Tourism Industry

The changing nature of tourism

Number of tourists and travel purpose

As far back as 510 BCE, during the ancient Roman cilvilisation, only wealthy people travelled to distant parts of the world to see great buildings or works of art, learn new languages and experience unique cultures. Today, travel has become more affordable and is no longer confined to people who are wealthy.

The travel purposes have also changed. Now, people travel for a variety of purposes. Examples include leisure, business, meetings, conventions, conferences and so on.

What has caused the changes in tourism?

Changes in society have enabled and encouraged more people to travel. The type of travel experiences that people seek has also changed over time. These changes include:
- The improvement in transport and information technology
- The mounting concern people have for ecology and the environment
- The rise in multicultural societies
- People's quest for experiences in which educational and entertainment needs are met

Domestic and International Tourism

Domestic Tourism

When we think of a holiday, we often think of travelling to another country to experiencea different culture, lifestyle or even climate. In a country with a large landmass, residentsmay choose to travel within their own country and still be able to experience something different from what they are used to. The satifaction gained from this form of travel may be similar to that from an overseas trip.

When residents tarvel within their own country, we refer to this as domestic tourism. Domestic tourism is fast gaining popularity as it is generally cheaper than travelling overseas for a holiday.

International Tourism

Travel which involves the movement of tourists from their own country to another country or countries is known as international tourism. Thus, any person who travels to another country for a holiday is an international traveller.

The growth of the tourism industry around the world is important as it helps to improve the lives of people through the many benefits that can be gained. However, it also brings with it negative impacts to the countries engaged in tourism. Understanding the global tourism industry will help us to see how best the negative impacts can be minimised.

Demand factors

Disposable income

Disposable income is the amount of money left for an individual to spend, or to be put aside as savings, after taxes. The income usage and amount of household savings of the people are influenced by the economic conditions of a country.

Changing lifestyle

Lifestyle is the way a person or a group chooses to live. This includes patterns of social relations, consumption, work, entertainment and dressing. A fast-paced and the associated stress of modern living has given some people reason to travel as a form of relaxation.

Leisure time

Leisure time refers to time avalible outside the demands of work or duty. People with more leisure time may be more inclined to travel. In Singapore, all government ministries have adopted the five-day work week since 2004. People may take the opportunity to go on weekend trips to neighbouring countries, especially when there is a public holiday that falls on a Monday or Friday.

Supply factors

Amenities

Attractions

The presence of attractions within a country generally encourages international as well as domestic tourism. For example, China has a variety of attractions, such as the Great Wall in Beijing, the ancient city of Dali in Yunnan and Mount Everest in Tibet. This allows the Chinese to gain varied experiences just by travelling within their country, as well as attract visitors from other countries.

Facilities

The facilities in a country, such as hotels, restaurants and shops, paly a part in attracting tourists. Tourists are more likely to travel to a place where there is a wide range of faciities to choose from.

Accessibility

Attractions alone cannot bring in the tourists. The ease with which a tourist can reach the attractions, or accessibility, is just as important. A place which is easily accessible is more attractive to tourists.

Affordability

The cost of travel also influences an individual's travel plan. In recent years, air travel has become cheaper, especially with the entry of low-cost carriers offering low ticket prices. For example, a round trip between Perth and Singapore costs as little as S$400, compared to more than S$600 previously.

Subsidiary services

A very important charecteristic of a successful tourism industry is the presence of subsidiary services. These services include marketing, reservation and coordination among the different tour agencies operating within a country. Often, a national body, such as a tourism board, is set up to promote tourism and help coordinate efforts.

Quality service

In order to provide quality service, hotel and retail management worldwide are sending staff for training or hiring consultants to help train employees. Furthermore, service providers in the tourism industry are encouraged by the governments of their countries to provide quality service to attract tourists. This is important as more countries are competing for a share of tourism market. In Singapore, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) formed its service

Other reasons for the growth of tourism

Prevalence of media

Attractive advertising

A country or place may promote itself as a favoured tourist destination by advertising through the various media. Advertisments may be on television, on the radio or even on top of taxi cabs or on the sides of buses so as to reach a wider audience. Some tourist destinations have come up with a novel ways to grab attention.

Avalibility of information

Through the media, readers and viewers may get information on places and their attractions. The advancement in Information Technology (IT) haas helped to make information even more readily available and accessible, and also keeps the information available up-to-date. This makes it easier to plan holidays. For example, useful information such as the local weather and local cuisine may be found on the Internet and in travel guides. Places of interest as well as popular shopping or eating spots are also recommended.

Ease of making travel bookings

Travel arrangements can be easily made via phone bookings or by fax. Transport and accommodation can usually be arranged through the use of IT as well, for example, through Internet bookings.

Meetings and conventions

With increased globalisation, a new form of travel is taking place. Business travel in the form of attending meetings and conversations has also been making an impact on the growth of global tourism. This type of travel is known as Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exibitions (MICE) travel. Often, these events are held at different venues in different coutries. Business travellers may make use of the opportunity to take a holiday.

Reduction of political barriers

The erosion of political barriers has boosted tourist travel into and out of countries which previously had strict travel restrictions. For example, the collapse of the "Iron Curtain" has led to increased tourism in countries in Eastern Europe. Tourists from other parts of the world can now explore Eastern Europe more freely. Citizens of these countries. Citizens of these are also discovering tourism themselves and heading abroad for holidays.