Principles of

Tourism
TPP 230
CHAPTER 1

Example: Think of a family flying from Chicago to

Orlando for a week-long visit to theme parks. This
entire journey, from planning to returning home, is a
practical illustration of tourism.
Module Overview
1 2 3

Tourism Foundations Tourism Components Study Approaches

Definitions, history, and conceptual Key elements and management Academic and practical
frameworks. considerations. perspectives.
Example: A family vacation to a Example: A cruise line managing Example: An academic study on the impact
national park, fitting the definition of everything from cabins and dining of social media on travel decisions versus a

recreational tourism. to onboard entertainment and travel agency adapting its marketing based
on customer feedback.
shore excursions.

4 5

Economic Significance Costs and Benefits

Global impact and measurement. Multi-dimensional impacts assessment.
Example: A major music festival boosting local Example: Tourism bringing economic benefits to a
restaurant sales, hotel bookings, and temporary job coastal town (jobs, revenue) but also causing increased
creation in a city. waste and strain on local resources.
Tourism: A Multifaceted Phenomenon
Tourism represents one of the world's largest and most dynamic economic sectors, yet it transcends mere economics to encompass
social, cultural, environmental, and political dimensions.

Economic Force Cultural Exchange Environmental Impact

Generates 10% of global GDP and Facilitates cross-cultural understanding Both threatens and potentially
employment and heritage preservation conserves natural resources

E.g., A bustling hotel directly creates E.g., Cruise ship emissions polluting
jobs for staff and indirectly supports E.g., Visitors participating in a marine ecosystems vs. ecotourism
local businesses through tourist traditional cooking class, or exploring funding wildlife conservation in national
spending. ancient ruins and learning about their parks.
history.

Understanding tourism requires an interdisciplinary approach that considers these diverse facets and their complex interactions.
WHAT IS TOURISM

Tourism encompasses the activities of persons travelling to and

staying in places outside their usual environment for not more
than one consecutive year for leisure, business, and other
purposes.

For example, a family traveling from New York to Florida for a

week-long vacation to visit theme parks and beaches is engaging
in tourism.

This definition, established by the United Nations World Tourism

Organisation (UNWTO), has become the internationally accepted
standard for tourism measurement and analysis.
Key Elements of Tourism Definition

Temporary Movement
Travel away from home to another location
Example: A weekend trip to a nearby city for sightseeing.

Time Dimension
Less than one consecutive year
Example: A two-week vacation to an island, not relocating there permanently.

Purpose
Leisure, business, visiting friends/relatives, health, education, religion
Example: Attending a business conference, visiting family for the holidays, or enjoying a beach vacation.

Outside Usual Environment

Beyond normal commuting and routine activity spaces
Example: Driving to a town 100 miles away for a concert, not just your daily commute to work.
 Evolution of Tourism Definitions

Period/Year Definition Focus Example

Early 20th Century Focus on distance and overnight stays A person traveling by train to a neighboring city for a
one-night stay.

1937 League of Nations: "tourist" as temporary visitor Someone visiting a foreign country for a weekend trip,
staying at least 24 hours staying two nights.

1963 UN Conference: Distinguished "tourists" from A tourist spends a week in a resort; an excursionist visits
"excursionists" a historical site for a few hours and returns home the
same day.

1994 UNWTO: Comprehensive definition accounting for A student on an overseas exchange program or a
diverse purposes patient seeking medical treatment abroad.

21st Century Expanded to include sustainability and digital Booking an eco-friendly safari online, or using a mobile
dimensions app to find local, sustainable restaurants during a trip.
Tourist Typologies
Scholars have developed various tourist typologies to better understand motivations, behaviours, and impacts. These classifications
help tourism managers tailor their offerings.

Explorers
Mass Tourists
Venture off beaten path while maintaining
Seek familiarity, organised experiences,
some comforts
minimal cultural immersion
Example: A traveler backpacking through
Example: A family on a pre-booked, all-
Southeast Asia, using local transport but
inclusive resort vacation in Cancun.
staying in well-reviewed hostels.

Drifters Business Tourists

Immerse fully in local cultures, avoid Travel for work with distinct spending
tourist establishments patterns
Example: A gap-year student volunteering Example: An executive attending a week-
in a rural African village for several long conference in a different city, with
months, living like a local. expenses covered by their company.
CLASSIFICATION OF TRAVELLERS
 COMPONENTS OF TOURISM AND
TOURISM MANAGEMENT
Planning,
Development,
The Tourists Promotion and
Catalyst
Organization
Natural Resource and Environment
The processes, Activities,
and Outcomes of
The Build
Tourism
Environement

Integrated/Collaborative
Operating sector of planning and
the Tourism development
Industry
Career in Tourism
Spirit of Hospitality
The Tourist
• The main focus of tourism is the tourists and their travel
experiences.
• Destinations must provide high-quality and enjoyable
experiences.
• To do this, policy makers and managers need to understand:
• Why tourists travel (their motivations).
• How they choose destinations.
• What kind of travel and activities they prefer.
• By understanding tourists well, destinations can create
unique facilities, events, and programs that attract visitors.
 Natural Resources and Environment
• A key part of tourism is the natural resources and
environment.
• Every destination is defined by:
• Physiography – its landscape and scenery.
• Climate – long-term weather conditions (hot/cold, wet/dry,
windy).
• The people factor is also important:
⚬ Residents – the local community living there.
⚬ Visitors – tourists who come or may come in the future.
 The Built Environment
• Built environment is another important part of tourism, created by humans.
• It includes:
⚬ Culture – the traditions and way of life of residents; permanent and should not
be changed just for tourism.
⚬ Infrastructure – basic systems like roads, sewage, communications, shops
(mainly for residents, but also useful to tourists).
⚬ Superstructure – facilities built mainly for tourists (hotels, restaurants,
attractions, car rentals, etc.), shaped by visitors’ needs.
• Technology – a powerful influence on tourism since World War II.
⚬ Examples: jet aircraft, telecommunications, computers.
⚬ Affects both infrastructure and superstructure.
• Information – now a key factor in tourism success.
⚬ Includes market research, visitor satisfaction, competitor analysis, destination
performance, and residents’ support for tourism.
• Governance (laws and regulations) – strongly affects tourism competitiveness.
⚬ Includes legal, political, and financial systems.
⚬ Can change quickly (e.g., deregulation, trade blocs like EU, ASEAN, NAFTA,
APEC, and post-9/11 travel regulations).
 Operating Sectors of the Tourism Industry
• Operating sectors of tourism = what most people recognize as "tourism."
• Transportation sector – Airlines, buses, etc. (moving people).
• Accommodation sector – Hotels and resorts (Hilton, Marriott, Best Western).
• Food services sector – Fast food (McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut) and fine dining
(Maxim’s, Alfredo’s).
• Attractions sector – Famous sites like Disneyland, Louvre, Pyramids,
Stonehenge, Acropolis, Niagara Falls.
• Events sector – Festivals and sports (Oktoberfest, Mardi Gras, Olympics,
World Cup, Super Bowl).
• Adventure & Outdoor Recreation sector – Activities like skiing, rafting,
parasailing, mountaineering, ecotourism.
• Entertainment sector – Las Vegas shows, Broadway (New York), Hollywood,
Nashville (music).
• Travel trade sector – Travel agents and tour operators (link tourists with
experiences).
• Tourism services sector – Support services (IT, finance, consulting, retail,
tourism education).
• 👉 All these sectors work together to create complete tourism experiences.
• 👉 If any one sector fails, the tourism system suffers.
 Spirit of Hospitality

• Memorable experiences must be delivered with warm hospitality, not just

services.
• Visitors should feel like guests, not just sources of money.
• Tourists want to feel welcomed and accepted.
• Destinations need to:
a. Train tourism workers to treat visitors with fairness, respect, and politeness.
b. Encourage residents to act as friendly hosts, offering kindness, information,
and help.
• Even small gestures of friendliness can greatly improve the visitor’s
experience.
👉 Key idea: Hospitality makes the difference between an ordinary trip and a
memorable one.
• Tourism success depends not only on frontline sectors (transport, hotels,
attractions, etc.) but also on planning and management behind the scenes.
• This hidden part is called Planning, Development, Promotion, and Catalyst
Organizations (PDPCO).
Planning, Development, Promotion,
⚬ They are the visionaries, policy makers, and planners who ensure the right
and Catalyst Organizations
strategies are made.
⚬ Tourism success means not just “doing things right” but also “doing the
right things.”
• Policy makers must ensure:
⚬ Experiences offered match what visitors want.
⚬ Plans are realistic and respect the destination’s resources.
⚬ Plans are turned into actual facilities, events, and programs.
• Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) are responsible for leading
and coordinating these efforts.
• DMOs differ depending on the level:
⚬ National level: Government → National Tourism Office; Private sector →
National Tourism Association.
⚬ State/Provincial level: Government Tourism Office + Travel Industry
Association.
⚬ City/Regional level: Local Government Tourism Office + Local Tourism
Association or Convention and Visitor Bureau (CVB).
• 👉 Key idea: Tourism needs both the frontline services and the
planners/organizers to succeed.
The Importance of Integrated/Collaborative
Planning and Development

• In tourism, public and private sectors must work together.

• Both sectors own and manage important parts of tourism (facilities, events,
programs).
• Without collaboration → conflict, poor planning, and weak development.
• Destinations should form DMOs (Destination Management Organizations)
designed for cooperation.
• The name of the organization (authority, council, partnership) is less important
than the quality of collaboration.
• 👉 Key idea: Strong public-private collaboration = stronger tourism success.
• Tourism success depends on processes and activities within the system, not just facilities.
• DMO (Destination Management Organization) works with stakeholders to:
⚬ Define tourism philosophy, policy, vision, and strategy.
⚬ Guide planning and development of visitor experiences.
• Marketing makes these experiences known to potential visitors through:
⚬ Promotion, pricing, and distribution.
• Tourists’ behaviors create impacts:
⚬ Positive → economic benefits (jobs, income).
⚬ Negative → environmental, social, and cultural damage if unmanaged.
• Success is measured by: The Processes, Activities,
⚬ Number of visitors.
and Outcomes of
⚬ Type of visitors.
⚬ Visitor behavior. Tourism
⚬ Quality of visitor experiences.
• Constant monitoring and evaluation are needed to check strengths and weaknesses.
• Stewardship is critical → tourism must protect the natural resources it depends on.
• Evaluation ensures long-term improvement by feeding back into policy, planning, and development.
• 👉 Key idea: Tourism is a continuous cycle → Plan → Develop → Market → Monitor → Evaluate → Improve.
• The tourism product = the experiences offered to travelers.
• To deliver these experiences, the industry needs many organizational functions (from simple to
complex).
• Tourism relies heavily on front-line service jobs, such as:
⚬ Accommodation: bell staff, front desk, housekeeping.
⚬ Food services: cooks, waiters, bartenders, kitchen staff. Careers in Tourism
⚬ Attractions/entertainment/events/transport: operators, facilitators.
⚬ Adventure/outdoor recreation: guides, group leaders.
⚬ Travel trade/services: travel agents, customer assistance, information providers.
• These jobs require thousands of trained individuals to deliver services in a friendly, effective way.
• Tourism is sometimes criticized because of its many service jobs, but:
⚬ They provide essential part-time and entry-level opportunities for students and less-skilled
workers.
⚬ Behind them, there are also high-level careers requiring technical and managerial expertise.
• Tourism careers are attractive because:
⚬ They are as challenging as other industries.
⚬ They often come with a great lifestyle in appealing destinations where people enjoy life.
⚬ Example: Resort manager → combines good income, challenges, and an enjoyable work
environment.
• 👉 Key idea: Tourism offers both entry-level service jobs and rewarding long-term careers in
exciting settings.
• Tourism is a complex system built around the tourist and their experiences. For destinations to succeed, they must understand tourist motivations
and design facilities, activities, and programs that create unique and memorable experiences.
• The natural environment (landscape, climate, people) and the built environment (culture, infrastructure, superstructure, technology, information,
and governance) form the foundation of tourism. Together, they shape how destinations are perceived and experienced.
• The operating sectors—transportation, accommodation, food services, attractions, events, adventure, entertainment, travel trade, and tourism
services—work as the frontline of tourism, delivering services that tourists directly interact with. However, behind them are the planning and
management organizations (DMOs/PDPCOs) that ensure tourism is developed strategically, sustainably, and collaboratively between public and
private sectors.
• Tourism also requires a strong spirit of hospitality. Visitors must feel welcomed as guests, not just as sources of income. This depends on trained
industry personnel and friendly local communities who enhance the overall travel experience.
• At the same time, the industry provides diverse career opportunities—from entry-level service roles to highly skilled managerial and technical
careers in attractive settings.
• Ultimately, the success of tourism depends on continuous planning, marketing, monitoring, evaluation, and stewardship. Tourism must balance
positive impacts (economic growth, employment) with managing negative impacts (environmental, social, and cultural challenges) to ensure its
long-term sustainability.
• 👉 In short: Tourism thrives when destinations combine natural and built resources, strong management, hospitality, and collaboration, all working
together to provide meaningful experiences for visitors while sustaining resources for the future.
 Basic Approaches to Tourism Study

Economic Approach Sociological Approach

Examines tourism as an industry, focusing on supply-demand dynamics, Analyses tourism as a social phenomenon, studying tourist behaviours, host-
expenditure patterns, and economic impacts. guest interactions, and social impacts.

Example: Analyzing how hotel room prices increase during peak season due to Example: Observing how local residents' daily routines change due to increased
higher demand. traffic from tourists.

Geographical Approach Anthropological Approach

Explores spatial aspects of tourism including travel patterns, destination Examines cultural dimensions of tourism, including authenticity, ritual, and cultural
development, and place transformation. change.

Example: Mapping the most popular routes tourists take from the airport to Example: Studying how a local craft market adapts its traditional products to
downtown attractions. appeal to foreign tourists.
 Additional Study Approaches
Historical Approach Political Approach
Examines the evolution of tourism practices, infrastructure, and cultural Analyses tourism in relation to governance, power dynamics, policy
significance across different time periods. This approach provides context development, and political impacts at local, national, and international
for understanding current tourism patterns and anticipating future levels.
developments.
Example: How visa regulations or security advisories issued by a
Example: Tracing the shift from early grand tours for the elite to mass government can drastically affect tourist numbers to a country.
package holidays for wider demographics.
Environmental Approach
Psychological Approach Examines tourism's relationship with natural ecosystems, resource use,
Focuses on tourist motivations, decision-making processes, satisfaction, biodiversity impacts, and sustainable management practices.
and the psychological impacts of tourism experiences on both visitors and
hosts.
Example: The impact of large cruise ships on coral reefs, or the efforts to
Example: Understanding why some tourists seek adventure (e.g., promote responsible waste management at popular hiking trails.
skydiving) while others prefer relaxing beach vacations.

Each approach offers valuable but partial insights, highlighting the need for integrated, interdisciplinary tourism studies.
 Additional Study Approaches
Institutional Approach Product Approach
• Institutional Approach: Focuses on intermediaries and • Product Approach: Focuses on studying specific tourism products and
institutions that provide tourism services, such as travel services, such as airline seats, hotel rooms, or rental cars—looking at
agencies, tour operators, and booking platforms. It studies how how they are created, marketed, sold, and consumed.
they operate, their costs, problems, and role in the economy. • Example: An airline seat—examining how it is priced, sold through
• Example: A travel agency arranging a package tour by booking travel agents or online platforms, financed by the airline, and promoted

flights with Malaysia Airlines, hotel stays in Kuala Lumpur, and through advertising.

ground transport for tourists.

Managerial Approach
• Managerial Approach: Focuses on how tourism businesses are
managed at the firm level (microeconomic). It looks at activities like
planning, marketing, pricing, research, and control to keep a tourism
enterprise successful. This approach adapts to changes in products,
institutions, and society.
• Example: A hotel manager planning room rates, designing promotions,
training staff, and adjusting services to meet new customer preferences
or market trends.
 Additional Study Approaches

Interdisciplinary Approach
• Anthropological Approach – Studies culture, heritage, and traditions.
• Example: Understanding how indigenous dances in Sabah attract cultural
tourists.
• Psychological Approach – Looks at tourist behavior and motivations.
• Example: Researching why young travelers prefer adventure tourism while older
travelers choose relaxation.
• Political Science Approach – Focuses on government roles, visas, passports, and
tourism policies.
• Example: Malaysia’s visa-free entry policy for China and India to boost arrivals.
• Legal Approach – Examines laws and regulations that affect tourism.
• Example: Rules for safety standards in theme parks or hotel licensing laws.
• Transportation Approach – Studies how tourists travel and the role of transport in
tourism.
• Example: The growth of AirAsia making regional travel cheaper and easier.
 Additional Study Approaches

System Approach
• A system means many connected parts working together as a whole.
• In tourism, the systems approach combines all other approaches (product,
managerial, institutional, etc.) into one complete view.
• It looks at both micro level (tourist businesses like hotels, airlines, tour operators)
and macro level (the whole tourism system of a country or region).
• It studies how tourism connects with other systems like law, politics, economy, and
society.

Example:
Malaysia’s Tourism System
Micro view: A hotel in Sabah must understand its market, competitors, and customer behavior.
Macro view: Malaysia’s tourism system connects with immigration (political/legal), economic policies (exchange rates,
investment), cultural aspects (heritage tourism), and transportation (airlines, highways).
All parts work together—if one part fails (e.g., visa restrictions or poor transport), the whole system is affected.
 The Economic Importance of
Tourism
"Tourism has become one of the major players in international
commerce, and represents at the same time one of the main
income sources for many developing countries."
— United Nations World Tourism Organisation

10% 1.8B 330M

Global GDP International Arrivals Jobs
Tourism's direct and indirect contribution to global International tourist arrivals in 2019 (UNWTO) Global tourism jobs (direct and indirect employment)
economy (pre-pandemic)

For example, imagine a small coastal town. When tourists visit, they spend money at local restaurants, buy souvenirs from local shops, and hire local tour guides.
This direct spending supports small businesses, creates jobs for residents, and brings tax revenue that can be invested back into the community's infrastructure
and services.
Global Tourism Growth
Tourism has experienced remarkable growth over the past
seven decades:

Trajectory • 25 million international arrivals in 1950

• 278 million in 1980
• 674 million in 2000
• 1.8 billion in 2019
• Severe pandemic disruption in 2020-21
• Ongoing recovery with projected return to growth trajectory

For example, imagine a family in the 1950s planning a once-in-

a-lifetime trip abroad, a major undertaking. Today, that same
family might easily book international flights for a long weekend,
demonstrating the widespread accessibility and normalization of
global travel.
This growth reflects increasing affluence, improved
transportation, reduced barriers to travel, and globalisation.
Economic Contributions of Tourism

Foreign Exchange Employment

Tourism generates foreign currency earnings, helping balance Creates jobs across skill levels, including entry-level positions and
international payments and reduce trade deficits. opportunities for women, youth, and rural communities.

Example: A tourist from the US buys souvenirs in Thailand, bringing USD Example: A local hotel hires a new receptionist, a chef, and a tour guide,
into Thailand's economy. creating jobs for the community.

Government Revenue Regional Development

Generates tax receipts through VAT, departure taxes, business taxes, Distributes economic benefits to peripheral regions with limited
and property levies. alternative development options.

Example: Taxes collected from hotel bookings, flight tickets, and tourist Example: A remote village builds guesthouses and offers guided hikes,
attractions fund public services. boosting its local economy.
The Tourism Multiplier Effect
Tourism expenditure creates economic ripple effects as it circulates through
the economy:

Direct Effects
Initial tourist spending at hotels, restaurants, attractions, and shops.
Example: A tourist pays for a hotel room or buys a meal at a local
restaurant.

Indirect Effects
Tourism businesses purchasing supplies and services from other
sectors.
Example: The hotel buys fresh produce from local farmers for its
restaurant, or the souvenir shop restocks items from local artisans.

Induced Effects
Tourism employees spending their wages in the local economy.
Example: Hotel staff and local artisans use their earnings to buy
groceries, pay rent, or shop at other local businesses.
Economic Measurement of Tourism
Accurately measuring tourism's economic contribution requires specialised tools due to tourism's cross-sectoral nature.

Tourism Satellite Visitor Expenditure Input-Output Analysis

Accounts (TSAs) Surveys Technique that models
Statistical framework that measures Primary research capturing spending interrelationships between economic
tourism's economic contributions by patterns of different tourist segments sectors to estimate tourism's direct,
extracting tourism-related data from across various categories indirect, and induced impacts
national accounts

Example: A survey asking a tourist Example: Tracking how money spent

Example: Calculating how much of a family how much they spent on food, by tourists at a local restaurant then
country's GDP comes directly from accommodation, and activities during flows to local farms for ingredients
tourism, like hotel stays or flight their trip to a city. and to restaurant employees for
sales. wages.

These measurement approaches inform policy decisions and investment priorities.

 Benefits of Tourism
Tourism generates diverse benefits across economic, sociocultural, and environmental dimensions:

60% 25% 15%

Economic Benefits Sociocultural Benefits Environmental Benefits

Job creation, business opportunities, economic Cultural preservation, heritage revitalisation, Conservation funding, environmental
diversification, infrastructure improvements, educational opportunities, cross-cultural awareness, protection of natural areas,
foreign exchange earnings. exchange, community pride. preservation incentives.
Example: A new hotel brings jobs for local Example: A traditional folk festival attracts Example: Entrance fees to a national park help
residents and boosts sales for nearby visitors, encouraging locals to maintain their fund wildlife protection programs and trail
restaurants. cultural practices. maintenance.
The distribution of benefits varies by destination and tourism development model.
Economic Benefits in Detail
Primary Economic Benefits
• Employment Generation: Direct jobs in hotels, restaurants,
attractions, and indirect employment in supporting sectors.
Example: A new hotel opens, hiring local staff for front desk,
cleaning, and kitchen roles.
• Business Development: Opportunities for entrepreneurship
Tourism's economic benefits are particularly valuable for developing
and SMEs in tourism and adjacent sectors. Example: A local
economies and regions with limited industrial opportunities, though the
artisan opens a shop near a popular tourist site, selling extent of benefits depends on minimising economic leakage.
handmade crafts.
• Tax Revenue: Income for governments to fund public services
and infrastructure. Example: Tourist spending on hotel stays
and activities generates sales and occupancy taxes that fund
local schools or roads.
• Economic Diversification: Reduced dependence on single
industries, particularly in rural or post-industrial areas.
Example: A former mining town shifts its economy to
adventure tourism, creating new jobs and income sources.
Sociocultural Benefits
Beyond economics, tourism generates significant sociocultural benefits when managed responsibly:

Cultural Heritage Preservation Cross-Cultural Understanding

Tourism interest creates incentives and funding for Facilitates interaction between diverse peoples, potentially
preserving historical sites, traditional arts, and cultural reducing prejudice and stereotypes
practices A tourist trying local food at a family-run restaurant and
For instance, revenue from tourists visiting ancient ruins can learning about the community's traditions directly from the
fund their restoration and ongoing maintenance. locals illustrates this.

Education and Awareness Community Pride and Identity

Expands knowledge about different cultures, histories, and Strengthens local identity and pride when communities
environments for both visitors and hosts share their heritage with appreciative visitors
Visiting a wildlife sanctuary not only educates visitors about A small village hosting a traditional craft fair gains
conservation but also teaches local communities about recognition, encouraging younger generations to continue
sustainable practices. these crafts.
Environmental Benefits
Contrary to tourism's reputation for environmental damage, responsible
tourism can generate significant environmental benefits:

• Conservation Funding: Entrance fees and concessions providing direct

funding for protected areas, such as national park entrance fees
supporting anti-poaching efforts or habitat restoration.
• Economic Value for Nature: Creating economic incentives to preserve
natural resources rather than extract them, like a village earning more
from guided safaris than from logging nearby forests.
• Environmental Education: Raising awareness about environmental
issues among visitors and hosts, for instance, tourists learning about
marine conservation during a snorkeling trip.
• Stewardship: Engaging tourists and communities in conservation
activities, such as participating in beach clean-ups or tree-planting
projects.
Ecotourism and nature-based tourism specifically aim to maximise these positive
environmental outcomes.
Costs and Challenges of Tourism
Despite its benefits, tourism also generates costs that must be managed:

Economic Costs
Economic leakage, inflation, seasonal employment, external dependency
For example, a major resort importing most of its supplies from outside the region, meaning less money
stays in the local economy.

Sociocultural Costs
Commodification of culture, disruption of social structures, authenticity issues,
overtourism
Consider a traditional village where locals start performing their rituals purely for
tourist entertainment, losing their original meaning.

Environmental Costs
Resource consumption, pollution, habitat disruption, climate
change contributions
An example is the excessive plastic waste generated by
tourists in a coastal town, harming marine life and polluting
beaches.
Sustainable tourism development aims to maximise benefits while minimising these costs through careful planning and management.
 Key Takeaways: Tourism in Perspective
Understanding Impacts and Implications
Tourism
• Tourism is a complex, multifaceted phenomenon requiring interdisciplinary • Tourism represents a major economic force globally, contributing
study. For example, a single vacation involves geography, economics, significantly to GDP, employment, and development. For example, a new
sociology, and environmental science. beachfront resort can create hundreds of jobs and boost local businesses
• The tourism system comprises interrelated components including tourists, like restaurants and souvenir shops.
attractions, accommodation, transportation, and infrastructure. For • Benefits extend beyond economics to include sociocultural and
instance, a theme park visit requires visitors (tourists), the park itself environmental dimensions. Consider ecotourism which protects natural
(attraction), nearby hotels (accommodation), rideshare services habitats and supports local communities through cultural exchange
(transportation), and roads (infrastructure). programs.
• Sustainable management requires balancing benefits with costs across all
• Effective tourism management integrates strategic planning, destination dimensions. An example is a national park implementing strict visitor limits
management, marketing, operations, and human resources. Think of a city to preserve nature while still allowing public access.
developing a tourism strategy: they plan new attractions, manage their
image, promote events, ensure smooth visitor flow, and hire local staff. • Tourism's future depends on adapting to changing conditions while
enhancing positive impacts. For instance, destinations embracing virtual
tours or promoting off-season travel to reduce peak-season strain.
Thank You
For Your Attention
 TUTORIAL

1. Define the systems approach in tourism and explain why it is useful for studying the tourism
industry.
[Link] the main components of a tourism system and describe how they are connected.
[Link] the difference between a tourism product and a tourism system.
[Link] does the tourism system respond when there is a sudden increase in international
visitors? Discuss at least two changes that may occur.
[Link] the systems approach, explain how a small island destination can be affected by limited
transportation links.