The Tourism Industry: An Overview

Abstract

This chapter introduces its readers to the concept of tourism. It sheds light on the rationale for tourism, as it explains the tourists’ inherent motivations to travel. It also describes different aspects that together make up the tourism industry. Tourists travel to destinations that are accessible to them. They require accommodation if they are visiting a place for more than twenty-four hours. Leisure and business travellers may also visit attractions and engage in recreational activities. Hence, the tourist destinations should have the right amenities and facilities. In this light, this chapter clarifies how destinations may offer different products to satisfy a wide array of tourists. Tourism products can include; urban (or city) tourism, seaside tourism, rural tourism, ecotourism, wine tourism, culinary tourism, health tourism, medical tourism, religious tourism, cultural (or heritage) tourism, sports tourism, educational tourism, business tourism (including meetings, incentives, conferences and events), among others. In conclusion, this chapter lists major points of interest in North America to clarify how diverse destinations may be appealing to different tourists, for many reasons.

Keywords: tourism, hospitality, travel, events, marketing, teaching resources, travel marketing

JEL Classification: M00, M1, M10, M3, M30, M31, Z3, Z30, Z31, Z32