Maximize Your Visit: Tailored Sightseeing in Victoria
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Crafting Your Personalized Itinerary: Victorias Must-See Attractions
When youre planning a trip to Victoria, crafting your personalized itinerary can feel a bit like a puzzle – exciting, yet a tad overwhelming. Learn more about Scenic tours of Victoria’s waterfront here. You wanna make sure youre hitting all the must-see spots, but at the same time, you dont want to end up rushing through without soaking in the true essence of this charming place.
First things first! The Royal BC Museum is a non-negotiable stop. Its where history comes alive, and youll find yourself lost in the tales of both the natural and cultural heritage of British Columbia. However, dont just breeze through the exhibits; take your time to really engage with the stories they tell.
Now, lets talk gardens. But not just any gardens – the Butchart Gardens! Theyre a feast for your eyes with colors that pop and scents that will have you closing your eyes (just for a second, mind you!) to take it all in. Victoria Chinatown tours Remember, no two visits are the same as the gardens change with the seasons, so its like a new experience each time.
Oh, and you cant miss the Parliament Buildings. Theyre not only architecturally stunning, but they also offer a glimpse into the political heart of the province. While youre there, a little tip: take a moment to sit on one of the benches and just admire the view, especially in the evening when the lights come on – its pretty spectacular!
For a bit of a seaside vibe, meandering along the Inner Harbour is a must. Its bustling with activity, street performers, and local artisans (and, well, the occasional seagull looking to nab a bite of your snack – watch out!). Its the perfect place to just wander without a strict agenda.
Now, I know you might be thinking, "I have to see everything!" but trust me, its okay to skip something if it doesnt pique your interest.
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Your trip to Victoria is yours to craft, so focus on what you love.
And hey, if you find yourself a bit peckish after all this exploring, swing by one of the local eateries for some fresh seafood or a delightful afternoon tea – its a tradition here, after all.
So, there you have it, a few pointers to help you tailor your sightseeing in Victoria. Remember, its not about ticking off every attraction; its about creating memories thatll last a lifetime (and maybe making a few friends along the way – the Canadians are a friendly bunch!). Enjoy your adventure, and dont forget to take lots of pictures!
Off the Beaten Path: Exploring Hidden Gems in Victoria
Victoria, with its bustling streets and iconic landmarks, often sees tourists flocking to the same well-trodden attractions. But what if I told you theres a whole other side to this charming city waiting to be discovered? Thats right, hidden gems thatll give you a taste of something different, something truly special.
So, imagine stepping off the usual path and finding yourself amidst the serene beauty of places not many have set their eyes upon (talk about a secret adventure, huh?). Take, for example, the Abkhazi Garden.
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It's not something youd find on every travel brochure, but its a tranquil haven thats just perfect for a leisurely afternoon away from the hustle and bustle.
Now, I aint saying the famous spots arent worth your time – they absolutely are! But theres something about wandering through a quiet alley or discovering a quaint café that locals love (you know, the kind where the barista remembers everyones name) that gives you a real feel of Victorias soul.
Dont get me started on the food scene hidden in the nooks and crannies of Victoria!
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Theres this little place I stumbled upon last time – the name escapes me – but they served the most scrumptious, melt-in-your-mouth pastries! You wouldnt find them unless you were looking, and oh, arent they worth the search!
Now, if youre into arts and history, you cant miss out on the lesser-known Maritime Museum of British Columbia. Its not as grand as some others, but the stories and artifacts there are as rich as any other! And isnt it cool to say youve seen something not everyone has?
Of course, planning such a visit takes a bit of effort. Youve got to do your research, ask around (locals are your best resource!), and be willing to go with the flow. Sometimes, the best spots are the ones you find when youre not even looking!
In conclusion, exploring Victoria off the beaten path isnt just about seeing new sights – its about experiencing the city in a unique, personal way.
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So go on, make your visit to Victoria one for the books! Tailor that sightseeing to your hearts content and discover the charm of those hidden gems.
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And remember, its these unexpected finds that often make the most memorable stories (and the best photos, lets be real)!
Culinary Delights: A Foodies Guide to Victorias Best Eats
When youre planning your sightseeing adventure in Victoria, its crucial not to overlook the tantalizing culinary scene this vibrant city has to offer! Ah, the plethora of flavors waiting to be discovered by eager foodies; its a journey not just for the eyes but for the palate, too. So, lets dive into "Culinary Delights: A Foodies Guide to Victorias Best Eats," your essential companion as you explore.
First off, you cant visit Victoria without dropping by the iconic Fishermans Wharf. Here, the seafood isnt just fresh; its practically leaping onto your plate!
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And guess what? The fish and chips at Barbs Fish & Chips are something youd regret not trying (I mean, who doesnt love a good crispy batter?).
Now, if youre prowling for something a bit more upmarket, check out the illustrious Agrius Restaurant. Theyve got this farm-to-table concept down pat, and their ever-changing menu? Its like a love letter to local produce. (Oh, and their sourdough bread – its the real deal; dont even think about passing on it.)
Of course, no foodie guide would be complete without a nod to the sweet tooth in us all. Venture to Beacon Hill Park, and just a stones throw away youll find Crust Bakery – their pastries are the stuff of dreams. But beware, the temptation to visit daily is real; their almond croissant could easily become your newest addiction.
Lets not forget about the coffee culture, either. Victoria isnt just sipping tea (although thats still a must-do experience at the Fairmont Empress, for traditions sake). Habit Coffee is a must for java lovers, with brews thatll have you saying "ahhh" after the very first sip.
Whats that? Youve got a hankering for something international? Fear not! Victorias culinary landscape spans the globe. Pop into Bao for some Asian fusion thatll knock your socks off. Their bao buns are a non-negotiable stop – soft, fluffy, and filled with flavors thatll dance on your tongue.
In conclusion, when youre out and about soaking in the sights of Victoria, make sure your stomach doesnt miss out on the action. Theres a feast for the senses awaiting around every corner, and it would be a shame not to partake in the local gastronomy. With "Culinary Delights: A Foodies Guide to Victorias Best Eats" in hand, youre set to maximize your visit in the most delicious way possible. Just remember, this isnt just about eating (although, what a joy that is!) – its about experiencing Victoria to the fullest. So, go on, indulge a little – your taste buds will thank you!
Staying Connected: Tips for Navigating Victoria with Ease
Ah, Victoria! What a splendid place to explore – its got that perfect blend of nature and history, wouldnt you agree? Victoria botanical garden tours Now, if youre aiming to make the most out of your visit (and who isnt?), Ive got a few tips that might just help you navigate this charming city with ease.
First things first, get yourself an area map – and I dont mean just any old map, but one that details all the nooks and crannies. Victoria wine tours Its a lifesaver, truly. However, dont rely solely on it; sometimes, locals know best! Dont be shy; ask around. Whether its the barista brewing your morning cuppa or the friendly face at the hotel reception, they often have the insider scoop on hidden gems.
Public transport here is a breeze – well, mostly.
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The buses? Theyre reliable, but remember to check the schedule. You dont want to be caught off guard when theyre less frequent on weekends (been there, done that – not fun!). Victoria coastline tours And if youre feeling adventurous, rent a bike! Victorias quite the bike-friendly city, but keep an eye on the weather; you wouldnt want a sudden shower to put a damper on your day.
Heres a tip thats absolutely crucial: dont just stick to the tourist trails.
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Yes, the Butchart Gardens are a sight to behold, and the Royal BC Museum is packed with fascinating exhibits, but theres so much more to see! Take a leisurely stroll down the lesser-known paths; you might stumble upon an enchanting little café or a quaint bookstore thats not plastered all over travel brochures.
And speaking of sightseeing, pace yourself. Its tempting to cram everything into your itinerary, but remember, quality trumps quantity.
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No point in rushing from one spot to another without taking the time to soak in the beauty, right? Take a moment, maybe even jot down what strikes you the most about a place (Oh, and a portable charger for your phone – an absolute must! Youll thank me later when youre snapping away without the fear of a dead battery).
Lastly, embrace the unexpected. Plans might go awry – a missed bus here, a closed attraction there – but hey, thats part of the adventure! Keep your spirits up, and dont let the small stuff get to you. After all, its the spontaneous moments that often make for the best memories.
There you have it, my friend! Victoria fall foliage tours A few pointers to help you navigate Victoria with a tad more confidence. Just remember, the citys there for you to enjoy, so go out there and make every moment count! And who knows, maybe youll find your own special corner in this delightful city that youll just have to come back to. Victoria paranormal toursVictoria architecture tours Happy travels!
Elevation44–119 m (144–390 ft)1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
The White and Blue city keeps a historical center registered in the UNESCO, and is home to the Vieux-Tours, a patrimonial site. The garden city has a green heritage and its urban landscape has been strongly influenced by its natural space. The historic city is nicknamed "Le Petit Paris". The city is a university city with more than 30,000 students in 2019. Tours is a popular culinary city with specialties such as: rillettes, rillons, Touraine vineyards, AOC Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine cheeses and nougats. The city is also the end-point of the annual Paris–Tourscycle race. The region, due to its history and culture, has always been a land of birth or host to many personalities and international sporting events.
A popular folk etymology of the word "Tours" is that it comes from Turonus, the nephew of Brutus. Turonus died in a war between Corineus and the king of Aquitaine, Goffarius Pictus, provoked by Corineus hunting in the king's forests without permission. It is said that Turonus was buried in Tours and the city is founded around his grave.[4]
In Gallic times, Tours was an important crossing point over the Loire. It became part of the Roman Empire during the 1st century AD, and the city was named Caesarodunum ("hill of Caesar"). The name evolved in the 4th century when the original Gallic name, Turones, became Civitas Turonum and then Tours. It was at this time that the Tours Amphitheatre was built.
Tours became a metropolis in the Roman province of Lugdunum towards 380–388 AD, dominating Maine, Brittany, and the Loire Valley. One important figure in the city was Saint Martin of Tours, a bishop who shared his coat with a naked beggar in Amiens. The importance of Martin in the medieval Christian West made Tours, and its position on the route of pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, a major centre during the Middle Ages.
In the 6th century, Gregory of Tours, author of the Ten Books of History, restored a cathedral destroyed by a fire in 561. Saint Martin's monastery benefited from its inception, at the very start of the 6th century from patronage and support from the Frankish king, Clovis I, which increased considerably the influence of the saint, the abbey and the city in Gaul. In the 9th century, Tours was at the heart of the Carolingian Renaissance, in particular because of Alcuin, of York in Northumbria, a renowned book collector and an abbot of Marmoutier Abbey.
In 845, Tours repelled the first attack of the Viking chief Haesten. In 850, the Vikings settled at the mouths of the Seine and the Loire. Still led by Haesten, they went up the Loire again in 852 and sacked Angers, Tours and Marmoutier Abbey.
During the Middle Ages, Tours consisted of two juxtaposed and competing centres. The "City" in the east, successor of the late Roman 'castrum', was composed of the cathedral and palace of the archbishops as well as the castle of Tours. The castle of Tours acted as a seat of the authority of the Counts of Tours (later Counts of Anjou) and the King of France. In the west, the "new city" structured around the Abbey of Saint Martin was freed from the control of the city during the 10th century (an enclosure was built towards 918) and became "Châteauneuf". This space, organized between Saint Martin and the Loire, became the economic centre of Tours. Between these two centres were Varennes, vineyards and fields, little occupied except for the Abbaye Saint-Julien established on the banks of the Loire. The two centres were linked during the 14th century.
Place Plumereau, Medieval buildings
Tours became the capital of the county of Tours or Touraine, a territory bitterly disputed between the counts of Blois and Anjou – the latter were victorious in the 11th century. It was the capital of France at the time of Louis XI, who had settled in the castle of Montils (today the castle of Plessis-les-Tours, at the junction of the Loire and the Indre rivers). Tours and Touraine remained a permanent residence of the kings and court until the 16th century. The Renaissance gave Tours and Touraine many private mansions and castles, joined to some extent under the generic name of the Châteaux of the Loire. It is also at the time of Louis XI that the silk industry was introduced – despite difficulties, the industry still survives to this day.
Charles IX passed through the city at the time of his royal tour of France between 1564 and 1566, accompanied by the Court and various noblemen: his brother the Duke of Anjou, Henri de Navarre, the cardinals of Bourbon and Lorraine. At this time, the Catholics returned to power in Angers: the attendant assumed the right to nominate the aldermen. The Massacre of Saint-Barthelemy was not repeated at Tours. The Protestants were imprisoned by the aldermen – a measure which prevented their extermination. The permanent return of the Court to Paris and then Versailles marked the beginning of a slow but permanent decline. Guillaume the Metayer (1763–1798), known as Rochambeau, the well-known counter-revolutionary chief of Mayenne, was shot in Tours.
The arrival of the railway in the 19th century saved the city by making it an important nodal point. The main railway station is known as Tours-Saint-Pierre-des-Corps. At that time, Tours was expanding towards the south into a district known as the Prébendes. The importance of the city as a centre of communications contributed to its revival and, as the 20th century progressed, Tours became a dynamic conurbation, economically oriented towards the service sector. The city was briefly the de facto capital of France during the Franco-Prussian War playing host to Léon Gambetta and representatives of the Government of National Defence who escaped the then ongoing Siege of Paris.[6]
Tours Cathedral: 15th-century Flamboyant Gothic west front with Renaissance pinnacles, completed 1547.
The city was greatly affected by the First World War. A force of 25,000 American soldiers arrived in 1917, setting up textile factories for the manufacture of uniforms, repair shops for military equipment, munitions dumps, an army post office and an American military hospital at Augustins. Because of this, Tours became a garrison town with a resident general staff. The American presence is remembered today by the Woodrow Wilson Bridge over the Loire, which was officially opened in July 1918 and bears the name of the President of the United States from 1913 to 1921. Three American air force squadrons, including the 492nd, were based at the Parçay-Meslay airfield, their personnel playing an active part in the life of the city. Americans paraded at funerals and award ceremonies for the Croix de Guerre. They also took part in festivals and their YMCA organised shows for the troops. Some men married women from Tours.
In 1920, the city hosted the Congress of Tours, which saw the creation of the French Communist Party. One future consequence of that congress was the presence of Ho Chi Minh, the Vietnamese nationalist, who became one of the first members of the party.
Tours was also marked by the Second World War, as the city suffered massive destruction in 1940. For four years it was a city of military camps and fortifications. From 10 to 13 June 1940, Tours was the temporary seat of the French government before its move to Bordeaux.
German incendiary bombs caused a huge fire, which blazed out of control from 20 to 22 June and destroyed part of the city centre. Some architectural masterpieces of the 16th and 17th centuries were lost, as was the monumental entry to the city. The Wilson Bridge, which carried a water main that supplied the city, was dynamited to slow the progress of the German advance. With the water main severed, nobody could extinguish the inferno. That made inhabitants have no option but to flee to safety. More heavy air raids by Allied forces devastated the area around the railway station in 1944, causing several hundred deaths.
A plan for the rebuilding of the central area drawn up by the local architect Camille Lefèvre had been adopted even before the end of the war. The plan was for 20 small quadrangular blocks of housing to be arranged around the main road (la rue Nationale), which was widened. This regular layout attempted to echo but simplify the 18th-century architecture. Pierre Patout succeeded Lefèvre as the architect in charge of rebuilding in 1945. At one time, there was talk of demolishing the southern side of the rue Nationale to make it in keeping with the new development.
The recent history of Tours is marked by the personality of Jean Royer, who was mayor for 36 years and helped save the old town from demolition by establishing one of the first Conservation Areas. This example of conservation policy would later inspire the Malraux Law for the safeguarding of historic city centres. In the 1970s, Jean Royer also extended the city to the south by diverting the course of the Cher River to create the districts of Rives du Cher and des Fontaines. At the time, it was one of the largest urban developments in Europe. In 1970, the François Rabelais University was founded and centred on the bank of the Loire in the downtown area, not, as was the current practice, in a campus in the suburbs. The latter solution was also chosen by the twin university of Orleans. Royer's long term as mayor was, however, not without controversy, as is exemplified by the construction of the practical but aesthetically unattractive motorway, which runs along the bed of a former canal just 1,500 metres (4,900 feet) from the cathedral. Another bone of contention was the original Vinci Congress Centre by Jean Nouvel. The project incurred debts although it at least made Tours one of France's principal conference centres.
Jean Germain, a member of the Socialist Party, became mayor in 1995 and made debt reduction his priority. Ten years later, his economic management was regarded as much wiser than that of his predecessor because of the financial stability of the city returning. However, his achievements were criticised by the municipal opposition for a lack of ambition. There were no large building projects instituted under his two terms. That position is disputed by those in power, who affirm their policy of concentrating on the quality of life, as evidenced by urban restoration, the development of public transport and cultural activities.
Tours has an oceanic climate that is very mild for such a northern latitude. Summers are influenced by its inland position, resulting in frequent days of 25 °C (77 °F) or warmer, whereas winters are kept mild by Atlantic air masses. The entire valley between Orlans and Angers is famous for the luminosity of its air and for its fabulous châteaux, most of them Renaissance (over 600 between Orlans and Angers).
The Cathedral of Tours, dedicated to Saint Gatien, its canonized first bishop, was begun about 1170 to replace the cathedral that was burnt out in 1166 during the dispute between Louis VII of France and Henry II of England. The lowermost stages of the western towers belong to the 12th century, but the rest of the west end is in the profusely detailed 15th-century Flamboyant Gothic, which were completed just as the Renaissance was affecting the patrons who planned the châteaux of Touraine. The towers were being constructed at the same time as, for example, the Château de Chenonceau.
When the 15th-century illuminator Jean Fouquet was set the task of illuminating Josephus's Jewish Antiquities, his depiction of Solomon's Temple was modelled on the nearly complete cathedral of Tours. The atmosphere of the Gothic cathedral close permeates Honoré de Balzac's dark short novel of jealousy and provincial intrigues, Le Curé de Tours (The Curate of Tours) and his medieval story Maître Cornélius opens in the cathedral itself.
Before the French Revolution, the inhabitants of Tours (Les Tourangeaux) were known for speaking the "purest" form of French in the entire country.[10] The pronunciation of Touraine was traditionally regarded as the most standard pronunciation of the French language, until the 19th century when the standard pronunciation of French shifted to that of the Parisian bourgeoisie.[11] That is explained by the fact that the court of France lived in Touraine between 1430 and 1530. French, the language of the court, had become the official language of the entire kingdom.
A Council of Tours in 813 decided that priests should preach sermons in different languages because the common people could no longer understand classical Latin. This was the first official recognition of an early French language distinct from Latin, and can be considered as the birth of French.
The Ordinance of Montils-lès-Tours, promulgated by Charles VII in 1454, made it mandatory to write laws and oral customs in the native language of the area.
An ordinance of Charles VIII (born in Amboise, near Tours) in 1490 and one of Louis XII (born in Blois, near Tours) in 1510 broaden the scope of the ordinance of Charles VII.
Finally, the Ordinance of Villers-Cotterêts, signed into law by Francis I in 1539, called for the use of French in all legal acts, notarized contracts and official legislation to avoid any linguistic confusion.
Gregory of Tours wrote in the 6th century that some people in the area could still speak Gaulish.
Pont Wilson crosses the river Loire at the old civic core
The city has a population of 140,000 and is called "Le Jardin de la France" ("The Garden of France"). There are several parks located within the city. Tours is located between two rivers, the Loire to the north and the Cher to the south. The buildings of Tours are white with blue slate (called Ardoise) roofs; this style is common in the north of France, while most buildings in the south of France have terracotta roofs.
Tours is famous for its original medieval district, called le Vieux Tours. Unique to the Old City are its preserved half-timbered buildings and la Place Plumereau, a square with busy pubs and restaurants, whose open-air tables fill the centre of the square. The Boulevard Beranger crosses the Rue Nationale at the Place Jean-Jaures and is the location of weekly markets and fairs.
Tours is famous for its many bridges crossing the river Loire. One of them, Wilson Bridge, collapsed in 1978 but was rebuilt.
Giant Cedar tree.
In the garden of the ancient Palais des Archevêques (now Musée des Beaux-Arts) is a huge cedar tree said to have been planted by Napoleon.[12] The garden also has a stuffed elephant named Fritz. He escaped from the Barnum and Bailey circus during their stay in Tours in 1902. He went mad and had to be shot down, but the city paid to honor him, and he was taxidermied as a result.
Tours is home to University of Tours (formerly known as University François Rabelais of Tours), the site of one of the most important choral competitions, called Florilège Vocal de Tours International Choir Competition, and is a member city of the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing.
The population data in the table and graph below refer to the commune of Tours proper, in its geography at the given years. The commune of Tours absorbed the former commune of Saint-Étienne in 1845 and Sainte-Radegonde-en-Touraine and Saint-Symphorien in 1964.[13]
Today, with extensive rail (including TGV) and autoroute connections linking to the rest of the country, Tours is a jumping-off point for tourist visits to the Loire Valley and the royal châteaux.
Tours is on one of the main lines of the TGV. It is possible to travel to the west coast of Bordeaux in an hour and forty minutes. From there, the line follows the Mediterranean coast via Avignon, and then to Spain and Barcelona. There are also lines to Lyon, Strasbourg and Lille. It takes less than one hour by train to get from Tours to Paris by TGV and one and a half hours to get to Charles de Gaulle Airport. Tours has two main stations: Gare de Tours, the central station, and Gare de Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, used by trains that do not terminate in Tours.
There is also a bus service, the main central stop being Jean Jaurès, next to the Hôtel de Ville, and rue Nationale, the high street of Tours. The tram and bus networks are operated by Fil Bleu and they share a ticketing system. A second tram line is scheduled for 2025.[16]
The VenerableLeo Dupont also known as The Holy Man of Tours lived in Tours at about the same time. In 1849 he started the nightly adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, which spread throughout France. Upon hearing of Sister Marie of St Peter's reported visions, he started to burn a vigil lamp continuously before a picture of the Holy Face of Jesus. The devotion was eventually approved by Pope Pius XII in 1958 and he formally declared the Feast of the Holy Face of Jesus as Shrove Tuesday (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday) for all Roman Catholics.[18] The Oratory of the Holy Face on Rue St. Etienne in Tours receives many pilgrims every year.
Tours was the site of the episcopal activity of St. Martin of Tours and has further Christian connotations in that the pivotal Battle of Tours in 732 is often considered the first decisive victory over the invading Islamic forces, turning the tide against them. The battle also helped lay the foundations of the Carolingian Empire.[19]
^The Andalusian History, from the Islamic conquest till the fall of Granada 92–897 A.H. (711–1492 C.E.), by Professor AbdurRahman Ali El-Hajji, a professor of the Islamic history at Baghdad University, published in Dar Al-Qalam, in Damascus, and in Beirut. "Second Edition". p. 194
Tourism is travel for pleasure, and the commercial activity of providing and supporting such travel.[1]UN Tourism defines tourism more generally, in terms which go "beyond the common perception of tourism as being limited to holiday activity only", as people "travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure and not less than 24 hours, business and other purposes".[2] Tourism can be domestic (within the traveller's own country) or international. International tourism has both incoming and outgoing implications on a country's balance of payments.
Between the second half of 2008 and the end of 2009, tourism numbers declined due to a severe economic slowdown (see Great Recession) and the outbreak of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus.[3][4] These numbers, however, recovered until the COVID-19 pandemic put an abrupt end to the growth.[5] The United Nations World Tourism Organization has estimated that global international tourist arrivals might have decreased by 58% to 78% in 2020, leading to a potential loss of US$0.9–1.2 trillion in international tourism receipts.[6]
Globally, international tourism receipts (the travel item in the balance of payments) grew to US$1.03 trillion (€740 billion) in 2005, corresponding to an increase in real terms of 3.8% from 2010.[7] International tourist arrivals surpassed the milestone of 1 billion tourists globally for the first time in 2012.[8] Emerging source markets such as China, Russia, and Brazil had significantly increased their spending over the previous decade.[9]
Global tourism accounts for c. 8% of global greenhouse-gas emissions.[10] Emissions as well as other significant environmental and social impacts are not always beneficial to local communities and their economies. Many tourist development organizations are shifting focus to sustainable tourism to minimize the negative effects of growing tourism. This approach aims to balance economic benefits with environmental and social responsibility. The United Nations World Tourism Organization emphasized these practices by promoting tourism as part of the Sustainable Development Goals, through programs such as the International Year for Sustainable Tourism for Development in 2017.[11]
Tourism has reached new dimensions with the emerging industry of space tourism, as well as the cruise ship industry.
The English-language word tourist was used in 1772[12] and tourism in 1811.[13][14] These words derive from the word tour, which comes from Old Englishturian, from Old French torner, from Latin tornare - "to turn on a lathe", which is itself from Ancient Greektornos (τόρνος) - "lathe".[15]
In 1936, the League of Nations defined a foreign tourist as "someone traveling abroad for at least twenty-four hours". Its successor, the United Nations, amended this definition in 1945, by including a maximum stay of six months.[16]
In 1941, Hunziker and Kraft defined tourism as "the sum of the phenomena and relationships arising from the travel and stay of non-residents, insofar as they do not lead to permanent residence and are not connected with any earning activity."[17][18] In 1976, the Tourism Society of England's definition was: "Tourism is the temporary, short-term movement of people to destinations outside the places where they normally live and work and their activities during the stay at each destination. It includes movements for all purposes."[19] In 1981, the International Association of Scientific Experts in Tourism defined tourism in terms of particular activities chosen and undertaken outside the home.[20]
In 1994, the United Nations identified three forms of tourism in its Recommendations on Tourism Statistics:[21]
Domestic tourism, involving residents of the given country traveling only within this country
Inbound tourism,[22] involving non-residents traveling in the given country
Outbound tourism, involving residents traveling in another country
Other groupings derived from the above grouping:[23]
National tourism, a combination of domestic and outbound tourism
Regional tourism, a combination of domestic and inbound tourism
The terms tourism and travel are sometimes used interchangeably. In this context, travel has a similar definition to tourism but implies a more purposeful journey. The terms tourism and tourist are sometimes used pejoratively, to imply a shallow interest in the cultures or locations visited. By contrast, traveller is often used as a sign of distinction. The sociology of tourism has studied the cultural values underpinning these distinctions and their implications for class relations.[24]
The first sunrise seen from the torii gate on the sea, which is considered a sacred place (Ōarai in Japan)
There are many varieties of tourism. Of those types, there are multiple forms of outdoor-oriented tourism. Outdoor tourism is generally categorized into nature, eco, and adventure tourism (NEAT). These categories share many similarities but also possess definite and unique characteristics. Nature tourism generally encompasses tourism activities that would take place outside. Nature tourism appeals to a large audience of tourists and many may not know they are participating in this form of tourism. This type of tourism has a low barrier to entry and is accessible to a large population. Ecotourism focuses on education, maintaining a social responsibility for the community and the environment, as well as centering economic growth around the local economy. Weaver describes ecotourism as sustainable nature-based tourism.[25] Ecotourism is more specific than nature tourism and works toward accomplishing a specific goal through the outdoors. Finally, we have adventure tourism. Adventure tourism is the most extreme of the categories and includes participation in activities and sports that require a level of skill or experience, risk, and physical exertion.[25] Adventure tourism often appeals less to the general public than nature and ecotourism and tends to draw in individuals who partake in such activities with limited marketing.
It is important to understand that these definitions may vary. Perceived risk in adventure tourism is subjective and may change for each individual.
"a combination of tangible and intangible elements, such as natural, cultural, and man-made resources, attractions, facilities, services and activities around a specific center of interest which represents the core of the destination marketing mix and creates an overall visitor experience including emotional aspects for the potential customers. A tourism product is priced and sold through distribution channels and it has a life-cycle."
A tourist map shows the functional zones of a city.[27] Tourism products cover a wide variety of services including:[28]
Accommodation services from low-cost homestays to five-star hotels
Hospitality services including food and beverage serving centers
International tourism is tourism that crosses national borders. Globalisation has made tourism a popular global leisure activity. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".[29] The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that up to 500,000 people are in flight at any one time.[30]
In 2010, international tourism reached US$919B, growing 6.5% over 2009, corresponding to an increase in real terms of 4.7%.[31] In 2010, there were over 940 million international tourist arrivals worldwide.[32] By 2016 that number had risen to 1,235 million, producing $1.22 trillion USD in destination spending.[33] The COVID-19 crisis had significant negative effects on international tourism significantly slowing the overall increasing trend.
International tourism has significant impacts on the environment, exacerbated in part by the problems created by air travel but also by other issues, including wealthy tourists bringing lifestyles that stress local infrastructure, water and trash systems among others.
Tourism typically requires the tourist to feel engaged in a genuine experience of the location they are visiting. According to Dean MacCannell, tourism requires that the tourist can view the toured area as both authentic and different from their own lived experience.[34][35]: 113 [better source needed] By viewing the "exotic," tourists learn what they themselves are not: that is, they are "un-exotic," or normal.[35][better source needed]
According to MacCannell, all modern tourism experiences the "authentic" and "exotic" as "developmentally inferior" to the modern—that is, to the lived experience of the tourist.[35]: 114 [better source needed]
Travel outside a person's local area for leisure was largely confined to wealthy classes, who at times travelled to distant parts of the world, to see great buildings and works of art, learn new languages, experience new cultures, enjoy pristine nature and to taste different cuisines. As early as Shulgi, however, kings praised themselves for protecting roads and building way stations for travellers.[36] Travelling for pleasure can be seen in Egypt as early on as 1500 BC.[37]Ancient Roman tourists during the Republic would visit spas and coastal resorts such as Baiae. They were popular among the rich. The Roman upper class used to spend their free time on land or at sea and travelled to their villa urbana or villa maritima. Numerous villas were located in Campania, around Rome and in the northern part of the Adriatic as in Barcola near Trieste. Pausanias wrote his Description of Greece in the second century AD. In ancient China, nobles sometimes made a point of visiting Mount Tai and, on occasion, all five Sacred Mountains.
In medieval Italy, Petrarch wrote an allegorical account of his 1336 ascent of Mont Ventoux that praised the act of travelling and criticized frigida incuriositas (a 'cold lack of curiosity'); this account is regarded as one of the first known instances of travel being undertaken for its own sake.[38][39] The Burgundian poet Michault Taillevent [fr] later composed his own horrified recollections of a 1430 trip through the Jura Mountains.[40]
In China, 'travel record literature' (遊記文學; yóujì wénxué) became popular during the Song Dynasty (960–1279).[41] Travel writers such as Fan Chengda (1126–1193) and Xu Xiake (1587–1641) incorporated a wealth of geographical and topographical information into their writing, while the 'daytrip essay' Record of Stone Bell Mountain by the noted poet and statesman Su Shi (1037–1101) presented a philosophical and moral argument as its central purpose. [42]
The custom flourished from about 1660 until the advent of large-scale rail transit in the 1840s and generally followed a standard itinerary. It was an educational opportunity and rite of passage. Though primarily associated with the British nobility and wealthy landed gentry, similar trips were made by wealthy young men of ProtestantNorthern European nations on the Continent, and from the second half of the 18th century some South American, US, and other overseas youth joined in. The tradition was extended to include more of the middle class after rail and steamship travel made the journey easier, and Thomas Cook made the "Cook's Tour" a byword.
The Grand Tour became a status symbol for upper-class students in the 18th and 19th centuries. In this period, Johann Joachim Winckelmann's theories about the supremacy of classic culture became very popular and appreciated in the European academic world. Artists, writers, and travellers (such as Goethe) affirmed the supremacy of classic art of which Italy, France, and Greece provide excellent examples. For these reasons, the Grand Tour's main destinations were to those centers, where upper-class students could find rare examples of classic art and history.
Three hundred years ago, wealthy young Englishmen began taking a post-Oxbridge trek through France and Italy in search of art, culture and the roots of Western civilization. With nearly unlimited funds, aristocratic connections and months (or years) to roam, they commissioned paintings, perfected their language skills and mingled with the upper crust of the Continent.
The primary value of the Grand Tour, it was believed, laid in the exposure both to the cultural legacy of classical antiquity and the Renaissance, and to the aristocratic and fashionably polite society of the European continent.
English postcard of the old town of Alsfeld in Germany, with tourists on the market squareThe Slatina Spa in Slatina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, is famous for its characteristics and had attracted tourists since 1870s.
Leisure travel was associated with the Industrial Revolution in the United Kingdom – the first European country to promote leisure time to the increasing industrial population.[46] Initially, this applied to the owners of the machinery of production, the economic oligarchy, factory owners and traders. These comprised the new middle class.[46]Cox & Kings was the first official travel company to be formed in 1758.[47]
The British origin of this new industry is reflected in many place names. In Nice, France, one of the first and best-established holiday resorts on the French Riviera, the long esplanade along the seafront is known to this day as the Promenade des Anglais; in many other historic resorts in continental Europe, old, well-established palace hotels have names like the Hotel Bristol, Hotel Carlton, or Hotel Majestic – reflecting the dominance of English customers.
A pioneer of the travel agency business, Thomas Cook's idea to offer excursions came to him while waiting for the stagecoach on the London Road at Kibworth. With the opening of the extended Midland Counties Railway, he arranged to take a group of 540 temperance campaigners from LeicesterCampbell Street station to a rally in Loughborough, eleven miles (18 km) away. On 5 July 1841, Thomas Cook arranged for the rail company to charge one shilling per person; this included rail tickets and food for the journey. Cook was paid a share of the fares charged to the passengers, as the railway tickets, being legal contracts between company and passenger, could not have been issued at his own price.[clarification needed] This was the first privately chartered excursion train to be advertised to the general public; Cook himself acknowledged that there had been previous, unadvertised, private excursion trains.[48] During the following three summers he planned and conducted outings for temperance societies and Sunday school children. In 1844, the Midland Counties Railway Company agreed to make a permanent arrangement with him, provided he found the passengers. This success led him to start his own business running rail excursions for pleasure, taking a percentage of the railway fares.[49]
In 1855, he planned his first excursion abroad, when he took a group from Leicester to Calais to coincide with the Paris Exhibition. The following year he started his "grand circular tours" of Europe.[50] During the 1860s he took parties to Switzerland, Italy, Egypt, and the United States. Cook established "inclusive independent travel", whereby the traveller went independently but his agency charged for travel, food, and accommodation for a fixed period over any chosen route. Such was his success that the Scottish railway companies withdrew their support between 1862 and 1863 to try the excursion business for themselves.
Le charmeur de serpents by Jean-Léon Gérôme (c. 1879).La Toilette au Harem by Gaspard de Toursky, 20th century.
Although tourism is more often associated with cultural appreciation and leisure, it is also directly connected with power dynamics, cultural representations, and conflicts.[51] As a matter of fact, tourism developed alongside violent colonial domination in many regions of the world.[52] Colonial authorities often developed transportation infrastructure that facilitated the growth of tourism, while simultaneously promoting racialized and demeaning representations of native populations.[53]
The violence of the colonial powers was justified by labelling European culture as superior and civilized, while labeling others as inferior, uncivilized and in-need of domestication.[54] European people often depicted non-European peoples and cultures as fundamentally different and inferior, establishing hierarchical representations of societies in various kinds of media such as academic books, travel journals, and travel guidebooks.[55][56][57] By portraying colonized societies as inferior on the hierarchy of cultural value, they "othered" these populations.[58] The concept of "othering" refers to the representation of individuals and cultures in a way that simultaneously romanticizes and devalues them, with the goal of establishing dominance.[59] "Othering" also refers to representing peoples while ignoring their own self-representations.[60]
Cook's Oriental Travellers Gazette, 1892.
In the 19th century, in order to foster the development of tourism in the colonies, touristic enterprises used tourist media to present them as attractive destinations for European travelers.[61] Consequently, tourism media not only promoted the colonies as touristic destinations and helped shape popular conceptions about them, but also helped consolidate ideas of Western cultural superiority.[62][63] One notable example is Thomas Cook's travel enterprise established in the United Kingdom in 1841 and his travel newspaper called “The Excursionist”.[64][65]Thomas Cook enterprise promoted touristic excursions and package tours all over the world. In the case of the tour to Egypt, Thomas Cook & Son’s promotional materials aimed to portray it as an “out-of-the-ordinary”, wild, yet safe and domesticated destination, appealing to European tourists’ desire for both familiarity and adventure.[66]Thomas Cook & Son collaboration with the British Empire during the occupation of Egypt facilitated European access to the Middle East through the construction of transportation networks such as steamships on the River Nile.[67][68] At the same time, it reinforced Eurocentric and imperial politics.[69][70]
These narratives, as reflected in travel guidebooks present in the Orientalist collection, often reveal more about the symbolic authority of European powers over colonized regions than they do about the actual cultures depicted.[71] The process of othering and categorizing societies into simplistic binary oppositions—such as civilized/primitive and superior/inferior — contributes to the perpetuation of imperialist ideologies because it silences the voices of local communities and obscures their cultural complexity.[72]
Prior to the Civil Rights Act, Black travellers encountered specific challenges when travelling within the United States.[74]Jim Crow legislation enforced racial segregation in numerous public spaces, including public transport, accommodation, and tourist sites in general.[75][74]
The Negro Motorist Green Book was a travel guide published from 1936 to 1967 by Victor and Alma Duke Green. It was aimed at Black travellers in the United States during the era of segregation and listed places where Black travellers were welcome.[76] Several major companies collaborated with the Green Book. For instance, the Esso Standard Oil Company placed advertisements in the Green Book and sold it at their nationwide gas stations.[76]
The tourism industry, as part of the service sector,[77] has become an important source of income for many regions and even for entire countries. The Manila Declaration on World Tourism of 1980 recognized its importance as "an activity essential to the life of nations because of its direct effects on the social, cultural, educational, and economic sectors of national societies, and on their international relations."[2][78]
Tourism brings large amounts of income into a local economy in the form of payment for goods and services needed by tourists, accounting as of 2011[update] for 30% of the world's trade in services, and, as an invisible export, for 6% of overall exports of goods and services.[7] It also generates opportunities for employment in the service sector of the economy associated with tourism.[79] It is also claimed that travel broadens the mind.[80][81]
On the flip-side, tourism can degrade people[82] and sour relationships between host and guest.[83] Tourism frequently also puts additional pressure on the local environment.[84]
The economic foundations of tourism are essentially the cultural assets, the cultural property and the nature of the travel location. The World Heritage Sites are particularly worth mentioning today because they are real tourism magnets. But even a country's current or former form of government can be decisive for tourism. For example, the fascination of the British royal family brings millions of tourists to Great Britain every year and thus the economy around £550 million a year. The Habsburg family can be mentioned in Central Europe. According to estimates, the Habsburg brand should generate tourism sales of 60 million euros per year for Vienna alone. The tourist principle "Habsburg sells" applies.[85][86]
Cultural and natural heritage are in many cases the absolute basis for worldwide tourism. Cultural tourism is one of the mega-trends that is reflected in massive numbers of overnight stays and sales. As UNESCO is increasingly observing, the cultural heritage is needed for tourism, but also endangered by it. The "ICOMOS - International Cultural Tourism Charter" from 1999 is already dealing with all of these problems. As a result of the tourist hazard, for example, the Lascaux cave was rebuilt for tourists. Overtourism is an important buzzword in this area. Furthermore, the focus of UNESCO in war zones is to ensure the protection of cultural heritage in order to maintain this future important economic basis for the local population. And there is intensive cooperation between UNESCO, the United Nations, the United Nations peacekeeping and Blue Shield International. There are extensive international and national considerations, studies and programs to protect cultural assets from the effects of tourism and those from war. In particular, it is also about training civilian and military personnel. But the involvement of the locals is particularly important. The founding president of Blue Shield International Karl von Habsburg summed it up with the words: "Without the local community and without the local participants, that would be completely impossible'.[87][88][89][90]
Tourists at the Mediterranean Coast of Barcelona 2007
Mass tourism and its tourist attractions have emerged as among the most iconic demonstration of western consumer societies.[93] Academics have defined mass tourism as travel by groups on pre-scheduled tours, usually under the organization of tourism professionals. This form of tourism developed during the second half of the 19th century in the United Kingdom and was pioneered by Thomas Cook. Cook took advantage of Europe's rapidly expanding railway network and established a company that offered affordable day trip excursions to the masses, in addition to longer holidays to Continental Europe, India, Asia and the Western Hemisphere which attracted wealthier customers. By the 1890s over 20,000 tourists per year used Thomas Cook & Son.
The relationship between tourism companies, transportation operators and hotels is a central feature of mass tourism. Cook was able to offer prices that were below the publicly advertised price because his company purchased large numbers of tickets from railroads. One contemporary form of mass tourism, package tourism, still incorporates the partnership between these three groups.
Travel developed during the early 20th century and was facilitated by the development of the automobiles and later by airplanes. Improvements in transport allowed many people to travel quickly to places of leisure interest so that more people could begin to enjoy the benefits of leisure time.
By the mid-20th century, the Mediterranean Coast became the principal mass tourism destination. The 1960s and 1970s saw mass tourism play a major role in the Spanish economic "miracle".[94]
In the 1960s and 1970s, scientists discussed negative socio-cultural impacts of tourism on host communities. Since the 1980s the positive aspects of tourism began to be recognized as well.[95]
In more recent times, mass tourism is something which has become a negative experience for local residents of cities and destinations that experience heavy tourism, especially in summer months. In July 2024 for example, protests by local residents in Barcelona, Spain were held in the city, where ″thousands of people joined an anti-tourism protest amid rising housing costs.″[96]
Niche tourism refers to the specialty forms of tourism that have emerged over the years, each with its own adjective. Many of these terms have come into common use by the tourism industry and academics.[97] Others are emerging concepts that may or may not gain popular usage. Examples of the more common niche tourism markets are:
Other terms used for niche or specialty travel forms include the term "destination" in the descriptions, such as destination weddings, and terms such as location vacation.
St. Moritz, Switzerland became the cradle of the developing winter tourism in the 1860s: hotel manager Johannes Badrutt invited some summer guests from England to return in the winter to see the snowy landscape, thereby inaugurating a popular trend.[99][100] It was, however, only in the 1970s when winter tourism took over the lead from summer tourism in many of the Swiss ski resorts. Even in winter, up to one third of all guests (depending on the location) consist of non-skiers.[101]
There has been an up-trend in tourism over the last few decades,[vague] especially in Europe, where international travel for short breaks is common. Tourists have a wide range of budgets and tastes, and a wide variety of resorts and hotels have developed to cater for them. For example, some people prefer simple beach vacations, while others want more specialized holidays, quieter resorts, family-oriented holidays, or niche market-targeted destination hotels.
The developments in air transport infrastructure, such as jumbo jets, low-cost airlines, and more accessibleairports have made many types of tourism more affordable. A major factor in the relatively low cost of air travel is the tax exemption for aviation fuels. The WHO estimated in 2009 that there are around half a million people on board aircraft at any given time.[30] There have also been changes in lifestyle, for example, some retirement-age people sustain year-round tourism. This is facilitated by internet sales of tourist services. Some sites have now started to offer dynamic packaging, in which an inclusive price is quoted for a tailor-made package requested by the customer upon impulse.
Individual low-price or even zero-price overnight stays have become more popular in the 2000s, especially with a strong growth in the hostel market and services like CouchSurfing and airbnb being established.[103] There has also been examples of jurisdictions wherein a significant portion of GDP is being spent on altering the primary sources of revenue towards tourism, as has occurred for instance in Dubai.[104]
A canopy walkway at Kakum National Park in Ghana, ensuring that tourists have least direct impact on the surrounding ecology. The visitor park received the Global Tourism for Tomorrow Award in 1998.
Sustainable tourism is a concept that covers the complete tourism experience, including concern for economic, social, and environmental issues as well as attention to improving tourists' experiences and addressing the needs of host communities.[105] Sustainable tourism should embrace concerns for environmental protection, social equity, and the quality of life, cultural diversity, and a dynamic, viable economy delivering jobs and prosperity for all.[106] It has its roots in sustainable development and there can be some confusion as to what "sustainable tourism" means.[107]: 23 There is now broad consensus that tourism should be sustainable.[108][109] In fact, all forms of tourism have the potential to be sustainable if planned, developed and managed properly.[107] Tourist development organizations are promoting sustainable tourism practices in order to mitigate negative effects caused by the growing impact of tourism, for example its environmental impacts.
The United Nations World Tourism Organization emphasized these practices by promoting sustainable tourism as part of the Sustainable Development Goals, through programs like the International Year for Sustainable Tourism for Development in 2017.[110] There is a direct link between sustainable tourism and several of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).[107]: 26 Tourism for SDGs focuses on how SDG 8 ("decent work and economic growth"), SDG 12 ("responsible consumption and production") and SDG 14 ("life below water") implicate tourism in creating a sustainable economy.[111] According to the World Travel & Tourism Travel, tourism constituted "10.3 percent to the global gross domestic product, with international tourist arrivals hitting 1.5 billion marks (a growth of 3.5 percent) in 2019" and generated $1.7 trillion export earnings yet, improvements are expected to be gained from suitable management aspects and including sustainable tourism as part of a broader sustainable development strategy.[112]
Ecotourism, also known as ecological tourism, is responsible travel to fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas that strives to be low-impact and (often) small-scale. It helps educate the traveller; provides funds for conservation; directly benefits the economic development and political empowerment of local communities, and fosters respect for different cultures and for human rights. Take only memories and leave only footprints is a very common slogan in protected areas.[113] Tourist destinations are shifting to low carbon emissions following the trend of visitors more focused in being environmentally responsible adopting a sustainable behavior.[114]
Volunteer tourism (or voluntourism) is growing as a largely Western phenomenon, with volunteers travelling to aid those less fortunate than themselves in order to counter global inequalities. Wearing (2001) defines volunteer tourism as applying "to those tourists who, for various reasons, volunteer in an organised way to undertake holidays that might involve aiding or alleviating the material poverty of some groups in society".[115] VSO was founded in the UK in 1958 and the US Peace Corps was subsequently founded in 1960. These were the first large scale voluntary sending organisations, initially arising to modernise less economically developed countries, which it was hoped would curb the influence of communism.[116]
This form of tourism is largely praised for its more sustainable approach to travel, with tourists attempting to assimilate into local cultures, and avoiding the criticisms of consumptive and exploitative mass tourism.[117] However, increasingly, voluntourism is being criticised by scholars who suggest it may have negative effects as it begins to undermine local labour, and force unwilling host communities to adopt Western initiatives,[118] while host communities without a strong heritage fail to retain volunteers who become dissatisfied with experiences and volunteer shortages persist.[119] Increasingly, organisations such as VSO have been concerned with community-centric volunteer programmes where power to control the future of the community is in the hands of local people.[120]
Pro-poor tourism, which seeks to help the poorest people in developing countries, has been receiving increasing attention by those involved in development; the issue has been addressed through small-scale projects in local communities and through attempts by Ministries of Tourism to attract large numbers of tourists.[121] Research by the Overseas Development Institute suggests that neither is the best way to encourage tourists' money to reach the poorest as only 25% or less (far less in some cases) ever reaches the poor; successful examples of money reaching the poor include mountain-climbing in Tanzania and cultural tourism in Luang Prabang, Laos.[122] There is also the possibility of pro-poor tourism principles being adopted in centre sites of regeneration in the developed world.[123]
Recession tourism is a travel trend which evolved by way of the world economic crisis. Recession tourism is defined by low-cost and high-value experiences taking place at once-popular generic retreats. Various recession tourism hotspots have seen business boom during the recession thanks to comparatively low costs of living and a slow world job market suggesting travellers are elongating trips where their money travels further. This concept is not widely used in tourism research. It is related to the short-lived phenomenon that is more widely known as staycation. In general, studies have primarily focused on the short-term effects of the crisis on tourism demand, often overlooking the long-term implications for the competitive positioning of the impacted destinations.[124]
When there is a significant price difference between countries for a given medical procedure, particularly in Southeast Asia, India, Sri Lanka, Eastern Europe, Cuba[125] and Canada[126] where there are different regulatory regimes, in relation to particular medical procedures (e.g. dentistry), travelling to take advantage of the price or regulatory differences is often referred to as "medical tourism".
Educational tourism is developed because of the growing popularity of teaching and learning of knowledge and the enhancing of technical competency outside of the classroom environment. Brent W. Ritchie, publisher of Managing Educational Tourism, created a study of a geographic subdivision to demonstrate how tourism educated high school students participating in foreign exchange programs over the last 15 years.[127] In educational tourism, the main focus of the tour or leisure activity includes visiting another country to learn about the culture, study tours, or to work and apply skills learned inside the classroom in a different environment, such as in the International Practicum Training Program.[128] In 2018, one impact was many exchange students traveled to America to assist students financially in order to maintain their secondary education.[129]
This type of tourism is focused on tourists coming into a region to either participate in an event or to see an organized event put on by the city/region.[130] This type of tourism can also fall under sustainable tourism as well and companies that create a sustainable event to attend open up a chance to not only the consumer but their workers to learn and develop from the experience. Creating a sustainable atmosphere creates a chance to inform and encourage sustainable practices. An example of event tourism would be the music festival South by Southwest that is hosted in Austin, Texas annually. Every year people from all over the world flock to the city for one week to sit in on technology talks and see bands perform. People are drawn here to experience something that they are not able to experience in their hometown, which defines event tourism.
Creative tourism has existed as a form of cultural tourism, since the early beginnings of tourism itself. Its European roots date back to the time of the Grand Tour, which saw the sons of aristocratic families travelling for the purpose of mostly interactive, educational experiences. More recently, creative tourism has been given its own name by Crispin Raymond and Greg Richards,[131] who as members of the Association for Tourism and Leisure Education (ATLAS), have directed a number of projects for the European Commission, including cultural and crafts tourism, known as sustainable tourism. They have defined "creative tourism" as tourism related to the active participation of travellers in the culture of the host community, through interactive workshops and informal learning experiences.[131]
Meanwhile, the concept of creative tourism has been picked up by high-profile organizations such as UNESCO, who through the Creative Cities Network, have endorsed creative tourism as an engaged, authentic experience that promotes an active understanding of the specific cultural features of a place. UNESCO wrote in one of its documents: "'Creative Tourism' involves more interaction, in which the visitor has an educational, emotional, social, and participative interaction with the place, its living culture, and the people who live there. They feel like a citizen."[132] Saying so, the tourist will have the opportunity to take part in workshops, classes and activities related to the culture of the destination.
More recently, creative tourism has gained popularity as a form of cultural tourism, drawing on active participation by travellers in the culture of the host communities they visit. Several countries offer examples of this type of tourism development, including the United Kingdom, Austria, France, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Spain, Italy, New Zealand and South Korea.[133][134]
The growing interest of tourists[135] in this new way to discover a culture regards particularly the operators and branding managers, attentive to the possibility of attracting a quality tourism, highlighting the intangible heritage (craft workshops, cooking classes, etc.) and optimizing the use of existing infrastructure (for example, through the rent of halls and auditoriums).
Experiential travel (or "immersion travel") is one of the major market trends in the modern tourism industry. It is an approach to travelling which focuses on experiencing a country, city or particular place by connecting to its history, people, food and culture.[136]
The term "experiential travel" has been mentioned in publications since 1985,[137] but it was not discovered as a meaningful market trend until much later.
One emerging area of special interest has been identified by Lennon and Foley (2000)[138][139] as "dark" tourism. This type of tourism involves visits to "dark" sites, such as battlegrounds, scenes of horrific crimes or acts of genocide, for example concentration camps. Its origins are rooted in fairgrounds and medieval fairs.[140]
Social tourism is making tourism available to poor people who otherwise could not afford to travel for their education or recreation. It includes youth hostels and low-priced holiday accommodation run by church and voluntary organisations, trade unions, or in Communist times publicly owned enterprises. In May 1959, at the second Congress of Social Tourism in Austria, Walter Hunziker proposed the following definition: "Social tourism is a type of tourism practiced by low-income groups, and which is rendered possible and facilitated by entirely separate and therefore easily recognizable services".[141]
Also known as "tourism of doom," or "last chance tourism", involves travelling to places that are environmentally or otherwise threatened (such as the ice caps of Mount Kilimanjaro, the melting glaciers of Patagonia, or the coral of the Great Barrier Reef) before it is too late. The trend emerged in the 21st century, identified in 2007 by travel trade magazine in 2007[142] and explored in The New York Times,[143] This type of tourism has been on the rise. Some see the trend as related to sustainable tourism or ecotourism due to the fact that a number of these tourist destinations are considered threatened by environmental factors such as global warming, overpopulation or climate change. Others worry that travel to many of these threatened locations increases an individual's carbon footprint and only hastens problems threatened locations are already facing.[144][145][146] As of 2024, climate change has been making Last Chance Tourism more popular, and riskier. In August 2024, an American was killed visiting an ice cave at the foot of the Breidamerkurjokull glacier.[147]
St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, the papal enclave within the Italian city of Rome, one of the largest religious tourism sites in the world
Religious tourism, in particular pilgrimage, can serve to strengthen faith and to demonstrate devotion.[148] Religious tourists may seek destinations whose image encourages them to believe that they can strengthen the religious elements of their self-identity in a positive manner. Given this, the perceived image of a destination may be positively influenced by whether it conforms to the requirements of their religious self-identity or not.[149]
DNA tourism, also called "ancestry tourism" or "heritage travel", is tourism based on DNA testing. These tourists visit their remote relatives or places where their ancestors came from, or where their relatives reside, based on the results of DNA tests. DNA tourism became a growing trend in 2019.[150][151]
Sleep tourism focuses on medical treatments or other approaches, and may focus on people who have difficulty falling asleep, people who experience interrupted sleep, people who don't feel rested after sleeping, snoring, breathing difficulties, and dreaming.[152]
Tourism has a significant impact on destinations, influencing their economy, culture, environment, and communities. Tourism positively affects many parties in society but can also be detrimental in certain situations.
In general, tourism positively affects the economy of its destination. The purchasing of commodities, and the usage of hotels and transport by tourists all contribute to economic activity within the country.
The sociocultural impacts of tourism are less straightforward, bringing both benefits and challenges to the destination. The interactions between tourists and locals foster a cultural exchange, particularly exposing tourists to a different culture through direct interactions and overall immersion. However, differing expectations in the societal and moral values of the tourists and those from the host location can cause friction between the two parties.
While tourism may have positive impacts environmentally, through an increase in awareness of certain environmental issues, tourism overall negatively impacts the environment. Tourist destinations and attractions located in the wild may neglect environmental concerns to satisfy the demands of tourists, creating issues such as pollution and deforestation.
Tourism also has positive and negative health outcomes for local people.[153] The short-term negative impacts of tourism on residents' health are related to the density of tourist arrivals, the risk of disease transmission, road accidents, higher crimelevels, as well as traffic congestion, crowding, and other stressful factors.[154] In addition, residents can experience anxiety and depression related to their risk perceptions about mortality rates, food insecurity, contact with infected tourists, etc.[155] At the same time, there are positive long-term impacts of tourism on residents' health and well-being outcomes through improving healthcare access, positive emotions, novelty, and social interactions.
In 2004 the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) forecasts that international tourism will continue growing at the average annual rate of 4 percent.[156] With the advent of e-commerce, tourism products have become prominent traded items on the internet.[157][158] Tourism products and services have been made available through intermediaries, although tourism providers (hotels, airlines, etc.), including small-scale operators, can sell their services directly.[159][160]
As a result of the late-2000s recession, international arrivals experienced a strong slowdown beginning in June 2008. Growth from 2007 to 2008 was only 3.7 percent during the first eight months of 2008. This slowdown on international tourism demand was also reflected in the air transport industry, with negative growth in September 2008 and a 3.3% growth in passenger traffic through September. The hotel industry also reported a slowdown, with room occupancy declining. In 2009 worldwide tourism arrivals decreased by 3.8 percent.[161] By the first quarter of 2009, real travel demand in the United States had fallen 6 percent over six quarters. While this was considerably milder than what occurred after the September 11 attacks, the decline was at twice the rate, as real GDP has fallen.[162][163] However, evidence suggests that tourism as a global phenomenon shows no signs of substantially abating in the long term.[164] The UNWTO has noted, that tourists increasingly view vacations and travel as a necessity rather than a luxury, and that this shift in attitudes may explain tourist numbers recovering globally in 2009.[161]
It has been suggested there is a strong correlation between tourism expenditure per capita and the degree to which countries play in the global context.[165] Not only as a result of the important economic contribution of the tourism industry, but also as an indicator of the degree of confidence with which global citizens leverage the resources of the globe for the benefit of their local economies. This is why any projections of growth in tourism may serve as an indication of the relative influence that each country will exercise in the future.
After the September 11 attacks the tourism industry operators had to consider the health and safety of tourists because it became increasingly difficult to obtain liability insurance. The organisations willing to provide insurance to tourism industry operators required, that operators put in place best practice risk management structures. This included, that whatever was promised in the contract about the holiday was really delivered by the operator.[166]
There has been a limited amount of orbital space tourism, with only the Russian Space Agency providing transport to date. A 2010 report into space tourism anticipated that it could become a billion-dollar market by 2030.[167][168] The space market has been around since 1979, however, there has been a limited amount of orbital space tourism, with only the Russian Space Agency providing transport on its Soyuz and the Chinese Shenzhou being the only two spacecrafts suitable for human travel . In April 2001, Dennis Tito, a customer of the Russian Soyuz became the first tourist to visit space. In May 2011, Virgin Galactic launched its SpaceShipTwo plane that allows people to travel 2 hours space at the advertised price of $200,000 per seat. A challenge that the commercial space tourism industry faces is to be able to have fundings from private investments needed to lower the cost of access to space in addition to being able to encourage both private and public sector support to increase capacity to allow commercial passengers. With space tourism still being new concept, there are many factors that needs to be considered for the industry. From its actual demand to its risk factor to its liabilities and insurance issues, there are still a lot of research that needs to be conducted. A 2010 report into space tourism anticipated that the industry is expected to grow by 18% - 26% per year during 2020 to 2030.
Sports tourism that attracts spectators is associated with negative impacts such as traffic congestion, vandalism, and anti-social behaviour. Sports tourist destinations may therefore be subject public displays of resentment and antagonism even though the host community benefits substantially. Sports tourism growth and decline can be subject to international commercial sporting events. For example, the irreversible environmental damage caused by the 1992 Winter Olympics is cited as a reason for stagnating ski tourism.[169]
Security in Tourism is a sub-discipline of tourist studies that explores the factors that affect the ontological security of tourists. Risks are evaluated by their impact and nature.[170] Tourism security includes methodologies, theories and techniques oriented to protect the organic image of tourist destinations.[171] Three academic waves are significant in tourism security: risk perception theory, disaster management, and post-disaster consumption.[172]
Andrew Spencer & Peter Tarlow argue that tourism security is not an easy concept to define. It includes a set of sub-disciplines, and global risks different in nature which cause different effects in the tourism industry. The rise of tourism security and safety as a consolidated discipline coincides with the globalization and ultimate maturation of the industry worldwide. Some threats include, for example, terrorist groups looking to destabilize governments affecting not only the local economies but killing foreign tourists to cause geopolitical tensions between delivery-country and receiving-tourist countries. Today, island destinations are more affected by terrorism and other global risks than other continent destinations [173][174]
In 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic travel bans and a substantial reduction in passenger travel by air and sea contributed to a sharp decline in tourism activity.[175] The World Tourism Organization (WTO) reported a 70% decrease in international travel in 2020, where 165 of 217 worldwide destinations completely stopped international tourism by April 2020. Since every country imposes different travel restrictions, it makes traveling plans complicated and often too difficult to figure out, thus the willingness to travel for the general population decreases. It is estimated that the United States lost 147 billion U.S. dollars in revenue from tourism between January and October 2020. Spain had the next highest loss of revenue at around 46.7 billion U.S dollars, and countries in Africa collectively lost about 55 billion dollars during April and June 2020.[citation needed]
Snorkeling – Swimming while inhaling through a snorkel
Terminal tourism – tourism around visits to internal facilities in domestic and international airports and access to shopping, restaurants, aircraft spotting and accompanying traveling family membersPages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback
^Lenzen, Manfred; Sun, Ya-Yen; Faturay, Futu; Ting, Yuan-Peng; Geschke, Arne; Malik, Arunima (7 May 2018). "The carbon footprint of global tourism". Nature Climate Change. 8 (6). Springer Nature Limited: 522–528. Bibcode:2018NatCC...8..522L. doi:10.1038/s41558-018-0141-x. ISSN1758-6798. S2CID90810502. [...] between 2009 and 2013, tourism's global carbon footprint has increased from 3.9 to 4.5 GtCO2e, four times more than previously estimated, accounting for about 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Transport, shopping and food are significant contributors. The majority of this footprint is exerted by and in high-income countries.
^Hunziker, W; Krapf, K (1942). Grundriß Der Allgemeinen Fremdenverkehrslehre (in German). Zurich: Polygr. Verl. OCLC180109383.
^Spode, Hasso (1998). "Geschichte der Tourismuswissenschaft". In Haedrich, Günther (ed.). Tourismus-management: Tourismus-marketing Und Fremdenverkehrsplanung (in German). Berlin: [u.a.] de Gruyter. ISBN978-3-11-015185-5. OCLC243881885.
^Beaver, Allan (2002). A Dictionary of Travel and Tourism Terminology. Wallingford: CAB International. p. 313. ISBN978-0-85199-582-3. OCLC301675778.
^"2011 Highlights"(PDF). UNWTO World Tourism Highlights. UNWTO. June 2011. Archived from the original(PDF) on 13 January 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
^Casson, Lionel (1994). Travel in the Ancient World. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 32.
^Cassirer, Ernst (January 1943). "Some Remarks on the Question of the Originality of the Renaissance". Journal of the History of Ideas. 4 (1). University of Pennsylvania Press: 49–74. doi:10.2307/2707236. ISSN0022-5037. JSTOR2707236.
^Hargett, James M. (1985). "Some Preliminary Remarks on the Travel Records of the Song Dynasty (960-1279)". Chinese Literature: Essays, Articles, Reviews. 7 (1/2): 67–93. doi:10.2307/495194. JSTOR495194.
^ abTomasz Bohun, Podróże po Europie, Władysław IV Wasa, Władcy Polski, p. 12
^The Oxford Illustrated History of Opera, ed. Roger Parker (1994): a chapter on Central and Eastern European opera by John Warrack, p. 240; The Viking Opera Guide, ed. Amanda Holden (1993): articles on Polish composers, p. 174
^Hunter, F. Robert (2004). "Tourism and Empire: The Thomas Cook & Son Enterprise on the Nile, 1868–1914". Middle Eastern Studies. 40 (5): 28. doi:10.1080/0026320042000265666.
^Baranowski, Shelley; Endy, Christopher; Hazbun, Waleed; Hom, Stephanie M.; Pirie, Gordon; Simmons, Tony; Zuelow, Eric G. E. (2015). "Tourism and Empire". Journal of Tourism History. 7 (1–2): 101. doi:10.1080/1755182X.2015.1063709.
^Hunter, F. Robert (2004). "Tourism and Empire: The Thomas Cook & Son Enterprise on the Nile, 1868–1914". Middle Eastern Studies. 40 (5): 28–29. doi:10.1080/0026320042000265666.
^Hunter, F. Robert (2004). "Tourism and Empire: The Thomas Cook & Son Enterprise on the Nile, 1868–1914". Middle Eastern Studies. 40 (5): 29. doi:10.1080/0026320042000265666.
^Zuelow, Eric G. E. (2016). "Chapter 5. Guidebooks and the importance of seeing the sights". A History of Modern Tourism. London: Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 76–90. ISBN9780230369641.
^MacKenzie, John M. (2005). "Chapter 1. Empires of Travel: British Guide Books and Cultural Imperialism in the 19th and 20th Centuries". In John K. Walton (ed.). Histories of Tourism: Representation, Identity and Conflict. Bristol, Blue Ridge Summit: Channel View Publications. p. 31. doi:10.21832/9781845410339-003.
^Said, Edward W. (1979). Orientalism. New York: Vintage Books. p. 20. ISBN9780394740676.
^Said, Edward W. (1979). Orientalism. New York: Vintage Books. p. 20. ISBN9780394740676.
^Said, Edward W. (1979). Orientalism. New York: Vintage Books. p. 20. ISBN9780394740676.
^Said, Edward W. (1979). Orientalism. New York: Vintage Books. p. 20. ISBN9780394740676.
^MacKenzie, John M. (2005). "Chapter 1. Empires of Travel: British Guide Books and Cultural Imperialism in the 19th and 20th Centuries". In John K. Walton (ed.). Histories of Tourism: Representation, Identity and Conflict. Bristol, Blue Ridge Summit: Channel View Publications. p. 31. doi:10.21832/9781845410339-003.
^Hunter, F. Robert (2004). "Tourism and Empire: The Thomas Cook & Son Enterprise on the Nile, 1868–1914". Middle Eastern Studies. 40 (5): 28–29. doi:10.1080/0026320042000265666.
^MacKenzie, John M. (2005). "Chapter 1. Empires of Travel: British Guide Books and Cultural Imperialism in the 19th and 20th Centuries". In John K. Walton (ed.). Histories of Tourism: Representation, Identity and Conflict. Bristol, Blue Ridge Summit: Channel View Publications. p. 21. doi:10.21832/9781845410339-003.
^Hunter, F. Robert (2004). "Tourism and Empire: The Thomas Cook & Son Enterprise on the Nile, 1868–1914". Middle Eastern Studies. 40 (5): 30. doi:10.1080/0026320042000265666.
^Zuelow, Eric G. E. (2016). "Chapter 5". A History of Modern Tourism. London: Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 76–90. ISBN9780230369641.
^MacKenzie, John M. (2005). "Chapter 1. Empires of Travel: British Guide Books and Cultural Imperialism in the 19th and 20th Centuries". In John K. Walton (ed.). Histories of Tourism: Representation, Identity and Conflict. Bristol, Blue Ridge Summit: Channel View Publications. p. 20. doi:10.21832/9781845410339-003.
^Hunter, F. Robert (2004). "Tourism and Empire: The Thomas Cook & Son Enterprise on the Nile, 1868–1914". Middle Eastern Studies. 40 (5): 31–32. doi:10.1080/0026320042000265666.
^Baranowski, Shelley; Endy, Christopher; Hazbun, Waleed; Hom, Stephanie M.; Pirie, Gordon; Simmons, Tony; Zuelow, Eric G. E. (2015). "Tourism and Empire". Journal of Tourism History. 7 (1–2): 101. doi:10.1080/1755182X.2015.1063709.
^MacKenzie, John M. (2005). "Chapter 1. Empires of Travel: British Guide Books and Cultural Imperialism in the 19th and 20th Centuries". In John K. Walton (ed.). Histories of Tourism: Representation, Identity and Conflict. Bristol, Blue Ridge Summit: Channel View Publications. p. 25. doi:10.21832/9781845410339-003.
^Baranowski, Shelley; Endy, Christopher; Hazbun, Waleed; Hom, Stephanie M.; Pirie, Gordon; Simmons, Tony; Zuelow, Eric G. E. (2015). "Tourism and Empire". Journal of Tourism History. 7 (1–2): 101. doi:10.1080/1755182X.2015.1063709.
^Said, Edward W. (1979). Orientalism. New York: Vintage Books. p. 6. ISBN9780394740676.
^Said, Edward W. (1979). Orientalism. New York: Vintage Books. p. 33. ISBN9780394740676.
^Zuelow, Eric (2016). A History of Modern Tourism. Palgrave. pp. 149–164. ISBN978-0-230-36965-8.
^ abZuelow, Eric (2016). A History of Modern Tourism. Palgrave. p. 171. ISBN978-0-230-36965-8.
^Jackson, Antoinette T. (2020). Heritage, Tourism, and Race: The Other Side of Leisure. Taylor & Francis. p. 12. ISBN978-1-00-004806-3.
^Tassiopoulos, Dimitri (2008). Tassiopoulos, Dimitri (ed.). New Tourism Ventures: An Entrepreneurial and Managerial Approach. Cape Town: Juta and Company Ltd. p. 10. ISBN9780702177262.
^Rebanks, James (2019). "James Rebanks: One shepherd and his beloved Herdwick sheep". bbc.co.uk. "People think travel broadens the mind, I'm not so sure. I think a focus on, and love of, one place can make people rather sensible, decent, and wise' —James Rebanks
^O'Grady, Alison, ed. (1990). The Challenge of Tourism: Learning Resources for Study and Action. Ecumenical Coalition on Third World Tourism. p. 19. ISBN9789748555706. Retrieved 20 September 2019. [...] the products to be sold to international tourists are not only natural resources such as sea, sand and sun, but also the subservience of people in receiving countries.
^Smith, Melanie K. (2003). Issues in Cultural Tourism Studies. Tourism / Routledge. London: Routledge. p. 50. ISBN978-0-415-25638-4. Retrieved 30 May 2018. The globalisation of tourism has partially exacerbated the relationships of inequality and subservience that are so commonplace in host-guest encounters. It is not simply enough for local people to accept their role as servants, guides or companions to a range of ever-changing tourists. They are also confronted increasingly by the luxurious global products of Western indulgence which remain far from their reach, rather like the thirsty Tantalus in his elusive pool of water.
^Laurajane Smith "Uses of Heritage" (2006); Regina Bendix, Vladimir Hafstein "Culture and Property. An Introduction" (2009) in Ethnologia Europaea 39/2
^Gerhard Bitzan, Christine Imlinger "Die Millionen-Marke Habsburg" (German), in Die Presse, 15 July 2011.
^Rick Szostak: The Causes of Economic Growth: Interdisciplinary Perspectives. Springer Science & Business Media, 2009, ISBN9783540922827; Markus Tauschek "Kulturerbe" (2013), p 166; Laurajane Smith "Uses of Heritage" (2006).
^Pau Obrador Pons; Mike Crang; Penny Travlou, eds. (2016). Cultures of Mass Tourism: Doing the Mediterranean in the Age of Banal Mobilities. Taylor & Francis. p. 2. ISBN9781317155652.
^S. Pack (2006). Tourism and Dictatorship Europe's Peaceful Invasion of Franco's Spain. Palgrave Macmillan US. p. 141. ISBN9780230601161.
^Zeng, L. Economic Development and Mountain Tourism Research from 2010 to 2020: Bibliometric Analysis and Science Mapping Approach. Sustainability 2022, 14, 562. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010562.
^Terry, W (2014). "Solving labor problems and building capacity unsustainable agriculture through volunteer tourism". Annals of Tourism Research. 49: 94–107. doi:10.1016/j.annals.2014.09.001.
^Guttentag, D (2009). "The possible negative impacts of volunteer tourism". International Journal of Tourism Research. 11 (6): 537–51. doi:10.1002/jtr.727. S2CID153993554.
^Curran, Ross; Taheri, Babak; MacIntosh, Robert; O'Gorman, Kevin (2016). "Nonprofit Brand Heritage: Its Ability to Influence Volunteer Retention, Engagement, and Satisfaction". Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly. 45 (6): 1234–57. doi:10.1177/0899764016633532. S2CID147490099.
^Butler, Richard; Curran, Ross; O'Gorman, Kevin D. (1 September 2013). "Pro-Poor Tourism in a First World Urban Setting: Case Study of Glasgow Govan". International Journal of Tourism Research. 15 (5): 443–57. doi:10.1002/jtr.1888. ISSN1522-1970.
^Seraphin, H., Bah, M., Fyall, A., & Gowreesunkar, V. (2021). Tourism education in France and sustainable development goal 4 (quality education). Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes.
^ abWurzburger, Rebecca; et al. (2009). Creative Tourism: A Global Conversation: How to Provide Unique Creative Experiences for Travelers Worldwide: As Presented at the 2008 Santa Fe & UNESCO International Conference on Creative Tourism in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA. Santa Fe: Sunstone Press. ISBN978-0-86534-724-3. OCLC370387178.
^Lau, Samantha (14 November 2016). "Creative tourism". Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Archived from the original on 5 March 2024.
^Lemelin, H., Dawson, J., & Stewart, E.J. (Eds.). (2013). Last chance tourism: adapting tourism opportunities in a changing world. Routledge.
^Frew, E. (2008). Climate change and doom tourism: Advertising destinations 'before they disappear'. In J. Fountain & K. Moore (Chair), Symposium conducted at the meeting of the New Zealand Tourism & Hospitality Research Conference.
^Hall, C.M. (2010). Crisis events in tourism: subjects of crisis in tourism. Current Issues in Tourism, 13(5), 401–17.
^Compare: Gannon, Martin Joseph; Baxter, Ian W.F.; Collinson, Elaine; Curran, Ross; Farrington, Thomas; Glasgow, Steven; Godsman, Elliot M.; Gori, Keith; Jack, Gordon R.A. (11 June 2017). "Travelling for Umrah: destination attributes, destination image, and post-travel intentions"(PDF). The Service Industries Journal. 37 (7–8): 448–65. doi:10.1080/02642069.2017.1333601. ISSN0264-2069. S2CID54745153. The result from the structural model suggests that destination attributes influence perceived destination image. Further, such tourists are likely to revisit or recommend Islamic destinations if their experience matches their perceived image of the destination. This implies that, while the religious characteristics of the destination remain important, destination managers cannot disregard the tangential, non-religious attributes of a destination which are crucial in order to satisfy more conventional tourist desires.
^Karanasios, Stan; Burgess, Stephen (1 March 2008). "Tourism and internet adoption: a developing world perspective". International Journal of Tourism Research. 10 (2): 169–82. doi:10.1002/jtr.649. ISSN1522-1970.
^Ritchie, J.R. Brent; Amaya Molinar, Carlos Mario; Frechtling, Douglas C. (2011). "Impacts of the World Recession and Economic Crisis on Tourism: North America". Journal of Travel Research. 49 (1): 5–15. doi:10.1177/0047287509353193. S2CID154854770.
^Spencer, A., Tarlow, P. E., Gowreesunkar, V. G., Maingi, S. W., Roy, H., Micera, R., ... & Lane, W. (2021). Tourism Destination Management in a Post-Pandemic Context, New York, Emerald.
^Cohen, E. (2017). The paradoxes of space tourism. Tourism Recreation Research, 42(1), 22-31.
^James Higham (2007). Sport Tourism Destinations. Taylor & Francis. p. 225. ISBN9781136364617.
^Mansfeld, Y., & Pizam, A. (Eds.). (2006). Tourism, security and safety. Routledge.
^Tarlow, P. (2014). Tourism security: strategies for effectively managing travel risk and safety. Elsevier.
^Vanessa GB Gowreesunkar et al. 2020. Tourism Destination Management in a Post-Pandemic Context: Global Issues and Destination Management Solutions, Emerald
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Travel is the movement of people between distant geographical locations. Travel can be done by foot, bicycle, automobile, train, boat, bus, airplane, ship or other means, with or without luggage, and can be one way or round trip.[1] Travel can also include relatively short stays between successive movements, as in the case of tourism.
The origin of the word "travel" is most likely lost to history. The term "travel" may originate from the Old French word travail, which means 'work'.[2] According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the first known use of the word travel was in the 14th century. It also states that the word comes from Middle English travailen, travelen (which means to torment, labor, strive, journey) and earlier from Old French travailler (which means to work strenuously, toil).
In English, people still occasionally use the words travail, which means struggle. According to Simon Winchester in his book The Best Travelers' Tales (2004), the words travel and travail both share an even more ancient root: a Roman instrument of torture called the tripalium (in Latin it means "three stakes", as in to impale).[citation needed] This link may reflect the extreme difficulty of travel in ancient times. Travel in modern times may or may not be much easier, depending upon the destination. Travel to Mount Everest, the Amazon rainforest, extreme tourism, and adventure travel are more difficult forms of travel. Travel can also be more difficult depending on the method of travel, such as by bus, cruise ship, or even by bullock cart.[3]
Travel dates back to antiquity where wealthy Greeks and Romans would travel for leisure to their summer homes and villas in cities such as Pompeii and Baiae.[9] While early travel tended to be slower, more dangerous, and more dominated by trade and migration, cultural and technological advances over many years have tended to mean that travel has become easier and more accessible.[10] Humankind has come a long way in transportation since Christopher Columbus sailed to the New World from Spain in 1492, an expedition which took over 10 weeks to arrive at the final destination; to the 21st century when aircraft allows travel from Spain to the United States overnight.
Travel in the Middle Ages offered hardships and challenges, though it was important to the economy and to society. The wholesale sector depended (for example) on merchants dealing with/through caravans or sea-voyagers, end-user retailing often demanded the services of many itinerant peddlers wandering from village to hamlet, gyrovagues (wandering monks) and wandering friars brought theology and pastoral support to neglected areas, traveling minstrels toured, and armies ranged far and wide in various crusades and in sundry other wars.[9] Pilgrimages were common in both the European and Islamic world and involved streams of travelers both locally and internationally.[11]
In the late 16th century, it became fashionable for young European aristocrats and wealthy upper-class men to travel to significant European cities as part of their education in the arts and literature. This was known as the Grand Tour, and included cities such as London, Paris, Venice, Florence, and Rome. However, the French Revolution brought with it the end of the Grand Tour.[9]
Travel by water often provided more comfort and speed than land-travel, at least until the advent of a network of railways in the 19th century. Travel for the purpose of tourism is reported to have started around this time when people began to travel for fun as travel was no longer a hard and challenging task. This was capitalized on by people like Thomas Cook selling tourism packages where trains and hotels were booked together.[12]Airships and airplanes took over much of the role of long-distance surface travel in the 20th century, notably after the Second World War where there was a surplus of both aircraft and pilots.[9] Air travel has become so ubiquitous in the 21st century that one woman, Alexis Alford, visited all 196 countries before the age of 21.[13]
Travel may be local, regional, national (domestic) or international. In some countries, non-local internal travel may require an internal passport, while international travel typically requires a passport and visa. Tours are a common type of travel. Examples of travel tours are expedition cruises,[14] small group tours,[15] and river cruises.[16]
Authorities emphasize the importance of taking precautions to ensure travel safety.[17] When traveling abroad, the odds favor a safe and incident-free trip, however, travelers can be subject to difficulties, crime and violence.[18] Some safety considerations include being aware of one's surroundings,[17] avoiding being the target of a crime,[17] leaving copies of one's passport and itinerary information with trusted people,[17] obtaining medical insurance valid in the country being visited[17] and registering with one's national embassy when arriving in a foreign country.[17] Many countries do not recognize drivers' licenses from other countries; however most countries accept international driving permits.[19]Automobile insurance policies issued in one's own country are often invalid in foreign countries, and it is often a requirement to obtain temporary auto insurance valid in the country being visited.[19] It is also advisable to become oriented with the driving rules and regulations of destination countries.[19] Wearing a seat belt is highly advisable for safety reasons; many countries have penalties for violating seatbelt laws.[19]
Are There Any Age Restrictions for Participants in the Star Sightseeing Victoria Tour?
Yes, there are age restrictions for the Star Sightseeing Victoria tour. You'll need to check their official guidelines or contact them directly to find out the specific age requirements for participants.
How Does Star Sightseeing Ensure the Safety and Health of Its Guests, Especially in Light of Ongoing Global Health Concerns?
Star Sightseeing prioritizes your safety and health by adhering to strict hygiene measures, implementing social distancing on tours, and ensuring vehicles and equipment are sanitized regularly, especially considering current global health concerns.
What Is the Cancellation Policy for Star Sightseeing's Tours, Especially in the Case of Unexpected Weather Conditions or Personal Emergencies?
You can cancel your tour for a full refund up to 24 hours before it starts. For unexpected weather or personal emergencies, they offer rescheduling options or partial refunds, depending on the situation's timing.