IGSE SYLLABUS BASED NOTES

1. TYPES OF TOURISTS
AMALA RACHEL SHAJI
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

2. LEISURE TOURISTS
 Leisure tourists are usually concerned about
price and will have a budgeted amount of
money available for the holiday/trip
 Enjoyment and value for money are their
main aims.

3. Business tourists
Business tourists travel for specific work tasks and, as a
result, they have little or no time to enjoy the
destination they are visiting.
They travel to a destination to complete a work task,
and then travel back as soon as the task is complete.

4. Business tourists have a specific set of characteristics:
•They have little or no choice regarding when or where they travel. This is
decided by the business task to be completed.
•Travel is often arranged at short notice.
• Location is essential. They will want to be located close to amenities such as
transport and restaurants, for their convenience.
•They require products that fit around their work commitments, for example,
early breakfast.
• Travel expenses are paid for by the business. As a result, they generally
spend more than leisure tourists.
• They travel all year round, often out of peak season. This helps to solve the
problem of seasonality for some travel and tourism organisations.
• They typically travel alone or sometimes with other colleagues

5. Special interest tourists (SIT)
Tourists may travel for a special purpose or interest. These
tourists will have specific requirements depending on the
reason they are travelling.
 Travel for medical reason : This is when a tourist travel
for an essential or non- essential procedures
o procedure is not available in their home country
o Because it is cheaper in another country
 Religious reason : Travel for religious jounery or
pilgrimages to special place.
Eg: Jerusalem /mecca
 Adventure : Travel aimed at taking part in adventures
Eg : trekking ,climbing, or kayaking

6. Sports : Travel to watch a sport team or take a part in
sport
Eg : competing in a marathon in mother country .
Cultural reason: Travel to learn or experience other
cultures .
Health and well –being : Travel to improve happiness
health and wellness
Eg : Spa tourism

7. Independent tourists
Independent tourists book their travel and holiday
experiences themselves.
They are focused on having the freedom to choose.
They will put together a travel itinerary or holiday
experience according to their own preferences.
They will book transport and activities separately,
allowing them to have greater flexibility and
independence

8. Responsible tourists
 Responsible tourists focus on behaving
respectfully towards the environment and local
people when travelling.
 Their requirements when travelling can vary
according to their personal preferences.
 A common preference for all responsible tourists
is focusing on travelling in a responsible way
that minimizes any negative impacts.

9. Ecotourists
Ecotourists travel to experience the natural environment, making as
little impact on the environment as possible.
They are focused on nature and the natural elements of the place
they are visiting, and will seek to experience that as responsibly as
possible.
They will only be interested in travel and tourism products that are
environmentally friendly and responsible. This might include:
• locally sourced food
• environmentally friendly transport methods
• nature-based activities such as trekking or wildlife watching.

10. Families
Families may travel for leisure, special interest or VFR.
This category of tourist does not include business
tourists.
Family tourists prefer products that are suitable for all
members of the family, regardless of the combination of
their family group. For example, a family taking a short
break to a city and visiting a museum may want
children’s activities, detailed information on the exhibits
for the adults, and a café or restaurant for them all to
have refreshments together

11. Individuals
Individual tourists travel alone.
They can be of any age, and their reason for travel could
be leisure, business, VFR or special interest. Individuals
may look for travel and tourism products that allow
them to join in with other people, for example, joining a
guided tour or a group- based activity. Alternatively, they
may prefer their own company and seek solitude in their
tourism activities and products.

12. Couples
A couple is two adults travelling together.
Couples will be focused on spending time together; as
with individuals, this may be with other tourists or on
their own.
There are many travel and tourism products designed for
couples, from romantic hotels and restaurant tables set
apart from others to a well-being spa holiday for
two.ravel and tourism products designed for couples,

13. Groups
Tourists may travel as part of a group. Groups can
include people of different ages.
There are a variety of different groups, which may
include:
• education groups
• sports or hobby groups
• groups of young people
• groups of senior or retired tourists

14. Specific needs
Some tourists will have specific needs when travelling.
Tourists may have:
•mobility disabilities: these can range from being a
wheelchair user to being unable to walk or stand for a long
time
• sensory disabilities, such as hearing and visual
impairments
• a medical condition
• dietary requirements – this could be due to allergies or
religious beliefs
• language, religious or cultural differences.