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.