche tourism is often promoted by national tourism strategies because it is
seen as a more sustainable way of developing tourism:
B There are relatively low numbers of tourists
They are genuinely interested in seeing the destination as it is, rather than demanding
A changes to it such as more hotel facilities
They are often willing to pay more to see a unique environment
L Therefore, the tourist attraction (such as architecture, local culture, a rainforest and so on) is
more likely to be preserved because it is now economically and socially valuable to the country.
INSIGHTS This means conservation efforts are more successful and the tourism is more sustainable.
Medical Tourism, also called health tourism, is a form of travel where tourists travel
from one country to another to seek healing or relief from health conditions
experienced by the visitors. Health tourism can take many forms: medical tourism,
where a formal medical procedure is undertaken to diagnose and treat illnesses or
diseases; faith healing, usually done or undertaken by tourist where science has failed,
and spa treatment where travelers are treated with indigenous form of relaxation and
rejuvenation for the weary physical body.
Nautical Tourism is where tourist through sailing or-boating undertakes travel, leisure
and holiday. Tourists who are fond of sailing and boating usually undertake their
vacation to different destinations using their own boat and yachts. Tourists who enjoy
sailing around the world will just need to dock their boats in marinas or ports and
explore the island that they visit. This form of tourism is a good way of encouraging
more tourists to visit since travel can be less hassle in queuing at airport or terminals,
paying much more for tickets, ravels
with so many baggage and difficulty of
finding good and reasonable
accommodations.
Sex Tourism, although not a
universally accepted activity is a form
of tourism has been partly a persistent
activity by tourists. Tourists who travel
under category purposely visit areas to
seek pleasure and sexual activity.
Many countries consider more of the
negative effects of tourism rather than
a commercial activity being
consummated by wealthy tourists and
sex workers from the host
De Wallen, Amsterdam's red-light district, offers activities such as
destination. Some countries have legal prostitution and a number of coffee shops that sell marijuana. It
legal institution that monitors this is one of the main tourist attractions.
accepted and is strictly regulated. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_tourism
Many countries in Asia still treat this
activity as very big problem since it is prone to abuse. Prostitution in many Asian
countries does not only deal with legal age prostitutes but these countries have to deal
with child prostitution (both male and female) also.
Space Tourism is the latest form of tourism where tourists are given the opportunity
to travel into space. Tourists are now beyond the last frontiers of the earth and has set
their sights into space. Russia made the pioneering
tourist trip in the space in 2001. Travel to space is still a
limited activity and it comes with a very high price of
US$20-28 million. A company named is arranging flights
Space Adventures and flight are flown by a Russian
spacecraft to the International Space Station.
Sports Tourism is an activity that involves
appreciation and involvement in a sports event
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_tourism
competition.
The first space tourist, Dennis Tito (left) aboard the ISS
References:
1. United Nations. (2010). International recommendations for Tourism Statistics 2008 (IRTS 2008).
Retrieved from https://unastats.un.org.unsd.publication/Seriesm/SeriesM_83rev1e.pdf
2. https://www.grammarly.com/blog/traveling/
3. United Nations. (2019). International recommendations for Tourism Statistics 2008 (IRTS 2008).
Retrieved from https://unastats.un.org.unsd.publication/Seriesm/SeriesM_83rev1e.pdf
4. Kianna. "Difference Between Travelers and Tourists." DifferenceBetween.net. January 29, 2016
http://www.differencebetween.net/language/difference-between-travelers-and-tourists/
5. https://unstats.un.org/unsd/tradeserv/Workshops/2010 UNWTO-Basic concepts.pdf
6. https://www.unwto.org/who-we-are
