major sectors of tourism

Complete Overview of the 5 Sectors in the Tourism Industry

Overview of the sectors in tourism

The interplay of sectors in tourism, impact of each sector on the tourism industry, challenges and opportunities in each sector.

The tourism industry is one of the most dynamic landscapes . That’s primarily because it consists of several unique sectors. Each one of these sectors goes through comprehensive changes and is subject to many factors. 

Nevertheless, understanding these sectors is quite essential! Why? Because it can help you make informed business decisions, identify valuable growth opportunities, future-proof your travel brand, and, ultimately, set it up for success.

Below you can find an in-depth analysis of the different sectors in tourism, how they affect each other, and the industry as a whole. Finally, you will discover unique challenges and opportunities for each sector.

The tourism vertical is quite extensive. It consists of six sectors, making it one of the most diverse industries. These sectors are transportation, accommodation, food and beverage, travel agencies, and attractions. Let’s take a closer look at the sectors, their sizes, and their economic impact.

Transportation in Tourism

Transportation in tourism is a big sector. It encompasses a wide range of forms of travel and enables tourists to reach their destinations safely and efficiently. The sub-sectors include air travel, land transportation, and maritime travel. 

When it comes to inbound tourism, air travel comprises the largest share, 57% . Travelers trying to reach faraway destinations often choose from various travel options. One can actually gauge the momentum of the tourism sector recuperation after the COVID-19 pandemic by looking at air transportation trends. The latest report states that total air traffic is up by 52% compared to 2022 . 

Land transportation for tourists has been increasing in recent years. A recent study reveals that car transportation makes up 77% of all journeys . The reasons that explain this trend are flexibility, price, and independence. 

Maritime travel or cruise tourism is also experiencing steady growth. This subsector is estimated to continue to grow at a CAGR of 10.4% from 2022 to 2031 .

Transportation is one of the pillars of the tourism industry, and as such, it has a tremendous economic impact on the vertical – its efficient functioning is critical for not only attracting tourists to destinations but also enabling them to reach their desired locations . It allows companies to generate revenue through ticket sales. However, by enabling tourists to reach their destinations, it also drives economic activity in hospitality.

Accommodation in Tourism

All the lodging options tourists can choose from comprise the accommodation subsector of the tourism industry. It includes hotels, resorts, hostels, vacation rentals, Airbnb, and more.  

The hotel occupancy rates metric is the best one to keep track of the developments in this subsector simply because there are almost 750,000 hotels and resorts worldwide . In April 2022, hotel occupancy rates were highest in the Americas, reaching 64% . Europe was in second place with the hotel occupancy rates at 63%, followed by the Middle East and Africa at 49% and the Asia Pacific at 48%. 

When it comes to the economic impact, the best metric to track is revenue per available room or RevPAR. The RevPar reached $93.27 in 2022, an 8.1% increase compared to 2019 . The average daily rate is up by 13.6%, which makes $148.83 for the same period. Occupancy rates are still not at the pre-pandemic level, but with only a 4.9% difference, they are getting there. 

The revenue this sector generates has a tremendous impact. The money is used toward creating new jobs, developing infrastructure, and boosting local economies. Local communities and governments also benefit from the taxes and fees collected from accommodation providers. 

Food and Beverage in Tourism

The food and beverage tourism sector is quite diverse and doesn’t just include restaurants and cafes. It also encompasses various dining establishments where tourists can experience local culinary traditions and cuisine.

According to the National Restaurant Association research, the sales in the fine dining segment to travelers and visitors went down by 41% . However, total restaurant industry sales are projected to reach $.1.2 trillion by 2030 , and traveler purchases will significantly contribute to this positive development. The food tourism market is projected to reach $1,796.5 billion by 2027 in size, which is a 16.8% growth given that its size in 2022 is $1,116.7 billion. 

One of the most extensive studies done recently encompassed the data from over 50,000 travelers to conclude that 64% of travelers base their traveling decisions on the food and drink options available at their destination. 

There are two sides to the economic impact of food and beverage in tourism. First, it helps generate more direct revenue, and second, it fosters culinary entrepreneurship and can significantly boost agricultural and food production sectors. It can also help create more job opportunities.

Travel Agencies and Tour Operators 

Travel agencies are travel brands that specialize as intermediaries. They provide tourists with access to accommodation and other tourism options. Travel agencies can also offer various services, such as tour packages, accommodation reservations, and transportation booking . 

Online travel agencies or OTAs are currently dominating this space. In 2022, the online global travel market size reached $475 billion and is projected to reach over one trillion US dollars by 2030. OTAs, including the most significant players such as Booking.com, Trip.com, and Expedia, captured over 40% of the total market . 

While travel agencies continue to generate revenue, it’s important to note that global travel agency revenue is growing at a CAGR of 2.5% . 

Travel agencies, both offline and online, are vital parts of the entire travel ecosystem. They both contribute to the whole sector and facilitate tourism overall. Travel agencies stimulate economic activity through other sectors as they are responsible for actually funneling tourists to destinations. They also help create new jobs, improve travel satisfaction, and ensure repeat business.

Tour operators, the companies that create packages for travel agencies to sell, also make up a sizable sub-sector. The market size of the tour operators industry in the US in 2022 was $8.6 billion . The US market will continue to grow at a CAGR of 17% to reach $30 billion in size by 2023 . Across the ocean, we have Europe, with its tour operator market size projected to reach $74 billion by 2026 , with Germany as the leader in the field with a market size of $24 billion.

Tourism Attractions

Tourism attraction is a place of interest. Generally speaking, tourism attractions’ primary role is to attract tourists to a particular destination. It can be anything from natural wonders and historical sites to museums and cultural landmarks. 

According to the latest data , the most visited attractions are spread across the globe. These include Nagashima Spa Land, Japan; Universal Studio, USA; Palace of Versailles, France; and Bourbon Street, USA.

Theme parks are also among the most popular tourist attractions. In 2022, these parks attracted almost 200 million visitors . The museums are right behind theme parks, with an attendance of 57 million. 

Tourism attractions also have a significant economic impact. They support jobs in the vicinity, boost local economies, and positively impact the overall tourist experience. They are also the number one factor that often drives visitation. 

The most important thing to understand about sectors in the tourism industry is that they are not separated from one another. In fact, the interplay of sectors in tourism is quite elaborate and happens on so many different levels. 

Let’s start with transportation. The affordable, dependable, and reliable means of transportation can facilitate visitation. Transportation is also responsible for the tourist experience. It can improve access to tourism attractions, make tourism agencies more attractive, and drive sales in the accommodation and food and beverage sectors. 

Accommodation in tourism often interplays with travel agencies. It can help improve the brand image of a travel agency by enhancing the stay experience. It can also lead to increased food and beverage sales if the hotel or a resort has its own facilities, such as a restaurant or bar. In return, the food and beverage sector can improve the standing of accommodations and destinations in the eyes of travelers.

Travel agencies interplay with all of the sectors. The services they offer have to live up to the descriptions found on the websites. They can help boost the average daily rates for accommodation providers, increase booking rates at transportation companies, and bring more people to attractions. 

The best way to look for the interplay of sectors in tourism is to closely examine partnerships. The transportation, accommodation, and other various travel brands have recognized the value of the interplay and decided to partner up to reap even more benefits. 

The most common are partnerships between airlines, hotels, and travel agencies. It enables airlines to remain competitive while helping hotels and travel agencies maintain high customer satisfaction and enhanced travel experience.  

The real-world example that comes to mind is Wilderness Safaris’ partnership with Qatar Airways . The big hospitality brand wanted its guests to arrive well-fed & rested, ready to engage in adventures in the great outdoors. Given that Qatar Airways received high marks in the catering and business class areas, it was the perfect pick for Wilderness Safaris.

Another real-world example is AEGAN’s partnership with Booking.com. Here, we have a transportation company and OTA joining forces together to reap unique benefits. AEGAN, an airline brand, wanted its customers to be able to conveniently check hotel availability in real-time, book accommodation at competitive prices, and benefit from friendly cancellation policies. 

To encourage travelers to choose AEGAN services through Booking.com, the company also launched the Frequent Flyer Program and awarded consumers extra miles with every hotel booking using AEGAN transportation services.

As one of the largest industries, the tourism vertical contributes 10% of all jobs or 333 million . All sectors contribute to job creation and the global tourism market size of $2.4 trillion . 

Accommodation and food and beverage sectors have a significant impact on the tourism industry as well. In terms of GDP, these sectors contributed 3.3% , a significant growth, given that the US average is 2.87% .

In raw numbers, it looks like the following. Global accommodation in tourism generates $903 billion . Almost half of it, 49%, comes from the USA sector. Europe, APAC, Middle East, and Africa contribute with their shares of 25%, 22%, 3%, and 2%, respectively. The global hotel and resort industry currently employs approximately 10.5 million people . 

The global travel agency services industry’s revenue has reached $475 in 2023 . Travel agencies in the US employ 402,835 people. Over the last 5 years, the number of people working in the travel agency sector went up by 12%. On a global scale, travel agencies employ approximately 2 million people . 

While every industry and sub-sector is unique, they all share a few things in common. In each one of them, you can find a couple of opportunities and encounter a few challenges. Let’s see what challenges and opportunities there are in each sector. 

Transportation in tourism

Challenges:

• Ever-increasing prices of fuel – to remain profitable, airlines need to manage operational costs, and one of the enormous costs is fuel;
• Becoming green – transportation companies need to reduce carbon emissions and adopt sustainable travel practices, which can be challenging and costly;
• Infrastructure in remote destinations – building roads and developing infrastructure can be pretty challenging in remote destinations with tremendous tourism potential.

Opportunities:

• Using technological advancements – transportation technologies can help improve customer experience and improve operational efficiencies;
• Implementing sustainable practices – becoming eco-friendly can help brands attract environmentally conscious travelers;
• Improving connectivity – with connectivity expansion, transportation brands can help local economies and create new tourism opportunities.

Accommodation in tourism

• Online offer – as more and more competitors join online marketplaces, accommodation providers need to embrace a new paradigm;
• Overtourism – limited accommodation capacity is a massive problem in destinations where over-tourism is a norm;
• Guest safety and security – in some situations and locations, accommodation providers can struggle with ensuring guest safety and security.
• Going digital – embracing cutting-edge technologies can help enhance guest experience and ensure longer and repeat stays;
• Personalized accommodation – offering boutique and experiential lodging can help accommodation providers cater to modern travelers;
• Partnerships – aligning with relevant companies and local brands can help providers attract more travelers.

Food and beverage in tourism

• Quality and safety of food – upholding the highest food quality and safety standards can be challenging;
• Fluctuating demand – seasonal destinations can struggle with handling fluctuating food and beverage demand;
• Shifting dietary preferences – guests may have diverse dietary preferences, which require planning and management.
• Innovation – innovative dishes and fusion cuisines can attract guests who feel more adventurous;
• Farm-to-table – cooperating with local farmers can help bring fresh ingredients to restaurants;
• Focus on local cuisine – bringing local dishes into the spotlight can help attract people interested in authentic cuisine.

Travel agencies

• Harsh competition – travel agencies have to compete against hundreds of online travel booking platforms;
• Tailored services – many travelers look for personalized experiences, which can prove hard to provide if you are a small agency;
• Agility is required – getting ready for a wide range of disruptions is costly and hard to sustain at scale.
• Customization – offering unique packages can help generate more bookings;
• Multi-channel presence – being present across online and offline channels is paramount;
• Focus on a niche market – staying focused on a specific travel niche can help you truly cater to the needs of your target customers.

Tourism attractions

• Preservation – sustainable management of tourism attractions can be challenging; 
• Seasonality – if traction generates the majority of the revenue through seasonal visitors, it can be a problem;
• Infrastructure demand – a growing number of visitors can cause infrastructure strain.
• Collaboration – partnerships can help create a better ecosystem;
• Interpretive guides and interactive displays – interpretive experiences can delight a wide range of visitors;
• Expanding offer – You can offer new activities to make the offer more attractive.

As you can see, the tourism industry landscape is quite comprehensive, with a lot of moving pieces on the board, and the best way to understand the vertical is to take a look at its subsectors.

Hopefully, now you understand transportation, accommodation, food and beverage, travel agencies, and tourism attraction sectors better. They are all intertwined, with many interplay activities. While the tourism sector comes with its fair share of challenges, there are also many opportunities. The current stats and projections tell us that all subsectors are prosperous and expected to grow in the foreseeable future. 

Subscribe to our newsletter

Yay you are now subscribed to our newsletter.

Marc Truyols has a degree in Tourism from the University of the Balearic Islands. Marc has extensive experience in the leisure, travel and tourism industry. His skills in negotiation, hotel management, customer service, sales and hotel management make him a strong business development professional in the travel industry.

Mize is the leading hotel booking optimization solution in the world. With over 170 partners using our fintech products, Mize creates new extra profit for the hotel booking industry using its fully automated proprietary technology and has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue across its suite of products for its partners. Mize was founded in 2016 with its headquarters in Tel Aviv and offices worldwide.

Related Posts

Empowering Equality: Mize Leads the Way in Travel Technology

7 min. Are we all equal? Are we all equally represented in the business world? In some professional sectors, there might still be some under-representation of women, minorities, and the LGBTQIA+ community. The tech sphere is no different, but is the travel tech sector a spark of hope? As the business world becomes more diverse, […]

Slow Tourism Case Studies: Examples to Truly Understand Slow Tourism

14 min. The tourism industry is moving at an ever-accelerating pace. That’s because the tourism industry is perhaps one of the verticals that depend on the most factors. One of the main factors that affect it is social movements, given that tourism brands of all sizes always cater to the needs of consumers. One of […]

All About the 5 Top Travel Agencies in China

20 min. One of today’s largest travel markets was practically nonexistent between 1949 and the 1970s. Yes, the Chinese travel market didn’t exist because the People’s Republic was entirely closed to travelers until the late 1970s. However, it’s not the only thing that makes this market exciting and inviting for a closer look. In 2012, […]

Winter is here! Check out the winter wonderlands at these 5 amazing winter destinations in Montana

• Travel Tips

What Are The 7 Sectors Of Tourism

Published: December 12, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Mable Roldan

• Travel Guide

Introduction

Welcome to the exciting world of tourism! As travel enthusiasts, we often embark on journeys to discover new destinations, experience different cultures, and create unforgettable memories. But have you ever wondered about the various sectors that make up the tourism industry? Understanding these sectors can help us gain insight into the complex web of services and experiences that come together to create the perfect travel experience.

The tourism industry encompasses a wide range of activities and services, all aimed at providing travelers with comfortable and enjoyable experiences. These sectors work harmoniously to ensure that every aspect of a trip, from accommodation to transportation and beyond, is well taken care of. In this article, we will explore the seven key sectors of tourism, each playing a vital role in the overall travel experience.

From finding the perfect place to stay, to indulging in delectable local cuisine, to getting around efficiently, each sector offers unique services and experiences that contribute to the overall success of a trip. So, let’s dive into the world of tourism sectors and discover how they come together to create unforgettable journeys!

Accommodation Sector

The accommodation sector is a fundamental pillar of the tourism industry, providing travelers with a home away from home during their travels. This sector comprises a diverse range of options, ranging from luxurious hotels and resorts to budget-friendly hostels and vacation rentals.

Accommodation providers strive to ensure that guests have a comfortable and pleasant stay by offering a variety of amenities and services. From well-appointed rooms and spacious suites to 24/7 reception and room service, the accommodation sector aims to meet the needs and preferences of all types of travelers.

In recent years, there has been a remarkable surge in alternative accommodation options such as home-sharing platforms like Airbnb, allowing travelers to rent unique properties directly from homeowners. This trend has provided travelers with a wider range of choices and the opportunity to experience local neighborhoods and cultures more authentically.

Additionally, sustainability and eco-consciousness have become important factors in the accommodation sector. Many establishments are implementing eco-friendly practices, such as energy-efficient lighting and recycling programs, to reduce their environmental impact and attract guests who prioritize sustainable tourism.

Furthermore, technology has played a significant role in enhancing the accommodation sector. Online booking platforms and mobile apps have made it easier than ever for travelers to research, compare, and book accommodations, providing a seamless experience. The use of keyless entry systems and personalized mobile concierge services have also become popular, allowing guests to have a hassle-free and customized stay.

Whether it’s a cozy bed and breakfast nestled in a charming countryside or a luxurious beachfront resort with stunning ocean views, the accommodation sector offers a wide range of options to suit every budget, preference, and travel style.

Food and Beverage Sector

The food and beverage sector is a vital component of the tourism industry, as it provides travelers with culinary experiences that reflect the local culture and traditions of a destination. This sector encompasses a wide range of establishments, including restaurants, cafes, bars, food trucks, and street food vendors.

One of the highlights of travel is indulging in diverse cuisines and trying new flavors. The food and beverage sector caters to these cravings by offering a plethora of dining options, from upscale fine dining restaurants to casual eateries serving traditional local dishes. Travelers can savor authentic flavors, culinary masterpieces, and innovative fusions that highlight the region’s unique gastronomy.

Many destinations are known for their vibrant food scenes, with local markets and street food stalls offering a rich tapestry of flavors and aromas. Exploring local markets and trying street food can be a memorable and immersive experience, allowing travelers to get a taste of the authentic culinary culture of a place.

The food and beverage sector also caters to specific dietary needs and preferences. With an increasing number of people following vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free diets, many establishments now offer diverse menu options to accommodate various dietary requirements. This inclusivity ensures that travelers with dietary restrictions can still enjoy delicious meals and be part of the culinary exploration.

Moreover, the sector has witnessed a rising trend of farm-to-table dining and emphasis on local, sustainable ingredients. Restaurants and cafes are partnering with local farmers, growers, and producers to source fresh, seasonal ingredients, supporting the local economy and reducing the carbon footprint associated with long-distance food transportation.

Technology has also made its mark on the food and beverage sector, with online restaurant reviews, recommendations, and food delivery apps allowing travelers to discover and enjoy the best dining experiences effortlessly. Additionally, some establishments employ innovative concepts like interactive dining experiences, fusion cuisines, and molecular gastronomy, aiming to provide unique and memorable meals that go beyond traditional dining.

From savoring Michelin-starred delicacies to sampling street food treasures, the food and beverage sector offers a diverse and enticing array of culinary experiences for travelers to delight their taste buds and create lasting memories.

Transportation Sector

The transportation sector is an essential component of the tourism industry, connecting travelers to their desired destinations. It encompasses various modes of transportation, including air travel, train and rail services, bus and coach services, cruises, and car rentals.

Air travel is a major player in the transportation sector, providing international and domestic flights that enable travelers to reach their destinations quickly and efficiently. Airlines strive to offer comfortable seating, in-flight entertainment, and quality service to enhance the overall travel experience. With the expansion of low-cost carriers, air travel has become more accessible and affordable, driving tourism growth around the world.

Train and rail services are another popular mode of transportation, especially for intercity travel and scenic journeys. Traveling by train allows passengers to enjoy stunning landscapes, experience local culture, and connect with different regions or countries in a convenient and sustainable way.

Bus and coach services provide economical transportation options for both urban and rural areas. They are often preferred by budget-conscious travelers or those seeking a more immersive experience, as they allow passengers to interact with locals and witness the changing landscapes along the journey.

Cruise tourism has also gained popularity, offering unique travel experiences on sea voyages. Cruise ships provide a floating resort-like experience, with amenities such as restaurants, entertainment venues, and recreational activities, while allowing travelers to explore different destinations without the need for constant packing and unpacking.

Car rentals give travelers the freedom to explore at their own pace, particularly in destinations with extensive road networks and scenic drives. Renting a car allows for flexibility and the opportunity to venture off the beaten path, discovering hidden gems and experiencing a more personalized travel itinerary.

Advancements in technology have revolutionized the transportation sector, making it more convenient and accessible for travelers. Online platforms and mobile apps allow for seamless booking and ticketing, real-time travel updates, and navigation assistance. Ride-hailing services have also gained popularity, providing an alternative mode of transportation in urban areas.

Transportation plays a crucial role in shaping a traveler’s overall experience, as it sets the tone for their journey and connects them to the various attractions and activities of a destination. Efficient and well-connected transportation networks contribute to the accessibility and attractiveness of a place, making it easier and more enjoyable for travelers to explore and immerse themselves in new cultures and experiences.

Travel Agency Sector

The travel agency sector plays a pivotal role in the tourism industry, acting as a bridge between travelers and their dream destinations. Travel agencies provide valuable services and expertise to help travelers plan and organize their trips, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience.

Travel agencies serve as a one-stop-shop for all travel-related needs. They assist travelers in selecting destinations, finding the best deals on accommodations, arranging transportation, and curating itineraries based on individual preferences and budgets. Whether it’s a solo adventure, a family vacation, a romantic getaway, or a group tour, travel agencies cater to a wide range of travel styles and requirements.

These agencies maintain relationships with airlines, hotels, tour operators, and other service providers, enabling them to secure discounted rates and exclusive packages for their clients. They have firsthand knowledge of destinations, attractions, and local customs, allowing them to offer valuable advice and recommendations to travelers.

In addition to organizing the logistics of a trip, travel agencies often specialize in specific types of travel experiences. They may focus on adventure travel, luxury vacations, cultural immersion, or niche markets like eco-tourism or culinary tours. This specialization allows them to provide expert guidance tailored to the specific interests of their clients.

With the rise of online travel booking platforms, some may question the relevance of travel agencies. However, travel agencies still hold a significant advantage with their personalized service and expertise. They can offer valuable insights and recommendations, handle complex itineraries, and provide support in the event of any unexpected issues during the trip.

Furthermore, travel agencies often offer additional services such as travel insurance, visa assistance, and 24/7 customer support. These added benefits alleviate the stress and uncertainties that can arise when planning and embarking on a journey, giving travelers peace of mind.

In recent years, travel agencies have also embraced technology to enhance their services. Many agencies have online platforms where travelers can research, compare, and book travel services. They utilize social media and content marketing strategies to inspire and engage potential clients, sharing travel tips, destination highlights, and special offers.

Overall, the travel agency sector plays a vital role in facilitating seamless and enjoyable travel experiences. Their expertise, personalized service, and access to exclusive deals make them valuable partners for travelers seeking professional assistance and guidance in planning their adventures.

Adventure and Recreation Sector

The adventure and recreation sector of the tourism industry caters to thrill-seekers and outdoor enthusiasts, offering a wide range of exciting activities and experiences. This sector is perfect for those looking to step out of their comfort zone, immerse themselves in nature, and create unforgettable memories.

Adventure tourism encompasses activities such as hiking, mountaineering, rock climbing, zip-lining, white-water rafting, and paragliding, among others. These activities provide a unique opportunity to explore natural landscapes, challenge oneself physically and mentally, and appreciate the beauty and wonders of the great outdoors.

Recreation tourism, on the other hand, focuses on leisure and relaxation. This sector includes activities such as beach vacations, golfing, spa retreats, wellness retreats, and wildlife safaris. Recreation tourism offers a chance to unwind, rejuvenate, and engage in activities that promote overall well-being and tranquility.

While adventure and recreation activities differ in their nature, both sectors contribute to sustainable tourism by raising awareness about environmental conservation and supporting local communities. Many adventure tourism operators and recreational facilities follow sustainable practices, ensuring the preservation of natural resources and the protection of delicate ecosystems.

Adventure and recreation tourism also provide economic opportunities for local communities. These activities often require specialized guides, equipment rental services, and accommodation facilities, creating employment and generating income for the host destinations.

Technology has played a significant role in the growth of the adventure and recreation sector. Online platforms and mobile applications make it easier for travelers to research and book activities, access trail maps, and connect with local guides. Adventure and recreation companies often leverage social media platforms to showcase their offerings and inspire potential travelers.

The adventure and recreation sector offers a diverse range of experiences, catering to a variety of interests and skill levels. Whether it’s summiting a mountain peak, scuba diving in a vibrant coral reef, or simply enjoying a peaceful yoga retreat, this sector ensures that travelers can find activities that align with their preferences and desired level of excitement.

It’s important to note that safety and responsible tourism practices are essential in the adventure and recreation sector. Travelers should choose licensed operators, follow guidelines provided by professionals, respect the environment, and prioritize their own safety and well-being while engaging in adventurous activities. This ensures a positive and sustainable experience for both travelers and the destinations they visit.

Events and Conferences Sector

The events and conferences sector of the tourism industry plays a pivotal role in bringing together professionals, enthusiasts, and like-minded individuals from various fields. This sector is responsible for organizing and hosting a wide range of events, conferences, trade shows, and exhibitions that contribute to knowledge-sharing, networking, and business growth.

Events and conferences serve as platforms for professionals to exchange ideas, showcase innovations, and discuss current trends in their respective industries. They provide opportunities for networking, collaboration, and learning, fostering professional development and driving innovation.

The sector encompasses a diverse range of events, including academic conferences, industry exhibitions, music festivals, sports competitions, cultural festivals, and trade shows, among many others. These events attract participants from different parts of the world, contributing to the economic growth of the host destination.

Events and conferences often require specialized infrastructure and facilities, such as convention centers, exhibition halls, and hotels with conference facilities. These venues provide the necessary space, technology, and amenities to accommodate large gatherings and ensure the smooth execution of events.

The events and conferences sector contributes to the tourism industry by boosting visitor numbers, filling hotel rooms, and driving revenue for local businesses such as restaurants, transportation services, and event vendors. Host destinations often see a surge in tourism during major events, as attendees explore the local attractions and contribute to the local economy.

Technology has played a significant role in enhancing the events and conferences sector. Virtual conferences and hybrid event formats have gained popularity, allowing participants to attend events remotely, reducing travel expenses and environmental impact. Event management software, mobile apps, and online registration systems have streamlined event organization, making it easier for attendees to access event information, sign up for sessions, and engage with other participants.

It’s important to note that the events and conferences sector is not limited to business-related gatherings. Cultural festivals, music concerts, and sporting events also fall under this sector, offering unique experiences that celebrate art, music, sports, and local traditions.

A well-executed event or conference can leave a lasting impact on participants, fostering professional connections, knowledge exchange, and inspiration. By bringing people together, this sector contributes to the growth and development of various industries and promotes cultural exchange and mutual understanding.

Tourism Services Sector

The tourism services sector is a vital component of the overall tourism industry, providing a wide range of support services to both travelers and businesses operating within the tourism sector. This sector encompasses various services that enhance the travel experience and contribute to the seamless operation of the industry.

One of the key services in this sector is tourism information and assistance. Tourism information centers, both physical and virtual, provide valuable resources and guidance to travelers, offering information about destinations, attractions, accommodation options, transportation, and activities. These centers play a crucial role in helping travelers plan their itineraries and make informed decisions.

Another important aspect of the tourism services sector is travel insurance. Travel insurance provides coverage for unexpected events such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, lost baggage, and travel interruptions. It offers peace of mind to travelers, ensuring that they are protected from unforeseen circumstances that may disrupt their travel plans.

Visa assistance is another significant service within this sector. Many destinations require travelers to obtain visas before entry, and navigating the visa application process can be complex and time-consuming. Visa assistance services, whether provided by travel agencies or specialized companies, help travelers understand the requirements, gather the necessary documentation, and facilitate the visa application process.

Translation and interpretation services are also essential in the tourism services sector, particularly in destinations where the local language may be a barrier for some travelers. These services ensure effective communication between travelers and local residents, allowing for a smoother and more immersive experience.

Additionally, currency exchange services play a vital role in facilitating financial transactions for travelers. The ability to exchange currencies conveniently and at fair rates ensures that travelers have access to the local currency for their expenses during their trip.

Technology has transformed the tourism services sector, making these services more accessible and convenient. Mobile applications, online platforms, and virtual assistants provide travelers with instant access to information, assistance, and services. Many travel service providers offer online booking options and 24/7 customer support, allowing travelers to make reservations and address any queries or concerns at their convenience.

The tourism services sector acts as a backbone for the overall tourism industry, ensuring that travelers have access to the necessary support, information, and services they need throughout their journey. By providing valuable assistance and enhancing the travel experience, this sector plays a vital role in fostering customer satisfaction and driving the growth of the tourism industry as a whole.

The tourism industry is a complex and multifaceted sector, composed of various interconnected sectors that work together to provide unforgettable travel experiences. From accommodations and food to transportation and events, each sector plays a crucial role in shaping the overall travel experience and contributing to the success of the tourism industry.

The accommodation sector ensures that travelers have a comfortable and enjoyable place to stay, offering a wide range of options to suit every preference and budget. The food and beverage sector tantalizes taste buds with diverse cuisines and culinary experiences, reflecting the local culture and traditions of a destination.

The transportation sector connects travelers to their desired destinations, providing convenient and efficient modes of travel. Travel agencies serve as invaluable resources, offering expertise and assistance in planning and organizing trips, while the adventure and recreation sector caters to thrill-seekers and outdoor enthusiasts craving adrenaline-pumping experiences.

Events and conferences bring professionals together, fostering knowledge sharing, networking, and innovation. Finally, the tourism services sector provides essential support services such as information and assistance, travel insurance, visa facilitation, translation and interpretation, and currency exchange.

Technology has revolutionized the tourism industry, making information and services more accessible, convenient, and personalized. Online booking platforms, mobile apps, and virtual assistance have transformed the way travelers research, plan, and book their trips.

In conclusion, understanding the various sectors of the tourism industry allows us to appreciate the intricate web of services that work harmoniously to create remarkable travel experiences. Whether it’s relaxing in a luxurious hotel, savoring local delicacies, exploring beautiful landscapes, attending a conference, or receiving helpful assistance, each sector contributes to the success and enjoyment of a trip. By recognizing the importance of these sectors and embracing technology’s advancements, we can continue to enhance and evolve the tourism industry and provide unforgettable experiences for travelers around the world.

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

Global tourism industry - statistics & facts

What are the leading global tourism destinations, digitalization of the global tourism industry, how important is sustainable tourism, key insights.

Detailed statistics

Total contribution of travel and tourism to GDP worldwide 2019-2033

Number of international tourist arrivals worldwide 1950-2023

Global leisure travel spend 2019-2022

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Current statistics on this topic.

Leading global travel markets by travel and tourism contribution to GDP 2019-2022

Travel and tourism employment worldwide 2019-2033

Related topics

Recommended.

• Hotel industry worldwide
• Travel agency industry
• Sustainable tourism worldwide
• Travel and tourism in the U.S.
• Travel and tourism in Europe

Recommended statistics

• Basic Statistic Total contribution of travel and tourism to GDP worldwide 2019-2033
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism: share of global GDP 2019-2033
• Basic Statistic Leading global travel markets by travel and tourism contribution to GDP 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Global leisure travel spend 2019-2022
• Premium Statistic Global business travel spending 2001-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of international tourist arrivals worldwide 1950-2023
• Basic Statistic Number of international tourist arrivals worldwide 2005-2023, by region
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism employment worldwide 2019-2033

Total contribution of travel and tourism to gross domestic product (GDP) worldwide in 2019 and 2022, with a forecast for 2023 and 2033 (in trillion U.S. dollars)

Travel and tourism: share of global GDP 2019-2033

Share of travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP worldwide in 2019 and 2022, with a forecast for 2023 and 2033

Total contribution of travel and tourism to GDP in leading travel markets worldwide in 2019 and 2022 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Leisure tourism spending worldwide from 2019 to 2022 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Global business travel spending 2001-2022

Expenditure of business tourists worldwide from 2001 to 2022 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Number of international tourist arrivals worldwide from 1950 to 2023 (in millions)

Number of international tourist arrivals worldwide 2005-2023, by region

Number of international tourist arrivals worldwide from 2005 to 2023, by region (in millions)

Number of travel and tourism jobs worldwide from 2019 to 2022, with a forecast for 2023 and 2033 (in millions)

• Premium Statistic Global hotel and resort industry market size worldwide 2013-2023
• Premium Statistic Most valuable hotel brands worldwide 2023, by brand value
• Basic Statistic Leading hotel companies worldwide 2023, by number of properties
• Premium Statistic Hotel openings worldwide 2021-2024
• Premium Statistic Hotel room openings worldwide 2021-2024
• Premium Statistic Countries with the most hotel construction projects in the pipeline worldwide 2022

Global hotel and resort industry market size worldwide 2013-2023

Market size of the hotel and resort industry worldwide from 2013 to 2022, with a forecast for 2023 (in trillion U.S. dollars)

Most valuable hotel brands worldwide 2023, by brand value

Leading hotel brands based on brand value worldwide in 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Leading hotel companies worldwide 2023, by number of properties

Leading hotel companies worldwide as of June 2023, by number of properties

Hotel openings worldwide 2021-2024

Number of hotels opened worldwide from 2021 to 2022, with a forecast for 2023 and 2024

Hotel room openings worldwide 2021-2024

Number of hotel rooms opened worldwide from 2021 to 2022, with a forecast for 2023 and 2024

Countries with the most hotel construction projects in the pipeline worldwide 2022

Countries with the highest number of hotel construction projects in the pipeline worldwide as of Q4 2022

• Premium Statistic Airports with the most international air passenger traffic worldwide 2022
• Premium Statistic Market value of selected airlines worldwide 2023
• Premium Statistic Global passenger rail users forecast 2017-2027
• Premium Statistic Daily ridership of bus rapid transit systems worldwide by region 2023
• Premium Statistic Number of users of car rentals worldwide 2019-2028
• Premium Statistic Number of users in selected countries in the Car Rentals market in 2023
• Premium Statistic Carbon footprint of international tourism transport worldwide 2005-2030, by type

Airports with the most international air passenger traffic worldwide 2022

Leading airports for international air passenger traffic in 2022 (in million international passengers)

Market value of selected airlines worldwide 2023

Market value of selected airlines worldwide as of May 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Global passenger rail users forecast 2017-2027

Worldwide number of passenger rail users from 2017 to 2022, with a forecast through 2027 (in billion users)

Daily ridership of bus rapid transit systems worldwide by region 2023

Number of daily passengers using bus rapid transit (BRT) systems as of April 2023, by region

Number of users of car rentals worldwide 2019-2028

Number of users of car rentals worldwide from 2019 to 2028 (in millions)

Number of users in selected countries in the Car Rentals market in 2023

Number of users in selected countries in the Car Rentals market in 2023 (in million)

Carbon footprint of international tourism transport worldwide 2005-2030, by type

Transport-related emissions from international tourist arrivals worldwide in 2005 and 2016, with a forecast for 2030, by mode of transport (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide)

Attractions

• Premium Statistic Market size of museums, historical sites, zoos, and parks worldwide 2022-2027
• Premium Statistic Leading museums by highest attendance worldwide 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Most visited amusement and theme parks worldwide 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Monuments on the UNESCO world heritage list 2023, by type
• Basic Statistic Selected countries with the most Michelin-starred restaurants worldwide 2023

Market size of museums, historical sites, zoos, and parks worldwide 2022-2027

Size of the museums, historical sites, zoos, and parks market worldwide in 2022, with a forecast for 2023 and 2027 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Leading museums by highest attendance worldwide 2019-2022

Most visited museums worldwide from 2019 to 2022 (in millions)

Most visited amusement and theme parks worldwide 2019-2022

Leading amusement and theme parks worldwide from 2019 to 2022, by attendance (in millions)

Monuments on the UNESCO world heritage list 2023, by type

Number of monuments on the UNESCO world heritage list as of September 2023, by type

Selected countries with the most Michelin-starred restaurants worldwide 2023

Number of Michelin-starred restaurants in selected countries and territories worldwide as of July 2023

Online travel market

• Premium Statistic Online travel market size worldwide 2017-2028
• Premium Statistic Estimated desktop vs. mobile revenue of leading OTAs worldwide 2023
• Premium Statistic Number of aggregated downloads of leading online travel agency apps worldwide 2023
• Basic Statistic Market cap of leading online travel companies worldwide 2023
• Premium Statistic Leading online travel companies worldwide 2020-2022, by revenue CAGR
• Premium Statistic Leading online travel companies worldwide 2022-2023, by EV/EBITDA

Online travel market size worldwide 2017-2028

Online travel market size worldwide from 2017 to 2023, with a forecast until 2028 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Estimated desktop vs. mobile revenue of leading OTAs worldwide 2023

Estimated desktop vs. mobile revenue of leading online travel agencies (OTAs) worldwide in 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Number of aggregated downloads of leading online travel agency apps worldwide 2023

Number of aggregated downloads of selected leading online travel agency apps worldwide in 2023 (in millions)

Market cap of leading online travel companies worldwide 2023

Market cap of leading online travel companies worldwide as of September 2023 (in million U.S. dollars)

Leading online travel companies worldwide 2020-2022, by revenue CAGR

Revenue compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of leading online travel companies worldwide from 2020 to 2022

Leading online travel companies worldwide 2022-2023, by EV/EBITDA

Enterprise-value-to-EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) of selected leading online travel companies worldwide in 2022, with a forecast for 2023

Selected trends

• Premium Statistic Global travelers who believe in the importance of green travel 2022
• Premium Statistic Sustainable initiatives travelers would adopt worldwide 2022, by region
• Premium Statistic Airbnb revenue worldwide 2017-2023
• Premium Statistic Airbnb nights and experiences booked worldwide 2017-2023
• Premium Statistic Technologies global hotels plan to implement in the next three years 2022
• Premium Statistic Hotel technologies global consumers think would improve their future stay 2022

Global travelers who believe in the importance of green travel 2022

Share of travelers that believe sustainable travel is important worldwide in 2022

Sustainable initiatives travelers would adopt worldwide 2022, by region

Main sustainable initiatives travelers are willing to adopt worldwide in 2022, by region

Airbnb revenue worldwide 2017-2023

Revenue of Airbnb worldwide from 2017 to 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Airbnb nights and experiences booked worldwide 2017-2023

Nights and experiences booked with Airbnb from 2017 to 2023 (in millions)

Technologies global hotels plan to implement in the next three years 2022

Technologies hotels are most likely to implement in the next three years worldwide as of 2022

Hotel technologies global consumers think would improve their future stay 2022

Must-have hotel technologies to create a more amazing stay in the future among travelers worldwide as of 2022

• Premium Statistic Travel and tourism revenue worldwide 2019-2028, by segment
• Premium Statistic Distribution of sales channels in the travel and tourism market worldwide 2018-2028
• Premium Statistic Inbound tourism visitor growth worldwide 2020-2025, by region
• Premium Statistic Outbound tourism visitor growth worldwide 2020-2025, by region

Travel and tourism revenue worldwide 2019-2028, by segment

Revenue of the global travel and tourism market from 2019 to 2028, by segment (in billion U.S. dollars)

Distribution of sales channels in the travel and tourism market worldwide 2018-2028

Revenue share of sales channels of the travel and tourism market worldwide from 2018 to 2028

Inbound tourism visitor growth worldwide 2020-2025, by region

Inbound tourism visitor growth worldwide from 2020 to 2022, with a forecast until 2025, by region

Outbound tourism visitor growth worldwide 2020-2025, by region

Outbound tourism visitor growth worldwide from 2020 to 2022, with a forecast until 2025, by region

Further reports Get the best reports to understand your industry

Get the best reports to understand your industry.

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm (SGT)

Mon - Fri, 10:00am - 6:00pm (JST)

Mon - Fri, 9:30am - 5pm (GMT)

Reimagining the $9 trillion tourism economy—what will it take?

Tourism made up 10 percent of global GDP in 2019 and was worth almost $9 trillion, 1 See “Economic impact reports,” World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), wttc.org. making the sector nearly three times larger than agriculture. However, the tourism value chain of suppliers and intermediaries has always been fragmented, with limited coordination among the small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) that make up a large portion of the sector. Governments have generally played a limited role in the industry, with partial oversight and light-touch management.

COVID-19 has caused an unprecedented crisis for the tourism industry. International tourist arrivals are projected to plunge by 60 to 80 percent in 2020, and tourism spending is not likely to return to precrisis levels until 2024. This puts as many as 120 million jobs at risk. 2 “International tourist numbers could fall 60-80% in 2020, UNWTO reports,” World Tourism Organization, May 7, 2020, unwto.org.

Reopening tourism-related businesses and managing their recovery in a way that is safe, attractive for tourists, and economically viable will require coordination at a level not seen before. The public sector may be best placed to oversee this process in the context of the fragmented SME ecosystem, large state-owned enterprises controlling entry points, and the increasing impact of health-related agencies. As borders start reopening and interest in leisure rebounds in some regions , governments could take the opportunity to rethink their role within tourism, thereby potentially both assisting in the sector’s recovery and strengthening it in the long term.

In this article, we suggest four ways in which governments can reimagine their role in the tourism sector in the context of COVID-19.

1. Streamlining public–private interfaces through a tourism nerve center

Before COVID-19, most tourism ministries and authorities focused on destination marketing, industry promotions, and research. Many are now dealing with a raft of new regulations, stimulus programs, and protocols. They are also dealing with uncertainty around demand forecasting, and the decisions they make around which assets—such as airports—to reopen will have a major impact on the safety of tourists and sector employees.

Coordination between the public and private sectors in tourism was already complex prior to COVID-19. In the United Kingdom, for example, tourism falls within the remit of two departments—the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS)—which interact with other government agencies and the private sector at several points. Complex coordination structures often make clarity and consistency difficult. These issues are exacerbated by the degree of coordination that will be required by the tourism sector in the aftermath of the crisis, both across government agencies (for example, between the ministries responsible for transport, tourism, and health), and between the government and private-sector players (such as for implementing protocols, syncing financial aid, and reopening assets).

Concentrating crucial leadership into a central nerve center  is a crisis management response many organizations have deployed in similar situations. Tourism nerve centers, which bring together public, private, and semi-private players into project teams to address five themes, could provide an active collaboration framework that is particularly suited to the diverse stakeholders within the tourism sector (Exhibit 1).

We analyzed stimulus packages across 24 economies, 3 Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, and the United Kingdom. which totaled nearly $100 billion in funds dedicated directly to the tourism sector, and close to $300 billion including cross-sector packages with a heavy tourism footprint. This stimulus was generally provided by multiple entities and government departments, and few countries had a single integrated view on beneficiaries and losers. We conducted surveys on how effective the public-sector response has been and found that two-thirds of tourism players were either unaware of the measures taken by government or felt they did not have sufficient impact. Given uncertainty about the timing and speed of the tourism recovery, obtaining quick feedback and redeploying funds will be critical to ensuring that stimulus packages have maximum impact.

2. Experimenting with new financing mechanisms

Most of the $100 billion stimulus that we analyzed was structured as grants, debt relief, and aid to SMEs and airlines. New Zealand has offered an NZ $15,000 (US $10,000) grant per SME to cover wages, for example, while Singapore has instituted an 8 percent cash grant on the gross monthly wages of local employees. Japan has waived the debt of small companies where income dropped more than 20 percent. In Germany, companies can use state-sponsored work-sharing schemes for up to six months, and the government provides an income replacement rate of 60 percent.

Our forecasts indicate that it will take four to seven years for tourism demand to return to 2019 levels, which means that overcapacity will be the new normal in the medium term. This prolonged period of low demand means that the way tourism is financed needs to change. The aforementioned types of policies are expensive and will be difficult for governments to sustain over multiple years. They also might not go far enough. A recent Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) survey of SMEs in the tourism sector suggested more than half would not survive the next few months, and the failure of businesses on anything like this scale would put the recovery far behind even the most conservative forecasts. 4 See Tourism policy responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19), OECD, June 2020, oecd.org. Governments and the private sector should be investigating new, innovative financing measures.

Revenue-pooling structures for hotels

One option would be the creation of revenue-pooling structures, which could help asset owners and operators, especially SMEs, to manage variable costs and losses moving forward. Hotels competing for the same segment in the same district, such as a beach strip, could have an incentive to pool revenues and losses while operating at reduced capacity. Instead of having all hotels operating at 20 to 40 percent occupancy, a subset of hotels could operate at a higher occupancy rate and share the revenue with the remainder. This would allow hotels to optimize variable costs and reduce the need for government stimulus. Non-operating hotels could channel stimulus funds into refurbishments or other investment, which would boost the destination’s attractiveness. Governments will need to be the intermediary between businesses through auditing or escrow accounts in this model.

Joint equity funds for small and medium-size enterprises

Government-backed equity funds could also be used to deploy private capital to help ensure that tourism-related SMEs survive the crisis (Exhibit 2). This principle underpins the European Commission’s temporary framework for recapitalization of state-aided enterprises, which provided an estimated €1.9 trillion in aid to the EU economy between March and May 2020. 5 See “State aid: Commission expands temporary framework to recapitalisation and subordinated debt measures to further support the economy in the context of the coronavirus outbreak,” European Commission, May 8, 2020, ec.europa.eu. Applying such a mechanism to SMEs would require creating an appropriate equity-holding structure, or securitizing equity stakes in multiple SMEs at once, reducing the overall risk profile for the investor. In addition, developing a standardized valuation methodology would avoid lengthy due diligence processes on each asset. Governments that do not have the resources to co-invest could limit their role to setting up those structures and opening them to potential private investors.

3. Ensuring transparent, consistent communication on protocols

The return of tourism demand requires that travelers and tourism-sector employees feel—and are—safe. Although international organizations such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) have developed a set of guidelines to serve as a baseline, local regulators are layering additional measures on top. This leads to low levels of harmonization regarding regulations imposed by local governments.

Our surveys of traveler confidence in the United States  suggests anxiety remains high, and authorities and destination managers must work to ensure travelers know about, and feel reassured by, protocols put in place for their protection. Our latest survey of traveler sentiment in China  suggests a significant gap between how confident travelers would like to feel and how confident they actually feel; actual confidence in safety is much lower than the expected level asked a month before.

One reason for this low level of confidence is confusion over the safety measures that are currently in place. Communication is therefore key to bolstering demand. Experience in Europe indicates that prompt, transparent, consistent communications from public agencies have had a similar impact on traveler demand as CEO announcements have on stock prices. Clear, credible announcements regarding the removal of travel restrictions have already led to increased air-travel searches and bookings. In the week that governments announced the removal of travel bans to a number of European summer destinations, for example, outbound air travel web search volumes recently exceeded precrisis levels by more than 20 percent in some countries.

The case of Greece helps illustrate the importance of clear and consistent communication. Greece was one of the first EU countries to announce the date of, and conditions and protocols for, border reopening. Since that announcement, Greece’s disease incidence has remained steady and there have been no changes to the announced protocols. The result: our joint research with trivago shows that Greece is now among the top five summer destinations for German travelers for the first time. In July and August, Greece will reach inbound airline ticketing levels that are approximately 50 percent of that achieved in the same period last year. This exceeds the rate in most other European summer destinations, including Croatia (35 percent), Portugal (around 30 percent), and Spain (around 40 percent). 6 Based on IATA Air Travel Pulse by McKinsey. In contrast, some destinations that have had inconsistent communications around the time frame of reopening have shown net cancellations of flights for June and July. Even for the high seasons toward the end of the year, inbound air travel ticketing barely reaches 30 percent of 2019 volumes.

Digital solutions can be an effective tool to bridge communication and to create consistency on protocols between governments and the private sector. In China, the health QR code system, which reflects past travel history and contact with infected people, is being widely used during the reopening stage. Travelers have to show their green, government-issued QR code before entering airports, hotels, and attractions. The code is also required for preflight check-in and, at certain destination airports, after landing.

4. Enabling a digital and analytics transformation within the tourism sector

Data sources and forecasts have shifted, and proliferated, in the crisis. Last year’s demand prediction models are no longer relevant, leaving many destinations struggling to understand how demand will evolve, and therefore how to manage supply. Uncertainty over the speed and shape of the recovery means that segmentation and marketing budgets, historically reassessed every few years, now need to be updated every few months. The tourism sector needs to undergo an analytics transformation to enable the coordination of marketing budgets, sector promotions, and calendars of events, and to ensure that products are marketed to the right population segment at the right time.

Governments have an opportunity to reimagine their roles in providing data infrastructure and capabilities to the tourism sector, and to investigate new and innovative operating models. This was already underway in some destinations before COVID-19. Singapore, for example, made heavy investments in its data and analytics stack over the past decade through the Singapore Tourism Analytics Network (STAN), which provided tourism players with visitor arrival statistics, passenger profiling, spending data, revenue data, and extensive customer-experience surveys. During the COVID-19 pandemic, real-time data on leading travel indicators and “nowcasts” (forecasts for the coming weeks and months) could be invaluable to inform the decisions of both public-sector and private-sector entities.

This analytics transformation will also help to address the digital gap that was evident in tourism even before the crisis. Digital services are vital for travelers: in 2019, more than 40 percent of US travelers used mobile devices to book their trips. 7 Global Digital Traveler Research 2019, Travelport, marketing.cloud.travelport.com; “Mobile travel trends 2019 in the words of industry experts,” blog entry by David MacHale, December 11, 2018, blog.digital.travelport.com. In Europe and the United States, as many as 60 percent of travel bookings are digital, and online travel agents can have a market share as high as 50 percent, particularly for smaller independent hotels. 8 Sean O’Neill, “Coronavirus upheaval prompts independent hotels to look at management company startups,” Skift, May 11, 2020, skift.com. COVID-19 is likely to accelerate the shift to digital as travelers look for flexibility and booking lead times shorten: more than 90 percent of recent trips in China  were booked within seven days of the trip itself. Many tourism businesses have struggled to keep pace with changing consumer preferences around digital. In particular, many tourism SMEs have not been fully able to integrate new digital capabilities in the way that larger businesses have, with barriers including language issues, and low levels of digital fluency. The commission rates on existing platforms, which range from 10 percent for larger hotel brands to 25 percent for independent hotels, also make it difficult for SMEs to compete in the digital space.

Governments are well-positioned to overcome the digital gap within the sector and to level the playing field for SMEs. The Tourism Exchange Australia (TXA) platform, which was created by the Australian government, is an example of enabling at scale. It acts as a matchmaker, connecting suppliers with distributors and intermediaries to create packages attractive to a specific segment of tourists, then uses tourist engagement to provide further analytical insights to travel intermediaries (Exhibit 3). This mechanism allows online travel agents to diversify their offerings by providing more experiences away from the beaten track, which both adds to Australia’s destination attractiveness, and gives small suppliers better access to customers.

Governments that seize the opportunity to reimagine tourism operations and oversight will be well positioned to steer their national tourism industries safely into—and set them up to thrive within—the next normal.

Download the article in Arabic  (513KB)

Margaux Constantin is an associate partner in McKinsey’s Dubai office, Steve Saxon is a partner in the Shanghai office, and Jackey Yu  is an associate partner in the Hong Kong office.

The authors wish to thank Hugo Espirito Santo, Urs Binggeli, Jonathan Steinbach, Yassir Zouaoui, Rebecca Stone, and Ninan Chacko for their contributions to this article.

Explore a career with us

Related articles.

Make it better, not just safer: The opportunity to reinvent travel

Hospitality and COVID-19: How long until ‘no vacancy’ for US hotels?

A new approach in tracking travel demand

Travel Marketing, Tourism Economics and the Airline Product pp 3–27 Cite as

The Tourism Industry: An Overview

• Mark Anthony Camilleri 2  
• First Online: 30 September 2017

100k Accesses

76 Citations

5 Altmetric

Part of the book series: Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management ((THEM))

This chapter introduces its readers to the concept of tourism. It sheds light on the rationale for tourism, as it explains the tourists’ inherent motivations to travel. It also describes different aspects that together make up the tourism industry. Tourists travel to destinations that are accessible to them. They require accommodation if they are visiting a place for more than 24 h. Leisure and business travellers may also visit attractions, and engage themselves in recreational activities. Hence, the tourist destinations should have the right amenities and facilities. In this light, this chapter clarifies how destinations may offer different products to satisfy a wide array of tourists. Tourism products can include; urban (or city) tourism, seaside tourism , rural tourism , ecotourism , wine tourism , culinary tourism , health tourism, medical tourism , religious tourism , cultural (or heritage) tourism , sports tourism , educational tourism , business tourism (including meetings, incentives, conferences and events), among others. In conclusion, this chapter lists major points of interest in North America to clarify how diverse destinations may be appealing to different tourists, for many reasons.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution .

Buying options

• Available as PDF
• Read on any device
• Instant download
• Own it forever
• Available as EPUB and PDF
• Compact, lightweight edition
• Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
• Free shipping worldwide - see info
• Durable hardcover edition

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

Department of Corporate Communication, University of Malta, Msida, Malta

Mark Anthony Camilleri

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mark Anthony Camilleri .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Cite this chapter.

Camilleri, M.A. (2018). The Tourism Industry: An Overview. In: Travel Marketing, Tourism Economics and the Airline Product. Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49849-2_1

Download citation

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49849-2_1

Published : 30 September 2017

Publisher Name : Springer, Cham

Print ISBN : 978-3-319-49848-5

Online ISBN : 978-3-319-49849-2

eBook Packages : Business and Management Business and Management (R0)

Share this chapter

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

• Publish with us

Policies and ethics

• Find a journal
• Track your research

Components of tourism: Structure of the tourism industry

Disclaimer: Some posts on Tourism Teacher may contain affiliate links. If you appreciate this content, you can show your support by making a purchase through these links or by buying me a coffee . Thank you for your support!

The travel and tourism industry is argued by many as being the largest industry in the world. It is, therefore, no surprise that the structure of the tourism industry is quite complex, involving many components of tourism.

With many different types of tourism and types of businesses operating within the tourism industry, from private companies to charities and NGOs, the structure of the tourism industry is made up of many different segments and components.

In this article I will provide you with an overview of the structure of the tourism industry, outlining the types of organisations and stakeholders in tourism that are involved.

Structure of the tourism industry

Components of tourism, international organisations, national tourist boards, regional tourist boards, tourist information centres, travel by air, travel by road, travel by train, travel by water, hotels chains, hostels and budget accommodation, holiday parks and campsites, accommodation innovations, world travel market, football world cup, glastonbury, holi festival, day of the dead, natural attractions, built attractions, tour operators, travel agents, ancillary services, components of tourism | structure of the tourism industry, structure of the tourism industry | components of tourism: further reading.

The importance of tourism is demonstrated when you can see how big the industry is!

The structure of the industry is made up of several components of tourism and involves many different stakeholders. These components are all interrelated in one way of another. The components of tourism make up the entire tourism system.

There are several integral components of tourism. Without these components, the tourism industry would struggle to function. I have explained what this means below, but before you read on, take a look at this short video that I made (and if you like what you see, don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel)!

This was demonstrated, for example, during the Coronavirus pandemic, which halted air travel around the world. Travel services are a vital component of tourism and without these services being operational, the tourism industry struggled to survive!

There are six major components of tourism, each with their own sub-components. These are: tourist boards, travel services, accommodation services, conferences and events, attractions and tourism services.

Below, I will explain what each of the components offer to the tourism industry and provide some relevant examples.

Components of tourism: Tourist boards

A tourist board is an essential component of tourism and an integral part of the structure of the tourism industry.

A tourism board is responsible for the promotion of tourism in a particular area. This could be a city, a region, a country or a group of countries.

A tourism board is usually Government funded and is usually a public travel and tourism organisation (although this is not always the case).

A tourism board is also often referred to as a Destination Marketing Organisation (DMO).

Most tourist boards focus on promoting tourism in a particular area, city or country. There are, however, some organisations which aim to promote tourism across more than one country.

Whilst these organisation often have many functions other than tourism, they will also play a role in the promotion of tourism in particular parts of the world. This could include the European Union , the ASEAN network or organisations such as the United Nations.

A national tourist board is a national organisation whose aim is to promote tourism across the country.

There are usually several management bodies that are involved with a national tourist board. They are essential stakeholders who determine many aspects of tourism in the country, such as budgets, taxation and regulations.

Said management bodies include the parliament, the tourist board, an auditing committee and the Prime Minister, President or Head of State.

The national tourist board is funded from tourist taxes, membership fees, Government funding and other sources.

Examples of national tourist boards (often most commonly referred to by their ‘campaign title’ as opposed to the Government title) include Visit Britain , Incredible India and Amazing Thailand .

A regional tourist board is a tourist board that focusses on a particular region of a country. They are often a sub-division of a country’s national tourist board.

Regional tourism boards are often funded and operated in the same way as national tourist boards.

Examples of successful regional tourism boards include: Visit Cornwall in the UK, Kerala Tourism in India, Visite Montreal in Canada and Cape Town Tourism in South Africa.

A tourist information centre is the place where tourists can go for advice and help with regards to all matters related to tourism in the area.

In the tourist information centre (TIC) you will find staff who are knowledgeable about the local area. There will often be a range of printed and digital information for you, including leaflets, maps, coupons and guidebooks. Sometimes there will be virtual tourism facilities.

Tourist information centres have been an important component of tourism throughout the history of travel and tourism , however, they are coming under increasing pressure as a result of information that is available online. This has resulted in fewer people visiting TICs in person.

Most major tourist areas will have a tourist information centre. These are usually centrally located.

Tourist information centres are funded by the local Government.

Other posts that you might be interested in: – What is tourism? A definition of tourism – The history of tourism – Stakeholders in tourism – Dark tourism explained – What is ABTA and how does it work? – The economic impacts of tourism

Components of tourism:Transport services

The relationship between transport and tourism is strong.

According to the most commonly accepted definitions of tourism, a person must travel away from their home environment for at least one night in order to be a tourist (although I would argue that this definition needs updating given that it doesn’t account for novel forms of tourism such as a staycation or virtual tourism ).

Based on this fact, therefore, transport is an integral component of tourism. Without transport, people cannot reach their intended destination.

There are a range of different transport types. The most common and popular methods of transport that make up the structure of the tourism industry, however, are: air, road, train and water .

Travel by air has grown exponentially in the past few decades. With the introduction of low cost airlines and deregulation, the competitive market has been a tourist’s paradise.

New routes opening up has introduced tourists to areas that they may never have been able to reach before and low prices have resulted in more of us taking more trips abroad using air travel as our means of transportation.

Travel by air is an essential component of tourism and this was demonstrated during the Coronavirus epidemic. During this time most air traffic was halted, which had a devastating impact of the tourism industry world-wide.

Travel by road is also a core component of tourism, particularly for domestic tourism .

Travel by road is more popular in some countries than others. This largely depends on accessibility options (i.e. what is accessible by road), distances required and road conditions.

In destinations where travel by road is popular, there are often many car hire or rental companies.

Travel by train is very popular in destinations that have good rail networks in infrastructure.

In some parts of the world, such as China and Japan, there are world-class high-speed railways that can be more efficient than flying.

In other parts of the world, the rail journey is part of the tourism experience. A good example of this is the Siberian Railway.

In Europe you can buy an affordable interrail pass , which allows you to travel throughout Europe using the rail system.

Travel by water is also an important component of tourism.

The structure of the tourism industry includes cruises, ferries and leisure boats, among other types of travel by water.

Travel by water can vary considerably in price and can include anything from a round the world cruise to a short long tail ride in Thailand .

Components of tourism: Accommodation services

Accommodation services make up an important part of the structure of the tourism industry.

Whilst accommodation services were traditionally focussed mainly around the hotel industry, nowadays accommodation options for tourists are much more varied. This adds an additional layer of complexity to the structure of the tourism industry.

There are many hotel chains that operate throughout the tourism industry and that are a key component of tourism.

Multinational corporations have expanded throughout the tourism industry with key players being hotel chains such as Marriott, Radisson, Hilton, Travel Lodge and Holiday Inn.

However, hotel chains such as these have come under increased scrutiny as a result of the economic leakage in tourism that they cause.

Hostels and budget accommodation options are popular with budget travellers and backpackers.

There are a range of hostels found throughout the world. These are particularly popular in destinations where accommodation is expensive, such as London, New York and Singapore.

The Youth Hostel Association (YHA) and Hostelling International are popular hostel providers that are found across the UK and overseas.

Billy Butlin changed the face of the British holiday market with the introduction of his seaside holiday parks back in 1936.

Since this time, other similar chains have expanded throughout the UK and the rest of the world.

Camping is also an important component of tourism. There are camp sites situated throughout the world ranging from safari camps to glamping (glamorous camping).

Homestays have become an increasingly prominent component of tourism.

Whilst bed and breakfast accommodation has been around for a very long time, nowadays there are many more options that are grounded on the concept of a homestay.

The sharing economy has seen the growth and introduction of many types of accommodations into the travel and tourism sector that did not exist before.

The most popular of these is Airbnb, where people rent out a room or an entire property to tourists. You can read more about how Airbnb works here .

In recent years consumers have been demanding new and unusual experiences more than ever. In response to this, we have seen many accommodation innovations emerge throughout the world.

From staying in an ice hotel in Finland, to sleeping in a hammock in Borneo to a night in a haunted castle in Wales, there are many different types of accommodation options that can make your holiday a little bit more exciting!

Components of tourism: Conferences and events

Conferences and events make up a significant part of the structure of the tourism industry.

Conferences, which often come under business tourism , come in all shapes and sizes around the world.

From a small academic gathering to a large-scale summit involving national leaders from around the world, conferences are an important component of tourism.

Likewise, the event sector is also a significant part of the tourism industry.

There are millions of events that take place around the world each year that vary in size and function. Many of these form an integral part of the tourism industry.

Examples of major conferences and events around the world

There are many major conferences and events that take place around the world every year. Here are a few of my favourites:

The World Travel Market (WTM) is held in London each November. This is a large event that is held at the Excel venue.

WTM provides travel industry experts with the opportunity to showcase their work, learn more about the industry and to network.

ITB is the world’s leading international travel trade show. It is held in Berlin each year.

Similar to the WTM, this large-scale event enables industry professionals to network and undertake continuous professional development.

The vast majority of people are familiar with the Football World Cup.

The Football World Cup is held every four years in a different location.

The Football World Cup attracts millions of tourists from all over the world. The event also acts as a stimuli for tourism as the nation will often use the opportunity of hosting the event as a chance to market tourism in the area to those who are tuning in from their TVs from around the world.

Sports tourism , which includes events such as the Football World Cup, contributes significantly to the overall tourism industry.

Glastonbury is a popular British music festival. It takes place each summer in Somerset.

Glastonbury is a five-day festival of contemporary performing arts. In addition to music, the festival hosts dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret, and other arts to entertain visitors.

Glastonbury attracts many domestic tourists as well as international tourists.

San Fermin is a festival that is held in Pamplona, Spain each July.

San Fermin, also known as the ‘Running of the Bulls’ is a historically-rooted festival that lasts five days. It involves dancing, eating and drinking, games and the famous bull races and fights.

San Fermin has been subject to a lot of controversy in recent years, with many people protesting that it is a cruel form of animal tourism .

Holi Festival is known as the ‘festival of spring’, the ‘festival of colours’ or the ‘festival of love’.

Holi Festival is celebrated in India each year during the month of March.

Holi Festival is famous for the way in which coloured paints are used and often thrown onto people’s faces and clothes.

This is a Hindu festival that signifies the victory of good over evil.

The Day of the Dead festival, locally referred to as ‘Dia de los Muertos’, is a festival that is celebrated in November each year in Mexico.

This day is a celebration of the deceased, whereby it is believed that the alive and the dead are reunited. On this day many people will create offerings for the deceased.

Many people choose to dress up as skeletons and in halloween-type outfits and they celebrate with food, drink and music.

Components of tourism: Attractions

An essential component of the tourism industry are the tourist attractions.

There are a multitude of different tourist attractions around the world.

Some are built, some are natural. Some are paid, some are free. Some are famous, others are not. Some are large and some are small.

Natural attractions are just as it says on the tin – natural. In other words, they are attractions that have not been made by man.

Natural attractions are found all over the world and vary in size and scope. There is even a definitive list of the seven natural wonders of the world .

I have visited many natural attractions around the world, here is a list of some of my favourites:

• Drakansburg Mountains, South Africa
• Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
• Mount Toubkal, Morocco
• Sahara Desert, Morocco
• Red Sea, Egypt
• Dead Sea, Israel
• Sierra Nevada, Spain
• Chicken Island, Thailand
• Niagara Falls, USA
• Rocky Mountains, Canada
• Pammukale Thermal Pools, Turkey
• Iceland (the island is filled with wonderful natural attractions!)
• Amazon Rainforest , Ecuador
• Cenotes, Mexico
• Iguazu Falls, Brazil
• The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
• Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
• Waterways of Kerela, India
• Mount Hallasan, South Korea

Built attractions also make up an important part of the structure of the tourism industry.

There are many built attractions throughout the world. Some attractions are built for the purpose of tourism, such as theme parks or museums. Other attractions are built for other purposes but then become tourist attractions, such as the Empire State Building or the Sydney Opera House.

I have visited many built attractions throughout the world. Here are some of my favourites:

• Robin Island, South Africa
• The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
• La Sagrada Familia, Spain
• The Eiffel Tower, France
• The United States Capitol Building, USA
• Statue of Liberty, New York
• Petronas Towers, Malaysia
• Marina Sands Bay Hotel, Singapore
• Angkor Wat, Cambodia
• Taj Mahal, India
• Sydney Harbour Bridge, Australia
• Houses of Parliament, UK
• Sheikh Zayed Mosque, UAE

Components of tourism: Tourism services

Tourism services are an essential component of tourism. Without many tourism services, the tourism industry would fail to adequately function.

Below I will explain the three major tourism services that make up the structure of the tourism industry.

A tour operator is the individual or organisation who puts together a trip.

Typically, a tour operator would package together essential elements including accommodation, transport and transfer. They would then sell this package to the tourists.

However, tour operators are becoming fewer in recent years. Consumers are now far more Internet savvy and are more capable of researching the individual elements of their holiday and booking this independently. This is known as dynamic packaging .

Traditionally, a travel agent would sell the product that the tour operator has produced i.e. the package holiday.

While travel agents have and continue to sell individual holiday components, they have historically been most commonly used by tourists who wish to book a package holiday.

In today’s society, there is far less scope for travel agents than there used to be. A few years ago it would be easy to finish school and to get a job in a travel agent selling holidays. Now, however, people are more likely to set up their own travel agent business online or to be employed by an online retailer.

Many high street stores have now closed as there is little demand these days for holidays to be booked in this way. Instead, many people are selling holidays and travel services via their blogs or websites.

The travel agent does still exist, but he has changed the way he looks.

Ancillary services are another core component of tourism.

Ancillary basically means ‘extra’ or ‘additional’. An ancillary service in the context of tourism, therefore, is any product or service that is additional to the core elements of accommodation, transport and transfer.

Here are some examples of ancillary products:

• Attraction tickets
• Meal tickets
• Extra luggage
• Currency exchange
• Airport parking

As you can see, the tourism industry is large and complex, but understanding the different components of tourism isn’t too difficult.

All of the components of tourism are interconnected in one way or another and many rely on one another to be successful.

Want to learn more about the structure of tourism? I have listed some recommended texts below.

• An Introduction to Tourism : a comprehensive and authoritative introduction to all facets of tourism including: the history of tourism; factors influencing the tourism industry; tourism in developing countries; sustainable tourism; forecasting future trends.
• The Business of Tourism Management : an introduction to key aspects of tourism, and to the practice of managing a tourism business.
• Tourism Management: An Introduction : gives its reader a strong understanding of the dimensions of tourism, the industries of which it is comprised, the issues that affect its success, and the management of its impact on destination economies, environments and communities.

Liked this article? Click to share!

• Press Releases
• Press Enquiries
• Travel Hub / Blog
• Brand Resources
• Newsletter Sign Up
• Global Summit
• Hosting a Summit
• Upcoming Events
• Previous Events
• Event Photography
• Event Enquiries
• Our Members
• Our Associates Community
• Membership Benefits
• Enquire About Membership
• Sponsors & Partners
• Insights & Publications
• WTTC Research Hub
• regions & countries
• Knowledge Partners
• Data Enquiries
• Hotel Sustainability Basics
• Community Conscious Travel
• SafeTravels Stamp Application
• SafeTravels: Global Protocols & Stamp
• Security & Travel Facilitation
• Sustainable Growth
• Women Empowerment
• Destination Spotlight - SLO CAL
• Vision For Nature Positive Travel and Tourism
• Governments
• Consumer Travel Blog
• ONEin330Million Campaign
• Reunite Campaign

Economic Impact Research

• In 2023, the Travel & Tourism sector contributed 9.1% to the global GDP; an increase of 23.2% from 2022 and only 4.1% below the 2019 level.
• In 2023, there were 27 million new jobs, representing a 9.1% increase compared to 2022, and only 1.4% below the 2019 level.
• Domestic visitor spending rose by 18.1% in 2023, surpassing the 2019 level.
• International visitor spending registered a 33.1% jump in 2023 but remained 14.4% below the 2019 total.

Click here for links to the different economy/country and regional reports

Why conduct research?

From the outset, our Members realised that hard economic facts were needed to help governments and policymakers truly understand the potential of Travel & Tourism. Measuring the size and growth of Travel & Tourism and its contribution to society, therefore, plays a vital part in underpinning WTTC’s work.

What research does WTTC carry out?

Each year, WTTC and Oxford Economics produce reports covering the economic contribution of our sector in 185 countries, for 26 economic and geographic regions, and for more than 70 cities. We also benchmark Travel & Tourism against other economic sectors and analyse the impact of government policies affecting the sector such as jobs and visa facilitation.

Visit our Research Hub via the button below to find all our Economic Impact Reports, as well as other reports on Travel and Tourism. 

What next for travel and tourism? Here's what the experts say

In many countries, more than 80% of travel and tourism spending actually comes from the domestic market. Image:  Unsplash/Surface

.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo{-webkit-transition:all 0.15s ease-out;transition:all 0.15s ease-out;cursor:pointer;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:none;color:inherit;}.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo:hover,.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo:focus,.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo[data-focus]{box-shadow:0 0 0 3px rgba(168,203,251,0.5);} Julie Masiga

.chakra .wef-9dduvl{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;font-size:1.25rem;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-9dduvl{font-size:1.125rem;}} Explore and monitor how .chakra .wef-15eoq1r{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;font-size:1.25rem;color:#F7DB5E;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-15eoq1r{font-size:1.125rem;}} Travel and Tourism is affecting economies, industries and global issues

.chakra .wef-1nk5u5d{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;color:#2846F8;font-size:1.25rem;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-1nk5u5d{font-size:1.125rem;}} Get involved with our crowdsourced digital platform to deliver impact at scale

Stay up to date:, travel and tourism.

• In 2020 alone, the travel and tourism sector lost $4.5 trillion and 62 million jobs globally.
• But as the world recovers from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, travel and tourism can bounce back as an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient sector.
• Two experts highlight some of the key transformations in the sector going forward during the World Economic Forum's Our World in Transformation series.

The Travel & Tourism sector was one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving not only companies but also tourism-driven economies severely affected by shutdowns, travel restrictions and the disappearance of international travel.

In 2020 alone, the sector lost $4.5 trillion and 62 million jobs, impacting the living standards and well-being of communities across the globe. Moreover, the halt in international travel gave both leisure and business travellers the chance to consider the impact of their choices on the climate and environment.

Amid shifting demand dynamics and future opportunities and risks, a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient travel and tourism sector can be - and needs to be - built.

The World Economic Forum's Travel & Tourism Development Index 2021 finds that embedding inclusivity, sustainability and resilience into the travel and tourism sector as it recovers, will ensure it can continue to be a driver of global connectivity, peace and economic and social progress.

We spoke to Sandra Carvao , Chief of Market Intelligence and Competitiveness at the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and Liz Ortiguera , CEO of the Pacific Asia Travel Association in Thailand (PATA), and asked them to highlight some of the key areas of risk and opportunity in the sector during an episode of the World Economic Forum's Our World in Transformation series.

Have you read?

Travel & tourism development index 2021: rebuilding for a sustainable and resilient future, towards resilience and sustainability: travel and tourism development recovery, how can we really achieve sustainability in the travel sector, what are some of the top global trends you're witnessing currently in the travel and tourism sector.

Liz Ortiguera: Given the extended lockdown that we had on travel with the pandemic, vacation for friends and relatives (VFR) is now a high priority for people who haven’t been in touch for a long time thanks to the pandemic. So, people are reconnecting. And that kind of links to the second trend, which is multi-purpose or blended travel. Never before, particularly now that we can connect digitally through Zoom, has the ability to work from anywhere enabled travellers to cover multiple purposes, like visits with friends and multiple business trips. So, we'll find that the duration of travel and the length of stay is longer. And third is the continued high focus on safety and wellness which is top of mind for travellers due to the pandemic. All travel is wellness-related now.

Sandra Carvao: I think there is a bigger concern with sustainability, which is very welcome in our industry. Consumers, particularly the younger generation, are much more aware of the impact they have, not only on the environment but also socially and on the communities they live in. We've also seen an increase in expenditure per trip, so I think people are very eager to go outside, and they're staying longer. And on the other side, I think there are some challenges: we’re seeing a rise in late bookings because restrictions can change at short notice and that’s having an impact on the decisions of travellers. This is putting pressure on the industry in terms of planning and anticipating fluctuations in demand.

Social media surveys have shown that travellers who have immersive experiences are more likely to post about them, which is good for the industry.

What is community-based tourism and why is it important?

Sandra Carvao: One of the positive impacts of the pandemic is that people are looking for local experiences and are spending more time with communities. So, the concept of community-based tourism is obviously one that puts the community at the core of every development, ensuring that it's engaged and empowered and that it benefits. At the UNWTO, we worked with the G20 and the Saudi presidency back in 2020 and produced a framework for tourism development in communities, which states that communities need to be part of the planning and management of tourism activities. We need to go beyond traditional definitions of community to a point where the industry leans on partnerships between the public and private sectors and communities.

Liz Ortiguera: In July 2022, PATA is hosting a destination-marketing forum and one of the key themes is community-based tourism. The purpose is really to put the community and authenticity-in-culture activities at the heart of the travel experience. There are benefits for all stakeholders. One is that travellers can have an authentic experience. They're not in overcrowded, touristic locations and they experience something new and unique within the community. These experiences are designed in partnership with communities who get the benefit of financial inclusion, and if activities are designed properly, the reinforcement of their cultural heritage. Governments also engage in economic development more broadly across countries. Another interesting trend is creative tourism, which means you create an experience for tourists to participate in, like a dance lesson, or a cooking lesson. Social media surveys have shown that travellers who have these kinds of immersive experiences are more likely to post about them online and that's good for the industry.

It is important to emphasize that virtual experiences, while they are a fun tool, can never replace visiting a destination.

How is technology and innovation helping to leverage cultural resources?

Sandra Carvao: One interesting trend we’re seeing is that more and more people are booking trips directly, so communities need to be supported to digitize their systems. Education and upskilling of communities are important so that they can leverage digital platforms to market themselves. From the tourists’ perspective, it is important to emphasize that virtual experiences, while they are a fun tool, can never replace visiting a destination.

Liz Ortiguera: People have been living virtually for more than two years. Amazing innovations have emerged, such as virtual reality and augmented reality, and all kinds of applications and tools. But the important thing is the experience. The destination. Real-world experiences need to remain front and centre. Technology tools should be viewed as enablers and not the core experience. And when it comes to staff, technology can really democratize education. There’s an opportunity to mobilize a mobile-first approach for those who are on the frontlines, or out in the field, and can’t easily access computers, but need to get real-time information.

How is the sector dealing with labour shortages and re-employment of the workforce?

Liz Ortiguera: Labour shortages are much more dynamic in North America and in Europe. But it’s having a knock-on effect on Asia. If, for example, their air carriers are limited by staff and they have to cancel flights, which we're very much seeing out of Europe, seating capacity then becomes a limiting factor in the recovery of Asia Pacific. That's the main constraint right now. And compounding that is the rising price of fuel. But people in the Asia Pacific are keen to get reemployed.

Sandra Carvao: Labour shortages are a priority for the sector in countries around the world. Many workers left the sector during the pandemic and the uncertainty that surrounded the measures taken to contain it left many people unsure of whether the sector would recover. It is time to address things like conditions, scheduling, and work/life balance, all things which have been top of mind for workers during the pandemic. As the sector recovers, we need time to bring new hires on board and to train them to take over where those who switched jobs left off.

Are we seeing a growing trend towards domestic tourism?

Sandra Carvao: We’re talking about 9 billion people travelling within their own countries. And in many countries, for example in Germany, more than 80% of the tourism spending actually comes from the domestic market, similarly in countries like Spain and even smaller economies. Whenever it's possible to travel again, domestic markets tend to be more resilient. They kick off first mostly due to perceptions of safety and security issues. As the world economy recovers from the pandemic, there is a good opportunity for nations to rethink their strategy, look at the domestic market in a different way, and leverage different products for domestic tourists.

When it comes to sustainable tourism, how quickly could we mainstream eco-friendly modes of transportation?

Sandra Carvao: Transport is one of the key contributors to energy impacts and tourism. But it's also important that we look at the whole value chain. The UNWTO together with the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme just launched the Glasgow Declaration, which includes green commitments from destinations and companies. We’re seeing a strong movement in the airline industry to reduce emissions. But I think, obviously, technological developments will be very important. But it's also very important to look at market shifts. And we can't forget small islands and developing states that rely on long-haul air travel. It’s important to make sure that we invest in making the problem much less impactful.

Liz Ortiguera: 'Travel and tourism' is such a broad encompassing term that it’s not fair to call it an industry: it is actually a sector of many industries. The pandemic taught us how broad the impact of the sector is in terms of sustainability. There's a big movement in terms of destination resilience, which is the foundation for achieving sustainability in the journey to net-zero. We now have standards to mitigate that impact including meetings-and-events (MIE) standards and standards for tour operators. There are multiple areas within our industry where progress is being made. And I'm really encouraged by the fact that there is such a focus not just within the sector but also among consumers.

This interview was first done at the World Economic Forum's studios in Geneva as part of 'Our World in Transformation' - a live interactive event series for our digital members. To watch all the episodes and join future sessions, please subscribe here .

Don't miss any update on this topic

Create a free account and access your personalized content collection with our latest publications and analyses.

License and Republishing

World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.

Related topics:

The agenda .chakra .wef-n7bacu{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;font-weight:400;} weekly.

A weekly update of the most important issues driving the global agenda

.chakra .wef-1dtnjt5{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;} More on Travel and Tourism .chakra .wef-17xejub{-webkit-flex:1;-ms-flex:1;flex:1;justify-self:stretch;-webkit-align-self:stretch;-ms-flex-item-align:stretch;align-self:stretch;} .chakra .wef-nr1rr4{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;white-space:normal;vertical-align:middle;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:0.75rem;border-radius:0.25rem;font-weight:700;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;line-height:1.2;-webkit-letter-spacing:1.25px;-moz-letter-spacing:1.25px;-ms-letter-spacing:1.25px;letter-spacing:1.25px;background:none;padding:0px;color:#B3B3B3;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;}@media screen and (min-width:37.5rem){.chakra .wef-nr1rr4{font-size:0.875rem;}}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-nr1rr4{font-size:1rem;}} See all

How Japan is attracting digital nomads to shape local economies and innovation

Naoko Tochibayashi and Naoko Kutty

March 28, 2024

Turning tourism into development: Mitigating risks and leveraging heritage assets

Abeer Al Akel and Maimunah Mohd Sharif

February 15, 2024

Buses are key to fuelling Indian women's economic success. Here's why

Priya Singh

February 8, 2024

These are the world’s most powerful passports to have in 2024

Thea de Gallier

January 31, 2024

These are the world’s 9 most powerful passports in 2024

South Korea is launching a special visa for K-pop lovers

• Hospitality Industry

8 lucrative career paths in the hospitality and tourism industry

March 08, 2024 •

8 min reading

The hospitality field is one of the most encompassing industries in the world. It can include every element of vacation, tourism and recreation experiences. This is something our EHL graduates quickly learn as the hospitality industry red carpet rolls out in every possible direction after graduation. When you have hospitality training and experience on your resume, your career potential becomes boundless.

While hospitality may be defined by the hotel industry, the true options are far more vast than you may have imagined. Your skills can take you anywhere in the world, working with any aspect of travel and leisure, from management to experience coordination to supply chain. If you are considering your next step in an illustrious hospitality career , we would like to spotlight eight different career paths that you might take, each encompassing a large sector of the hospitality industry.

Here are eight common sectors where our students find success after graduation.

• Accommodation
• Food & Beverage
• Event Planning
• Sports & Recreation
• Entertainment
• Wellness & Leisure

Careers in accommodation

The accommodation sector has never been more diverse. While there are millions of hotels and resorts around the world, there are also many other types of accommodation you might coordinate, creating perfect vacation experiences of every size and style. There are vacation rentals and, luxury accomodation from palaces and 5-star hotels to luxury rentals. There are cabins, cottages, and destination lodges as well as campgrounds and RV parks. You can help hotels expand their accommodation offerings beyond interior rooms or cultivate unique properties and accommodation experiences.

In another branch, you can take your hospitality experience into the corporate world, helping to facilitate corporate housing which fulfills the needs of traveling, temporary, and relocated professionals who are working away from home. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2023 featured nearly 2 million jobs in Accommodation in the US alone.

Each branching accommodation path provides the opportunity to create exquisite stays with the perfect balance of comfort, convenience, and logistics.

Traversing the travel industry

The travel industry often scoops up a percentage of hospitality professionals. 2023 saw over 320 million travel jobs worldwide. Airports and airline hosts rely on hospitality to make air travel more comfortable for their passengers.

Cruise ships make up an enormous global industry and specialize in diverse hospitality experiences from prow to stern. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Carnival, and Norwegian offer the greatest number of cruise ship jobs, but you may have just as much fun with a smaller cruise line that travels coasts that you love.

You can step into the specialized world of chartered travel including chartered planes , boats, helicopters. Or you can join a large travel company providing your hospitality expertise wherever it is needed most. If you love trains, rail travel offers a truly unique opportunity to create on-train hospitality experiences, especially those few great trans-continental train lines still in operation for both tourism and long-distance travel.

Immerse in food & beverage

Our foodie graduates often dive into the experience-rich world of the food and beverage industry. There is simply no end to the food-oriented job opportunities , and these take every possible shape and form.

You could be coordinating banquets for hotel-hosted events or managing a gourmet restaurant anywhere in the world. You can become a caterer or coordinate for a large catering company or you can open your own food establishment somewhere with plenty of demand and tourism to fill your seats.

Food and beverage professionals can join any venue, including theaters, stadiums, event halls, grand hotels, cruise ships, restaurants and restaurant chains - you can even coordinate food for museums, schools, large business facilities, or food truck empires . The possibilities are literally endless, as the food and beverage industry touches every aspect of modern life. 

Become an event planning expert

Events are the spice of life. Weddings, conferences, festivals, fashion shows, concerts, theater productions; the list is endless. The BLS predicts 7.5% employment growth for events planning from 2022 to 2032.

You can choose a venue, a favorite event type, or work for an organization that puts on one spectacular event each year. A skilled events coordinator is someone who makes unforgettable moments and large gatherings into a guaranteed success.

Skills that hospitality graduates learn through education and internship are critical for event planning. Highly organized people who thrive in chaos and love adapting to unexpected challenges will typically do well in the events industry. You will also get a chance to work with celebrities of every possible type, from Ted Talk tech leaders to pop stars and Michelin star chefs.

You will build your name making magical events possible, creating impossibly entertaining environments that are also expertly designed to provide everything event-goers and vendors need to bring the experience together.

Creating tourism experiences

Tourism is the art of putting together full-scope travel experiences. There are many areas of tourism, professional in this field arranges tour packages, plans whole trips, or coordinates or hosts excursions for traveling clients.

As people embrace the idea of travel experiences over more chaotic destination immersion, the tourism sector only continues to grow. According to ILO, over 230 million people work in tourism worldwide. This is more than just being a travel agent or a tour guide. Venues, destinations, and even whole cities hire tourism professionals to coordinate desirable tourism packages that will entice visitors to take specific journeys through the available experiences at each destination.

Tourism jobs include destination management, tour package design, personal travel planning, tour coordination, and a certain amount of special event planning. In fact, the tourism industry becomes complex as coordinated events are further integrated into hospitality and travel packages.

If you enjoy many aspects of the hospitality world, enjoying things like wedding planning, travel planning, museum experiences, foodie tours , and personally ensuring that travelers have a wonderful time; tourism might be the perfect career path.

The world of sports & recreation

There is no denying that sports plays a profound role in the travel and hospitality industry. People will cross the world to see their favorite sports team play in an big game - or to experience legendary golf courses in breathtaking global destinations. Some chase the waves for surf and high-adrenaline water sports, some want to swim over every magnificent coral reef that the world's oceans have to offer.

Sports and recreation is a vast sector of the hospitality industry, and one you could become a master of - connecting travelers with the thrilling experiences they have been dreaming about. A sports and recreation professional will specialize in exciting experiences, and you can operate from either end of the process.

You can become a destination coordinator, finding tourists who want to experience the locations and activities of your organization, or you can approach from the travel direction - directing travelers toward the venues and activities they desire. If you understand that need for thrills, personal challenge, and unforgettable moments, you will be able to bond with your clients and help them truly capture the destination sports and recreation experiences they are looking for.

To learn more about what to expect in a hospitality education, chat today with real EHL students about their experience .

The glamorous entertainment industry

Hospitality has always been a gateway into the world of fame and entertainment . Legendary hotels, resorts, and destination venues are often the location of major shows, hosting concerts, after-parties, and other events that become part of celebrity tours. Other venues are popular locations for charity galas and fundraiser events where the rich and famous gather to do their philanthropic work and rub elbows with those who share a different kind of wealth and power.

The BLS predicts jobs in entertainment and recreation management are growing by 8% , which is well above the occupational average.

If you have always wanted to make these glamorous moments into reality with a chance to meet and endless parade of people whose faces are known across the globe, entertainment hospitality is the path for you.

Luxurious wellness and leisure

Perhaps the fastest-growing sector of the hospitality industry, however, is wellness and leisure . It has seen 40% growth through 2023 and is one of the leading growth sectors in the US alone. "Wellness" has become a concept that you see everywhere. It is something we are all focusing on, and in every aspect of life. Mental wellness, workplace wellness, physical wellness, and luxurious wellness are at the top of everyone's mind. It's no surprise that spas, massage studios, salons, and leisure facilities are rapidly growing in ever aspect of hospitality.

Today, when people travel, they want to experience more wellness and luxuriant relaxation than ever before. Every business trip should include at least one day at the spa . Every family vacation will likely include a girl's day out getting pampered. Even eco-tourists are seeking out secluded hot springs and organic facials. Some seek out yoga, pilates, and fitness classes. Some go on retreats or try a guided meditation course. The possibilities are endless.

This vast and growing sector can be found anywhere people travel or vacation. If you specialize in wellness and leisure, you'll find work in every corner of the industry and the world.

The limitless career options of EHL Hospitality Graduates

At EHL, we proudly prepare our students for an illustrious career in the hospitality industry. Your options are not limited just to the traditional roles surrounding hotels or tourism, however. Hospitality is a truly vast industry that encompasses every aspect of travel, events, and experiences. From the many styles of booked accommodation to unique destinations and leisure experiences all over the world - once you are equipped with the hospitality skills and intern experiences learned through EHL education, your potential career paths become truly limitless.

Let your passion and natural talents guide you toward the best path for you. Do you love organizing chaos and seeing events come together? Go into event and venue coordination. Do you love all things food and gourmet? Find your place in the food and beverage world. If you are enchanted by unique experiences, help others find their bliss in tourism or sports recreation. Or, if bliss is your specialty, guide others to the wellness treatments they need to return home feeling refreshed and energized.

Best of all, hospitality skills allow you to pivot at any moment, trying a new branch of the hospitality industry wherever your desire and job opportunities may take you. It all starts here, at EHL hospitality education.

Keep reading

The future of luxury experiences: Where luxury meets hospitality

Apr 09, 2024

The potential of green financing for hotel real estate in Asia

Apr 04, 2024

The future of hotel distribution channels: Seizing opportunity in channel disruption

Apr 03, 2024

Interested in studying hospitality management in Switzerland?

By earning not only one - but two top hospitality degrees, you will enjoy the hotel management education of the future. Learn more and download the brochure here.

This is a title

This is a text

More articles

• Bachelor Degree in Hospitality
• Pre-University Courses
• Master’s Degrees & MBA Programs
• Executive Education
• Online Courses
• Swiss Professional Diplomas
• Culinary Certificates & Courses
• Fees & Scholarships
• Bachelor in Hospitality Admissions
• EHL Campus Lausanne
• EHL Campus (Singapore)
• EHL Campus Passugg
• Host an Event at EHL
• Contact our program advisors
• Join our Open Days
• Meet EHL Representatives Worldwide
• Chat with our students
• Why Study Hospitality?
• Careers in Hospitality
• Awards & Rankings
• EHL Network of Excellence
• Career Development Resources
• EHL Hospitality Business School
• Route de Berne 301 1000   Lausanne 25 Switzerland
• Accreditations & Memberships
• Privacy Policy
• Legal Terms

© 2024 EHL Holding SA, Switzerland. All rights reserved.

The Ultimate Guide To Types of Tourism: From Active to Zoological and More

Travel Marketing 101: Everything You Need to Know

Welcome to our ultimate guide to types of tourism! This collection is a comprehensive exploration of the diverse world of travel. 

In this guide, we delve into an extensive array of tourism types, each offering unique experiences and perspectives on the world. From thrill-seekers to animal enthusiasts and more, this guide covers a spectrum that caters to every traveler’s preference and style. 

Our aim is to enlighten both seasoned and novice tourism professionals and providers about the myriad ways people can explore, learn, and interact with different cultures, environments, and communities. 

Join us as we journey through each type of tourism, uncovering the nuances and specialties that make each one distinct and worthwhile.

3 Benefits to Understanding Types of Tourism

3 limitations of tourism typologies, active tourism, adventure tourism, accessible tourism, agritourism, alternative tourism, archaeological tourism, birth tourism, business tourism or mice tourism, bird tourism, coffee tourism, community-based tourism, craft tourism, cruise tourism, culinary tourism or food tourism, cultural tourism, dark tourism, dental tourism, disaster tourism, domestic tourism, drug tourism, educational tourism, enotourism/wine tourism, experiential tourism, extreme tourism, fashion tourism, film tourism, genealogy tourism, halal tourism, health tourism, heritage tourism, honeymoon tourism, industrial tourism, jungle tourism, justice tourism, lgbt tourism, literary tourism, medical tourism, militarism heritage tourism, music tourism, nautical tourism, ocean tourism, photography tourism, political tourism, rail tourism, regenerative tourism, religious tourism, rural tourism, science tourism, senior tourism, sex tourism, slow tourism, slum tourism, snow and ice tourism, space tourism, sports tourism, sustainable tourism, virtual tourism, voluntourism, war tourism, wellness tourism, wildlife tourism, zoological tourism, what other types of tourism are out there, what are the benefits of understanding types of tourism.

As you explore this guide, consider both the benefits and limitations of these tourism types. 

Use them as a lens to view the vast, dynamic landscape of travel, keeping in mind that the real essence of tourism often lies in the unique, unclassifiable experiences that transcend these categories. 

This guide aims to spark ideas, foster understanding, and offer a structured overview while celebrating the diversity and complexity of travel experiences worldwide.

• Identifying Personal Preferences and Destination Offerings – By exploring the different types of tourism, you can better understand what appeals to you as a traveler or what your destination can uniquely offer. This knowledge helps in tailoring travel experiences to personal tastes or in marketing a destination effectively.
• Competitive Analysis – For travel professionals and destination planners, understanding the breadth of tourism types provides a valuable tool for competitive analysis. By seeing what other destinations are doing, you can identify trends, gaps, and opportunities in the market.
• Learning from Successes and Failures – This guide serves as a repository of diverse tourism practices, allowing you to see what works and what doesn’t in different contexts. Such insights are invaluable for refining strategies and offerings in the tourism industry.
• Academic Orientation – While the categorization of tourism types is insightful, it’s important to recognize that this approach can be somewhat academic. The way these categories are defined and discussed may not always align with the more fluid, real-world experiences of travelers and industry practitioners.
• Tourist Self-Identification – Many tourists may not consciously identify with specific tourism labels like “wellness tourism seekers” or “adventure tourists.” Their motivations and behaviors might overlap across several types of tourism, making it challenging to pigeonhole their experiences into a single category.
• Guidelines, Not Rules – Consequently, it’s crucial to view these categories as flexible guidelines rather than rigid classifications. They offer a framework for understanding the broad spectrum of tourism, but they should be adapted and interpreted in the context of real-world experiences and market dynamics.

Now, I would like to begin expanding our list of types of tourism. I would like to give you 5 at a time. For each type of tourism, please give a 4-5 sentence paragraph explaining generally what this type of tourism consists of. Then give 3 bullets of examples from around the world that classify this type of tourism. Does that sound doable?

64 Types of Tourism (and Counting!)

Active tourism is centered around travel experiences that involve physical activities and outdoor adventures. It’s ideal for those who seek an energetic and health-conscious way to explore new destinations. 

This type of tourism includes a range of activities such as hiking tours, cycling tours, and running tours, each offering a unique way to connect with the landscape and culture of a place.

Examples of active tourism :

• Hiking Tours in the Swiss Alps – Trekking through scenic mountain trails and enjoying breathtaking views.
• Cycling Tours in the Loire Valley, France – Exploring picturesque villages and vineyards on bike.
• Run Tours in the Italian Dolomites – Self-guided and guide-led tours through one of the most challenging and dramatic run destinations.

Adventure tourism is characterized by its focus on active, outdoor experiences that often involve an element of risk or physical exertion. It caters to travelers seeking excitement, adrenaline, and exploration in natural or exotic environments. 

This type of tourism usually involves activities like trekking, mountain biking, rock climbing, or water sports. It appeals to those who want to step outside their comfort zone and embrace nature’s challenges.

Examples of Adventure Tourism :

• Trekking in the Himalayas, Nepal – Offering some of the world’s most breathtaking treks, including the famous Everest Base Camp trek.
• White-water Rafting in the Grand Canyon, USA – Navigating the rapids of the Colorado River amidst stunning canyon scenery.
• Safari Adventure in Kruger National Park, South Africa – Experiencing wildlife up close on guided safaris and bush walks.

Accessible tourism ensures travel and tourism opportunities are available to all people, regardless of their physical limitations, disabilities, or age. 

This form of tourism focuses on creating inclusive environments, from transportation to accommodations and attractions, ensuring accessibility for everyone. It’s about removing barriers to travel and embracing a diverse range of travelers.

Examples of accessible tourism :

• Barrier-Free Travel in Berlin, Germany – Known for its accessible public transportation and facilities.
• Accessible Beaches in Gold Coast, Australia – Featuring beach wheelchairs and accessible walkways.
• Disney World, Florida, USA – Offering extensive accessibility options for visitors with various disabilities.

Agritourism, or agricultural tourism, involves visiting a working farm or any agricultural, horticultural, or agribusiness operation to enjoy, be educated, or be involved in activities. 

This type of tourism includes a wide range of activities like fruit picking, farm stays, wine tasting, and learning about rural ways of life. It’s a way for tourists to experience and understand the agricultural landscape and traditions.

Examples of agritourism :

• Wine Tours in Tuscany, Italy – Exploring vineyards and tasting world-class wines.
• Farm Stays in Vermont, USA – Participating in farm activities and enjoying local, farm-to-table meals.
• Tea Plantation Tours in Kerala, India – Witnessing tea production and enjoying scenic plantation walks.

Alternative tourism is an approach that emphasizes travel outside of the conventional mass tourism model. It focuses on smaller groups, less trodden destinations, and experiences that promote environmental sustainability, cultural understanding, and local community engagement. 

This type of tourism often involves eco-friendly practices, cultural immersion, and responsible travel ethics.

Examples of alternative tourism:

• Eco-Lodges in the Amazon Rainforest, Brazil – Providing sustainable accommodation and immersive rainforest experiences.
• Community-based Tourism in Chiang Mai, Thailand – Engaging with local hill tribes and participating in their daily activities.
• Responsible Wildlife Tours in Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – Promoting conservation and responsible interaction with unique wildlife.

Archaeological tourism involves traveling to sites of historical and archaeological significance. It appeals to those interested in the ancient history and civilizations of different cultures. 

Tourists get to explore ruins, artifacts, and museums, often with the guidance of experts to enrich their understanding of the site’s historical context.

Examples of archaeological tourism :

• Pyramids of Giza, Egypt – Exploring one of the most iconic and ancient wonders of the world.
• Machu Picchu, Peru – Visiting the well-preserved ruins of an Incan city set high in the Andes Mountains.
• Roman Colosseum, Italy – Touring the remains of the ancient Roman amphitheater, rich in historical significance.

Birth tourism refers to the practice of traveling to another country for the purpose of giving birth in that country. The primary motivation is often to obtain certain benefits for the child, such as citizenship or access to superior healthcare. 

This type of tourism involves extended stays and often requires considerable planning and understanding of the destination’s legal and medical systems.

Examples of birth tourism :

• Canada and the United States – Popular destinations for birth tourism due to the automatic right to citizenship for children born in these countries.
• Brazil – Known for its high-quality healthcare facilities attracting birth tourists.
• Germany – Offers excellent healthcare and allows children born to foreign parents to apply for citizenship under certain conditions.

Business tourism, also known as corporate or MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism, involves travel for business-related purposes. This includes attending conferences, meetings, trade shows, and corporate events. 

It’s a major sector of the tourism industry, often involving high-level logistics and luxury accommodations.

Examples of business tourism/MICE tourism :

• Dubai, UAE – Frequently hosts international business conferences and exhibitions.
• Las Vegas, USA – Known for its large convention centers and hosting major trade shows.
• Singapore – A hub for corporate meetings and international business events in Asia.

Bird tourism, or birding, is a form of natural tourism where individuals travel specifically to observe and study birds in their natural habitat. This type of tourism is popular among wildlife enthusiasts and nature photographers. 

It contributes to conservation efforts and promotes awareness of bird species and their environments.

Examples of bird tourism :

• Costa Rica – Home to a diverse range of bird species, attracting bird watchers from around the world.
• Kruger National Park, South Africa – Offers birding safaris to see African bird species.
• Papua New Guinea – Known for its endemic bird species, including the famous Birds of Paradise.

Coffee tourism centers around visiting coffee plantations, learning about the coffee production process, and tasting various types of coffee. It provides insight into the journey of coffee from bean to cup, including cultivation, harvesting, and roasting. 

This type of tourism is especially popular among coffee enthusiasts and those interested in agritourism. It’s also a way to understand the cultural and economic importance of coffee in different regions.

Examples of coffee tourism :

• Coffee Plantations in Colombia – Exploring the renowned coffee-growing regions and experiencing the rich flavor of Colombian coffee.
• Café Tours in Vienna, Austria – Discovering the historic coffee houses and the city’s coffee culture.
• Coffee Farms in Uganda – A special recommendation from Travel Marketing School’s founder, as he conducted a research project in Uganda, delving into the local coffee industry and its impact on communities.

Community-based tourism focuses on local communities and their cultures, traditions, and daily lives. It’s a form of sustainable tourism that aims to benefit local residents directly, often through immersive cultural experiences. 

This tourism type encourages respectful and meaningful interactions between tourists and host communities.

Examples of community-based tourism :

• Sapa, Vietnam – Visitors engage with local hill tribes and experience traditional lifestyles.
• Masai Mara, Kenya – Offers cultural experiences with the Maasai people, including village tours and traditional dance performances.
• Oaxaca, Mexico – Known for community-based cultural tours, artisan workshops, and local cuisine.

Craft tourism involves traveling to destinations known for unique local crafts and artisanal products. Tourists get the chance to see artisans at work, learn about traditional crafting techniques, and purchase handmade goods. 

This type of tourism supports local artisans and preserves cultural heritage.

Examples of craft tourism :

• Marrakech, Morocco – Famous for its souks with traditional crafts like pottery, leather goods, and textiles.
• Kyoto, Japan – Offers experiences in traditional Japanese crafts such as kimono making and woodworking.
• Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA – Known for Native American and Spanish colonial crafts, including jewelry and pottery.

Cruise tourism involves traveling on cruise ships that offer various on-board amenities and stop at multiple destinations. It’s a unique way to explore different places while enjoying the luxury and entertainment provided on the cruise. 

This type of tourism is popular for its convenience, all-inclusive packages, and the ability to visit multiple locations in a single trip.

Examples of cruise tourism :

• Caribbean Cruises – Known for their scenic island stops and vibrant on-board activities.
• Mediterranean Cruises – Offering a journey through historic ports in countries like Italy, Greece, and Spain.
• Alaskan Cruises – Showcasing stunning glacier views, wildlife, and unique shore excursions.

Culinary tourism, also known as food tourism, involves traveling primarily for experiencing the food and culinary traditions of a particular region. 

This type of tourism is not just about dining out, but also includes activities like food tours, cooking classes, wine tastings, and visiting farmers’ markets. It appeals to those keen on exploring a destination’s culture through its gastronomy.

Examples of culinary tourism or food tourism :

• Bologna, Italy – Known for its rich food culture, including dishes like Bolognese sauce and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
• Bangkok, Thailand – Famous for its street food tours offering a taste of authentic Thai cuisine.
• Oaxaca, Mexico – Offers culinary experiences centered around traditional Mexican cuisine, including mole and mezcal tasting.

Cultural tourism involves traveling to experience the culture, traditions, and lifestyle of a particular area. This includes visiting historical sites, festivals, art galleries, theaters, and experiencing local customs. 

Cultural tourists seek to gain an authentic experience and a deeper understanding of the destination’s heritage.

Examples of cultural tourism :

• Kyoto, Japan – Renowned for its temples, traditional tea ceremonies, and Geisha culture.
• Paris, France – Offers a rich cultural experience with its world-famous museums, art galleries, and historical architecture.
• Marrakech, Morocco – Known for its vibrant souks, historic palaces, and Berber culture.

Dark tourism involves visiting sites associated with death, suffering, or tragedy. This controversial form of tourism is often educational and thought-provoking, aiming to commemorate and remember historical events. 

It includes visiting war zones, genocide memorials, disaster sites, and prisons.

Examples of dark tourism :

• Auschwitz-Birkenau, Poland – A former Nazi concentration and extermination camp, now a museum and memorial.
• Chernobyl, Ukraine – Tours to the site of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
• Ground Zero, New York, USA – The site of the September 11 attacks, now home to a memorial and museum.

Dental tourism involves traveling abroad for affordable dental care, surgery, or procedures that are more expensive in one’s home country. It’s often combined with the opportunity to vacation and relax during the recovery period. 

This type of tourism is popular due to the cost savings and quality of care available in certain countries.

Examples of dental tourism :

• Bangkok, Thailand – Known for high-quality dental services at a fraction of the cost compared to Western countries.
• Budapest, Hungary – A popular destination for dental care, offering modern clinics and experienced dentists.
• Costa Rica – Attracts dental tourists with its combination of professional dental care and beautiful vacation spots.

Disaster tourism is the practice of visiting locations that have experienced natural or man-made disasters. It can be controversial, but when managed ethically, it can offer educational value and support for the affected communities through tourism revenue. 

This type of tourism includes visiting areas hit by hurricanes, earthquakes, or industrial catastrophes.

Examples of disaster tourism :

• New Orleans, USA – Tours of areas affected by Hurricane Katrina, focusing on the disaster’s impact and recovery efforts.
• Pompeii, Italy – An ancient city preserved in volcanic ash from Mount Vesuvius, offering insights into the life and sudden end of a Roman city.
• Fukushima, Japan – Guided tours in the regions affected by the 2011 tsunami and nuclear disaster, focusing on the impacts and ongoing recovery.

Domestic tourism involves traveling within one’s own country rather than going abroad. This type of tourism allows individuals to explore different regions, cultures, and attractions within their national borders. It’s a way to support local economies and discover the diversity of one’s own country. 

Domestic travel can range from weekend getaways to extended tours and can include a variety of activities like city breaks, countryside excursions, or coastal holidays.

Examples of domestic tourism :

• The Lake District, England – Known for its stunning landscapes, hiking trails, and quaint villages.
• Yellowstone National Park, USA – Attracts visitors with its geothermal features and wildlife.
• Great Ocean Road, Australia – A scenic drive famous for its rugged coastline, including the Twelve Apostles.

Drug tourism refers to travel to a region to obtain or use drugs that are illegal in one’s home country. This controversial type of tourism often involves substances that are culturally or legally accepted in the destination. 

It’s important to approach this topic with an understanding of the legal and ethical implications involved.

Examples of drug tourism :

• Amsterdam, Netherlands – Known for its coffee shops where certain types of cannabis are legally sold and consumed.
• Ayahuasca Retreats in Peru – Offering spiritual experiences with the traditional Ayahuasca brew, often under the guidance of a shaman.
• Certain States in the USA – Where the recreational use of cannabis is legal, attracting tourists from other states or countries.

Ecotourism focuses on responsible travel to natural areas, conserving the environment, and improving the well-being of local people. It emphasizes minimizing the impact of tourism, promoting environmental awareness, and providing direct financial benefits for conservation and community development. 

Ecotourism experiences often include wildlife viewing, nature hikes, and educational activities about local ecosystems.

Examples of ecotourism :

• Costa Rica – A global leader in ecotourism, known for its rainforest tours and conservation efforts.
• The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – Offers unique wildlife experiences with a strong emphasis on preserving the islands’ delicate ecosystem.
• Kenya – Renowned for its safari experiences in national parks that combine wildlife viewing with conservation efforts.

Educational tourism is travel aimed at acquiring knowledge or learning something new, including student exchanges, study tours, and academic sabbaticals.

This type of tourism can encompass a wide range of subjects, from language learning to cultural studies, and is often facilitated by educational institutions.

Examples of educational tourism :

• Language Schools in Spain – Offering immersive Spanish language learning experiences.
• Historical Tours in Rome, Italy – Focusing on the city’s rich ancient history and architecture.
• Cooking Schools in Thailand – Where tourists learn to cook traditional Thai dishes in a hands-on setting.

Enotourism, or wine tourism, involves visiting vineyards, wineries, wine festivals, and tasting rooms to experience the process of wine production and to taste wines in their natural setting. 

This type of tourism often includes learning about viticulture and winemaking processes, and experiencing the culture and cuisine associated with wine regions.

Examples of enotourism or wine tourism :

• Bordeaux, France – Famous for its wine tours and tastings in renowned vineyards.
• Napa Valley, California, USA – Known for its world-class wineries and beautiful landscapes.
• Tuscany, Italy – Offers picturesque vineyards, wine tastings, and tours of historic wineries.

Experiential tourism focuses on creating immersive experiences for travelers, allowing them to actively engage with the history, people, culture, food, and environment of a destination. Instead of being passive observers, tourists are encouraged to participate actively in the local way of life. 

This type of tourism often involves authentic, hands-on activities that provide a deeper understanding of the local culture.

Examples of experiential tourism :

• Live Like a Local in Bali, Indonesia – Engaging in traditional Balinese daily activities, from rice farming to temple rituals.
• Culinary Classes in France – Learning to cook regional French dishes with local chefs.
• Maori Cultural Experiences in New Zealand – Immersive experiences in Maori history, art, and traditional ceremonies.

Extreme tourism caters to tourists seeking adrenaline-pumping activities and experiences that involve a high level of risk. This type of tourism is for thrill-seekers who enjoy challenging themselves physically and mentally. 

Activities often take place in extreme or unusual environments, from remote wilderness to harsh climates.

Examples of extreme tourism :

• Mount Everest Expeditions, Nepal – Attempting to summit the world’s highest peak.
• Volcano Boarding in Nicaragua – Sliding down the slopes of an active volcano on a specialized board.
• Ice Diving in Antarctica – Exploring underwater environments beneath the ice.

Fashion tourism revolves around traveling to destinations known for their influence in the world of fashion. This includes visiting fashion capitals for events like Fashion Week, exploring famous shopping districts, and attending fashion shows. 

It’s a blend of travel and the love of fashion, style, and shopping.

Examples of fashion tourism :

• Milan Fashion Week, Italy – Attending one of the most prestigious events in the fashion world.
• Shopping in Paris, France – Exploring high-end fashion boutiques in areas like the Champs-Élysées.
• Garment District Tour in New York City, USA – Discovering the heart of America’s fashion industry.

Film tourism involves visiting locations where famous movies or TV shows were filmed. This type of tourism allows fans to connect with their favorite media by seeing and experiencing the actual places featured on screen. 

It includes guided tours of film sets, themed attractions, and visiting iconic locations from popular films.

Examples of film tourism :

• Hobbiton Movie Set, New Zealand – Exploring the filming location of “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies.
• Game of Thrones Tours in Dubrovnik, Croatia – Visiting key filming locations from the popular TV series.
• Harry Potter Studio Tour in London, England – Experiencing the behind-the-scenes of the Harry Potter movie series.

Genealogy tourism, or ancestry tourism, involves individuals traveling to explore their family roots and heritage. This journey often includes visiting ancestral hometowns, exploring archives and libraries, and connecting with distant relatives. 

It’s a personal form of tourism that provides a deeper understanding of one’s family history and cultural background.

Examples of genealogy tourism :

• Visiting Ellis Island, USA – Exploring the gateway for millions of immigrants and searching historical records.
• Ancestral Villages in China – Travelers visit their ancestral villages to learn about family history and participate in traditional customs.
• Genealogy Research in Ireland – Utilizing resources like the National Library of Ireland to trace Irish ancestry and visiting ancestral homes.

Geotourism focuses on the geographical characteristics of a destination, including its culture, aesthetics, heritage, and well-being of its inhabitants. It emphasizes a deep respect and appreciation for the intrinsic natural and cultural features of a place. 

Geotourism often involves exploring unique geological features, landscapes, and local traditions in a sustainable manner.

Examples of geotourism :

• Grand Canyon, USA – Marveling at one of the world’s most renowned geological wonders.
• Icelandic Geothermal Springs – Experiencing geysers, hot springs, and volcanic landscapes.
• The Great Barrier Reef, Australia – Exploring the world’s largest coral reef system, renowned for its vibrant marine life.

Halal tourism caters to Muslim travelers who wish to adhere to their Islamic beliefs while traveling. This includes access to Halal food, prayer facilities, and accommodation that aligns with Islamic practices. 

Halal tourism also often involves experiences that respect Islamic culture and heritage.

Examples of halal tourism :

• Istanbul, Turkey – Offering a rich Islamic heritage, Halal-friendly hotels, and mosques.
• Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Known for its Halal culinary scene and Islamic art museums.
• Dubai, UAE – Providing luxury Halal travel experiences, from shopping to accommodation.

Health tourism involves traveling to improve one’s physical or mental health, often including medical treatments, wellness retreats, or fitness programs. 

This type of tourism can range from spa and wellness retreats to undergoing medical procedures or therapies in specialized facilities abroad.

Examples of health tourism :

• Spa Retreats in Bali, Indonesia – Offering holistic wellness experiences, including traditional Balinese treatments.
• Yoga Retreats in Rishikesh, India – Known as the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’, offering a range of yoga and meditation retreats.
• Thermal Baths in Budapest, Hungary – Famous for its thermal springs and spa culture.

Heritage tourism involves visiting sites of historical or cultural significance to understand and appreciate the past. It includes exploring ancient ruins, historical landmarks, museums, and culturally rich neighborhoods. 

This type of tourism is about connecting with the history, traditions, and heritage of a place.

Examples of heritage tourism :

• The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt – Exploring one of the most significant archaeological sites in the world.
• The Historic Center of Rome, Italy – Immersing in the rich history of the Roman Empire.
• The Great Wall of China – Visiting the iconic symbol of China’s historical defense architecture.

Honeymoon tourism caters to newlyweds seeking a romantic and memorable experience post-wedding. It often involves luxury accommodations, picturesque settings, and romantic activities. 

Destinations range from tropical beaches to cozy mountain retreats, tailored to provide an intimate and special experience for couples.

Examples of honeymoon tourism :

• Maldives – Known for its overwater bungalows and idyllic island settings.
• Paris, France – Often dubbed the ‘City of Love’, popular for its romantic ambiance.
• Santorini, Greece – Famous for its stunning sunsets, white-washed buildings, and beautiful beaches.

Industrial tourism involves visiting industrial sites, factories, or other facilities to learn about their history, operations, and contributions to society. This type of tourism offers insight into various industries, from traditional manufacturing to high-tech sectors. 

Visitors get a chance to see how products are made and understand the industrial heritage of a region.

Examples of industrial tourism :

• Boeing Factory Tour, Seattle, USA – Observing the assembly of airplanes in the world’s largest building by volume.
• Guinness Storehouse, Dublin, Ireland – Exploring the history and production of the famous beer.
• BMW Welt, Munich, Germany – Showcasing the brand’s history and offering insights into modern car manufacturing.

Jungle tourism focuses on exploring dense rainforests or jungles, offering an immersive experience in rich, biodiverse environments. This type of tourism often includes guided treks, wildlife watching, and learning about the ecosystem and indigenous cultures. 

It’s popular among nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers.

Examples of jungle tourism :

• Amazon Rainforest, Brazil – Experiencing the world’s largest tropical rainforest and its diverse wildlife.
• Taman Negara, Malaysia – Exploring one of the world’s oldest rainforests with guided jungle treks.
• Madagascar – Visiting unique ecosystems with a vast array of endemic species, from lemurs to exotic plants.

Justice tourism is a form of travel concerned with social justice and human rights. It involves visiting places significant to historical or contemporary struggles for justice and equality. 

This type of tourism aims to educate travelers about issues like poverty, oppression, and civil rights, often involving interactions with local communities.

Examples of justice tourism :

• Robben Island, South Africa – The prison where Nelson Mandela was held, now a symbol of the struggle against apartheid.
• Civil Rights Trail, USA – Visiting key sites of the American Civil Rights Movement.
• Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, Berlin, Germany – Reflecting on the history and impact of the Holocaust.

LGBT tourism caters to members of the LGBT community and is focused on destinations, accommodations, and events that are welcoming and inclusive. This type of tourism includes pride festivals, cruises, and destinations known for their supportive and vibrant LGBT scenes. 

It promotes a safe and open environment for LGBT travelers.

Examples of LGBT tourism :

• San Francisco, USA – Known for its inclusive and vibrant LGBT community and history.
• Amsterdam, Netherlands – Hosting one of the world’s most famous pride parades and offering a welcoming atmosphere.
• Mykonos, Greece – A popular LGBT-friendly island with a lively nightlife and beautiful beaches.

Literary tourism involves visiting locations associated with famous authors, literary works, or literary history. This can include authors’ homes, settings of famous novels, or literary festivals. 

It appeals to book lovers and those interested in the world of literature and storytelling.

Examples of literary tourism :

• Stratford-upon-Avon, England – The birthplace of William Shakespeare, with various related sites and theaters.
• Brontë Parsonage Museum, England – The former home of the Brontë sisters, set in the landscape that inspired their novels.
• Joyce’s Dublin, Ireland – Exploring the city through the lens of James Joyce’s works, particularly “Ulysses.”

Medical tourism involves traveling to another country for medical care, often driven by lower costs, higher quality services, or access to specific treatments not available in one’s home country. 

This can include a wide range of medical services, from elective procedures like cosmetic surgery to complex treatments such as organ transplants or fertility therapy.

Examples of medical tourism :

• Bangkok, Thailand – Renowned for high-quality medical care at affordable prices, especially in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.
• India – Offers advanced medical treatments like cardiac surgery and orthopedics at competitive prices.
• South Korea – Known for its advanced medical technology, particularly in areas like dermatology and plastic surgery.

Militarism heritage tourism involves visiting sites significant to military history, such as battlefields, war memorials, and military museums. 

This type of tourism is aimed at understanding the historical context of wars and conflicts and honoring the memory of those who served.

Examples of militarism heritage tourism :

• Normandy, France – Visiting the D-Day landing beaches and war cemeteries from World War II.
• Gettysburg, USA – Exploring the site of the pivotal battle in the American Civil War.
• Hiroshima Peace Memorial, Japan – Reflecting on the impact of the atomic bomb and promoting peace.

Music tourism is travel motivated by the love of music, whether it’s visiting famous music destinations, attending concerts and festivals, or exploring the history of certain music genres. 

This type of tourism can include a variety of musical experiences, from classical music concerts to rock festivals.

Examples of music tourism :

• Nashville, USA – Known as the “Music City” and famous for its country music scene and attractions like the Grand Ole Opry.
• Vienna, Austria – Celebrated for its classical music heritage and venues like the Vienna State Opera.
• New Orleans, USA – Renowned for its jazz music, lively music festivals, and vibrant street performances.

Nautical tourism encompasses activities and experiences related to sailing and boating. This can include yacht chartering, sailing regattas, and visiting maritime museums. 

Nautical tourism is popular among those who enjoy the sea and water-based activities.

Examples of nautical tourism :

• Greek Islands Yacht Tour – Exploring the Aegean Sea and visiting various Greek islands by boat.
• Croatian Coastline – Offering sailing experiences along its scenic Adriatic coast.
• Monaco Yacht Show – One of the most prestigious nautical events showcasing luxury yachting.

Ocean tourism focuses on activities and experiences in and around the ocean. This includes a wide range of water-based activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, ocean kayaking, and whale watching. 

It’s ideal for those who wish to explore marine life and oceanic environments.

Examples of ocean tourism :

• Great Barrier Reef, Australia – World-famous for scuba diving and snorkeling, showcasing an array of marine life.
• Whale Watching in Maui, Hawaii – Offering opportunities to see humpback whales in their natural habitat.
• Surfing in Bali, Indonesia – Known for its excellent surfing spots and vibrant marine life.

Photography tourism caters to those who travel specifically to capture photographs of scenic, cultural, or unique subjects. This can include wildlife photography safaris, visits to picturesque landscapes, or urban photography tours. 

It’s ideal for both amateur and professional photographers looking to expand their portfolios with diverse and compelling images.

Examples of photography tourism :

• Iceland – Popular for capturing natural phenomena like the Northern Lights and dramatic landscapes.
• Masai Mara, Kenya – A prime destination for wildlife photography, especially during the Great Migration.
• Paris, France – Offering classic urban photography opportunities with iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower.

Political tourism involves traveling to sites of significant political interest, including historical landmarks, political institutions, or locations known for political events. 

This type of tourism is aimed at those interested in political history, activism, or contemporary political scenes.

Examples of political tourism :

• Washington D.C., USA – Visiting the U.S. Capitol, White House, and various political memorials.
• Berlin, Germany – Exploring sites like the Berlin Wall and Reichstag building, rich in political history.
• Beijing, China – Home to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, significant in Chinese political history.

Rail tourism is centered around journeys on trains, offering a unique way to view landscapes and explore regions. This can range from luxury train experiences to scenic rail routes that traverse through picturesque countryside, mountains, or coastal areas. 

It appeals to those who enjoy the romance and nostalgia of train travel.

Examples of rail tourism :

• Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia – One of the world’s longest train journeys, crossing diverse landscapes from Moscow to Vladivostok.
• The Ghan, Australia – A coast-to-coast rail journey across the Australian continent, from Darwin to Adelaide.
• Glacier Express, Switzerland – Renowned for its panoramic views of the Swiss Alps.

Regenerative tourism goes beyond sustainability, aiming to leave a place better than it was found. This approach involves engaging in travel practices that restore and enhance the environment, local culture, and community well-being. 

It’s about creating a positive impact and contributing to the regeneration of the ecosystems and communities visited.

Examples of regenerative tourism :

• Reforestation Projects in the Amazon Rainforest, Brazil – Participating in efforts to replant and restore parts of the rainforest.
• Cultural Preservation Programs in Bali, Indonesia – Supporting initiatives that maintain and rejuvenate traditional Balinese arts and crafts.
• Ecosystem Restoration Camps, Various Locations – Joining camps that focus on restoring degraded landscapes and promoting ecological health.

Religious tourism, or pilgrimage, involves traveling to religious sites, temples, churches, or regions significant to specific faiths. 

This type of tourism can be a spiritual journey or a way to explore the historical and cultural aspects of different religions.

Examples of religious tourism :

• Mecca, Saudi Arabia – The holiest city in Islam, visited by millions of Muslims for the Hajj pilgrimage.
• Vatican City – Attracting millions of Christian pilgrims and tourists to St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.
• Varanasi, India – One of the oldest and most sacred cities in Hinduism, famous for its ghats and temples.

Rural tourism focuses on visiting rural areas to experience and understand the rural lifestyle, culture, and traditions. It often involves staying in villages, farmhouses, or homestays, and participating in activities like hiking, local crafts, and agriculture. 

This type of tourism is popular among those seeking a tranquil and authentic experience away from urban centers.

Examples of rural tourism :

• Tuscany, Italy – Known for its picturesque countryside, vineyards, and traditional farm stays.
• Shirakawa-go, Japan – Offers a unique experience in traditional thatched-roof villages.
• Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA – Provides insight into the Amish lifestyle and culture.

Science tourism is centered around visiting sites of scientific interest, such as observatories, science museums, and research facilities. It appeals to those interested in learning about various scientific fields, from astronomy to geology. 

This type of tourism often includes educational tours and interactive experiences designed to enhance understanding of scientific principles and discoveries.

Examples of science tourism :

• CERN, Switzerland – Touring the world’s largest particle physics laboratory.
• Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA – Exploring NASA’s launch complex and space exploration exhibits.
• Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – Known for their unique biodiversity, offering insights into evolutionary biology.

Senior tourism caters to older travelers, often offering tailored travel experiences that are accessible and comfortable for them. This can include cultural tours, cruise trips, and leisure destinations with a focus on health, relaxation, and low-impact activities. 

Senior tourism prioritizes ease of access, quality of services, and opportunities for social interaction.

Examples of senior tourism :

• Cruise trips in the Mediterranean – Providing accessible and leisurely travel experiences with stops at historical cities.
• Health resorts in Baden-Baden, Germany – Offering therapeutic spa treatments in a serene environment.
• Cultural tours in Japan – Guided tours with a focus on comfort and accessibility, exploring traditional Japanese culture.

Sex tourism involves traveling to engage in sexual activities, often with commercial sex workers. This controversial and often illegal form of tourism raises significant ethical and legal concerns. 

It’s important to approach this topic with an understanding of the legal, social, and human rights implications involved.

Examples of sex tourism :

• Bangkok, Thailand – Known for its red-light districts, though this aspect is controversial and subject to legal and ethical scrutiny.
• Amsterdam, Netherlands – Notable for its legalized and regulated Red Light District, though the city has been taking measures to address issues related to sex tourism.
• Nevada, USA – Certain areas in Nevada have legal brothels, though this is a highly regulated industry.

Slow tourism emphasizes taking time to enjoy and experience the destination deeply rather than trying to see everything in a rush. It’s about immersing oneself in the local culture, environment, and way of life, often involving longer stays, and sustainable and mindful travel practices.

Examples of slow tourism :

• Canal Boating in France – Exploring the countryside at a leisurely pace through its network of canals.
• Walking tours in Tuscany, Italy – Enjoying the landscape, cuisine, and culture at a relaxed pace.
• Stay in a Ryokan, Japan – Experiencing traditional Japanese hospitality and culture in a serene setting.

Slum tourism involves visiting impoverished urban areas to see firsthand the life of residents in these communities. While it can raise awareness about poverty and social issues, it also raises ethical concerns about exploitation and voyeurism. 

Responsible slum tourism should focus on respectful engagement and supporting local communities.

Examples of slum tourism :

• Dharavi, Mumbai, India – Guided tours that aim to break stereotypes and highlight the industriousness of the community.
• Township tours in South Africa – Visits to townships with a focus on cultural exchange and understanding the local history and social challenges.
• Favela tours in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Offering insights into the vibrant culture and community resilience in favelas.

Snow and ice tourism is all about travel experiences in cold and snowy environments. This type of tourism is popular for winter sports enthusiasts and those who enjoy the beauty of snowy landscapes. 

Activities include skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and visiting ice hotels or festivals.

Examples of snow and ice tourism :

• Skiing in Aspen, Colorado, USA – Offering world-class ski resorts and winter sports facilities.
• Ice Hotel Stay in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden – Experiencing unique accommodation entirely made of ice and snow.
• Harbin Ice Festival, China – Visiting one of the world’s largest ice and snow sculpture festivals.

Space tourism represents the cutting-edge of travel, offering civilians the opportunity to experience space. This emerging type of tourism includes suborbital flights that provide a few minutes of weightlessness and an incredible view of Earth from space. 

It’s a frontier for wealthy adventurers and science enthusiasts.

Examples of space tourism :

• Virgin Galactic – Offering suborbital spaceflights for tourists.
• SpaceX – Developing orbital space tourism missions.
• International Space Station – Proposed private visits facilitated by companies like Axiom Space.

Sports tourism involves traveling to participate in or observe sporting events. This includes international competitions like the Olympics, marathons, football matches, or golf tournaments. 

Sports tourism appeals to fans and athletes alike, offering them a chance to experience the excitement and camaraderie of sports in different locales.

Examples of sports tourism :

• FIFA World Cup, Various Locations – Attending one of the most prestigious and widely-viewed sports events in the world.
• Boston Marathon, USA – Participating or spectating in one of the oldest annual marathons.
• The Masters Golf Tournament, Augusta, USA – Observing one of the four major championships in professional golf.

Sustainable tourism focuses on traveling in a way that minimizes environmental impact and promotes conservation while benefiting local communities. 

It involves responsible travel practices, supporting eco-friendly accommodations, and participating in activities that respect local culture and the environment.

Examples of sustainable tourism :

• Eco-lodges in Costa Rica – Staying in accommodations dedicated to conservation and sustainability.
• Community-based Eco Tours in Kenya – Participating in wildlife safaris that support conservation efforts and community development.
• Responsible Trekking in Nepal – Following eco-friendly practices and supporting local Sherpa communities.

Virtual tourism offers the experience of visiting a place through digital means, such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), or online tours. It’s a way to explore destinations from home, making travel accessible to those unable to travel physically. 

Virtual tours can cover historic sites, museums, natural wonders, and more.

• Virtual Reality Tours of the Louvre, France – Exploring the world-famous museum from the comfort of home.
• Online Guided Tours of the Great Wall of China – Experiencing one of the world’s most iconic landmarks digitally.
• Augmented Reality Experiences of Rome’s Ancient Sites – Using AR technology to see historical ruins in their original glory.

Voluntourism combines travel with volunteering for a cause, typically involving work towards environmental conservation, education, or community development. 

While it allows travelers to contribute to positive change, it’s important to choose programs that genuinely benefit the local community and environment.

Examples of voluntourism :

• Teaching English in Rural Schools, Nepal – Assisting in educational institutions in underprivileged areas.
• Marine Conservation in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia – Participating in coral reef restoration and research projects.
• Community Building Projects – Helping construct basic infrastructure like schools and healthcare facilities.

War tourism involves visiting sites significant to wartime history, such as battlefields, war memorials, and museums. 

It’s a form of tourism that seeks to understand the history of conflicts and honor the memories of those who fought in them.

Examples of war tourism :

• Vietnam War Sites, Vietnam – Exploring locations like the Cu Chi Tunnels and War Remnants Museum.
• Normandy Beaches, France – Visiting WWII D-Day landing sites and memorials.
• Somme Battlefields, France – Touring sites and cemeteries from one of the largest battles of the First World War.

Wellness tourism is centered around health and well-being, offering activities and experiences that promote physical, mental, and spiritual health. This type of tourism often includes spa retreats, yoga and meditation workshops, fitness programs, and holistic wellness therapies.

Examples of wellness tourism :

• Yoga Retreats in Rishikesh, India – Engaging in yoga and meditation in the birthplace of yoga.
• Thermal Spas in Iceland – Relaxing in natural hot springs surrounded by unique landscapes.
• Wellness Resorts in Bali, Indonesia – Participating in holistic wellness programs in a serene, tropical setting.

Wildlife tourism involves traveling to observe and interact with animals in their natural habitats. It’s a way for tourists to experience wildlife up close while promoting conservation and awareness of biodiversity. 

Activities can include safaris, wildlife sanctuaries, and bird watching.

Examples of wildlife tourism :

• African Safaris, Kenya or Tanzania – Experiencing the diverse wildlife of the African savannah, including the “Big Five.”
• Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda and Uganda – Encountering mountain gorillas in their natural rainforest habitat.
• Penguin Colonies in Antarctica – Observing penguins and other Antarctic wildlife in one of the most remote areas of the world.

Zoological tourism focuses on visiting zoos, aquariums, and wildlife parks where visitors can see and learn about various animal species. 

This form of tourism is educational, often highlighting conservation efforts and providing insights into animal behavior and habitats.

Examples of zoological tourism :

• San Diego Zoo, USA – Known for its vast variety of species and conservation efforts.
• Singapore Zoo, Singapore – Offering an immersive experience with its open-concept enclosures and diverse wildlife.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium, USA – Renowned for its marine life exhibits and ocean conservation education.

Have we missed any types of tourism that you think should be included on this list? Are there other examples you’d like to share? Send us a message and let us know what else should be included on this list.

6 Steps To Create an Ideal Customer Profile for Travel and Tourism

Social Listening in Tourism: A Key Tool for Destination Marketers

The Ultimate Guide to Brand Archetypes in Travel & Tourism

UN Tourism | Bringing the world closer

Secretary-general’s policy brief on tourism and covid-19.

share this content

• Share this article on facebook
• Share this article on twitter
• Share this article on linkedin

Tourism and COVID-19 – unprecedented economic impacts

The Policy Brief provides an overview of the socio-economic impacts from the pandemic on tourism, including on the millions of livelihoods it sustains. It highlights the role tourism plays in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, including its relationship with environmental goals and culture. The Brief calls on the urgency of mitigating the impacts on livelihoods, especially for women, youth and informal workers.

The crisis is an opportunity to rethink how tourism interacts with our societies, other economic sectors and our natural resources and ecosystems; to measure and manage it better; to ensure a fair distribution of its benefits and to advance the transition towards a carbon neutral and resilient tourism economy.

The brief provides recommendations in five priority areas to cushion the massive impacts on lives and economies and to rebuild a tourism with people at the center. It features examples of governments support to the sector, calls for a reopening that gives priority to the health and safety of the workers, travelers and host communities and provides a roadmap to transform tourism.

• Tourism is one of the world’s major economic sectors. It is the third-largest export category (after fuels and chemicals) and in 2019 accounted for 7% of global trade .
• For some countries, it can represent over 20% of their GDP and, overall, it is the third largest export sector of the global economy.
• Tourism is one of the sectors most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, impacting economies, livelihoods, public services and opportunities on all continents. All parts of its vast value-chain have been affected. 
• Export revenues from tourism could fall by $910 billion to $1.2 trillion in 2020. This will have a wider impact and could reduce global GDP by 1.5% to 2.8% .
• Tourism supports one in 10 jobs and provides livelihoods for many millions more in both developing and developed economies.
• In some Small Island Developing States (SIDS), tourism has accounted for as much as 80% of exports, while it also represents important shares of national economies in both developed and developing countries.

100 to 120 MILLON

direct tourism jobs at risk

Massive Impact on Livelihoods

• As many as 100 million direct tourism jobs are at risk , in addition to sectors associated with tourism such as labour-intensive accommodation and food services industries that provide employment for 144 million workers worldwide. Small businesses (which shoulder 80% of global tourism) are particularly vulnerable.
• Women, who make up 54% of the tourism workforce, youth and workers in the informal economy are among the most at-risk categories.
• No nation will be unaffected. Destinations most reliant on tourism for jobs and economic growth are likely to be hit hardest: SIDS, Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and African countries. In Africa, the sector represented 10% of all exports in 2019.  

US$ 910 Billon to US$ 1.2 Trillon

in export from tourism - international visitors' spending

Preserving the Planet -- Mitigating Impacts on Nature and Culture

• The sudden fall in tourism cuts off funding for biodiversity conservation . Some 7% of world tourism relates to wildlife , a segment growing by 3% annually.
• This places jobs at risk and has already led to a rise in poaching, looting and in consumption of bushmeat , partly due to the decreased presence of tourists and staff.
• The impact on biodiversity and ecosystems is particularly critical in SIDS and LDCs. In many African destinations, wildlife accounts for up to 80% of visits, and in many SIDS, tourism revenues enable marine conservation efforts.
• Several examples of community involvement in nature tourism show how communities, including indigenous peoples, have been able to protect their cultural and natural heritage while creating wealth and improve their wellbeing. The impact of COVID-19 on tourism places further pressure on heritage conservation as well as on the cultural and social fabric of communities , particularly for indigenous people and ethnic groups.
• For instance, many intangible cultural heritage practices such as traditional festivals and gatherings have been halted or postponed , and with the closure of markets for handicrafts, products and other goods , indigenous women’s revenues have been particularly impacted.
• 90% of countries have closed World Heritage Sites, with immense socio-economic consequences for communities reliant on tourism. Further, 90% of museums closed and 13% may never reopen.

1.5% to 2.8 of global GDP

Five priorities for tourism’s restart.

The COVID-19 crisis is a watershed moment to align the effort of sustaining livelihoods dependent on tourism to the SDGs and ensuring a more resilient, inclusive, carbon neutral, and resource efficient future.

A roadmap to transform tourism needs to address five priority areas:

• Mitigate socio-economic impacts on livelihoods , particularly women’s employment and economic security.
• Boost competitiveness and build resilience , including through economic diversification, with promotion of domestic and regional tourism where possible, and facilitation of conducive business environment for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
• Advance innovation and digital transformation of tourism , including promotion of innovation and investment in digital skills, particularly for workers temporarily without jobs and for job seekers.
• Foster sustainability and green growth to shift towards a resilient, competitive, resource efficient and carbon-neutral tourism sector. Green investments for recovery could target protected areas, renewable energy, smart buildings and the circular economy, among other opportunities.
• Coordination and partnerships to restart and transform sector towards achieving SDGs , ensuring tourism’s restart and recovery puts people first and work together to ease and lift travel restrictions in a responsible and coordinated manner.

a lifelive for

SIDS, LDCs and many AFRICAN COUNTRIES

tourism represents over 30% of exports for the majority of SIDS and 80% for some

Moving Ahead Together

• As countries gradually lift travel restrictions and tourism slowly restarts in many parts of the world, health must continue to be a priority and coordinated heath protocols that protect workers, communities and travellers, while supporting companies and workers, must be firmly in place.
• Only through collective action and international cooperation will we be able to transform tourism, advance its contribution to the 2030 Agenda and its shift towards an inclusive and carbon neutral sector that harnesses innovation and digitalization, embraces local values and communities and creates decent job opportunities for all, leaving no one behind. We are stronger together.

RESOURCES FOR CONSEVATION

of natural and cultural heritage

Related links

• Policy Brief: Tourism and COVID-19
• The Impact of COVID-19 on Tourism
• António Guterres - Video

StringersHub

Violence in Ecuador impacts tourism sector

Posted: April 13, 2024 | Last updated: April 13, 2024

This footage was filmed and produced 11 April 2024. Storyline: Ecuador is currently grappling with the repercussions of an internal armed conflict that has severely impacted its tourism sector, once a major economic pillar. Ecuador, a former tourist heaven in Latin America, is embroiled in an internal armed conflict, after organized crime groups in the country issued threats of "war" on Jan 9, this year. This prompts the country's president to declare a 60-day state of emergency and authorize military operations against these groups. The worsening security situation has dealt a blow to tourism in Ecuador, which welcomed over 1.5 million international tourists in 2022. Now Ecuador's streets are patrolled by a considerable number of military and police personnel, and the once-bustling tourist hotspots, such as the Plaza de San Francisco in the capital city of Quito, have seen a noticeable decline in visitors. Hotels are grappling with a dwindling number of guests, while popular tourist and shopping destinations are experiencing a lack of tourists. The worsening security conditions, coupled with travel advisories issued by numerous countries, have dissuaded many international tourists from considering Ecuador as a travel destination. Andres Nicolalde, a tourist guide, shed light on the repercussions faced by local tourism professionals. The decline in the number of tourists has also taken a toll on local businesses over the past months. Shotlist: Quito, Ecuador - April 11, 2024: 1. Various of streets, tourist destinations with fewer visitors; 2. Police officer patrolling; 3. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Raul Garcia, vice president, National Federation of Chambers of Tourism of Ecuador (starting with shot 2): "We are currently taking strict security measures, and these measures are very complicated and affect international visitors to Ecuador."; 4. Tourists; 5. Plaza de San Francisco; 6. Andres Nicolalde, tourist guide, walking; 7. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Andres Nicolalde, tourist guide (partially overlaid with shot 8): "The state of emergency has put 60 percent of tour guides out of work, and curfews have prevented tourists from reaching their destinations as planned. If these tourists' schedules are curtailed or they lose interest in visiting Ecuador, they will not recommend other tourists to travel here."; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 8. Nicolalde in interview; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 9. Various of Lupe Carpio's souvenir shop; 10. Souvenir for sale; 11. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Lupe Carpio, owner of souvenir shop (starting with shot 10): "Our sales are down significantly. The most important thing now is for the government to improve the security situation in Ecuador. If tourists don't feel safe, they won't come back." 12. Various of souvenir for sale. [RESTRICTIONS: No access Chinese mainland]

More for You

Zelensky revealed some hard truths about the war in Ukraine

The 10 Best Parody Movies Ever Made

U.S. moves forces in the Middle East to prepare for 'imminent' Iranian strike on Israel: Pentagon sends aircraft carrier that can intercept missiles to the Red Sea in warning to Tehran

The most endangered animals in Africa

Highest paid footballers in the world: Ronaldo 1st, Messi 5th as Saudi Arabia dominate

Tesla Driver Protects Cyclist From Wolf In Romania

China helping Russia expand its defence base amid Ukraine conflict: Report

Bernie Sanders wants a 32-hour work and he makes a good argument

Israeli settlers' rampage through West Bank village causes casualties

Endangered Milestone as 250th California Condor Chick Hatches in San Diego, CA, USA

The life-changing ways exercise modifies your brain

EPL: We are in big trouble – Guardiola admits ahead of Man City vs Luton

Ukraine war: UK and US metal ban, China sells military parts to Moscow, Russian influence network

Simple low-budget modern 3-bedroom house designs to choose from

Boris: 'If Ukraine falls, it'll be catastrophic for the West'

22 cars that are 60 in 2024

Bird flu kills millions of animals and has now reached humans

World's second fastest 10K woman runner Emmaculate Anyango Achol to make World 10K Bengaluru debut

'Why I rewrote Huckleberry Finn to give slave Jim a voice'

US ex-Ambassador bags 15 years jail term for spying on American govt