Types of tourists - Travel and Tourism (0471) - Cambridge IGCSE

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IGCSE Travel and Tourism (0471) Study Notes

Chapter 1.5: Types of Tourists – Understanding Who Travels

Hello future tourism experts! This chapter is all about understanding the different types of people who travel. Why is this important? Because the travel industry needs to know *who* their customers are so they can design the right holidays, accommodation, and services for them. Knowing your tourist type is the foundation of good marketing and customer service!

Let's break down the main types of tourists identified in the syllabus.

1. Tourists Classified by Travel Purpose

The easiest way to divide tourists is by asking: Why are they traveling?

A. Leisure Tourists

These are the people travelling purely for pleasure, relaxation, or personal enjoyment. They form the largest segment of the global tourism market.

Key Characteristics: Seeking relaxation, entertainment, sightseeing, and spending time with family or friends.
Needs: Wide variety of accommodation (from budget to luxury), attractions, entertainment, and easy access to beaches or cultural sites.
Example: A family going to an all-inclusive beach resort for a week of relaxation.

B. Business Tourists

These individuals travel for work-related reasons rather than holidays. They are often highly valued by the industry because they tend to spend more money per day than leisure tourists.

Key Characteristics: Attending meetings, conferences, trade shows (linked to MICE – Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions), or visiting clients.
Needs: High-speed Wi-Fi, efficient transport links (close to airports), business facilities (meeting rooms), and good quality accommodation and services.
Example: A manager flying to another country for a two-day sales conference.

2. Tourists Classified by Group Composition

This category looks at who the tourist is travelling with.

A. Families

A group consisting of parents and children (or extended family). They look for trips that cater to all ages.

Key Characteristics: Budget-conscious, require child-friendly facilities and safe environments.
Needs: Interconnecting rooms, kids' clubs, family-friendly menus, activities suitable for both adults and children, and often need flexible booking options.
Example: Staying at a theme park resort or a large hotel with a dedicated swimming pool area for children.

B. Couples

Two people travelling together, usually seeking shared experiences, privacy, or romance.

Key Characteristics: Often seek quieter, romantic, or specialised experiences (like spa retreats).
Needs: Privacy, adult-only hotels, fine dining experiences, and perhaps specialised packages like honeymoon deals.
Example: A cruise, or a weekend break to a city known for its art and restaurants.

C. Groups

A number of people travelling together, usually organised by a travel company or institution (e.g., schools, sports teams, clubs).

Key Characteristics: Highly organised itineraries, seeking discounts for bulk bookings (group rates).
Needs: Large coaches for transport, group check-in facilities, block-booking discounts, and a single point of contact for logistics.
Example: A tour operator arranging a coach trip for 50 retirees visiting historical monuments.

3. Tourists Classified by Travel Style

This looks at how the tourist organises their trip.

A. Independent Tourists (FIT)

FIT stands for Free Independent Tourists. They prefer to organise their own travel components (flights, accommodation, activities) without relying on a package tour operator.

Key Characteristics: Highly flexible, often budget-conscious or seeking unique, non-mainstream experiences. They rely heavily on online research.
Needs: Excellent public transport information, diverse booking platforms (like Airbnb or online travel agents), and local, authentic experiences.
Example: A student booking separate flights and hostels across Southeast Asia using online apps.

B. Individuals

This simply refers to a person travelling alone (whether for business or leisure). They are different from groups or couples.

Needs: Safety and security are paramount. They might face 'single supplements' (extra costs for not sharing a room), so they often seek accommodation geared towards solo travellers (like hostels or capsule hotels).

Quick Tip for Struggling Students:
Think of it like planning a party:
• Group: Booking a whole class trip (everything is organised together).
• Independent: Booking separate tickets and taxis for yourself and a friend (you control the schedule).
• Individual: Just booking for yourself (safety and efficiency matter most).

4. Tourists Classified by Motivation and Values

These tourists have a deeper purpose or specific interest guiding their travel choices.

A. Special Interest Tourists

These travellers choose a destination primarily because it offers facilities or features related to their specific hobby or interest.

Key Characteristics: Highly motivated to pursue a specific activity. They are often willing to travel to remote or niche locations and spend money on specialised gear or guides.
Types of Interest:
- Medical Tourism: Travelling for surgery or health treatments.
- Religious Tourism: Pilgrimages (e.g., Mecca, Jerusalem).
- Adventure Tourism: Seeking thrills (e.g., bungee jumping, mountain climbing).
- Cultural Tourism: Visiting historical sites, museums, or attending festivals.
- Sports Tourism: Attending major events (Olympics) or participating (skiing, golfing).

B. Ecotourists and Responsible Tourists

These terms are closely linked to sustainable tourism (Section 1.3). They are tourists concerned about their impact on the planet and local communities.

i. Ecotourists

Ecotourism focuses specifically on environmental conservation.

Focus: Visiting natural areas, often fragile ones, with the aim of conservation and education. They want to minimise their environmental footprint.
Needs: Eco-lodges, trained local naturalists/guides, and activities that support wildlife protection.

ii. Responsible Tourists

This is a broader concept than ecotourism. A responsible tourist considers the environmental and socio-cultural impact of their actions.

Focus: Making ethical choices, benefiting local economies, respecting local traditions, and minimising negative cultural impact (e.g., avoiding places that exploit workers).
How they travel: Choosing locally-owned businesses, reducing waste, and learning local customs.

Did you know? A Responsible Tourist might choose a bus over a domestic flight to reduce their carbon emissions, *and* they might choose to buy souvenirs directly from a local artisan instead of a large chain store to support the local economy.

5. Tourists with Specific Needs

This segment requires the travel industry to make special arrangements to ensure their safety, comfort, and accessibility.

A. Specific Needs Tourists

This group includes anyone requiring special provision due to a condition or requirement that affects their ability to travel easily.

Examples of Needs:
- Mobility: Wheelchair access, ramps, accessible transport.
- Visual/Hearing Impairment: Braille signage, assistance dogs, clear announcements.
- Dietary Requirements: Strict food allergy protocols (e.g., gluten-free, halal, vegetarian).
- Language Barriers: Multilingual staff, clear translation signs.
- Cultural/Religious Needs: Availability of prayer rooms or specific gender-separated facilities.
Industry Response: Under Section 4.3 (Provision of customer service), organizations must ensure Access and necessary Facilities are available to serve this crucial market segment.

Quick Review: Matching Tourists to Needs

Understanding tourist types helps the industry segment the market and target the right products. Here is a brief summary:

Tourist Type	Primary Motivation/Value	Key Service Needed
Business	Efficiency / Work	Fast Wi-Fi, Meeting rooms, Proximity to airport.
Families	Safety / Shared enjoyment	Kids' Clubs, Interconnecting rooms, Discounts.
Ecotourists	Environmental conservation	Sustainable accommodation, Expert natural guides.
Independent	Flexibility / Control	Reliable public transport, Online booking resources.
Specific Needs	Accessibility / Safety	Ramps, trained staff, clear dietary provisions.

Great job! By mastering these different types of tourists, you can start to see why travel organisations must offer such a diverse range of products and services globally!