2. Who are tourists?
Tourist can be defined as people who travel away from home or their
working place for a consecutive period of time (less than a year and more
than 24hours) for different reasons. (brown,2010:15).
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World
Tourism Organization defines tourists as people who "travel to and stay in
places outside their usual environment for more than twenty-four (24) hours
and not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other
purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within
the place visited. (Smith:2003:14).
A person who is travelling or visiting a place for pleasure (Oxford).
A tourist refer to someone who travels for leisure and explore different
tourism activities.
3. TYPES OF TOURISTS
Tourism is now a growing industry worldwide, Therefore there are
many different types of tourists with different reasons for travelling
all over the world.’
Educational tourists:
Educational tourist are type of tourists who travel for educational
purposes, for example learners from Nigel High School travels to
Kruger National park to explore and research about animals.
Educational tourists are not only school learners but and teachers
or university student, professors etc. to research about particular
information. ( Brown; 2010:26).
5. Leisure tourists
They travel for leisure purposes which might be relaxation or taking a
break or resting time.
Leisure refers to time spent away from work and all manner of business as
relaxation time. On the other hand tourism refers to travel for recreational,
leisure and even for business purposes. When combined, leisure and
tourism refer to a business sector entrusted with the provision of
recreational services to clients whether domestic or international for the
sole purpose of producing revenue. (Smith;2003:23).
6. Sport tourists
Sports tourists are people who travel for participating in sports, any type of
sports. These include players, referees, coaches, empires and spectators.
For example Bafana Bafana fans travels to Brazil and watch the 2014
Soccer World Cup.
Sport Tourism refers to travel which involves either observing or
participating in a sporting event staying apart from their usual
environment. “Sport tourism is a fast growing sector of the global travel
industry and equates to $600 billion a year.” (Smith:2003:20).
7. A Quick Comparison between Mass
and Alternative Tourism
Mass Tourism
large groups
traditional
fixed program
focus on “sights”
little or no background research
desire for souvenirs
purchase items while there
may involve loud social activities
snapshots and postcards
no language preparation
8. Health / Medical Tourism
To improve one’s health, such as a visit to a health resort or weight-loss camp.
9. A Quick Comparison between Mass
and Alternative Tourism (2)
Alternative Tourism
singles, families, friends
recent trend
spontaneous decisions
focus on “experiences”
careful preparation and research
desire for memories / knowledge
bring items to give away
quiet, low impact
photography and painting
learn local language
10. References
by Sheikh Muhamed Baku, Director of Marketing & Business Development at UTOPIA For eTourism & e-Marketing Services on Jul 21, available on
2013http://www.slideshare.net/ALTINBAKU?utm_campaign=profiletracking&utm_medium=sssite
&utm_source=ssslideview: accessed on 08/03/2014
by Christie Barakat, professor at FUA, CEA on Mar 27, 2012 : available on:
http://www.slideshare.net/ChristieBarakat?utm_campaign=profiletracking&utm_medium=sssite
&utm_source=ssslideview: accessed on 08/03/2014
by jithupb on Dec 31, 2012, available on: http://www.slideshare.net/jithupb/ecotourism1
accessed on:08/09/2014
by Ana AbadElzaher on May 23, 2012 available on:
http://www.slideshare.net/AhmedAbadelzaherkhafagy/tourism-13044233, accessed on
08/03/2014
