SECTION C: TOURISM

OBJECTIVES:
• By the end of the lesson you will…

1. Explain what Tourism is.

2. Explain types of Tourists.

3. Identify reasons for visiting particular places.

WHAT IS TOURISM?
• Tourism is the activities of people travelling to, visiting and staying in places outside their
usual environment for leisure, business or other purposes for not more than one consecutive
year.

• Tourism is a vital part of the Caribbean’s economy, contributing half or more of Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) in some countries

• The tourism sector describes the industry that provides food, accommodation, travel,
experiences, entertainment and souvenirs to tourists.
DEFINITION OF A TOURIST:

A TOURIST is a person who travels away from home for leisure, business or

other purposes for longer than a day e.g. 24 hours but less than a year.
TYPES OF TOURISTS:
Travellers may be categorized as:
• International tourist - Someone who travels outside the geographic region of their home country e.g. a
person/persons who visits the Caribbean e.g. from the U.S.A. (overseas/abroad) visiting Trinidad. Crossing
international borders.
• Regional tourist - A person/persons who travels within the same geographical reason e.g. someone from
Barbados visiting Guyana).
• Domestic tourist - One travelling in his or her home country e.g. Trinidadian going to Tobago or a person
from Florida visiting New York).
Special note:
• An excursionist is a person who arrives at the destination and departs on the same
day e.g. cruise ships and yachts (yachties). They may be termed stop overs, stay overs or same day tourists.
They may take quick tours e.g. Maracus Bay.
• Returning nationals – return home from residing abroad to visit relatives or festivals or national activities
e.g. carnival, Christmas, weddings, graduations.
 REASONS WHY PEOPLE TRAVEL:
Category Reason for travel

Cultural / Heritage Tourism People travel to experience different peoples religion, history, and traditions (e.g.
Carnival, Tobago Jazz Festival, Fort George, Museums).

Special Events For the purpose of conferences (Caribbean Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) or
Americas Competitiveness Forum) or other events such as Beauty Pageants (Miss World
or Miss Universe)

Health Tourism People travel to undergo health treatment or visit health spas.

Sports Tourism People travel in order to watch or participate in sports (e.g. Cricket World Cup, Football
or sailing)

Nature / Eco-Tourism Natural resources are usually the natural beauty of the area. This is tourism for the
purpose of watching wildlife (e.g. turtle-watching) or visit natural attractions (e.g. pitch
lake)
BENEFITS TO THE TOURIST:
• Relaxation: escape, feel better , sand and sun, chilling out, tension reduction, dropping out,
exercise.
• Sense of belonging: visit family and friends, search for roots, companionship, reunion,
convention.
• Knowledge: culture, wanderlust, education programs, museums, historical sites.
• Security: health, business/work advancement, education.
• Aesthetics: scenery, environment, museums, historical sites.
ACTIVITY:
• In your own words define tourist.
• Why is an international traveler different to a domestic traveler.
• What is your dream vacation? Does it fall into any of the categories? If yes explain which
category.