Introduction to Tour Guiding

The Meaning of Tourism

 Tourism, the most important civil industry in
the world has been an activity known in the
last 200 years, according to Sanchez (2009). It
is one of the largest and fastest-growing global
industries, creating significant employment
and economic development, particularly in
many developing countries.
• Tourism also plays a vital role in the
economy, since it creates jobs and
stimulates the regional economy to a
great extent. Often dubbed as the
“borderless white” industry, it is
thought to be a vital development
agent and an ideal economic
alternative to more traditional and
secondary sectors (Roque,2014).
• Also, it is an effective tool to introduce
the culture of the area and hospitality
to the visitors according to Pratt (2011).
The Various Tourism and Hospitality Service Industries

• The service industries which benefit

from tourism include transportation
services, such as airlines, cruise ships,
and taxicabs; hospitality services, such
as amusement parks, casinos, shopping
malls, music venues and theaters. This is
in addition to goods bought by tourists,
including souvenirs, clothing and other
suppliers.
• https://en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism
 History of Tour Guiding
• The first tour operator went into business in England in
1758, and is still in business today. In Europe, pleasure
travel started in earnest during the 1840s, when Thomas
Cook began conducting tours to Paris and later around
Europe. By the 1850s, railroad tours were already in
operation. Modern tour operators – companies that
organize group tours and independent travel packages —
date back to the mid-nineteenth century, and most likely
have their roots as ticket agents for steamship lines and
railroads. In addition to selling passage, the agents were
eventually called upon to develop itineraries and secure
accommodations for their wealthy clients. Out of this
grew the organized business of selling planned tours to
groups of travelers.
• The post-World War II period, beginning
with the late 1940s and early 1950s,
marked a dramatic turning point for the
tour operator industry. The introduction of
modern long-range commercial aircraft
and the development of the interstate
highway system both opened long distance
travel to millions of middle class travelers.
Add to that the growth of low cost airlines,
increased access to airports, and the ability
to travel more cheaply, and the travel bug
sent millions of people all over the planet.