Tourism, then, is the business of attracting visitors and catering to their needs and expectations. The following is an overview of the major components of the tourism and travel industry.
I. Tourist Destinations:
(a) Government promotion offices
ADVERTISEMENTS:
(b) Regional promotion offices
(c) Resort areas, convention centers.
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II. Transportation:
(a) Airlines.
(i) Major
ADVERTISEMENTS:
(ii) National
(iii) Regional
(iv) Nonscheduled /charter.
(b) Ground Transporter
ADVERTISEMENTS:
(i) Rent-a-car
(ii) Motor/coach
(iii) Railroad.
III. Accommodation:
(a) Hotels
(b) Motels
(c) Resorts
(d) Cruise lines.
IV. Tourist Attractions:
(a) Attractions
(b) Theme parks
(c) Museums.
V. Travel Brokers:
(a) Travel agents
(b) Travel wholesalers
(c) Tour and charter operators
(d) Ground operators
(e) Travel incentive companies.
VI. Travel Related Services:
(a) Financial (credit cards, travellers cheques, travel insurance).
(b) Travel publications guide books.
Our world is diverse. It is composed of countries with a variety of cultures and customs, rural areas and urban centers, each with its own distinct flavor, and so on.
The activity we call tourism, with its great economic and social benefits, provides citizens of all countries with an opportunity to explore new places, to meet new people, to learn new things, and, perhaps in the process, learn more about themselves.
Travel is a bridge between people. It makes a valuable contribution to the world’s economy, employs more people than any other industry and affects the lives of all in one way or another.
Today, the terms tourism and travel have become almost interchangeable. However, when we look at the history of transporting people, we see that in the early days travel was a far from a pleasurable activity.
The word “tourism” a relatively new addition to the English language, introduced only in the nineteenth century. It connotes the act of travelling for pleasure, as well as the industry that developed to service that activity.
Tourism also connotes the ability of people to escape from familiar surroundings and everyday routine. It is no wonder, then that the history of tourism is the history of those who broadened the horizons of transportation.
It was those who dreamed and those who dared, including Henry Ford and the Wright brothers, who gave us our present day transportation system which harmoniously links speed, safety and economy.
While travel has been a human passion since the dawn of history, tourism only became possible as technological improvements provided comfortable, safe, and, above all, enjoyable ways to travel.
The modern tourism industry is composed of numerous separate industry segments. Sometimes competing, yet more often providing services supplementary in nature. Each segment of the industry developed as a result of different historical forces.
A study of the tourism industry, its development, current issues, and future opportunities can best be introduced by a closer look at the major historical developments.