Grade 10

CHARACTERISTICS OF
TRAVEL AND TOURISM
 CHARACTERISTICS :
• Are what describe the travel and tourism industry.
• The travel and tourism industry is different from any other industry
• It is crucial to understand the different characteristics of the travel and tourism industry to
know what make the industry different
 1. PRODUCTS
• When we talk about the travel and tourism industry we also talk about the range of
products offered to tourists

• Products includes both : Goods and Services

• Goods are physical products that we can touch and that are tangible
For example a Travel guide book

. Services are intangible, which means that we cannot touch but is an action done for you
For example a transfer from a taxi from the airport to the hotel
 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GOODS
AND SERVICES
Goods Services

Tangible Intangible
Can be stored Cannot be stored
Physical objects Are actions done on your behalf
 2. SERVICES
• Travel and tourism is a service industry. Meaning that it is a people industry since
we need people (staff) to provide the different services to customers
• People involved in the services are going to contribute to the tourists’ experience
• Travel and tourism industry offer a wide range of services like: transport,
accommodation, guided tours, entertainment, visitors attraction, food and
beverages and currency exchange
 3. INTANGIBLE
• Travel and tourism services are intangible
• This mean that it cannot be seen nor touched, but it needs to be experienced
• This makes it difficult for travel and tourism organisations to represent their service before
the tourists buys it. For example a stay in a 5 star hotel cannot be tested before purchase.
• Their need to be a certain trust that the service is going to meet customers’ needs and wants
• Travel and tourism services are experiences and organisations in the travel and tourism
industry sell a promise.
 4. PERISHABLE
• Travel and tourism Services are perishable. This means that services
cannot be stored
• For example and unsold flight journey cannot be stored to be sold
later on, as once the flight depart the travel journey expires
 ACTIVITY
• Name 3 services in the travel and tourism industry

• Name 3 goods in the travel and tourism industry

Fill in the blanks:

(Perishable, experience, Products, goods, service)
1. Travel and tourism……….can be goods and services
2. A guided tour at casela can be an example of a travel and tourism…….
3. Souvenirs sold in a souvenir shop is an example of a ……..
4. Travel and tourism services are said to be…….. As it cannot be stored
5. The travel and tourism industry is considered as a service industry since it needs people to provide
customers……..