Understanding the World of Tourism
1
Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
The concept of contemporary tourism and the history of tourism...................................................2
Travel Motivational Theories..........................................................................................................3
Conclusions......................................................................................................................................4
References........................................................................................................................................5
2
Introduction
The primary focus of this essay is placed on understanding tourism through the discussion of the
development of contemporary tourism and different travel motivational theories. As per Fletcher
et al. (2017), Tourism implies the activities of people who are termed travellers or visitors who
move between different geographic locations for a particular purpose and duration. As defined
by Cook et al. (2018), tourism is an action to travel from one place to another through the use of
tourist services which are being offered in those other places to gain rest, leisure and enjoyment.
As defined in the paper by Leiper, (1979), Tourism is the theory and practice of touring, and
travelling for pleasure. Also, the same paper Leiper, (1979) shows Tourism implies the provision
of transportation, recreation, accommodation, food and relevant services for domestic as well as
overseas travellers. This includes all different purposes including education, leisure, business and
others.
The concept of contemporary tourism and the history of tourism
Contemporary tourism incorporates modern trends along with some dynamics within the travel
sector driven by technological advancements, globalisation and changes in consumer preferences
(Miller et al. 2019). Contemporary tourism includes diversified travel experiences including eco-
tourism, adventure tourism, culture tourism and wellness tourism. Digital platforms along with
social media have transformed the way through which tourists plan, book and also share their
experiences. As per UNESCO (2023), Tourism acknowledges World Heritage and presents
responsible activities based on World Heritage properties to promote economic and social
prosperity. Increased understanding of tourism's environmental and cultural implications
emphasises sustainability. The rise in customised and immersive travel experiences meets the
need for meaningful and distinctive trips. Contemporary tourism reflects a shift towards
responsible, creative travel.
Tourism has gained significance in recent years, but it remains mostly overlooked in most
parts of the world. During the classical era, individuals from ancient Greek and Roman
civilizations embarked on journeys to partake in festivals and explore significant historical
locations (Christou, 2022). Pilgrimages to holy locations such as Jerusalem and Mecca were
3
common during the Middle Ages. Grand Tours were common for European nobles in the 17th
and 18th centuries (Pazos, 2020). Commercial aviation and package trips encouraged mass
tourism in the 20th century. Currently, this sector is multidimensional and global.
Travel Motivational Theories
Crompton, (1979) defined travel motivation as containing different factors that impact a tourist
to travel. Crompton (1979) also defined that motivation is only one of the different contributing
factors where tourist behaviour towards travel can be affected. A vacation was all about getting
away from the daily grind. In most theories of motivation, the idea of a stable equilibrium is
either explicitly stated or implicit.
According to Crompton (1979), Push & Pull factors are commonly used to describe
tourist behaviour and travel motivations. Push forces force tourists to leave their homes, while
pull factors draw them in. When complexity develops, socio-psychological demands drive travel,
while pull factors tempt people to visit a given place. Travel is driven by internal incentives
including escape, relaxation, adventure, and social contact. For instance, numerous citizens of
the United Kingdom journey to Mediterranean nations in search of sunny weather and pristine
beaches (Ruggeri, 2023). Pull factors refer to external elements that entice travellers to particular
areas based on attractions, culture, climate, and amenities. London attracts visitors due to its
ancient landmarks and vibrant cultural scene (London.Gov.UK, 2020). According to the
UNWTO (2024), more than 1.5 billion international tourists visited various destinations due to a
combination of reasons that attracted them and factors that pushed them to travel.
According to Maslow's theory, individuals must have their most fundamental wants
fulfilled before they develop a strong desire or drive for higher-level needs. The primary motive
for tourism is often based on the individual's need for novelty, with novelty being the main
objective of leisure travel (Gupta, 2015). In this case the application of this theory to travel
motivation where enjoyable experiences come at the basic level of needs which includes
relaxation and sightseeing, social bonding, safety, comfort and weather. After these the traveller
seeks immersive experiences like learning about different cultures, connecting with local people,
adventure and others which work as travel motivation as well (Gupta, 2015). Lastly
transformational experience of Maslow’s theory works as the top level of travel motivation
4
which offers self-expression, creativity, discovery and others. As reported by VisitBritain.org
(2024), in 2023, the United Kingdom received 38 million international visitors, who collectively
spent a record-breaking £31.1 billion. This demonstrates the substantial influence of different
travel reasons on the tourist sector.
Plog's psychographic theory of travel motivations divides travellers into allocentric
(adventurers), mid-centric (normal tourists), and psychometrics (comforters). Allocentric people
may travel to remote parts of Scotland for excitement and novelty, while psychocentric people
choose to visit London. As per UK Parliament (2022), the UK received 40.9 million foreign
tourists in 2019. Of these, 21.7 million visited London, indicating a strong preference for its
attractions.
Pearce's Travel Career Patterns Model is another model which suggests the motivation
for tourism evolves with the travel experiences. As per MacInnes et al. (2022), Plog's
psychographic theory ranks travel motivations through novelty, escape/relaxation, relationship
strengthening, autonomy, seeking nature, self-development through engagement with hosts or
the destination, stimulation, self-enhancement, kinship, self-actualization, isolation, nostalgia,
romance, and social status. Escape/relaxation, novelty, and relationships drive travel careers.
These reasons suggest underlying drives govern most leisure travel.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Contemporary tourism and travel motivational theories show how technology,
globalisation, and consumer tastes interact. Travel motivations have been studied in Maslow's
hierarchy of requirements, Plog's psychographic theory, and the push-and-pull forces hypothesis.
These thoughts demonstrate how tourism is dynamic and provides distinctive, meaningful, and
responsible vacations for modern travellers.
5
References
Christou, P. A. (2022). The history and evolution of tourism.
CABI.https://books.google.com/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=IIdeEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR3&dq=During+the+classical+era,
+individuals+from+ancient+Greek+and+Roman+civilizations+embarked+on+journeys+to+parta
ke+in+festivals+and+explore+significant+historical+locations+&ots=SuHqmUWmTu&sig=DPI
wXAUw3OGdy17ZVG5KwLGJj7Q
Cook, R. A., Hsu, C. H., and Taylor, L. L. (2018). Tourism: The business of hospitality and
travel. Pearson.
Crompton, J. L. (1979). Motivations for pleasure vacation. Annals of tourism research, 6(4),
408-424.
Fletcher, J., Fyall, A., Gilbert, D., and Wanhill, S. (2017). Tourism: Principles and practice.
Pearson UK.
Gupta, A. (2015) Maslow’s hierarchy of travel needs, Medium. Available at:
https://medium.com/@aashishgupta/maslow-s-hierarchy-of-travel-needs-656bc64b3aa5
(Accessed: 25 June 2024).
https://whc.unesco.org/uploads/activities/documents/activity-669-7.pdf (Accessed: 06 October
2023).
Leiper, N. (1979). The framework of tourism: Towards a definition of tourism, tourist, and the
tourist industry. Annals of tourism research, 6(4), 390-407.
London.Gov.UK (2020) 20 facts about London’s culture, London City Hall. Available at:
https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/arts-and-culture/vision-and-strategy/20-facts-
about-london%E2%80%99s-culture (Accessed: 25 June 2024).
MacInnes, S., Ong, F., and Dolnicar, S. (2022). Travel career or childhood travel habit?: Which
better explains adult travel behaviour?. Annals of Tourism Research, 95,
103413.https://osf.io/preprints/socarxiv/uvk6r/download#:~:text=The%20travel%20career
%20pattern%20reclassifies,self%2Denhancement%2C%20kinship%20
Miller, Richard K. and Washington, K. (2019) Travel and Tourism Market Research Handbook
2019-2020. 16th edn. Miramar: Richard K. Miller & Associates.
6
Pazos, A. M. (Ed.). (2020). Nineteenth-century European pilgrimages: a new golden age.
Routledge.https://books.google.com/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=n9HVDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA5&dq=Pilgrimages+to+holy+locations+suc
h+as+Jerusalem+and+Mecca+were+common+during+the+Middle+Ages.
+The+Grand+Tour+during+the+17th+and+18th+centuries+was+a+customary+journey+underta
ken+by+European+nobility+&ots=A1_BS0TY3h&sig=FM8zo7FzM86fsictUpgXc4nFo8M
Ruggeri, A. (2023) Is this the end of the Mediterranean Beach holiday?, BBC News. Available
at: https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20231016-is-this-the-end-of-the-mediterranean-beach-
holiday (Accessed: 25 June 2024).
UK Parliament (2022) Promoting Britain abroad - digital, culture, media and sport ...,
Publications.Parliament.UK. Available at:
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5803/cmselect/cmcumeds/156/report.html (Accessed: 25
June 2024).
UNESCO (2023) UNESCO Tourism Program. Available at:
UNWTO (2024) Un tourism: Bringing the world closer, International tourism growth continues
to outpace the global economy | UN Tourism. Available at: http://www.unwto.org/international-
tourism-growth-continues-to-outpace-the-economy#:~:text=1.5%20billion%20international
%20tourist%20arrivals,in%20view%20of%20current%20uncertainties. (Accessed: 25 June
2024).
VisitBritain.org (2024) Inbound visits and spend: Annual, UK, VisitBritain.org. Available at:
https://www.visitbritain.org/research-insights/inbound-visits-and-spend-annual-uk (Accessed: 25
June 2024).
