AS Level Travel & Tourism (9395): Study Notes 1.2 – Types of Tourism

Hello future tourism experts! Welcome to a crucial chapter where we break down the different 'flavours' of tourism. Understanding these classifications is essential because it helps the industry, governments, and destinations plan properly and target the right customers. Don't worry if this seems like a long list—we'll use simple examples to make them stick!

1. Geographic Classification: Where Are You Travelling?

This group defines tourism based on whether the traveller stays within their own country or crosses international borders.

(A) Domestic Tourism

Definition: Travel undertaken by residents within their own country.

  • Example: A person living in London taking a holiday to the seaside resort of Brighton.
  • Key Point: The money spent stays within the national economy.
(B) Inbound Tourism

Definition: Tourists from other countries arriving and travelling into a specific destination country.

  • Example: An American travelling to Japan. From Japan's perspective, this is inbound tourism.
  • Key Point: This generates foreign exchange (money from outside the country).
(C) Outbound Tourism

Definition: Residents of a specific country travelling out to other countries.

  • Example: A UK resident flying to Spain for a beach holiday. From the UK's perspective, this is outbound tourism.
  • Common Mistake to Avoid: Inbound and Outbound are always defined relative to the host destination (the place they are visiting) or the generating country (the place they are leaving).

Quick Review: Think of your home country (Country X). If you travel inside X, it’s Domestic. If someone from outside comes to X, it’s Inbound. If you leave X, it’s Outbound.

2. Scale and Organisation: How the Trip is Booked

This classification focuses on the scale of operation (how many tourists are involved) and how the trip is planned and sold.

(A) Mass Tourism

Definition: Large numbers of tourists visiting the same destination at the same time, usually following a set itinerary or staying in large resort areas.

  • Characteristics: High volume, often relies on standardised products (like large hotel chains), can put pressure on infrastructure and local resources.
  • Example: Large-scale beach holidays in places like Tenerife or Cancun, where thousands of people visit purpose-built resorts.
(B) Packaged Tourism (All-Inclusive)

Definition: A holiday where two or more components (like flights, accommodation, and transfers) are bought together for one price, usually through a tour operator or travel agent.

  • Benefit: Convenience, financial security (protection if the company goes bust), and predictability.
  • Example: Booking a 14-day flight and hotel deal to the Maldives through a company like TUI.
(C) Unpackaged Tourism (Independent Travel)

Definition: When the traveller books all elements of their trip separately (flights, hotels, activities) directly with providers or online services.

  • Benefit: Maximum flexibility, potential for cost saving, and ability to tailor the trip exactly to personal preferences.
  • Analogy: Packaged tourism is like ordering a set meal; Unpackaged tourism is like ordering a la carte (building your own meal).
(D) Specialist Tourism

Definition: Tourism tailored to meet the specific needs, interests, or motivations of a niche group of customers.

  • These tourists often seek authentic, high-quality, or exclusive experiences.
  • Examples:
    • Adventure Tourism (trekking in Nepal)
    • Cultural Tourism (visiting historical sites or art galleries)
    • Medical Tourism (travelling abroad for surgery)
    • Film Tourism (visiting locations where movies were shot, like New Zealand for Lord of the Rings)

Key Takeaway: While mass tourism focuses on efficiency and volume, specialist tourism focuses on niche interest and high-value experiences.

3. Distance and Duration: Short-haul and Long-haul

These terms primarily relate to the distance and time taken for the flight/journey.

(A) Short-haul

Definition: Travel over short distances, typically involving flights of less than 3 hours (though definitions vary by airline/region). Usually covers intra-regional travel.

  • Example: Flying from Germany to Italy.
  • Benefit: Cheaper, quicker, and generally less carbon intensive per trip than long-haul.
(B) Long-haul

Definition: Travel over great distances, typically involving flights of over 6 hours, often crossing multiple time zones and continents.

  • Example: Flying from London to Sydney.
  • Impact: Requires larger aircraft, often results in jet lag, and significantly increases the overall carbon footprint of the trip.

4. Control and Booking: Independent Travel

Independent travel (as introduced above in unpackaged tourism) is a major trend, often facilitated by technology.

(A) Characteristics of Independent Travel

Definition: A traveller decides the itinerary, duration, and components of the trip themselves, without using a traditional package tour operator.

  • This type of travel has grown rapidly due to the internet, allowing tourists to easily compare prices for flights and hotels globally.
  • Key Term: Dynamic Packaging. This is the use of online booking systems that allow customers to 'build their own' package by combining individual components (flight + hotel + car hire) but booking them all in one transaction online.

Did You Know? Independent travellers often contribute more directly to local businesses (smaller hotels, local restaurants) rather than giant all-inclusive resorts.

5. Ethical Classifications: Tourism for Tomorrow

The industry is changing. Increasingly, tourists and destinations are focusing on mitigating negative impacts. This leads us to the crucial 'Sustainables'.

(A) Sustainable Tourism

Definition: Tourism that meets the needs of present tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing opportunity for the future. It balances Economic, Environmental, and Sociocultural impacts over the long term.

  • Focus: Broad concept covering all types of tourism, ensuring that the destination remains viable forever.
  • Goal: Using resources sustainably (e.g., managing water consumption) and involving local communities in decision-making.
(B) Ecotourism

Definition: A specific type of specialist tourism focused on visiting natural areas, conserving the environment, sustaining the well-being of the local people, and including interpretation and education.

  • Focus: Education, conservation, minimal impact, and supporting pristine environments (e.g., rainforests, wildlife reserves).
  • Example: A guided, small-group trip to the Galápagos Islands, where the guide strictly enforces conservation rules and teaches tourists about local ecology.
(C) Responsible Tourism

Definition: This emphasizes that all stakeholders (governments, operators, and especially tourists themselves) are responsible for making tourism more sustainable.

  • Focus: Actions and attitudes. It asks the tourist: What can I do to minimise my negative impact?
  • Example: A responsible tourist might choose to eat at a locally owned restaurant rather than a foreign chain, or refuse to buy souvenirs made from protected wildlife.

Memory Aid for the Sustainables:

  • Sustainable = System (The long-term plan for the whole industry).
  • Ecotourism = Ecology (Focus on nature and learning).
  • Responsible = Rules & Role (The actions and mindset of the individual).

Key Takeaway: Chapter 1.2 Review

You have learned that tourism is classified in multiple ways based on geography (Domestic/Inbound/Outbound), scale (Mass/Specialist), organisation (Packaged/Unpackaged/Independent), and ethical approach (Sustainable/Ecotourism/Responsible). These classifications are dynamic, constantly changing as global trends shift towards more independent and ethically conscious travel choices!