Determinants and motivations of tourism

It seems that 3 words; tourist, traveller and exculsionist are synonymous. In tourism literature, these terms are used every now and then that is why the distinction between them is necessary. For statistical measurement , it is ought to be familiar with each terms. Various surveys and researches need to  have to clarify the distinction among them.  An effort has been made to make clear difference among these terms.

The first definition about tourists ( foreign) was drawn on 1937 by the league of nation’s Committee of Statistical Experts; 

—   ‘Any person visiting a country, other than in which he usually resides, for a period of at least twenty four hours.’

—      ‘Persons travelling on holiday for a period of less than twenty four hours are treated as excursionists.’

                   The definition  of foreign tourist included persons travelling for pleasure or specific interests, meeting/representation ,business and the people in sea cruises. Whereas it excluded the people seeking permanent work or residence, students and passengers passing through the country without stopping. Later the definition was adapted for domestic  purpose also; tourist is a person visiting a place for a period  of at least twenty-four hours.

The definition of the League of Nations was widely accepted and it’s essence is still relevant. In 1963, the United Nations  Conference on Travel and Tourism (rome) proposed the following definitions of visitor, tourists and excursionist;

—  Visitor denotes a person visiting a country other than that in which he has his usual place of residence, for any reason other than following an occupation remunerated from within the country visited.

—   “Tourists are the visitors staying at least twenty four hours in the country visited and the purpose of whose journey can be classified under one of the following headings:

• Leisure( recreation, holiday, health, study, religion and sports)
• Business, family, mission, meeting”

—      Excursionists are temporary visitors staying less than twenty four hours in the country visited (including travelers on cruise)

The definition was accepted by international travel statistics experts as it clearly distinguishes visitors, travellers and excursionists. In 1968, IUOTO  approved the definition and presented the clear distinction as;

Besides this classification, various other tourism scholors have made attempt to analyse the categories of tourism.  Smith, L.J. Stephen(1978) suggested  the typology of tourists as;

—  Explorer

—  Elite

—  Off beat

—  Incipient Mass

—  Mass

—  Charter

Here, the hierchy suggest the level of luxury and amenities the tourists seek for.  More we go to the bottom, the expectation and demand for facilities increases. It starts with the explorer who intends to find new places and activities himself whereas the last one or charter demands for super luxurious means and everything is expected as the interests of the person who travels.

In tourism literature, Other popular types of tourists are cited every now and then;

—  Backpackers; independent and self organised budget travellers

—  Organised;     tour activities are organised by tour company, higher spender

—  Hedonists;     travellers who seek only pleasure

—  Volunteer;     interested to work for community

—  ...............

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