Tourism product is a unique concept in the parlance of tourism that satisfies some specific needs of the customer (tourist), Six P’s of marketing have been defined by Phillip Kotler. Out of these; they first P (Product) assumes importance because; it is something that is actually delivered to the customer.
Further, Kotler has also pointed out that every product gives a service of some kind. So, all the products, gadgets, equipment, etc. deliver services; these are not meant to be kept in a showcase simply because these are attractive by virtue of their packaging and features, according to Kotler.
1. Accommodation:
Graded hotels, non-graded hotels, heritage hotels, inns, sarais, havelis and drive-in hotels (motels on highways) are included in this component. The buildings of such hotels, sarais, havelies, etc. well as the sundry facilities associated with these buildings are deferred resources of tourism industry.
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Such resources also include gardens, parks, clubs, swimming pools, huts, orchids and other attractive parts of these buildings or premises. Tourists use these places or spots for staying (for brief periods they pay for staying in such hotels and motels).
Thus, this resource helps the owners of hotels of motels earn money. Properties located at prime spots of a city or tourist spot naturally cost morel hence, owners of these properties charge more from their clients in terms of accommodation feels Taxes are levied in excess by the government for these spots.
So, the tourist has to shell out more money in five-star and five-star deluxe hotels of New Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai. Further, if the hotel or place of stay is located at a remote place or, if unit is only one of its kinds at that place, the tourist has to spend more money. That is because temporary places of stay demand more funds for their maintenance at such remotely located spots.
Further, religious places, beaches, fun parks, also have such hotels or inns as are quite costly because of the attraction for these spots. Tourists not mind spending extra to stay at such spots.
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2. Recreation:
This component of the product comprises activities of nightlife, musical programmes, dance shown theatre shows, cultural programmes and many more to tourists. They enjoy the unique cultural and social activities and festivals because; they have come from different parts of the world.
In context the dance and drama troupes (humans), various types of equipment (like drums, electron! playing services), furniture (facilities), etc. are a part of resources. Humans (the dancers, local pope tribal groups, etc), who actually present these shows are also the resources for a tourism organisation. The night show at Alcazar (Pattaya) may be conceived as the best example of recreation.
Restaurant
In includes bars, food joints, food cafes, dining halls within hotels, etc. Various types of foods are offered to guests. Continental, American, Chinese, Indian and European cuisine are available in many hotels and restaurants.
Guests choose according to their tastes and eating habits. But, they may break away from their traditional food habits and try new cuisine too. Religion plays an important part in this context, however.
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The Hindus do not consume beef and the Muslims shun pork, to quote an example. All the food items and equipment used to process these and finished products brought from outside (to be served as such to guests) are a part of the resources of the tourism industry.
The beauty of natural and man-made tourist destinations attracts tourists towards them. Further, places of historic and religious significance are also on the agendas of many a tourist.
Water-based spots offer water skiing, parasailing and water scooter driving. Land-based spots offer skiing (on snow-clad terrain), horse riding, horse racing (for fun and betting), walking, running and visiting natural spots like gardens and zoos.
Air-based spots offer hang-gliding, paragliding, bungee jumping, flying and other such activities as are related to travel in the air. All the equipment, aircraft, boats, gadgets and paraphernalia that are used to execute these activities are a part of the resources of their respective tourist organisations.
In addition, historic spots, forts and palaces are also resources; these are invariably owned by the governments of these countries in which, these are located. Many of these are also would Heritage sites.
3. Transportation:
Airways, roadways, waterways, cable cars, railways and pipelines are the basic modes of transport. Out of these railways, airlines, coaches, cruise lines and cable trolleys are frequently used by tourists to move from one spot to another.
The aircraft, cargo handling equipment, buildings of terminals, computerised reservation systems, trucks, vans and machines used to repair the aircraft are a part of the resources of airlines.
Coaches, buses, equipment used to maintain vehicles, fuel stations, machines used to lift cargo, cranes and other similar machines are the resources of road transporters. Railway engines rolling stock, signaling systems, employees, god owns at railway stations and equipment used to transport railway cargo is the resources of a railway system.
Steamships, cruise liners, equipment for handling sea cargo, vessel operators, sailors, fuel, etc. are the resources of sea transport companies.
Cable trolleys, ropeways motors used to operate these trolleys and operators are the resources of the cable ropeway firms. These are available only at popular tourist resorts and not used for intra-city or inter-city transport. Pipelines are not used to transport humans.
4. Shopping:
Tourists love to buy gifts, mementos, jewellery and other such items from the tourist spots as are typically associated with these spots. Shopping, in the context of tourism administration, has become a roaring business nowadays. All the products to be sold in shops or bazaars of tourist spots are the resources of those shop owners.
The products offered by in-house shopping malls of hotels and also deem d resources. Further) products, eatables, cold drinks, resold at beaches, lakes, parks, etc. are also resources of the vendors of such items.
Finally, the shops and buildings in which, these products are sold are also the resources of those vendors who own such shops and buildings.