types of marine tourism

• The Ocean’s Importance

What is the Ocean Panel?

Advisory Network

The Agenda: Transformations

Ocean Wealth

Ocean Health

Ocean Equity

Ocean Knowledge

Ocean Finance

Sustainable Ocean Plans

Progress Reports

Action Groups

Sustainable Coastal & Marine Tourism

• Publications

Coastal and marine tourism represents at least 50 percent of total global tourism . It constitutes the largest economic sector for most small island developing states and many coastal states. Securing the long-term sustainability and viability of this sector is critical for the continued prosperity of the destinations and communities that rely on it.

Featured Resources

Accessibility Tools

Privacy overview.

OCEANS & REEFS

Protecting oceans & reefs.

Oceans and reefs are some of our planet’s most vibrant natural attractions.   Some of the world’s most fascinating species – from humongous whales to tiny seahorses – call these waters home. In addition to harboring immense biodiversity, healthy oceans and reefs are an essential source of food and income for people around the world.

The combination of spectacular marine life, delicious seafood, and diverse recreational opportunities draws visitors to even the most remote seaside destinations. While marine tourism creates valuable income for local communities, it can also pose a threat to underwater habitats and wildlife. We’re working to transform tourism’s impacts on our planet’s oceans and reefs to safeguard the incredible wealth they provide for nature and mankind.

More than  70%  of the earth’s surface is covered in ocean water

Over  3 billion  people rely on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods

Nearly  200,000   known species live below the ocean’s surface

A square kilometer of healthy coral reef can yield  5-10 tons  of fish per year

Marine Tourism

A staggering  350 million  people travel to the world’s coral reef coasts each year. There are countless ways that travelers can explore our planet’s oceans and reefs – from diving and snorkeling to sailing and surfing. The seas also provide delicious seafood which is enjoyed by tourists and locals alike.

While marine adventures excite and inspire, they also provide important benefits for local communities. Marine tourism supports local jobs, such as surf instructors and dive guides. It also generates visitor spending at nearby hotels, restaurants, and other establishments. Marine tourism fees can even subsidize conservation and help fund marine protected areas. All in all, coral reef tourism generates over  $36 billion  in economic revenue each year.

Explore the Issues

The fate of our oceans and reefs is in jeopardy. Climate change has resulted in devastating impacts for marine ecosystems, such as coral bleaching and disease. Careless tourists, haphazard coastal development, and pollution from tourism will only lead to the further destruction of these critical marine habitats. Click below to learn more about the different issues that we’re addressing.

Ocean debris and pollution created by tourism poses a serious threat to the marine animals and environments.

Litter & Pollution

Climate change is causing ocean temperatures to rise, leading to coral bleaching and endangering our planet’s marine life.

Climate Change

Tourism can fuel the exploitation of fish and other marine resources, which are harvested for food or to make souvenirs.

Overfishing

Careless behavior by tourists and tourism businesses can pose a risk to coral reefs and marine creatures.

Harmful Wildlife Interactions

The construction of coastal tourism infrastructure can destroy coral reefs and disturb marine wildlife.

Destructive Tourism Development

How we safeguard nature.

Discover what we’re doing to protect oceans and reefs and minimize tourism’s impacts on nature and wildlife.

Stay Connected

Get our email updates to see how we’re protecting our planet’s most vulnerable and treasured destinations

Newsletter Signup

• Enter your email address
• Email This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
• © 2024 | Sustainable Travel International
• Privacy Policy

Download Our Sustainable Travel Tips List

Subscribe to get your free tips list, plus sustainable travel emails and content

Check your inbox for our Sustainable Travel Tips.

Marine tourism

• Reference work entry
• First Online: 01 January 2016
• Cite this reference work entry

• Mark Orams 3 &
• Michael Lueck 4  

176 Accesses

8 Citations

The sea has always been an important venue for recreation. However, its use for tourism has mirrored the global growth of mass tourism during the latter half of the twentieth century and on into the twenty-first century. According to Orams ( 1999 : 9), marine tourism includes those recreational activities which involve travel away from one’s place of residence and which have as their host or focus the marine environment (waters that are saline and tide affected). Thus, marine tourism includes the many activities that occur on, in, and under the sea, as well as those which are coast based but where the primary attraction is sea based.

Clear trends in marine tourism are the growth in diversity of activities, increasing geographical spread, and growing popularity. These trends are strongly influenced by technological advances. Inventions and the availability of mechanisms for accessing the sea for recreation have grown massively in the past half century. Important examples include the...

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

• Available as PDF
• Read on any device
• Instant download
• Own it forever
• Available as EPUB and PDF
• Durable hardcover edition
• Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
• Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Lück, M. (ed.) 2008 The Encyclopedia of Tourism and Recreation in Marine Environments. Wallingford: CABI.

Google Scholar  

Orams, M. 1999 Marine Tourism: Development, Impacts and Management. London: Routledge.

Book   Google Scholar  

Orams, M., and M. Lück 2013 Marine Systems and Tourism. In A Handbook of Tourism and the Natural Environment, A. Holden and D. Fennell, eds., pp.70-182. London: Routledge.

Download references

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

School of Sport and Recreation, Auckland University of Technology, 90 Akoranga Drive, Northcote, Auckland, 0627, New Zealand

School of Hospitality and Tourism, Auckland University of Technology, 55 Wellesley St E, 1010, Auckland, New Zealand

Michael Lueck

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mark Orams .

Editor information

Editors and affiliations.

University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, USA

Jafar Jafari

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China

Honggen Xiao

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this entry

Cite this entry.

Orams, M., Lueck, M. (2016). Marine tourism. In: Jafari, J., Xiao, H. (eds) Encyclopedia of Tourism. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-01384-8_414

Download citation

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-01384-8_414

Published : 25 June 2016

Publisher Name : Springer, Cham

Print ISBN : 978-3-319-01383-1

Online ISBN : 978-3-319-01384-8

eBook Packages : Business and Management Reference Module Humanities and Social Sciences Reference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

Share this entry

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

• Publish with us

Policies and ethics

• Find a journal
• Track your research

Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure websites use HTTPS

A small lock or https:// means you’ve safely connected to a .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

The Economic Impacts of Marine Debris on Tourism-Dependent Communities

The tourism and recreation sector is the largest employer in the ocean and Great Lakes economy. This sector relies heavily on healthy coastal and ocean resources as well as the aesthetic quality of the environment. Unfortunately, marine debris is a pervasive issue in many coastal areas of the United States, where tourism and recreation account for $124 billion in gross domestic product (GDP). 

To better understand the relationship between coastal tourism economies and marine debris, the NOAA Marine Debris Program funded a study to look at how the amount of marine debris on beaches can affect the behaviors of beachgoers and as a result, the economies of coastal communities that depend on tourism. Most notably this study reveals that doubling the amount of marine debris on beaches within these coastal areas would decrease the number of days visitors spend on those beaches. This decline in beach visitor days would result in fewer tourism dollars spent, and translate into a decrease in local jobs.

This study evaluated two types of economic impacts that result from the effects of doubling and the near elimination of marine debris on beach recreation: the loss or gain of recreational value to beach visitors, and the economic impact from reduced or increased spending on beach visits in four selected coastal areas across the contiguous United States. The study areas were the Gulf of Mexico beaches in Alabama, Atlantic Ocean beaches in Delaware and Maryland, Lake Erie beaches in Ohio, and Pacific Ocean beaches in Orange County, California.

Recreational value and impacts from changes in marine debris amounts To understand the relationship between marine debris and recreational beach use, the study recruited participants at beaches in the four selected coastal areas and asked them questions about their beach recreation, their opinions about marine debris, and how their beach visits would change if there were varying amounts of debris on beaches. The data was used to understand how an increase or decrease in the amount of marine debris on the beach would affect the number of beach visits in each area. 

• Beachgoers in coastal Ohio were most responsive to the elimination of marine debris. Specifically, the study estimates that eliminating debris on Lake Erie beaches would generate roughly 2.8 million additional visits. 
• Beachgoers in Orange County, California were most responsive to a doubling of marine debris. The study estimates 4.6 million fewer visits under such a scenario. 

Economic impacts from changes in marine debris amounts Changes in recreation visits to the beach as a result of an increase or decrease in marine debris has cascading economic impacts on the regional economy.

• The potential benefits from a decrease in the amount of marine debris on beaches were greatest on coastal beaches in Ohio. In these communities, reducing marine debris to almost zero was estimated to produce an additional $217 million tourism dollars spent in communities and over 3,700 jobs.
• The potential economic losses from an increase in marine debris were greatest in Orange County, California, where doubling the amount of marine debris on beaches resulted in an estimated loss of $414 million tourism dollars spent in communities, and a decrease of nearly 4,300 jobs.

This study deepens our understanding of the economic impact of marine debris to coastal communities that depend on beach tourism and illustrates the importance of prevention and cleanup efforts. By preventing marine debris, we can stop it from ever entering our ocean, Great Lakes, and waterways in the first place. The NOAA Marine Debris Program works with students, educators, non-governmental organizations, industry, and other organizations across the United States to stem the tide of marine debris by changing behaviors related to common marine debris items and raising awareness through outreach and education.

Visit our How to Help page to learn more about how to make a difference and reduce the impacts of marine debris to coastal communities.

For more information about this project, visit the Marine Debris Program Clearinghouse.

Infographic Transcript: The Economic Impacts of Marine Debris on Beaches

The NOAA Marine Debris Program funded a study with Abt Associates to better understand the economic impacts of marine debris on beaches. The results of the study showed that the varying amounts of marine debris on beaches can have an impact on the number of days visitors spend on those beaches, resulting in changes to the amount of tourism dollars spent, the number of local jobs, and the value of beach recreation.

Eliminating Marine Debris: Orange County, California

• Increase of 2.1 million visitor days
• Increase of $130 million in recreational value
• Increase of $187 million in tourism spending
• Increase of 1,900 jobs

Doubling Marine Debris: Orange County, California

• Decrease of 4.6 million visitor days
• Decrease of $275 million in recreational value
• Decrease of $414 million in tourism spending
• Decrease of 4,300 jobs

Eliminating Marine Debris: Coastal Ohio

• Increase of 2.8 million visitor days
• Increase of $88 million in recreational value
• Increase of $217 million in tourism spending
• Increase of 3,700 jobs

Doubling Marine Debris: Coastal Ohio

• Decrease of 2.8 million visitor days
• Decrease of $84 million in recreational value
• Decrease of $218 million in tourism spending
• Decrease of 3,700 jobs

Eliminating Marine Debris: Coastal Delaware & Maryland

• Increase of 478,000 visitor days
• Increase of $20 million in recreational value
• Increase of $35 million in tourism spending
• Increase of 460 jobs

Doubling Marine Debris: Coastal Delaware & Maryland

• Decrease of 3.5 million visitor days
• Decrease of $141 million in recreational value
• Decrease of $254 million in tourism spending
• Decrease of 3,400 jobs

Eliminating Marine Debris: Coastal Alabama

• Increase of 308,000 visitor days
• Increase of $10 million in recreational value
• Increase of 670 jobs

Doubling Marine Debris: Coastal Alabama

• Decrease of 1 million visitor days
• Decrease of $32 million in recreational value
• Decrease of $113 million in tourism spending
• Decrease of 2,200 jobs

Additional Resources

Marine Travel in a Sustainable Way

What does one like to do when one finds themselves in an area within close proximity to a nice body of sweet or salt water?  Visit it, of course! When taking a trip, it is only natural to find oneself wanting to visit the local coastal towns, take a sail or to go for a diving tour to explore the local marine life through marine travel.

What is marine tourism?

Marine tourism is the act of engaging in tourism activities partaken in large bodies of water such as fresh water lakes and oceans. Activities such as diving or snorkeling, visiting coral reefs in a sustainable way, sailing in a wind powered sail boat,  or watching the wildlife from a quiet electric boat or even from shore are all marine travel activities which can be done in a sustainable way. 

These refreshing activities are not only beneficial to the traveller and local tour companies, but also can be beneficial to the marine wildlife as well, as there do exist sustainable options for regenerative marine tourism – such as helping to transplant corals – for a 100% guilt free marine experience.

Examples of sustainable marine travel Boat tours for viewing wildlife

This may sound as if it is something already quite common by tourism standards. However, the difference is in the focus. For example, in Finland, when viewing the endangered Saimaa ringed seals , only electric boats are used in order to eliminate noise which may disturb the seals and the viewing is done from a safe distance in which to not alert the seals to the existence of others. Or, for another example, when whale watching in Alaska a similar approach to distance is used by both watching from sea or watching from land.

Shark tours

Sustainable shark tours are a form of dive tourism in which the tour is conducted in a hands-off way which works to protect the sharks in areas designated as protected. When taking a sustainable shark tour during marine travel, one can be confident that their monies spent on the tour will also be directed into the preservation of the sharks or their protected areas.

Transplanting Corals

Helping to save the coral reefs is an important aspect of preserving marine life. Initiatives such as ecotours designed to not only enjoy a nice day of diving but to also work for the regeneration of oceans by transplanting corals are a guilt-free form of marine tourism.

Whenever diving, please do consider the use of reef-safe sunscreen in order to avoid causing any additional damage to the reefs. And, as always, please be minimise litter by disposing of rubbish in the proper receptacle or by using reusable products which do not require disposal.

Sustainable marine travel works to help more than the marine wildlife. Small communities in coastal regions around the world rely on income from tourism, be it directly or indirectly. When enlisting the services of a local tour  or diving guide, having lunch at a small local dining establishment or purchasing handicraft souvenirs from local makers, those profits go right back into the community where it is needed.

It is always recommended to research the sustainable / ecotours before travelling to ensure that all tour companies or activities are eco-certified. More information about eco certification can be found by clicking here .

Enjoying a day on, or in the water is a non-negotiable for many travellers. Sustainable marine travel is a guilt-free way to experience local marine wildlife or even to engage in regenerative efforts while on one’s travels.

Do you enjoy learning about marine travel and sustainable tourism options? Would you like to know more? To receive inspiration direct to your email inbox, please click here to register for our Ecotourism-World newsletter!

You May Also Like

Sustainable Travelling to Spiritual Spots in the World

Yoga As a Sustainable Travel Activity

Sustainable Foraging for Food

• Recreation and cultural heritage

Marine tourism

Key message.

Marine tourism is a key sector for Scotland, generating £594 million Gross Value Added (GVA) and employment for 28,300 people in 2017. The long term trend from 2008 to 2017 showed marine tourism GVA increased by 28% and employment by 16%.

What, why and where?

Marine tourism covers a wide range of activities including: walking/ hiking/ running, beach activities, photography, yachting/ sailing, swimming, wildlife tourism, diving, kayaking, angling, surfing, visitor attractions and increasingly, cruise ship visits. Much of the sector relies on people taking part in activities in places where they are freely permitted: for example sailing where there is freedom of navigation and walking where there is suitable access (paths, beaches etc.). As a result gathering spatial data to locate activity is not straightforward.

Economic figures show that marine tourism accounted for around 14% of all tourism in 2017. While figures from the study of Scottish residents found that the vast majority (89%) of the Scottish public surveyed have visited the Scottish sea or coast in the past year. (Scottish Government, 2020).

The Scottish Marine Recreation Tourism Survey (SMRTS) (Scottish Government, 2016) was commissioned to inform the National Marine Plan (Scottish Government, 2015). It provided marine planners, the tourism industry and potential investors with information about 23 different recreation and tourism activities undertaken at sea and around the coastline.

Figure 1: Marine recreation and Tourism Survey 2015 - All activities combined (showing Scottish Marine Regions and Offshore Marine Regions). Darker colouring shows areas of higher activity. 

Source: Scottish Marine and Recreation Tourism Survey (Scottish Government, 2016).

The survey encompassed many types of tourism, with differing levels of response and activity. So the results are helpful to identify busy areas and activities with confidence, although less busy areas or activities are reported with less confidence. A nil response to the survey does not mean nil activity.

Scottish Government has designated 2020 the Year of Coasts and Waters. The importance of marine and coastal tourism was a key driver in this designation.

What, why and where? (Extended)

The Scottish Marine Recreation Tourism Survey (SMRTS) report (Scottish Government, 2016) gathered spatial data from over 2,500 respondents and provided improved awareness of what takes place where. 

The study notes that ‘ survey design and method for data collection means the survey results are not representative of all marine recreation and tourism activities in Scotland, particularly in more remote areas, and information on activities with fewer participants is not to be taken as an indication that no activity takes place ’. As such the spatial data from SMRTS are helpful but not definitive. 

In 2015 the Marine Tourism Development Group (MTDG) published ‘Awakening the Giant – the Marine Tourism Strategy 2015’ which was then revisited in 2018 (MTDG, 2015; MTDG, 2018). The strategy was an industry-led strategy to maximise the potential of Marine Tourism in Scotland. Both the original strategy and the following review set out an ambition for growth, with sailing identified as the largest of the activities within the sector. A key strand of the work was the development of adequate facilities to accommodate growth and changing leisure patterns. 

A new strategy ‘Giant Strides’ is currently under development and is expected to be produced in 2020.

Yachting / sailing

The Royal Yachting Association’s (RYA) ‘Coastal Atlas of Recreational Boating’ (RYA, 2019) included an update on recreational use intensity, based on location records from AIS (Automatic Identification System). AIS provides information about a vessel carrying the system to other vessels and to coastal authorities automatically. Figure a (left) shows the location of recreational boating activity based on the RYA information with Figure a (right) taken from the SMRTS report, and self-reported locations from the SMRTS sample. The AIS data are reasonably representative inshore but become less reliable away from the coast. It should also be noted that not all recreational craft carry AIS. What is apparent is that sailing is concentrated in the Clyde and along the west coast.

Sailing is particularly dependent upon the range of available infrastructure: there are a number of marinas, harbours offering pontoon berths and dedicated mooring areas around Scotland (Figure b).

The Sailing Tourism in Scotland Report (EKOS, 2016) for The Crown Estate, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Canals updated the earlier Sailing Tourism in Scotland Report (2010) for Scottish Enterprise. It undertook economic analysis and growth projections of the Sailing Tourism sector in Scotland and identified strategic development areas around the coastline. The study divided Scotland into four main areas – Clyde, West, North and East (Figure c) which are considered to reflect the geography of the main ‘sub national’ sailing economies.

The 2016 report showed that the total supply was approximately 15,700 berths in 2016 (pontoons and moorings for both residents and visitors) up from 12,600 in 2009, an increase of 25% (Table a). Of these 13,500 are resident berths (up 23%) and 2,200 visitor berths (up 32%). Occupancy of resident berths is 95% which is the same level as in 2009, so demand had kept pace with supply. Nearly three quarters of the capacity (73%) is located in the West and Clyde regions (Table b). Facility improvement and expansion is constantly changing and so such figures can only ever be a snapshot. Since the data were collected in 2016 there have been further investments in marina berths and facilities, for example improved facilities at Tarbert on Loch Fyne and Port Edgar, and pontoons at Lochboisdale and Oban.

The Awakening the Giant Strategy (MTDG, 2015) set out an ambition for growth of sailing as a major part of Marine Tourism. It identified that an additional 3,000 berthing facilities were required to fully realise the potential demand. It is not known yet how the awaited ‘Giant Strides’ strategy due in 2020 may change this figure.

Wildlife tourism

Coastal and marine wildlife tourism attracts visitors to view, study and/or enjoy wildlife on the coast. This includes viewing birds, mammals and coastal habitats from boats or from land vantage points with an emphasis on cliff nesting seabirds or seals at haul-out sites (where seals haul themselves out of the water).

Marine wildlife tourism specialist operators provide access to offshore areas and certain marine species, for example, dolphins, porpoises, basking sharks and seals. The Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code (revised in 2017) (SNH, 2017a) is supplemented by the Guide to Best Practice for Watching Marine Wildlife (SNH, 2017b) to help minimise any disturbance to marine life and stay within the law. There is also a network of land based aquaria and marine wildlife centres, Table c.

Cruise ships

The growing cruise ship industry is another important part of the leisure and recreation sector. Between 2010 and 2018 the number of cruise ship visits has more than doubled (Table d). More details are included in the maritime transport section  of the assessment.

Research into the cruise sector is ongoing.

Visitor attractions

The Moffat Centre for Travel & Tourism Business Development (Glasgow Caledonian University) creates a regular visitor attraction monitor report (by subscription) based on survey returns from participating attractions. The data from ‘Coastal attractions’, defined as being located within approximately one mile of the coast, reveals that the Clyde and Forth & Tay Scottish Marine Regions (SMR) have the largest visitor numbers (Figure d).

The results in the monitor survey show that (of those who responded to the survey in each of the last three years, and are ‘Coastal attractions’) museums and art galleries represent 45% of visits in 2018. Outdoors and nature attractions were the second most popular at 12% of visits in 2018 (see Table e). Findings from the Moffat Centre monitor are also shown in the Historic Environment and Cultural Heritage assessment.

In the 2019 bathing season there were 86 designated bathing waters, where SEPA monitors water quality from 15 May to 15 September and publishes the sampling results online ( SEPA ). Monitoring results of designated bathing waters is covered in the clean and safe, bathing water microbiology section. The 2019 classifications, calculated at the end of the 2018 bathing water season and applying to each bathing water for the duration of the 2019 season were:

In 2016 Keep Scotland Beautiful introduced Scotland's Beach Awards , assessed on 30 individual criteria points, replacing the earlier Blue Flag / Seaside Award. Table f details recent awards.

Diving, canoeing, kayaking, angling and surfing

Diving on wrecks or offshore reefs is an important recreational activity particularly in Orkney and along the Berwickshire coast. A number of wrecks are protected (see Historic Environment & Cultural Heritage assessment ).

The 168 respondents to the SMRTS survey who reported taking part in SCUBA diving identified over 2,000 locations where they had been. This information has been used to generate a heat map showing the concentration of SCUBA diving around the Scottish coast.

Figure e: Recreational SCUBA diving locations (showing Scottish Marine Regions and Offshore Marine Regions).

Source: SMRTS (Scottish Government, 2016) & Finstrokes .

Note: the pink circles are semi-transparent, so the dive sites points appear darker when they overlap the underlying ‘fewer / more activities’ SMRTS data.

Canoeing and kayaking take place around sea lochs and in coastal areas, especially on the west coast, while inland canals - the Crinan, Forth and Clyde, Union and Caledonian canals - not only provide transit routes between coastal areas but act as tourism destinations in their own right.

Sea angling

Sea angling is carried out from most regions of the coastline. A wide range of species are caught including cod, tope, bass, rays, pollack, mackerel and spurdog. Species caught vary from region to region and at different times of the year. Information about the capture of some fish is covered in the Salmon and Sea Trout Fishing part of the assessment.

Surfing and windsurfing

Surfing and windsurfing take particular advantage of the Atlantic waves breaking off the Inner Hebrides but surfing is also popular on the east coast.

See West Coast Waters & North Coast 500: two examples of marine and coastal related tourism initiatives

Marine Social Attitudes survey

A study on Scottish resident’s attitudes (Scottish Government, 2020) towards the marine environment found that women in particular as well as residents living in coastal areas are more likely to go walking, do beach activities, or wildlife watch along the coast than men or those who do not live near the coast. Many residents mentioned that while they enjoy using the marine environment for leisure they would like to see better facilities available, such as clean, working toilets, availability of drinking water, and better walkways and access for people with buggies or wheelchairs. The study also found that many have concerns over the negative impact of tourism, particularly in terms of people polluting and littering. Evidence suggests while residents generally consider tourism a good thing, many say that it must be well managed in order to ensure the costs do not outweigh the benefits to Scotland’s marine environment.

Contribution to the economy

Marine tourism generated £594 million Gross Value Added (GVA) and employment for 28,300 people in 2017 (Scottish Government, 2019). This represents 14% of the £4.1 billion GVA from all Scottish tourism. GVA is the value of goods and services produced minus the cost of raw materials and other inputs used to produce them. Marine tourism employment figures account for 38% of employment in the Scottish marine economy (excluding oil and gas extraction).  However these figures are headcounts and do not take account of the seasonal and part-time nature of employment in marine tourism.

From 2014 to 2017, the GVA from marine tourism (adjusted to 2017 prices) increased by 2%, while the longer term trend from 2008 to 2017 (Figure 3) showed that marine tourism GVA increased by 28%. From 2014 to 2017 employment increased by 6%, while the longer term trend, from 2008 to 2017, showed a 16% increase.

Source: Scotland’s Marine Economic Statistics. (Scottish Government, 2019).

Economic values for leisure and tourism can be provided by Scottish Marine Region (SMR) (see Table g, in ‘Read More’ section). Information by local authority is unavailable due to the small number of responses for some areas and the need to protect the confidentiality of individual businesses. While SMRs are geographies that relate to the sea, marine tourism is earned on land and so the figure shows outputs around the coast.

The Sailing Tourism in Scotland report (EKOS, 2016), concluded that Scotland’s sailing tourism economy is worth £130 million and supports 2,700 jobs.

Contribution to the economy (Extended)

The Forth and Tay region was the largest contributor to marine tourism GVA in 2017 at £154 million (26% of the GVA), while the Clyde region contributed 7,200 jobs, (26% of the employment), which was slightly higher than the Forth and Tay.

The methodology used in the Marine Economic Statistics (Scottish Government, 2019) for the leisure and recreation builds on the methodology developed as part of the Scottish Marine Recreation Tourism Survey (SMRTS) report (Scottish Government, 2016).

Marine tourism and recreation has been defined as including “activities which involve travel away from one’s “habitual” place of residence, which have as their host or focus the marine environment and/or the coastal zone”. It was assumed that all tourism businesses located in postcodes wi thin 100 metres of the coastline were engaging in marine tourism and recreation or dependent on the marine environment. While this assumption may not be strictly accurate (includes some businesses that are not marine-related, and not include some that are marine-related) it provides a reasonable and replicable method of estimating marine tourism and recreation businesses with existing data.

The industry categories (from Scotland’s Annual Business Survey ) that are included are:

• Hotels and similar accommodation.
• Holiday and other short-stay accommodation.
• Camping grounds, recreational vehicle parks and trailer parks.
• Restaurants and mobile food service activities.
• Beverage serving activities.
• Tour operator activities.
• Other reservation service and related activities.
• Museum activities.
• Operation of historical sites and buildings and similar visitor attractions.
• Botanical and zoological gardens and nature reserve activities.
• Operation of sports facilities.
• Other sports activities (not including activities of racehorse owners).
• Activities of amusement parks and theme parks.
• Other amusement and recreation activities.

Table g shows the marine tourism contribution to GVA by SMR and how that has changed since 2014 (the first reported marine tourism GVA). The source for the marine tourism GVA figures is the Scottish Annual Business Survey (SABS). This is a sample survey, so more detailed breakdowns of the data will result in reduced statistical quality. In particular, when the data are disaggregated to SMR, small changes can have a have a very marked effect on figures from one year to the next. The SMR marine tourism GVA trend arrow is derived from the % change and any change less than or equal to 5% is included in ‘No change’. Trend arrows are not calculated on small values (GVA of less than 20 million in 2017) due to the volatility of the sample. This direction of travel is used for the trend assessment. The 2017 value allows the individual SMR value to be put into context with marine tourism as a whole.

Examples of socio-economic effects

• Contributes to a healthier, happier nation.
• Contributes to the economy, drives inclusive growth and underpins supply chains.
• Provides employment in rural and coastal locations.
• Major events (e.g. West Highland Yachting Week and Tiree Wave Classic) give coastal communities a distinct and global profile.
• Seasonal nature not as robust as non-seasonal industries.
• Vulnerable to economic downturns.
• Activities can compete for space.

Pressures on the environment

An OSPAR agreed list of marine pressures is used to help assessments of human activities in the marine environment. The marine pressure list has been adapted for use in Scotland via work on the Feature Activity Sensitivity Tool (FeAST) . Leisure and recreation activities can be associated with 13 marine pressures – please read the pressure descriptions and benchmarks for further detail.

Pressures on the environment (Extended)

The list of marine pressures is used to help standardise assessments of activities on the marine environment, and is adapted from an agreed list prepared by  OSPAR  Intercessional Correspondence Group on Cumulative Effects (ICG-C) (see OSPAR 2014-02 ‘ OSPAR Joint Assessment and Monitoring Programme (JAMP) 2014-2021’ Update 2018’  (Table II).

The Feature Activity Sensitivity Tool (FeAST) uses the marine pressure list to allow users to investigate the sensitivity of Scottish marine features. It also associates all pressures that might be exerted by a defined list of activities at a particular benchmark. The extent and impact of each pressure from a given activity will vary according to its intensity or frequency. The extent and impact of the pressure will also vary depending on the sensitivity of the habitat or species on which it is acting. The existence of multiple activities, and potentially multiple pressures, at specific locations will result in a cumulative impact on the environment.

FeAST is a developing tool. A snap shot from 2019 was used for the development of SMA2020. Please consult the FeAST webpage for further information and up to date information.

The list of pressures below associated with this activity is given in alphabetical order. Clicking the pressure will give you more information on the pressure and examples of how it may be associated with the activity.

Forward look

The Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 will focus attention on Scotland’s seas and coasts.

Marine and coastal tourism also features as a key sector in other Scottish Government work, such as City Deals, regeneration projects such as that currently being undertaken in North Ayrshire and the wider Programme for Government Commitment to develop the South of Scotland as a tourism destination. The effect of the Themed Year and other initiatives will be evaluated in appropriate data in future years.

The SMRTS 2015 survey highlighted the importance of good environmental conditions and abundant marine wildlife to marine tourists and particularly to many recreational boaters. The joint British Marine and RYA initiative The Green Blue , a website that promotes sustainable boating for cleaner and healthier waters, has been reinvigorated (2019) and RYA has been working with NatureScot to minimise any adverse effects of recreational boating on Priority Marine Features.

The cruise ship industry is expected to continue to expand. The industry is confident that 1 million passengers a year will occur either in 2019 or 2020. A study (Cruise Scotland, 2010), when 248,923 visitors arrived, forecast 830,000 passengers by 2025, so growth continues ahead of expectations.

Forward look (Extended)

The Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 will focus attention on Scotland’s seas and coasts based around four themes:

• Our Natural Environment & Wildlife.
• Our Historic Environment & Cultural Heritage.
• Activities & Adventure.
• Food & Drink.

The broad scope of the Themed Year will highlight the social, rural, environmental and economic policies and projects in development across the Scottish Government and wider public sector.

In response to the growing switch away from hydrocarbon fuel, there may be more vessels with electrical propulsion but the nature of this technology is still unclear. It is not yet clear to what extent the effects of climate change and the disposal of end-of-life boats is being considered by recreational boaters.

Under two scenarios the Sailing Tourism in Scotland Report (EKOS, 2016) indicated potential growth for the 4 sailing areas (Table h).

The report noted that a lack of facilities in the East had constrained a growth in demand, which could be satisfied over a longer timeframe by the proposed future developments at Dundee and Granton.

Work has started on a new 75 berth marina at Newton, Stornoway, the first phase of a 20-year plan. The Outer Hebrides is already a key sailing destination for visitors, and Stornoway is an important link in a chain of marinas stretching from the Butt of Lewis to the Isle of Barra.

Economic trend assessment

GVA from marine tourism in Scotland has increased from £580 M in 2014 to £594 in 2017 (2017 prices) an increase of 2% (2014 is used as the base line to remain consistent with the earliest that the disaggregated SMR data for marine tourism is available).

National trend

Scottish Marine Region trends are based on GVA at 2017 prices. The % change in GVA is reported. Changes of less than 5% are considered as not substantial changes. In addition, trend arrows are not calculated on small values (GVA of less the 20 million in 2017) due to the volatility of the source Scottish Annual Business Statistics sample data. Confidence is three stars as based on published national statistics. The detailed table of results is shown as Table g in the Extended economic section above.

This Legend block contains the key for the status and trend assessment, the confidence assessment and the assessment regions (SMRs and OMRs or other regions used). More information on the various regions used in SMA2020 is available on the  Assessment processes and methods page.

Status and trend assessment

Confidence assessment.

Assessment regions

Key: S1, Forth and Tay; S2, North East; S3, Moray Firth; S4 Orkney Islands, S5, Shetland Isles; S6, North Coast; S7, West Highlands; S8, Outer Hebrides; S9, Argyll; S10, Clyde; S11, Solway; O1, Long Forties, O2, Fladen and Moray Firth Offshore; O3, East Shetland Shelf; O4, North and West Shetland Shelf; O5, Faroe-Shetland Channel; O6, North Scotland Shelf; O7, Hebrides Shelf; O8, Bailey; O9, Rockall; O10, Hatton.

Links and resources

• Literature and Data sources

To view full details of the literature source, click the title. Where literature has a DOI, you can click on the DOI link to be taken directly to the source material.

150 fascinating types of tourism you didn’t know existed

Disclaimer: Some posts on Tourism Teacher may contain affiliate links. If you appreciate this content, you can show your support by making a purchase through these links or by buying me a coffee . Thank you for your support!

There are many different types of tourism that make up the tourism industry and I have created the most comprehensive list of the different types of tourism on the internet especially for you. Read on to learn all about the most common through to the most unusual and fascinating types of tourism…

Adventure tourism

Alternative tourism, backpacking, business tourism, cruise tourism, dark tourism, domestic tourism, enclave tourism, beach tourism, honeymoon tourism, inbound tourism, international tourism, marine tourism, mass tourism, mountain tourism, outbound tourism, package tourism, recreational tourism, regional tourism, sex tourism, sports tourism, urban tourism, visiting friends and relatives (vfr), winter tourism, agritourism, couchsurfing, culinary tourism, danger tourism, dental tourism, disaster tourism, doom tourism, flashpacking, genealogy tourism, health tourism, insta tourism, lgbt tourism, literary tourism, medical tourism, minimoon tourism, niche tourism, overlanding, overtourism, pilgrimage tourism, rural tourism, smart tourism, space tourism, special interest tourism, vegan tourism, village tourism, vinitourism, virtual tourism, volunteer tourism, accessible tourism, community based tourism, cultural tourism, educational tourism, ethical tourism, ethnic tourism, experiential tourism, food tourism, homestay tourism, nature tourism, orphanage tourism, philanthropic tourism, pro-poor tourism, responsible tourism, slow tourism, sustainable tourism, benefit tourism, aid tourism, ancestry tourism, astro tourism, atomic tourism, cemetery tourism, communism tourism, birth tourism, cold war tourism, extreme tourism, fashion tourism, fertility tourism, ghetto tourism, grave tourism, industrial tourism, iron curtain tourism, jihadi tourism, justice tourism, libel tourism, narco tourism, nuclear tourism, red tourism, reproductive tourism, suicide tourism, tefl tourism, tolkien tourism, animal tourism, celebrity tourism, babymoon tourism, black tourism, booze tourism, charity tourism, christian tourism, conference tourism, drug tourism, film tourism, garden tourism, gay tourism, genocide tourism, grief tourism, halal tourism, hen party tourism, historical tourism, holocaust tourism, jungle tourism, kosher tourism, last-chance tourism, lighthouse tourism, linguistic tourism, nautical tourism, nightlife tourism, oenotourism, photographic tourism, pink tourism, pleasure tourism, pokemon-go tourism, polar tourism, postmodern tourism, religious tourism, romance tourism, roots tourism, safari tourism, screen tourism, self-guided tourism, shark tourism, shock tourism, shopping tourism, slum tourism, stag party tourism, thanatourism, tombstone tourism, township tourism, war tourism, water tourism, wellness tourism, wildlife tourism, wine tourism, types of tourism: to conclude, most common types of tourism.

Lets start off by looking at the most common types of tourism that you are likely to come across.

Adventure tourism is one of the most exciting types of tourism. Adventure tourism is tourism which involves a degree of risk. It typically requires specialist skills or physical exertion. According to the Adventure Travel Trade Association, adventure travel includes activities involving physical activity, a cultural exchange, and a connection with nature. Some examples of adventure tourism activities include rock climbing, skydiving, white water rafting, mountain climbing, zip-lining and paragliding.

Alternative tourism is the umbrella term for a number of niche tourism forms, therefore it actually encompasses several different types of tourism. It is seen as the paradox of mass tourism. It typically involves travel that is seen as being personal and authentic and encourages interaction with the local environment, people and communities. Many types of tourism are classified ‘alternative’, such as; volunteer tourism , sustainable tourism , community tourism and medical tourism.

Backpacking is essentially the act of travelling with a backpack. It is typically associated with budget, long-term, independent travel and is common undertaken by travellers in their twenties. However, the nature of backpacking has, in recent years, changed. Whilst some tourists do fit the typically description of young, budget tourists on a gap year, there has been an emergence of older backpackers, backpacking families and wealthy backpackers (see-flashpacker).

Business tourism , or business travel, is one of the most important types of tourism there is, because it is so big! Business tourism is essentially a form of travel which involves undertaking business activities that are based away from home. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) defines tourists as people ‘traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes’, thus making business an important and integral sector of the tourism economy. Business tourism activities includes attending meetings, congresses, exhibitions, incentive travel and corporate hospitality.

Cruise tourism refers to holidays which are entirely or partly based on a cruise ship. It enables tourists to experience a multi-centre holiday, whereby they spend time at various destinations throughout their trip. Types of cruise vary from small yachts to mega ships and can take place on the ocean, river or fjords. Cruise tourism is popular in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Arctic amongst other destinations.

Dark tourism , also known as black tourism, thanatourism or grief tourism, is tourism that is associated with death or tragedy. The act of dark tourism is somewhat controversial, with some viewing it as an act of respect and others as unethical practice. Popular dark tourism attractions include Auschwitz, Chernobyl and Ground Zero. Lesser known dark tourism attractions might include cemeteries, zombie-themed events or historical museums.

Domestic tourism is one of the biggest types of tourism worldwide. Domestic tourism is the act of travelling for business or leisure within one’s home country. According to the UNWTO, a person must be away from their usual place of residence for at least one night to qualify as a domestic tourist. Popular destinations for domestic tourism include the USA, India and China.

Enclave tourism is tourism which occurs in a confined geographical space. Typically facilitated by tour operators, enclave tourism enables the tourist to have an all-inclusive experience within their holiday resort or holiday area. This will typically include food, drink and pre-organised activities and tours. Enclave tourism is one of the major types of tourism that is criticised for its lack of economic contribution to host communities and is often associated with package holidays and cruises.

Beach tourism is one of the most popular types of tourism. Beach tourism is when which the physical beach landscape is a prominent element of the holiday. This will often encompass the traditional seaside and package holidays that are popular in Europe. Beach tourism can involve a range of activities and hospitality services including water sports, boating and fishing.

A honeymoon is the holiday taken soon after a marriage has taken place. Newly-wed couples tend to spend significantly more money on a honeymoon than on an ordinary holiday, often choosing destinations renowned for their romantic natures. Popular honeymoon destinations include the Maldives, Hawaii and Bali.

Inbound tourism is the act of a person travelling to a destination within which they would not usually reside. They are essentially coming ‘in’ the country. Many destinations rely heavily on inbound tourism, for example Spain, the Caribbean or the Maldives . Inbound tourism is one of the most important types of tourism.

International tourism is the act of travellers crossing international boarders for the purpose of business or leisure. International tourism has grown considerably in recent years due to rises in disposable income and cheap airfares. International tourism is more popular in Europe, where countries are relatively close together, than it is in larger countries such as the United States of America, China or India. International tourism is one of the most important types of tourism around the world.

Marine tourism is one of the types of tourism which involves the use of boats as part of a holiday experience. It includes holiday whereby the tourist resides on a boat, such as a cruise or sailing trip. It can also include holidays which feature boating events or activities, such as regattas, boat tours or deep sea fishing. Also known as nautical tourism.

Mass tourism is the movement of large numbers of people who choose to undertake their leisure pursuits in a given area. Commonly associated with package tourism, mass tourism destinations tend to be associated with reduced cost or budget holidays and have extreme peaks and troughs depending on the season. Mass tourism is typically associated with negative connotations of environmental degradation, cultural erosion and overpopulation. Mass tourism is closely associated with overtourism . Mass tourism is another example of one of the types of tourism that is somewhat controversial.

Mountain tourism is tourism which takes place in a mountain region. It will typically involve mountain-oriented activities such as climbing, hiking, mountain bike riding or skiing. Popular mountain ranges that host tourism activities include the Alps, the Himalayas and the Andes .

Outbound tourism refers to the act of leaving one’s home country to visit a holiday destination abroad. Countries that are small or that do not have a variety of tourist provision tend to experience high levels of outbound tourism. Outbound tourism is also popular amongst countries that are within close proximity of desirable overseas holiday destinations. Outbound tourism is one of the biggest and most important types of tourism around the world.

Package tourism refers to organised holidays whereby individual components are combined and sold as a packaged product. Traditionally such holidays are organised by a tour operator and include accommodation, transport and transfers. Nowadays, however, there has been a rise in post-modern packages, which include a variety of components packaged together to suit the needs of niche tourism forms, for example a volunteer tourism package . There is also an increasing number of people opting to organise their own holidays through the use of dynamic packaging . Traditional package tourism is one of the few types of tourism that has been in decline in recent years, as consumers seek more alternative and niche experiences.

Recreational tourism is tourism whereby the ultimate aim is recreation. This broad term can be applied to most tourism forms which have leisure pursuits and enjoyment at their core. Recreational tourism covers a wide spectrum of activities, ranging from being a spectator at a sports event to taking cooking classes to hiking. Recreation is at the heart of most types of tourism!

Regional tourism is the act of travelling to a particular region for business or leisure for more than one night. A region is defined by geographical area designated by a governmental organisation or tourism bureau as having common cultural or environmental characteristics.

Sex tourism involves travel to a particular destination to pursue sexual services. Sex tourism is usually associated with prostitution, although the sex tourism industry also encompasses the search for ‘mail brides’, sex shows and sex slavery. Sex tourism is illegal in many countries. Popular sex tourism destinations include Amsterdam, Thailand and The Gambia. Sex tourism is one of the most controversial types of tourism.

Sports tourism can be categorised into four segments. Sports event tourism is the act of attending or watching major sporting events such as the Olympics or the Football World Cup. Nostalgia sports tourism is the act of visiting attractions of particular sporting significance such as the Calgary Olympic Park. Active sports tourism is when a tourist travels for a particular physical activity such as yoga, golf or surfing. Passive sports tourism is when a tourist travels with the intentions of spectating, for example to watch a tennis match at at Wimbledon Championships or to watch a Manchester United football match. Sports tourism is one of the biggest types of tourism in the world.

Urban tourism refers to the notion of undertaking tourist activities in a built up, or urban, area. Popular urban tourism activities include visiting monuments, observing architecture and making use of cultural amenities such as museums, local hospitality and entertainment. Urban tourism is the paradox of rural tourism . Urban tourism is one of the most popular types of tourism.

Visiting friends and relatives , commonly referred to as VFR, is a popular form of tourism worldwide. VFR constitutes the act of travelling to home or friends and family or to a place of mutual convenience. VFR is particularly popular in areas that have been subjected to high immigration such as Pakistan, Mexico and Poland .

Winter tourism involves leisure activities that take place in cold climates. Winter tourism takes place at different times of the year, depending on where in the world it is located. Typical winter activities include skiing and snowboarding, sledging, wildlife spotting and ice fishing.

New and emerging types of tourism

There are many types of tourism that are either new or are gaining in popularity. Lets take a look at what these are.

Agritourism , also referred to as agricultural tourism, argotourism or farm tourism is a subset of the rural tourism industry. It focusses on agricultural operations and involves tourist activities based in or around farms. This includes activities such as wine tours, horseback riding, clay bird shooting, animal petting and historical agricultural exhibits. Agritourism is more common than many people realise and is one of the types of tourism that often goes unnoticed.

Couchsurfing is based on the concept of hospitality, whereby tourists will stay on a couch, bed or other sleeping area in a person’s house, free of charge. Couchsurfing is more than just a means of finding accommodation; it is a hospitality and social networking service which facilitates cultural exchange worldwide. There are a range of apps that facilitate that facilitate couchsurfing .

Culinary tourism , one of the types of tourism also known as food tourism, is the act of pursuing unique and memorable eating and drinking experiences. Seen as a sub-sector of cultural tourism , it enables the tourist to try local authentic delicacies and partake in traditional food and drink activities. Such experiences are varied and can range from drinking vodka shots with your meal whilst travelling Russia to taking a cooking class in Northern Thailand.

Danger tourism, also commonly referred to as extreme tourism or shock tourism, is the act of travelling to a destination to undertake extreme activities. An extension of adventure tourism, this type of travel is often considered dangerous. Extreme tourist activities include cliff BASE jumping in Norway, volcano bungee jumping in Chille and climbing Mount Hua in China .

Dental tourism , also known as dental vacations or dental holidays, is the act of travelling to a destination to have dental work undertaken. It is a subset of the medical tourism industry. Tourists will typically visit destinations where the treatment is available at a lower cost than in their home country. Popular dental tourism destinations include India , Thailand, Bulgaria, Turkey and Vietnam. Dental tourism is another one of the types of tourism that has grown considerably in recent years.

Disaster tourism is the act of visiting locations that have been subjected to man-made or natural environmental disasters. It is considered a sub-sector of dark tourism . Disaster tourism destinations can be permanently popular with tourists, such as Chenobyl, or they can be popular only in the aftermath of the disaster, such as Kathmandu after the 2015 earthquake or New Orleans after the 2005 hurricane.

Doom tourism, also sometimes referred to as ‘last chance tourism’, involves travelling to destinations which have been depicted as being ‘doomed’ to near extinction as a result of man-made or natural causes. Doom tourism destinations include the Maldives, which are at threat from rising sea levels, the Dead Sea , which is rapidly reducing in size and Mount Kilimanjaro , where the glaciers have reduced by more than 80% over the last century.

Flashpacking is a play on the term backpacking. Flashpacking refers to travelling with a backpack for a prolonged period of time, just as is typically associated with backpacking. However a flash packer does not adhere to a budget in the way that a backpacker commonly would. Instead, they are generally regarded as wealthy or with a significant disposable income that they are willing to spend during their travels. This is one of the lesser known types of tourism.

Geneology tourism, also known as ancestry tourism or roots tourism, is tourism which involves travel to destinations that the tourist is connected to through ancestral means. In parallel to the emergence of a number of organisations aimed at tracing a person’s family tree, this tourism form has grown in recent years. Destinations such as Scotland, The USA and Canada are popular ancestral tourism destinations given the extent of past immigration in these countries.

Glamping is an abbreviation of the term ‘glamourous camping’. It refers rot the act of camping with additional amenities and resort-style products and services that are not associated with ordinary camping. Glamping has become popular in recent years and often includes the use of specialised equipments such as yurts or pods. Popular clamping destinations include the United Kingdom, Norway, Spain and the United States of America.

Health tourism, also known as medical tourism , refers to the act of travelling to another destination for the purpose of medical treatment. Motivations of medical tourists may include reduced costs for treatments or higher quality of provision. Medical tourists may seek life-saving treatments unavailable to them at home, cosmetic surgery or dental procedures amongst a range of other medical needs. Popular destinations include India, Turkey and Panama.

Insta tourism is a new form of tourism that has emerged in response to the use of the social media platform Instagram . Over one billion people use Instagram every month, sharing images from all over the world with their followers. Whilst some Instagram users are sharing content predominantly with their friends and family, others are paid ‘Influencers’ with thousands of loyal followers. Users are often inspired by photographs that they are exposed to through the social network, which has seen a rise in tourism to places that have been featured in said images, particularly those that are shared by large-scale Influencers.

LGBT tourism, also sometimes referred to as gay tourism or pink tourism, is a form of tourism marketed towards those who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. It encompasses LGBT only tours, events and festivals aimed at an LGBT audience and ‘LGBT friendly’ holiday packages. Whilst remaining a niche tourism form, the notion of LGBT tourism is becoming increasingly recognised by the mass market, with operators such as Thomas Cook retailing holidays to this market segment.

Literary tourism involves travelling to places connected to fictional texts or places that are associated with their authors. A form of cultural tourism , literary tourists enjoy visiting destinations that are featured in books, author’s former or current homes and author’s gravestones. Popular literary tourism destinations include Stratford Upon Avon, the home of Shakespear and Edinburgh, the home of J.K Rowling.

Medical tourism , also known as health tourism, refers to the act of travelling to another destination for the purpose of medical treatment. Motivations of medical tourists may include reduced costs for treatments or higher quality of provision. Medical tourists may seek life-saving treatments unavailable to them at home, cosmetic surgery or dental procedures amongst a range of other medical needs. Popular destinations include India, Turkey and Panama.

A minimoon is a short break taken soon after a wedding. A minimoon will typically be taken in advance of a longer holiday or honeymoon, providing couples with the opportunity to save money and to spend time planning their trip. Typically for 2-4 days, a minimoon tends to be taken close to home and is considerably less expensive than a honeymoon.

Niche tourism is the opposite of mass tourism. It is tailored to meet the specific needs of consumers according to a particular niche interest. Generally small scale, niche tourism sectors are diverse and many. Most tourism types outlined in this post are niche types of tourism.

Overlanding is a form of tourism which involves long distance journeys with the use of off-road vehicles. It is generally associated with travelling ‘the road less travelled’ and places emphasis on the journey, rather than the destination. Overlanding is popular amongst adventurous travellers and popular overloading destinations include many parts of Africa, Australia and North America.

As defined by the World Tourism Organisation, overtourism is ‘the impact of tourism on a destination, or parts thereof, that excessively influences perceived quality of life of citizens and/or quality of visitor experiences in a negative way’. Overtourism is the result of growing tourist numbers in a given area. Destinations that have suffered at the hands of overtourism include Maya Bay in Thailand, Barcelona, Maccu Picchu and Mount Everest. In some cases efforts have been made to reverse or mitigate damages caused from tourism by restricting tourist numbers, raising taxes or closing attractions all together. Overtourism is one of the most criticised types of tourism around the globe.

Pilgrimage tourism is a branch of religious tourism. It involves the undertaking of a pilgrimage which may be the sole purpose of a person’s trip or a part of a wider holiday experience. Popular religious pilgrimages include Mecca in Saudi Arabia, the Vatican City in Rome and the Western Wall in Israel. Pilgrimage tourism is one of the few types of tourism that focus on religion.

According to the World Tourism Organisation,  rural tourism  is ‘a type of tourism activity in which the visitor’s experience is related to a wide range of products generally linked to nature-based activities, agriculture, rural lifestyle / culture, angling and sightseeing’. Rural tourism takes place in non-urban areas such as national parks, forests or mountain areas. Popular rural tourism activities include cycling, walking or hiking. Rural tourism is one of the few types of tourism that rebounded fast during the COVID-19 pandemic and its popularity is to to continue.

Smart tourism is one of the fastest growing types of tourism. Smart tourism is defined according to the technological capabilities of a particular destination, attraction or the tourist themselves. Many destinations are now modernising to include increased use of smart technology in their operations ranging from payment methods to interactive activities. One destination that is leading the way with their smart tourism industry is China, whereby tourists can use their phones to do simple tasks such as pay for taxis, order meals, check queue times and read information on the attraction that they are visiting through a supplied QR code.

Space tourism is a type of tourism that involves an interest in space. Space tourism (as in trips to space) is one of the most innovative types of tourism and many wonder whether it will actually come to fruition. Space tourism can also include visiting space-focussed museums, watching rocket launches or travelling to destinations popular for stargazing. Most recently, there has been a lot of commercial attention centred around the concept of travelling to space as a tourist; this is something that several companies are working to achieve in the near future, including Virgin Galactic and SpaceX.

Special interest tourism is another one of the types of tourism that is becoming increasingly popular. Special interest tourism is the provision of tourist activities focussed on a particular interest. Most forms of special interest tourism are also niche tourism forms. A paradox to mass tourism , special interest markets cater for a wide range of pursuits from art to golf to dancing.

Vegan tourism is tourism that is designed to meet the needs of vegans. Growing in popularity, there are a number of tourism providers to have begun to emerge designed specifically to suit the needs of vegan tourists. This includes hotels, tour operators and event organisers.

Village tourism involves travelling to a village on an organised tour or as part of independent travel. It is often encompassed within a rural tourism holiday, given that most villages are located in rural areas. This type of tourism is popular in Asia, where many tour groups will visit local villages to learn about their cultures and traditional way of life.

Vinitourism, enotourism, oenotourismn or wine tourism is tourism which centres around wine. It includes wine appreciation, wine tasting, vineyard tours and the buying and selling of wine. Popular vinitourism destinations include France, California, South Africa and Italy, which are all known for producing good standards of wine.

Virtual tourism is the act of using technology to simulate a travel destination and its features. While it is unlikely that virtual tourism will ever replace physical visits to a destination, it has been used as a powerful marketing tool. It is also used to enhance the user experience in various attractions. Virtual tourism most commonly consists of sequences of film and images although can also include 3D and sensory experiences.

Volunteer tourism is a type of tourism whereby an individual will travel abroad to a destination that is predominantly considered ‘undeveloped’ or ‘developing’ to offer their support to those in need. According to Steven Wearing, the founder of the concept, a volunteer tourist undertakes holidays that might involve aiding or alleviating the material poverty of some groups in society, the restoration of certain environments or research into aspects of society or environment.

Sustainability-focussed types of tourism

Sustainability is key in tourism management and is a big focus now and will continue to b e in the future. As a result, there are many tourism forms that are based on sustainability principles. Lets take a look at what these are.

Accessible tourism is one of the most important types of tourism there is! This is because it is all about making the industry accessible for all. The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)states that accessibility for all to tourist facilities, products, and services should be a central part of any responsible and sustainable tourism policy. This includes making efforts for tourism to be inclusive for people regardless of any physical limitations, disabilities or age.

Community based tourism is one of the types of tourism that has grown the most in recent years. Charity tourism is a term used to describe holidays that benefit both the traveller and the destination. Community based tourism is based on the premise of collective responsibility, allowing the local community to have an active involvement in the development and management of tourism in the area. It often involves rural, poor and economically marginalised populations, where individuals are given the opportunity to raise money through work as land managers, entrepreneurs, produce and service providers and employees.

Cultural tourism is the act of travellers visiting particular destinations in order to experience and learn about a particular culture. This can include many activities such as; attending events and festivals, visiting museums and tasting the local food and drinks. Cultural tourism can also be an unintentional part of the tourism experience, whereby cultural immersion (with the local people, their language, customs, cuisine etc) is an inevitable part of a person’s holiday.

Ecotourism is a form of tourism directed at preserving fragile environments and eco-systems. Ecotourism commonly occurs in threatened natural environments, where the intention is to provide conservation. Ecotourism efforts include building tourist facilities that have minimal impact on the natural environment, adopting the use of products such as compost toilets or solar-powered electricity. Ecotourism has become somewhat of a ‘buzz word’ in recent years and is closely related to the concept of sustainable tourism .

Educational tourism is tourism which involves a significant amount of learning. Richie et al, the academics who coined the term, define an educational tourist as a person who is away from their home town or country overnight, where education and learning are either the main reason for their trip or where education and learning are secondary reasons but are perceived as an important way of using leisure time. Educational tourism cab involve organised learning, such as a TEFL course or gaining a diving certification. It can also involve consequential learning, where tourists are educated through their travel experiences and the activities that they choose to undertake.

Ethical tourism refers to tourism that benefits the people and the environment involved. It is closely aligned with concepts of sustainable tourism and responsible tourism and is strongly advocated by a number of pressure groups and NGOs such as Tourism Concern. Ethical tourism is one of the types of tourism that is found within a range of tourism types.

Ethnic tourism is tourism which focusses on learning about and experiencing a particular ethnicity. Ethnic tourism is a form of cultural tourism . Ethnic tourism may involve a deep cultural experience, for example through volunteer work or staying in a homestay. It may also include a lighter cultural experience, for example by watching plays or visiting museums.

Experiential tourism is derived from the concept of experiential learning, whereby a person learns and creates meaning through their experiences. This tourism type focuses on immersion with a particular destination, its culture, people, customs and histories. Experiential learning if often associated with cultural tourism and educational tourism and is popular amongst backpackers, students and tourists looking for an authentic and deep travel experience.

Food tourism , also known as culinary tourism, is the act of pursuing unique and memorable eating and drinking experiences. Seen as a sub-sector of cultural tourism , it enables the tourist to try local authentic delicacies and partake in traditional food and drink activities. Such experiences are varied and can range from drinking vodka shots with your meal whilst travelling Russia to taking a cooking class in Northern Thailand .

Geotourism is tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical features of a destination. Geotourism is one of the many types of tourism that adopt the principles of sustainable tourism at its core, with a focus on the synergy of the destination- it aims to bring together all of the elements of geographical character to create a fulfilling and rewarding tourism product. Examples of geo tourism may be holiday homes that are run locally and built with local products (e.g. stones) or local produce being sold to tourists.

Homestay tourism is a branch of community based tourism. A homestay is a form of lodging and hospitality, whereby a tourist will stay with in a local person’s residence. This tourism form is more than just an accommodation option; enabling the tourist to experience an authentic, rich cultural experience by being immersed in the lives of the hosts. Homestay tourism is popular with budget tourists, volunteer tourists , student exchange programmes and those looking for a cultural experience.

Nature tourism is a form of responsible tourism which focuses on natural areas, environmental conservation and leisure activities that involve nature. Popular nature tourism activities include bird watching, hiking, camping and wildlife spotting. Nature tourism is one of the most popular types of tourism, especially in rural areas.

Orphanage tourism is the act of tourists helping to assist in the running of orphanages. Tourists can volunteer their time or they can provide physical and financial resources to the orphanage. Orphanage tourism is most prominent in developing countries and there has been some recent negative publicity regarding the suitability of volunteers. Orphanage tourism is one of the more controversial types of tourism.

Philanthropic tourism refers to the act of doing good through tourism. Most commonly seen through large corporations, the concept of travel philanthropy has now become popular amongst individuals also. Travel philanthropy enables business or individuals to undertake or promote charitable causes that are either connected too or during their travel endeavours. Philanthropic tourism is one of the types of tourism that has been increasing in popularity in recent years.

Pro-poor tourism is not a sector of the tourism industry per se, rather it is an approach to the industry. Pro-poor tourism, often shortened to PPT, intends to provide net benefits to the poor. These can be economic, social or environmental benefits and can be achieved through a range of means such as taking part in charity tourism or purchasing a holiday package through a charitable operator. Pro-poor tourism is one of the types of tourism associated with sustainability.

Responsible tourism is one of the most important types of tourism! Responsible tourism which is undertaken in a responsible way. It has close ties with sustainable tourism and takes into consideration any environmental, social and economic impacts, minimising these where possible.

Slow tourism is based on the concept of speed. It involves travelling for a prolonged period of time at a slow pace, allowing the tourist a deep, authentic and cultural experience. An alternative tourism form, slow travel is typically associated with sustainable practices, taking into consideration the impacts of travel on the environment, society and economy. Slow travel can be undertaken in any destination, but is particularly popular amongst traditional backpacking routes in destinations such as South East Asia, Central America or Australia. Slow tourism is one of the types of tourism that has been steadily growing in popularity in recent years.

Sustainable tourism , similarly to responsible tourism , relies on the premise of taking care of the environment, society and economy. Sustainable tourism principles intend to minimise the negative impacts of tourism, whilst maximising the positive impacts. As defined in the Bruntland Report , sustainable tourism is ‘development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’. Sustainable tourism is one of the most important types of tourism, if not THE most important type of tourism that there is.

WWOOFING stands for world wide opportunities on organic farms. It is a form of homestay tourism, whereby the tourist works on the farm in exchange for free board. WWOOFING has grown as an industry in recent years and is particularly popular in Australia, where many international tourists undertake agricultural work in order to extend the duration of their working holiday visa

Unusual types of tourism

There are also many different types of tourism that you probably haven’t heard of! Lets take a deeper look.

Benefit tourism is the term given to people who travel to a destination with the intentions of claiming social benefits. It is one of the most controversial types of tourism. Particularly prominent in the United Kingdom with the large number of migrants from the European Union and further afield, benefit tourism has become a hot topic in the media and in the average household. It was also a major part of the Brexit campaign.

Aid tourism, also referred to as charity tourism, is a form of travel which centres around charitable activity. It can involve helping those in need directly by joining a volunteer tourism programme, for example. It can also involve booking tours and travels or providing financial donations through organisations and tour operators which promote charitable tourism, such as Tourism Concern, Barefoot or the Travel Foundation .

Ancestry tourism, also known as genealogy tourism or roots tourism, is tourism which involves travel to destinations that the tourist is connected to through ancestral means. In parallel to the emergence of a number of organisations aimed at tracing a person’s family tree, this tourism form has grown in recent years. Destinations such as Scotland, The USA and Canada are popular ancestral tourism destinations given the extent of past immigration in these countries.

A branch of space tourism , astro tourism refers to the tourism which focusses around astrology. Astro tourism includes visiting facilities related to astronomy like observatories, astrology museums or astrology tours and events.

Atomic tourism is a new form of tourism that involves visiting sites that have been subjected to atomic activity. This includes museums, bunkers and power stations. Also referred to as nuclear tourism, popular destinations include Chernobyl, Nevada test site and Hiroshima.

Cemetery tourism, also known as grave tourism or tombstone tourism, is the act of visiting graves for enjoyment. Another one of the types of tourism classified as dark tourism , many tourists will choose to visit the gravestones of famous people or cemeteries which are known for their unusual appearance or for the grandeur of the tombstones housed there. A taphophile, or tombstone tourist, may be undertaking a pilgrimage or looking to observe the stone and epitaphs. They may also enjoy gravestone rubbing. Popular cemeteries amongst tourists include the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires and Arlington National Cemetery in Washington.

Communism tourism is a form of tourism which involves visiting sites or areas that are associated with past and present communist regimes. A subset of dark tourism , popular communism attractions includes the Killing Fields in Cambodia, the Mao Mausoleum in Beijing and the Museum of Communism in Prague.

Birth tourism is another one of the types of tourism that is somewhat controversial in nature. Birth tourism is the act of travelling to another country to give birth. The intended outcome is that the child will receive citizenship of the country in which they are born. Birth tourism is typically focussed on developing countries such as the United Kingdom or the USA, as people from less developed countries travel here in the belief that they can offer their child a better quality of life here than in their home country.

Begpacking is a combination of both begging and backpacking. This term in the travel and tourism literature is a relatively new phenomenon and is predominantly defined as a type of traveller who travels to a less developed country with no means of financially supporting themselves. Said tourists therefore turn to begging in the hope that locals and other travellers will contribute to their travel funds.

Cold War tourism involves travelling to sites that had significance during the Cold War or which educate tourists about the Cold War. This could include attractions such as bunkers, boarder crossings, prisons or museums.

Extreme tourism, also commonly referred to as danger tourism or shock tourism, is the act of travelling to a destination to undertake extreme activities. An extension of adventure tourism, this type of travel is often considered dangerous. Extreme tourist activities include cliff BASE jumping in Norway, volcano bungee jumping in Chille and climbing Mount Hua in China.

Fashion tourism is tourism which revolves around the concept of fashion. The most popular type of fashion tourism involves fashion events, such as Berlin fashion week or Pitti Immagine Uomo. Fashion tourism is also a branch of shopping tourism. In a wider sense, Insta tourism can also encompass notions of fashion tourism, particularly when influencers are working to promote particular clothing or accessories .

Fertility tourism is a branch of medical tourism, whereby a person travels to a destination for the purpose of fertility treatments. Fertility tourism most commonly occurs when treatment can be found in an alternative location to a person’s home at a cheaper price or higher quality. Fertility tourism is one of the types of tourism that has grown in popularity since the reduction of IVF treatments on the NHS and rise in private healthcare costs.

Ghetto tourism, also known as slum tourism, is one of the several types of tourism that involves travel to impoverished areas. During their visit, tourists will typical spectate or donate their time to help people less fortunate than themselves. Ghetto tourism has been criticised by many as being an unethical practice. It is common in many parts of the world including the townships of South Africa, the favelas of Brazil and the slums of India.

Grave tourism, also known as cemetery tourism or tombstone tourism, is the act of visiting graves for enjoyment. One of the types of tourism that fall under the category of dark tourism , many tourists will choose to visit the gravestones of famous people or cemeteries which are known for their unusual appearance or for the grandeur of the tombstones housed there. A taphophile, or tombstone tourist, may be undertaking a pilgrimage or looking to observe the stone and epitaphs. They may also enjoy gravestone rubbing. Popular cemeteries amongst tourists include the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires and Arlington National Cemetery in Washington.

Industrial tourism is tourism is one of the more unusual types of tourism, despite being very common! Industrial tourism is tourism which involves visiting a site of past or present industrial action. Popular industrial sites visited by tourists include the tea plantations in Sri Lanka, copper mines in Canada and the Airbus factory in France . Sites that many people may consider to be ugly and polluting are now being transformed or used as duel purpose for tourism.

Iron curtain tourism involves travelling to sites that had significance during the Cold War or which educate tourists about the Cold War. The ‘iron curtain’ was a term used by Winston Churchill to describe the notional barrier separating the former Soviet bloc and the West prior to the decline of communism, which followed the political events in eastern Europe in 1989. Iron curtain tourism includes visiting attractions such as bunkers, boarder crossings, prisons or museums.

Jihadi tourism, also referred to as jihad tourism or jihadist tourism is the act of travelling to destinations to seek contact and collaboration with Jihadi groups. This form of tourism has emerged in response to the growth of Jihadi communities in Syria. There have cases reported of young girls travelling to Syria to become ‘Jihadi brides’ and of men travelling to seek terrorist training or to fight for terrorist groups.

Justice tourism is the act of travelling with the intentions of improving the economic conditions of those who live in the destination. Justice tourism centres around positive cultural exchange between guest and host through one-on-one interaction, the protection of the environment, and political/historical education. Justice tourism has been heavily promoted in Palestine and Bosnia.

Libel tourism is the act of travelling to a destination which has favourable libel laws. First coined by Geoffrey Robertson, to describe forum shopping for libel suits, libel tourism is usually associated with the United Kingdom, where the laws for suing a writer for alleged defamation in a foreign jurisdiction are weaker than in other destinations, such as the United States. Libel tourism is an example of one of the more controversial types of tourism.

Narco tourism is a small sector of the dark tourism industry. It refers to tourists who want to visit places of significance in central and South America that are/have been of particular significance to the narcotics industry. Narco tourism has increased as a result of the American Crime drama starring Pablo Escobar which first aired on Netflix in 2015. This is one of the more unusual types of tourism.

Nuclear tourism is a new form of tourism that involves visiting sites that have been subjected to nuclear activity. This includes museums, bunkers and power stations. Also referred to as atomic tourism, popular destinations include Chernobyl, Nevada test site and Hiroshima. As people learn more about the nuclear industry, this is one of the types of tourism that has become more popular.

Red tourism is an important part of the Chinese tourism industry which centres around locations with historical significance to Chinese Communism. According to the Chinese government’s records, more than 800 million red tourism trips are made on average every year. popular red tourism destinations include Yan’an, Shaoshan, Nanchang, Jinggang Mountain and Zunyi. Red tourism is one of the best examples of types of tourism that have been steadily growing in recent years.\

Reproductive tourism, also known as fertility tourism, is one of the types of tourism that is a branch of medical tourism , whereby a person travels to a destination for the purpose of fertility treatments. Fertility tourism most commonly occurs when treatment can be found in an alternative location to a person’s home at a cheaper price or higher quality. Fertility tourism has grown in popularity since the reduction of IVF treatments on the NHS and rise in private healthcare costs.

Suicide tourism is the act of travelling to a destination to commit suicide. Also known as euthanasia tourism, there are several suicide tourism destinations which have become popular due to a lack of legalisation in this area including Mexico, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Cambodia. In these destinations it is common for a person to have an assisted suicide. Suicide tourism also extends to those choose to kill themselves in less official capacities. Hotspots include the Aokigahara Forest in Japan, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and Beachy Head in England. Suicide tourism is one of the most controversial types of tourism there is.

TEFL tourism is the act of travelling for the purposes of teaching English as a foreign language as part of a wider tourism experience. As defined in my PhD thesis  a TEFL tourist can be defined as ‘a person who travels outside of their usual environment to teach English as a foreign language, whose role shifts between tourist, educator and educatee at various points in their trip’. Popular TEFL Tourism destinations include China, Thailand, Costa Rica and Mexico. TEFL tourism is one of the types of tourism that many people are unfamiliar with, but it is definitely a sizeable industry!

Tolkien tourism is a branch of film tourism and literary tourism which focusses on the fictional stories of The Lord of the Rings. Especially prominent in New Zealand, tolkien tourism involves travelling to areas that were either featured in or are of particular significance to the films/books. Tolkien tourism is one of the lesser known types of tourism.

Other types of tourism

And lastly, lets take a look at some other types of tourism that did not fit into any of the above categories.

Animal tourism , or wildlife tourism, is tourism that is centred around observation and interaction with animals. This includes watching animals in their natural habitat, such as bird watching or going on a safari. More controversially, it includes animals which are kept in enclosures such as zoos or petting farms. Many forms of animal tourism such as swimming with dolphins or riding elephants have been heavily criticised in recent years due to growing awareness around these issues.

Celebrity tourism is tourism whereby celebrities are the main attraction. Tourists may seek to visit a celebrity tourism destination or attraction because a celebrity is currently there or has previously been there. Many destination management organisations (DMOs) will use celebrity tourism to promote a destination or attraction. Tourists may also seek to visit places that are centred around a celebrity, even though the celebrity may have never actually been there themselves. Popular celebrity tourism destinations/activities include Hollywood, the Cannes film festival, Harry Potter studio and Madam Tussauds.

A babymoon is a holiday that is taken shortly before the birth of a child, usually in the second trimester. A babymoon is seen as a last chance to relax and take a break before the arrival of the baby. Babymoons have become very popular over the last decade and are popular amongst those living in the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States of America. Popular babymoon destinations include destinations that are not too hot and that do not have mosquito borne viruses Zika and Malaria.

Black tourism, also known as dark tourism or grief tourism, is tourism that is associated with death or tragedy. The act of dark tourism is somewhat controversial, with some viewing it as an act of respect and others as unethical practice. Popular dark tourism attractions include Auschwitz, Chernobyl and Ground Zero. Lesser known dark tourism attractions might include cemeteries, zombie-themed events or historical museums.

Booze tourism is tourism which focusses around the act of consuming alcohol. Whilst this may encompass activities such as wine tasting or brewery tours, it is most commonly associated with booze cruise excursions. A booze cruise is a boat ride that involves significant levels of alcoholic consumption whilst onboard. It may also include stops at bars, parties and drinking games. Booze cruises are popular in 18-30 party destinations such as the Greek islands and parts of Spain such as Magaluf or Ibiza.

Charity tourism, also referred to as aid tourism, is a form of travel which centres around charitable activity. It can involve helping those in need directly by joining a volunteer tourism programme, for example. It can also involve booking tours and travels or providing financial donations through organisations and tour operators which promote charitable tourism, such as Tourism Concern, Barefoot or the Travel Foundation .

Christian tourism is a sub-sector of religious tourism . It is is the largest segment of the religious tourism sector, which focusses on tourism involving religious practices or pilgrimages. Christian tourism activities include visiting destinations with significance according to Christian beliefs, such as Bethlehem or Jerusalem. It can also include visits to monasteries, staying in Christian camps, undertaking fellowship vacations, missionary travel, crusades, rallies and retreats.

Conference tourism is when a person travels for the purpose of taking part in a conference. Conference tourism is usually associated with business travel and constitutes part of the MICE tourism sector.

Drug tourism is the act of travelling to a particular destination due to its ease of access to illegal drugs that might be difficult to obtain or unavailable at home. Popular drug tourism destinations include Amsterdam, where Cannabis is legally sold, South East Asia for recreational and party drugs and many parts of South and central America for cocaine.

Enotourism, oenotourism, wine tourism, or vinitourism is tourism which centres around wine. It includes wine appreciation, wine tasting, vineyard tours and the buying and selling of wine. Popular enotourism destinations include France, California , South Africa and Italy, which are all known for producing good standards of wine.

Film tourism , also referred to as screen tourism is a sub-sector of the cultural tourism industry. It is focussed on the concept of film-making and producing, whereby tourists seek to visit locations which are either featured in films, or where recording of film takes place. Popular film-induced tourism destinations include The Beach in Thailand , Dubrovnik and Northern Island as featured in the Game of Thrones and Petra which is famously known for its use in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Film set examples include the Harry Potter Studios in Hertfordshire, Universal Studios in California and Pinewood Studios in London.

Garden tourism is the act of visiting places with gardening significance. It can include famous gardens, botanical gardens and lesser-known gardens. It can also include gardening events, such as the Chelsea Flower Show or Kew Orchid Festival a well as gardening museums.

Gay tourism, also sometimes referred to as LGBT tourism or pink tourism, is a form of tourism marketed towards those who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. It encompasses LGBT only tours, events and festivals aimed at an LGBT audience and ‘LGBT friendly’ holiday packages. Whilst remaining a niche tourism form, the notion of LGBT tourism is becoming increasingly recognised by the mass market, with operators such as Thomas Cook retailing holidays to this market segment.

Genocide tourism is a sub sector of dark tourism . It is tourism which is focussed on death and killing. Popular genocide tourism locations include Cambodia, due to the Khmer Rouge regime, Vietnam, where tourists can learn about the Vietnam War and Auschwitz, a famous German concentration camp.

Grief tourism, also known as black tourism, thanatourism or dark tourism , is tourism that is associated with death or tragedy. The act of dark tourism is somewhat controversial, with some viewing it as an act of respect and others as unethical practice. Popular dark tourism attractions include Auschwitz, Chernobyl and Ground Zero. Lesser known dark tourism attractions might include cemeteries, zombie-themed events or historical museums.

Halal tourism is tourism which is designed according to the needs of Islam. Popular with strict Muslims, Halal tourist resorts, hotels and attractions will only serve meat that has been suitably handled, will not serve alcohol and have separate swimming and spa facilities for men and women. Halal tourism is popular in Indonesia, Turkey and Croatia and is growing in a number of destinations across the world. This is one of the few types of tourism that is designed around a particular religion.

Hen party tourism is one of the types of tourism connected to marriage. Hen party tourism that takes place for the purpose of being involved in a hen or bachelorette party. Traditionally organised by the Maid of Honour, the event will involve at least one night away from the participant’s usual place of residence. Hen party destinations are typically areas that have a strong nightlife scene such as Las Vegas , Ibiza or London.

Historical tourism involves visiting places of historical significance. Tourists generally travel to such places with the intentions of education and enjoyment. Visiting historical areas or attractions may constitute just one part of a larger tourism experience.

Holocaust tourism is a sub-sector of the dark tourism industry. It involves travel to destinations which were subject to macabre activities involving the Jewish population during World War Two. Popular Holocaust tourism destinations include Jewish concentration camps, such as Auschwitz, Anne Frank’s house in Amsterdam and a range of associated museums throughout central and Western Europe.

Jungle tourism is essentially tourism that occurs in the jungle. It can encompass a range of eco and sustainable travel forms and there are many such resorts that have opened up in recent years in the Amazon Rainforest , Rwanda, India and Costa Rica to name a few. Tourists will also often engage in adventure activities during their jungle stay. Popular activities include zip lining, jungle safaris, canoeing and canopy walks.

Kosher tourism is tourism which is designed to meet the needs of Orthodox Jews. Meals are designed according to religious requirements and accommodations are within walking distance of Jewish Synagogs.

Last-chance tourism, better known as doom tourism, involves travelling to destinations which have been depicted as being ‘doomed’ to near extinction as a result of man-made or natural causes. Doom tourism destinations include the Maldives, which are at threat from rising sea levels, the Dead Sea, which is rapidly reducing in size and Mount Kilimanjaro, where the glaciers have reduced by more than 80% over the last century.

Lighthouse tourism is tourism which includes visiting lighthouses. This may be to appreciate the panoramic vistas in the area or as a result of lighthouse tourism development whereby the lighthouse may have been redeveloped to serve a range of tourism purposes such as accommodation or museums.

Linguistic tourism is tourism which involves learning a language. This could be part of a formal course or it could be part of wider cultural experience. Popular destinations for language learning include much of Spain and South America to learn Spanish, France for French and Italy for Italian.

Nautical tourism is a form of tourism which involves the use of boats as part of a holiday experience. It includes holiday whereby the tourist resides on a boat, such as a cruise or sailing trip. It can also include holidays which feature boating events or activities, such as regattas, boat tours or deep sea fishing. Also known as marine tourism.

Nightlife tourism is one of the types of tourism that involves nighttime activities. Nightlife tourism usually centres around nightclubs or parties but can also include evening shows, concerts, gigs etc. Nightlife tourists are renowned for their large consumption of alcohol and drugs. Some tour operators specialise in this type of holidays, such as Thomas Cook’s 18-30 holidays. Popular nightlife destinations include Ibiza, Las Vegas and Kuta, Bali .

Oenotourism, ecotourism, wine tourism, or vinitourism is tourism which centres around wine. It includes wine appreciation, wine tasting, vineyard tours and the buying and selling of wine. Popular Oenotourism destinations include France, California, South Africa and Italy, which are all known for producing good standards of wine.

Photographic tourism is the act of visiting a particular destination with the intention of capturing it on camera. This branch of special interest tourism is often associated with picturesque destinations that tourists wish to photograph for their unique appearance, unusual imagery or personal interests. The scope of photography ranges from landscapes, artworks, cultural imagery, wildlife, food and architectures. Photographic tourism is one of the most fun types of tourism to take part in and helps to capture all of those wonderful memories!

Pink tourism is one of the types of tourism that is not known on a large scale. Pink tourism, also referred to as gay tourism or LGBT tourism, is a form of tourism marketed towards those who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. It encompasses LGBT only tours, events and festivals aimed at an LGBT audience and ‘LGBT friendly’ holiday packages. Whilst remaining a niche tourism form, the notion of LGBT tourism is becoming increasingly recognised by the mass market, with operators such as Thomas Cook retailing holidays to this market segment.

Pleasure tourism refers to the sense of pleasure. It is one of the types of tourism which centres around the pursuit of happiness, satisfaction and enjoyment, which is achieved through travel and tourism-based endeavours. Pleasure tourism can encompass most types of tourism.

Pokemon-Go tourism arose in response to the release of the augmented reality game in 2016. Through a partnership with the UNWTO, Niantic (the developer) helped to promote global travel, whereby gamers would search for characters in a range of localities around the world. Whilst 2016 saw the explosion of this gaming phenomenon, its popularity has since declined, meaning that it is one of the few types of tourism to experience a significant decline in recent years.

Polar tourism refers to tourism that takes place in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. It is generally focussed around the concept of preservation and sustainability. This is one of the most controversial types of tourism because visiting the area generally has a significant environmental impact .

Postmodern tourism is one of the types of tourism which represents tourism activities and behaviours that are new or emerging as opposed to traditional. Postmodern tourism is commonly associated with emerging destinations and developing types of tourism.

Religious tourism , also known as faith tourism, refers to the act of travelling for the purposes of religious pilgrimage, missionary, or interest. A branch of cultural tourism , religious tourism constituted some of the earliest tourism forms. Not all religious tourists conform to beliefs of or religious practices of the attractions/destinations that they are visiting which can cause conflict between visitors and worshippers. Popular religious tourism destinations include Israel, Mecca and Varanassi.

Romance tourism is associated with holidays that facilitate the cultivation of emotional and physical relationships between tourists and members of the host community. This can be incorporated into a range of types of tourism too, such as honeymoon tourism or a babymoon. However, romance tourism is often associated with notions such as ‘Mail bride’ or ‘Thai bride’ and various degrees of sex tourism . Popular destinations for romance tourism include Thailand and The Gambia.

Roots tourism, also known as genealogy tourism or ancestry tourism, is tourism which involves travel to destinations that the tourist is connected to through ancestral means. In parallel to the emergence of a number of organisations aimed at tracing a person’s family tree, this tourism form has grown in recent years. Destinations such as Scotland, The USA and Canada are popular ancestral tourism destinations given the extent of past immigration in these countries. This is one of the types of tourism that has been growing in demand in recent years.

A safari is a type of wildlife expedition. Traditionally, tourists would seek to hunt wildlife, but nowadays it is centred around observation and photography. Safaris are most commonly found in Africa, although they can be found worldwide. Safari holidays are typically high priced attracting those with a moderate to high disposable income. This is one of the types of tourism that is particularly popular with wealthy travellers as trips often (although not always) come with high price tags.

Screen tourism, also referred to as film tourism is a sub-sector of the cultural tourism industry. It is focussed on the concept of film-making and producing, whereby tourists seek to visit locations which are either featured in films, or where recording of film takes place. Popular film-induced tourism destinations include The Beach in Thailand, Dubrovnik and Northern Island as featured in the Game of Thrones and Petra which is famously known for its use in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Film set examples include the Harry Potter Studios in Hertfordshire, Universal Studios in California and Pinewood Studios in London. This is another example of one of the types of tourism that has been increasing in popularity in recent years.

Self-guided tourism is tourism which os organised and facilitated by the tourist. Through their own research and the use of self-guided maps, tours and instructions, the tourist is in sole control of their travel itinerary.

Shark tourism is a form of tourism which involves sharks. It tends to centre around the conservation of sharks and is often considered a form of ecotourism . Popular activities include taking boat trips to areas where sharks can be observed, either from the deck, or from inside a cage that is lowered under the water, known as shark cage diving. Shark tourism may also constitute part of a volunteer tourism project.

Shock tourism, also commonly referred to as danger tourism or extreme tourism, is the act of travelling to a destination to undertake extreme activities. An extension of adventure tourism , this type of travel is often considered dangerous. Extreme tourist activities include cliff BASE jumping in Norway, volcano bungee jumping in Chille and climbing Mount Hua in China.

Shopping tourism is the art of shopping during a person’s travels or leisure time whilst on holiday. It can range from shopping at duty-free in the airport, to visiting street markets to shopping in large shopping malls. Shopping tourism may be the sole purpose of a person’s trip or it may be just one component. In some parts of the world it may include haggling for the best price, whilst in others the prize may be awarded only to the highest bidder, for example in an auction. This is an example of one of the types of tourism that is popular in destinations with low prices or specific goods for sale, such as custom-made dresses in Hoi An or fake goods at the markets in Shanghai.

Slum tourism, also known as ghetto tourism, involves travel to impoverished areas. During their visit, tourists will typical spectate or donate their time to help people less fortunate than themselves. Slum tourism has been criticised by many as being an unethical practice. It is common in many parts of the world including the townships of South Africa, the favelas of Brazil and the slums of India. Slum tourism is another one of the types of tourism that is often viewed as being controversial.

Stag party tourism is another example of one of the types of tourism associated with marriage. Stag party tourism is tourism that takes place for the purpose of being involved in a stag or bachelor party. Traditionally organised by the Best Man, the event will involve at least one night away from the participant’s usual place of residence. Stag party destinations are typically areas that have a strong nightlife scene such as Las Vegas , Ibiza or London.

Thanatourism, also known as black tourism, dark tourism or grief tourism, is tourism that is associated with death or tragedy. The act of dark tourism is somewhat controversial, with some viewing it as an act of respect and others as unethical practice. Popular dark tourism attractions include Auschwitz, Chernobyl and Ground Zero. Lesser known dark tourism attractions might include cemeteries, zombie-themed events or historical museums.

Tombstone tourism, also known as cemetery tourism or grave tourism, is the act of visiting graves for enjoyment. One of the several types of tourism that is a branch of dark tourism , many tourists will choose to visit the gravestones of famous people or cemeteries which are known for their unusual appearance or for the grandeur of the tombstones housed there. A taphophile, or tombstone tourist, may be undertaking a pilgrimage or looking to observe the stone and epitaphs. They may also enjoy gravestone rubbing. Popular cemeteries amongst tourists include the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires and Arlington National Cemetery in Washington.

Township tourism is a type of slum tourism in South Africa. Townships (suburban areas designated for black occupation by apartheid legislation) are visited on tours organised by local tour operators. They can also be the base for volunteer tourism projects which provide a form of pro-poor tourism to the area. Township tourism is another one of the types of tourism that is pretty controversial.

War tourism involves travel for recreational purposes to former or current areas of war. The recent trend of visiting conflict zones has influenced the rise of several travel companies specialising in sending tourists on packaged trips to destinations such as Syria, Somalia, Iraq and Israel. Some describe this type of tourism as a form of dar, danger or extreme tourism.

Water tourism is tourism which involves the use of natural or man-made water areas. It is associated with leisure activities that involve water such as fishing, swimming or water sports.

Wellness tourism , a branch of health tourism, is the act of travelling for the purpose of physical or psychological wellbeing. The wellness travel sector has seen exponential growth in recent years, with a significant rise in holidays which incorporate an element of recuperation. Popular wellness tourism destinations include Iceland for spa breaks, India for Ayurveda treatments and Bali for yoga retreats.

Wine tourism , enotourism, oenotourism or vinitourism is tourism which centres around wine. It includes wine appreciation, wine tasting, vineyard tours and the buying and selling of wine. Popular wine tourism destinations include France, California, South Africa and Italy, which are all known for producing good standards of wine.

As you can see, the tourism industry is broad and diverse. There are many different forms of tourism, some have been around for decades, whereas others are only just emerging.

Whilst I have tried to make this post as comprehensive as possible, I appreciate that there may be a type of tourism that I have missed! If you enjoyed this article, I am sure you will love these too:

• 21 Fascinating Types of Tourists Around The World
• 50 Best Beaches in Europe Everyone Must Visit
• The 13 Best Rivers of Europe
• Which countries are using the Euro? + 8 Interesting facts about the Euro!
• Which countries are in the European Union? + interesting facts!

Liked this article? Click to share!

Tourism in Marine Environments

Editor-in-Chief: Michael Lück Volume 19, 2024

ISSN: 1544-273X; E-ISSN: 2169-0197 Online 4 numbers per volume Official Journal International Coastal and Marine Tourism Society (ICMTS)

ICMTS members choose member option

CiteScore 2022: 1.7 View CiteScore for Tourism in Marine Environments

Journal Activity

Items viewed per month for this Journal through Ingenta Connect: February 2024

Table of Contents: 981 Abstracts: 6,052 Full Text Downloads: 63

Get Periodic Updates

Email (required) *

Yes, I would like to receive emails from Cognizant Communication Corporation. (You can unsubscribe anytime)

$ 520.00

Aims & Scope

T ourism in Marine Environments, official journal of the International Coastal and Marine Tourism Society (ICMTS), is an interdisciplinary journal dealing with a variety of management issues in coastal and marine settings. It is a scientific journal that draws upon the expertise of academics and practitioners from various disciplines related to the marine environment, including tourism, marine science, geography, social sciences, psychology, environmental studies, economics, marketing, and many more.

The marine environment has long been one of the most attractive settings for tourism and recreation. Marine tourism, as defined by Orams ( Marine tourism: Development, impacts and management . Routledge; 1999, p. 9) includes “those recreational activities that involve travel away from one’s place of residence and which have as their host or focus the marine environment (where the marine environment is defined as those waters which are saline and tide-affected).” Thus, it includes a wide spectrum of activities, such as scuba diving and snorkeling, wind surfing, fishing, observing marine mammals and birds, the cruise ship and ferry industry, all beach activities, sea kayaking, visits to fishing villages and lighthouses, maritime museums, sailing and motor yachting, maritime events, Arctic and Antarctic tourism, and many more.

Tourism in Marine Environments aims to contribute to the process of theory building, and to be the leading source for research reports and analysis related to all forms of marine tourism. It is governed by an international editorial board consisting of experts in coastal and marine tourism, marine science, and related fields. This board coordinates most of the manuscript reviews and therefore plays a large role in setting the standards for research and publication in the field. The Editor-In-Chief receives and processes all manuscripts, from time to time modifies the editorial board, and works to ensure a continuous improvement in quality.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Michael Lück Email: [email protected]

Commentary Editor Marc L. Miller , University of Washington, USA Jeff Wilks , Marine Tourism Australia

Research Notes Editor Richard Aquino , University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Book Review Editor Mark B. Orams , Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand

EDITORIAL BOARD

Kirin Therese Apps, Southern Cross University, Australia Marcello Atzeni , University of Sassari, Italy Mike Brown , Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand Anna Carr , University of Otago, New Zealand Carl Cater, Swansea University, UK Peter Corkeron,  Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, New England Aquarium, USA Adam Dennett , University of Huddersfield, UK Paul Forestell, Pacific Whale Foundation, USA Brian Garrod, Swansea University, UK Vinicius J. Giglio , Federal University of Western Pará, Brazil C. Michael Hall, Canterbury University, New Zealand Andreas Skriver Hansen , Center for Regional & Turismeforskning, Denmark Jennie Holland , University of Suffolk and Researcher and Consultant, UK Ross Klein, Memorial University, Canada Anna Lewis , University of Wollongong, Australia Kerrie Littlejohn , Woodland Park Zoo, USA Serena Lucrezi , North-West University, South Africa Manue Martinez , M2M Consulting – Maunga to Moana Consulting, New Zealand Gianna Moscardo, James Cook University, Australia Sue Muloin, Southern Cross University, Australia Anja Pabel, Central Queensland University, Australia E. C. M. Parsons, National Science Foundation, USA Luis Silveira , University of Coimbra, Portugal Paul Stolk , The University of Newcastle, Australia Emma J. Stewart, Lincoln University, New Zealand Lindsay Usher , Old Dominion University, USA Clare Weeden, University of Brighton, UK Jackie A. Ziegler , University of Victoria, Canada

Tourism in Marine Environments uses CrossRef Similarity Check and is sustained by Portico Preservation Services .

Manuscript submission: Please view Cognizant AI Policy here Authors should submit manuscripts to the Editor-in-Chief, Michael Luck, at: https://time.scholasticahq.com/

https://time.scholasticahq.com/for-authors

General manuscript preparation: Manuscripts should be submitted as a Word document, double spaced, with all pages numbered. A cover page with the title only should be included because manuscripts are sent out for blind review. Include figures and tables at the end of the file or provide figures in a separate file attachment. Do not incorporate the figures and tables within the manuscript text . Main and secondary headings should be clearly identifiable. Full research papers are commonly in the range of 5,000-7,000 words in length (excluding figures, tables, and references). Longer papers may be negotiated with the editor-in-chief.

Title page: This should contain the title, all author names, and corresponding affiliation(s) for each author, which includes Department, Institution, City (State), Country. The corresponding author must be clearly designated and a complete mailing address and email address for the corresponding author must be included (phone and fax numbers are optional). A short title should also be included.

ORCID iD: Authors may include their ORCID ( Open Researcher and Contributor ID ) number if they wish and a link and the iD number will be included in the final article.

Abstract and Keywords: The article abstract should state concisely what was done and why, what was found, and what was concluded, and end with a list of up to five keywords pertinent to the central theme.

Text: Clearly indicate all main and subheadings. Follow the APA Publication Manual (7th edition) guidelines for citing references in the text (see below) and for the reference list. All figures and tables must be cited in the text in the order in which they appear ( do not incorporate figures and tables within the body of the text ). The file should be arranged as: title-only cover page, title page (with names and affiliations), abstract and key words, main body text, acknowledgment, biographical note(s), reference list, figure legends, figures and tables (or provide figures as a separate file). Avoid the use of text footnotes.

Biographical Note: A short biosketch of the author(s) should be included. Manuscripts accepted for publication should include a biographical sketch (current position, prior significant professional experience, technical interests,education, important activities, and professional affiliations) of all authors.

References: The reference list should be arranged in alphabetical order. Follow APA Publication Manual (7th edition) for text and reference list citations, per the examples below. Consult chapters 8 and 9 in the manual for complete text citations and reference list entries. [Note: always provide citation page number(s) for quoted material.] Include in the reference list only those cited in the text and ensure that all text citations have an entry in the reference list.

Text citations: (Bramwell, 2003) or (Duffus & Dearden, 1990; Hall, 2001, 2002) or Orams, 2002, p. 11) (for quoted material. Note that names are to be alphabetical within the parenthetical, NOT by date order.

Journal article: Schuler, A. R., & Pearson, H. C. (2019). Conservation benefits of whale watching in Juneau, Alaska. Tourism in Marine Environments, 14 (4), 231–248. https://doi.org/10.3727/154427319X15719404264632

Book: Bramwell, B. (Ed.). (2003). Coastal mass tourism: Diversification and sustainable development in southern Europe . Channel View Publications.

Book chapter: Bekoff, M. (2002). Ethics and marine mammals. In W. F. Perrin, B. Wursig, & H. G. M. Thewissen (Eds.), Encyclopedia of marine mammals (pp. 398–404). Academic Press.

Internet source: Weissmann, A. (2019, October 7). Cruising’s climate challenge. Travel Weekly. https://www.travelweekly.com/Arnie-Weissmann/Cruisings-climate-challenge

Please note that citations such as “personal communication” should not be included in the reference list, but may be added parenthetically in the text.

Inclusive and Bias-Free Language: Authors should ensure that their manuscript is free from bias, conveys respect to all people, is sensitive to differences, and does not indicate cultural dominance or make cultural assumptions. Use appropriate and unbiased language descriptors regarding age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and other personal factors. Consult Chapter 5 of the 7th edition of Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association for bias-free language guidelines.

Use of Copyright Material: Authors must attest their manuscript contains original work and provide proof of permission to reproduce any content (artwork, photographs, tables etc.) in connection with their manuscript, also ensuring their work does not infringe on any copyright and that they have obtained permission for its use. It is important to note that any and all materials obtain via the Internet/social media (including but not limited to Face Book, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) falls under all copyright rules and regulations and permission for use must be obtained prior to publication.

Figures: All figures should be provided in .doc, .tif, .jpg, or pdf format, at high resolution. Do not incorporate figures within the text of the manuscript . Figures should be prepared without color unless the figure is to be printed in color (note there is a charge for printing figures in color). Avoid light shading that will not reproduce well. Labeling and figure detail must be large enough to be legible after reduction to fit page parameters. Each figure must be cited in the text and legends for all illustrations should be included at the end of the manuscript file. Do not incorporate the figure legend or figure number as part of the figure itself.

Tables: Table material should not duplicate the text. Include a title caption and headings for columns. Avoid very wide or very long tables that would not fit on one printed page. Place tables on separate pages at the end of the manuscript. Cite each table in the text. Do not imbed tables within the text of the manuscript; include at the end of the file, each on a separate page .

Commentary, Research Notes, and Book and Conference Reviews: TIME also solicits submission to these Departments. The above general format applies. Commentaries and research are commonly between 3,000 and 3,500 words in length; book and conference reviews up to 3,000 words. Submit to Scholastica at: https://time.scholasticahq.com/for-authors

Postgrad Student Summaries: TIME publishes extended abstracts of Masters and Doctoral theses and dissertations, which have been completed within the past 18 months of submission. If the thesis/dissertation will be available online via a university library or repository, the extended abstract should not be submitted until after the URL is available. The submitted material should include a title page with title, name of the author, name(s) of supervisor(s), name of the degree, and the institution awarding the degree. In a separate document, the supervisor(s) must verify the authenticity of the document. The extended abstract should be between 1,500 and 2,000 words in length (not including figures, tables and reference list), and be structured in the standard format of a thesis/dissertation: Introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion. Submit to Scholastica at: https://time.scholasticahq.com/for-authors

Copyright: Publications are copyrighted for the protection of authors and the publisher. A Transfer of Copyright Agreement will be sent to the author whose manuscript is accepted. The form must be completed and returned with the final manuscript files(s).

Online Fast Track Publication : Accepted manuscripts will be loaded to Fast Track with DOI links online. Fast Track is an early e-pub system whereby subscribers to the journal can start reading and citing the articles prior to their inclusion in a journal issue. Please note that articles published in Fast Track are not the final print publication with proofs. Once the accepted manuscript is ready to publish in an issue of the journal, the corresponding author will receive a proof from our Production Department for approval. Once approved and published, the Fast Track version of the manuscript is deleted and replaced with the final published article. Online Fast Track publication ensures that the accepted manuscripts can be read and cited as quickly as possible.

Author Options : Articles appearing in Tourism in Marine Environments are available to be open access and may also contain color figures (not a condition for publication). Authors will be provided with an Author Option Form, which indicates the following options. The form must be completed and returned with the final manuscript file(s) even if the answer is “No” to the options. This form serves as confirmation of your choice for the options.

A Voluntary Submission Fee of $125.00 includes one free page of color and a 50% discount on additional color pages (color is discounted to $50.00 per color page). (Not a condition for publication).

Open Access is available for a fee of $200.00. Color would be discounted to $50.00 per color page. (Not a condition for publication).

The use of Color Figures in articles is an important feature. Your article may contain figures that should be printed in color. Color figures are available for a cost of $100.00 per color page. This amount would be discounted to $50.00 per color page if choosing to pay the voluntary submission fee or the open access option as indicated above. (Not a condition for publication).

If you choose any of the above options, a form will be sent with the amount due based on your selection, at proof stage. This form will need to be completed and returned with payment information and any corrections to the proof, prior to publication.

P age Proofs: Page proofs will be sent electronically to the designated corresponding author prior to publication. Minor changes only are allowed at this stage. The designated corresponding author will receive one free copy of the issue in which the article is published and a free pdf file of the final press article will be sent by email.

Disclaimer: Although every effort is made by the publisher and editorial board to see that no inaccurate or misleading data, opinion, or statement appears in this journal, they wish to make it clear that the data and opinions appearing in the articles and advertisements herein are the sole responsibility of the contributor or advertiser concerned. Accordingly, the publisher, the editorial board, editors, and their respective employees, officers, and agents accept no responsibilityor liability whatsoever for the consequences of any such inaccurate or misleading data, opinion, or statement.

Articles appearing in publications are available to be published as Open Access and/or with color figures. A voluntary submission fee is also an option if you choose to support this publication. These options are NOT required for publication of your article.

You may complete the Author Option Payment Form here .

The designated corresponding author will receive a free pdf file of the final press article via email.

A special thanks to the Pacific Whale Foundation https://www.pacificwhale.org for its partnership with TiME and support of the ESL Authors program.

ESL Author Option

Tourism in Marine Environments is committed to improving issues of social justice within and access to the scientific literature. As part of this effort we are offering free copy editing for qualifying ESL author(s) who do not otherwise have access to this service through their institutions. To qualify for this service, we ask authors specify the need for this service in the letter to the editor that accompanies submission. Upon receipt of a qualifying ESL manuscript, an intern/volunteer copy editor will be assigned.  In return for the copy-editing service, we kindly request that ESL author(s) acknowledge by name, the copy editor in the acknowledgements section. Should a case arise where the assigned copy editor makes substantial contributions to the content of the manuscript (data analysis, suggestion/addition of scientific literature, advancement of the discussion, etc.) we kindly ask the author(s) to consider adding the copy editor as an additional author.

Tourism in Marine Environments (TIME)  Peer Review Policy

Peer review serves to evaluate the scientific work of academics and/or working in the same field to ensure trustworthy scientific research is published.

In order to uphold these standards, Tourism in Marine Environments (TIME) utilizes a double blind review process in which neither the identities of reviewers nor of the author(s) are shared.

The peer review process for TIME is laid out below:

The Editor-in-Chief (EIC) checks the suitability of a submission for review. This may include such aspects such as general relevance to journal aims, format according to journal requirements, quality of research, adherence to relevant ethical guidelines, and/or basic readability (language and grammar).

If the article is deemed suitable for review, the EIC assigns the submission to an Editorial Board Member (EBM) based on expertise, lack of any conflicts of interest, and availability. The identity of the EBM is available to the authors during any point of submission.

The EBM then selects two reviewers for detailed peer review. The reviewers are chosen based on their expertise on the topic and lack of any conflict of interests is assured. Authors may not suggest reviewers; however, they are allowed to suggest reviewers to be avoided due to a potential conflict of interest.

Completion of peer review is expected within 4 weeks. Reviewers submit comments and recommendations to the EBM who then reviews the inputs and has autonomy to makes a decision regarding the article submission. If the EBM has questions about the review process she/he confers with the EIC for a final decision.

The decision of accept, accept with minor revision, accept with major revision, or rejection is then relayed to the authors along with detailed, blinded comments.

As a reviewer for TIME you would have the benefit of reading and evaluating current research in your area of expertise at its early stage, thereby contributing to the integrity of scientific exploration. If you are interested in becoming a reviewer for TIME, please contact the EIC Michael Lück , Auckland University of Technology at [email protected]

As a reviewer for Tourism in Marine Environments , you can take advantage of the following incentive :

If you review three papers for one of the Cognizant journals ( Tourism Review International, Tourism Analysis, Event Management, Tourism Culture and Communication, Tourism in Marine Environments, and Gastronomy and Tourism ) within a one-year period, you will qualify for a free OPEN ACCESS article in one of the above journals.

ETHICS STATEMENT

The publishers and editorial board of Tourism in Marine Environments have adopted the publication ethics and malpractice statements of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) https://publicationethics.org/core-practices   and the COPE position statement regarding Authorship and AI Tools https://publicationethics.org/cope-position-statements/ai-author . These guidelines highlight what is expected of authors and what they can expect from the reviewers and editorial board in return. They also provide details of how problems will be handled. Briefly:

Editorial Board

Tourism in Marine Environments  is governed by an international editorial board consisting of  academics and practitioners from various disciplines related to the marine environment, including tourism, marine science, geography, social sciences, psychology, environmental studies, economics, marketing, and many more. Information regarding the editorial board members is listed on the inside front cover of the printed copy of the journal in addition to the homepage for the journal at:  https://www.cognizantcommunication.com/journal-titles/tourism-in-marine-environments  under the “Editorial Board” tab.

This editorial board conducts most of the manuscript reviews and plays a large role in setting the standards for research and publication in the field. The Editor-in-Chief receives and processes all manuscripts and from time to time will modify the editorial board to ensure a continuous improvement in quality.

The reviewers uphold a peer review process without favoritism or prejudice to gender, sexual orientation, religious/political beliefs, nationality, or geographical origin. Each submission is given equal consideration for acceptance based only on the manuscript’s importance, originality, academic integrity, and clarity and whether it is suitable for the journal in accordance with the Aims and Scope of the journal. They must not have a conflict of interest with the author(s) or work described. The anonymity of the reviewers must be maintained.

All manuscripts are sent out for blind review and the editor/editorial board will maintain the confidentiality of author(s) and their submitted research and supporting documentation, figures, and tables and all aspects pertaining to each submission.

Reviewers are expected to not possess any conflicts of interest with the authors. They should review the manuscript objectively and provide recommendations for improvements where necessary. Any unpublished information read by a reviewer should be treated as confidential.

Manuscripts must contain original material and must not have been published previously. Material accepted for publication may not be published elsewhere without the consent of the publisher. All rights and permissions must be obtained by the contributor(s) and should be sent upon acceptance of manuscripts for publication.

References, acknowledgments, figure legends, and tables must be properly cited and authors must attest their manuscript contains original work and provide proof of permission to reproduce any content (artwork, photographs, tables, etc.) in connection with their manuscript, also ensuring their work does not infringe on any copyright and that they have obtained permission for its use. It is important to note that any and all materials obtain via the Internet/social media (including but not limited to Face Book, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) falls under all copyright rules and regulations and permission for use must be obtained prior to publication.

Authors listed on a manuscript must have made a significant contribution to the study and/or writing of the manuscript. During revisions, authors cannot be removed without their permission and that of all other authors. All authors must also agree to the addition of new authors.  It is the responsibility of the corresponding author to ensure that this occurs.

Financial support and conflicts of interest for all authors must be declared.

The reported research must be novel and authentic and the author(s) should confirm that the same data has not been and is not going to be submitted to another journal (unless already rejected). Plagiarism of the text/data will not be tolerated and could result in retraction of an accepted article.

When humans, animals, or tissue derived from them have been used, then mention of the appropriate ethical approval must be included in the manuscript.

The publishers agree to ensure, to the best of their abilities, that the information they publish is genuine and ethically sound. If publishing ethics issues come to light, not limited to accusations of fraudulent data or plagiarism, during or after the publication process, they will be investigated by the editorial board including contact with the authors’ institutions if necessary, so that a decision on the appropriate corrections, clarifications, or retractions can be made. The publishers agree to publish this as necessary so as to maintain the integrity of the academic record.

View All Abstracts

Access Current Articles (Volume 18, Numbers 3-4)

Table of Contents:

Volume 18, Numbers 3-4 Shark Diving Tourism Experiences: Perspectives From Professionals and Tourists to Improve Management – 77 https://doi.org/10.3727/154427323X16893195618976

Serena Lucrezi , Olivia Wilson, and Martinette Kruger

Tourism Research in Economics, Environs and Society (TREES), North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa

Shark diving tourism is an industry potentially contributing to shark conservation while supporting economies worldwide. Managing experiences in shark diving tourism is essential to guarantee the sustainability of this industry and the safety of people and sharks. In this context, investigations of what constitutes positive and negative shark diving experiences are necessary to steer management. This qualitative study assessed the perspectives of tourists and professionals (N = 55) concerning positive and negative experiences characterizing shark diving tourism. The study focused on Southern Africa, including four shark diving locations in South Africa and Mozambique. The thematic analysis of participants’ responses to a semistructured interview revealed that positive experiences in shark diving tourism include responsible dive operations, edifying experiences, and quality dive sites, while negative experiences include declining natural features and careless behavior from stakeholders. Taking into account the limitations of this study, the results highlight the importance of ethically sound operational management in shark diving, as well as education, to steer the growth of shark diving tourism as a sustainable industry. Additionally, the results offer guidelines for ensuring positive experiences in shark diving tourism that can support shark conservation while counteracting negative public opinions of sharks.

Key words: Conservation; Education; South Africa; Mozambique; Code of conduct; Attitude

The Future of Scuba Diving Tourism: Assessments of Perceived Value and Satisfaction on the Mississippi Gulf Coast – 105 https://doi.org/10.3727/154427323X16876743482148

Bradley G. Winton and Ka’lon Duncanson

College of Business and Economic Development, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA

Across a range of diving locations, there is a need for greater understanding about what local divers value in their diving experiences and how this might lead to greater satisfaction with this activity in the future. In particular, the Mississippi Gulf Coast is known for its coastal beauty and the tourism that comes from the recreational activities associated with the water. However, scuba divers appear to be an underserved segment of the tourism industry. The coast provides opportunities for local scuba divers to take part in a range of diving activities, but there is minimal support for this tourism activity in Mississippi. To remedy this situation, this study argues that the functional, emotional, social, risk, and epistemic value local divers put on their diving experience leads to greater satisfaction in their diving experience. Accordingly, hypotheses are developed to directly link each dimension of perceived value to satisfaction with the diving experience. Results highlight a significant effect of overall perceived value on satisfaction with the diving experience. Further, the functional and social value factors were also found to have significant and positive relationships with diver satisfaction. Beyond providing greater understanding of what brings local divers greater fulfillment, a larger goal of this research is to discover future ways to better market scuba diving along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Key words: Perceived value; Satisfaction; Tourism; Scuba diving

Achieving Sustainable Coastal Environment by Examining Destination Image and Tourists’ Environment Responsible Behavior – 119 https://doi.org/10.3727/154427323X16894919787938

Sadia Aziz,* Muhammad Abdullah Khan Niazi ,† Usman Ghani,‡ and Misbah Noor*

*Management Sciences Department, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, Peshawar, Pakistan †Institute of Business and Management Sciences (IBMS), University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan ‡Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar, Pakistan

The irresponsible actions of tourists harm the coastal environment. Throwing garbage in the water, damaging green belts and lawns, and throwing disposable material and shopping bags harm the environment and beautification of coastal destinations. Previous researchers have identified the worse effect of tourists’ irresponsible behaviors on the environment and the aquatic ecosystem of coastal destinations. Concern for the coastal destination environment has pushed researchers and destination management officers to identify the underlying behavioral patterns of tourists and proposed strategies for influencing tourists’ environment responsible behavior (ERB). Current research has discussed the significance of destination image in shaping tourists’ ERB with the help of the cognitive–affective– conative destination image (DI) model. Further study has discussed the mediating effect of perceived destination trust (PDT) and the moderating role of perceived destination reputation (PDR) in shaping tourists’ ERB with the theoretical lens of signaling theory. A self-administrative survey research design was employed, and 954 completed questionnaires were used for data analysis. Data were gathered from the tourists attending coastal destinations located in Karachi, a city in Pakistan. Sitting arrangements for the data collection were made at the exit points of each beach. The study used three categories of hypothesized relationships: direct, mediation, and moderation. The findings of the study indicated that cognitive image has an insignificant effect on the tourists’ ERB while having a significant effect on the affective image and conative image. Results for affective DI show significant effect on conative DI and tourists’ ERB. Further results for conative image showed a significant effect on ERB. Results for mediation showed significant meditation of PDT among the DI and ERB. Finally, the results for PDR showed significant moderation and further indicated that a high level of PDR raises the level of tourists’ ERB. In contrast, tourists showed a low level of ERB when they had a low perception of the destination’s reputation. The study has made unique efforts to understand the complex tourists’ ERB with the help of the cognitive–affective–conative image model and signaling theory.

Key words: Environment responsible behavior; Perceived destination reputation; Cognitive–affective–conative destination image; Perceived destination trust

Does the Psychological Well-Being of Male and Female Tourism-Reliant Workers Differ During a Crisis Such as COVID-19? A Case of Fiji – 143 https://doi.org/10.3727/154427323X16884516660062

Navneel Shalendra Prasad, Avineel Avineet Kumar, and Archana Sitamma Reddy

Department of Management, School of Business and Economics, The University of Fiji, Lautoka, Fiji

Tourism was the major contributor to the GDP and employment in Fiji, which changed after COVID-19. This study explores the psychological well-being of 82 tourism industry workers from tourism-dominant areas of Fiji who completed an online questionnaire assessing their past experiences, psychological well-being, and positive thinking attitude. A regression analysis was performed to analyze the results. The results showed that the psychological well-being and positive attitude scores were very high. An average score in positive feelings from past experiences and a below average negative attitude indicated that psychological well-being was slightly affected. Findings also reveal that the psychological well-being of males is positively linked to positive and negative experiences of the past. In contrast, for females, it is linked to positive past experiences. This indicates that studies should always account for male and female differences to better understand psychological well-being. These findings will enable the industry, government, and related stakeholders to respond to future crises. Practical implications are discussed.

Key words: Psychological well-being; Tourism; COVID-19; Employment; Fiji; Small Island Developing State

Whales for Sale: A Content Analysis of American Whale-Watching Operators’ Websites – 161 https://doi.org/10.3727/154427323X16894009158495

Marcus Reamer,* Catherine Macdonald,* Julia Wester,† and Meryl Shriver-Rice†

*Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA †Leonard & Jayne Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA

Digital media, particularly websites, have become a critical component of wildlife tourism experiences, especially during the pretour information-seeking stage. With a focus on whale watching, this study used a grounded theory approach to identify, categorize, and investigate the common themes, text, and images used on 178 whale-watching operator websites across six geographic regions in the US. The results of a content analysis suggest that operators who are predominantly small business owners focus their marketing strategies on elements of their tour offerings and operator characteristics to distinguish themselves from competitors rather than emphasizing the whales themselves, conservation actions, or educational opportunities, catering to a segment of entertainment-oriented rather than sustainability-oriented guests. Ecolabel-certified operators in the sample mentioned conservation and educational topics more, though the information provided could still use improvement. We discuss implications and opportunities for the continued study of media related to whale watching and other marine wildlife tourism activities.

Key words: Whale watching; Environmental media; Tourism marketing; Wildlife tourism; Tourism operators

Safety Criteria in Ecotourism Activities: The Case of a Marine Salt Pan During the COVID-19 Pandemic – 185 https://doi.org/10.3727/154427323X16935501764723

Jorge Ramos* and Soraia Garces*†

* CinTurs – Research Centre for Tourism, Sustainability and Well-being, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal † Universidade da Madeira/CIERL, Funchal, Portugal

This study used the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to examine the application of the main safety rules in ecotourism activities in a marine salt pan during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results suggest that, among the activities analyzed, the best way perceived to maintain social distance was the guided tour activity, while hand hygiene was seen as the most important in the saline bath and in the combined activity. Mask was generally removed in activities involving immersion in water by tourists. These measures were crucial to ensure a sense of security and well-being both for tourists and employees of the tourism and hospitality industry.

Key words: Analytic hierarchy process (AHP); Nature park; Safety rules; Portuguese General Directorate of Health (DGS); World Health Organization (WHO)

The Blue Flag Award in South Africa: Raising Consciences and Influencing Beach Goers’ Decisions – 203 https://doi.org/10.3727/154427323X16893213210454

Lesleen Chenesai Mukaronda and Reshma Sucheran

Department of Hospitality and Tourism, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa

In recent years, the tourism sector has experienced significant expansion, with the beach ecosystem emerging as the most popular destination for recreational and leisure pursuits. The proliferation of marine tourism activities has resulted in undeniable ecological consequences, including but not limited to the generation of solid waste, noise and air pollution, unattractive landscapes, and degradation of the coastal biome. The Blue Flag certification has been widely embraced by several coastal municipalities as a means of addressing the adverse environmental consequences that arise from tourism and recreational activities. The objective of this research is to evaluate the perceptions and level of awareness of beach visitors regarding the Blue Flag award, as well as determine if their selection of a beach destination is influenced by the Blue Flag standards. The study employed a quantitative methodology and gathered data, using convenience sampling, from beach visitors at nine Blue Flag beaches located in KwaZulu-Natal. The data were collected through a structured, self-administered questionnaire. The findings suggest that there is a dearth of awareness among beach visitors regarding the Blue Flag certification and that certain criteria associated with the award have an impact on their selection of beaches. The study is expected to yield significant advantages in enhancing and strengthening the Blue Flag certification program within the country at large. Additionally, it will promote the necessity of public environmental education and awareness regarding the award.

Key words: Blue flag; Beach; Environmental management; Marine tourism; Awareness

Volume 18 Subject and Author Index

Full text articles available:  CLICK HERE

Back issues of this journal are available online.   Order Here

Tourism in Marine Environments is indexed in:

CAB INTERNATIONAL (CABI) C.I.R.E.T. EBSCO DISCOVERY SERVICE-EDS GOOGLE ANALYTICS I.B.S.S./PROQUEST OCLC PRIMO CENTRAL PROQUEST SCOPUS THOMSON REUTERS WORLDCAT DISCOVERY SERVICES

Publishing Information

Advertisement:  Tourism in Marine Environments will accept advertisements. All advertisements are subject to approval by the Editor-in-Chief. For details and rates contact the Publisher.

Copyright Notice:  It is a condition of publication that manuscripts submitted to this Journal have not been published and will not be simultaneously submitted or published elsewhere. By submitting a manuscript, the authors agree that the copyright for the article is transferred to the publisher, if an when the article is accepted for publication. The copyright covers the exclusive rights to reproduce and distribute the article, including reprints, photographic reproductions, microform, or any other reproductions of similar nature and translations. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without permission in writing from the copyright holder.

Photocopying information for users in the USA:  The Item Fee Code for this publication indicates that authorization to photocopy items for internal or personal use is granted by the copyright holder for libraries and other users registered with the Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) Transactional Reporting Service provided the stated fee for copying beyond that permitted by Section 107 or 108 of the United States Copyright Law is paid. The appropriate remittance of $60.00 per copy per article is paid directly to the Copyright Clearance Center Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923. The copyright owner’s consent does not extend to copying for general distribution, for promotion, for creating new works, or for resale. Specific written permission must be obtained from the publisher for such copying. In case of doubt, please contact Cognizant Communication Corporation.

The Item Fee Code for this publication is 1544-273X/10 $60.00

Copyright © 2024 Cognizant, LLC

Printed in the USA

Updated as of December 2023

Number of submissions:  33 Number of reviews requested:  150 (approximate) Number of reviews received:  70 (approximate) Approval rate:  42.4% Average time between submission and publication: 41 days

Robert N. Miranda, Publisher/Chairman Lori H. Miranda, President/COO

P.O. Box 37 Putnam Valley, NY 10579 USA

Phone: (845) 603-6440 Fax: (845) 603-6442

[email protected] [email protected]

About Cognizant

Cognizant Policies

Publications

Active Journals

Previously Published Journals

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Contact Us | Help

Copyright ©2024 Cognizant LLC. All rights reserved Cognizant Communication Corporation | P.O. Box 37 | Putnam Valley, NY 10579 | U.S.A.

• Google Plus

• Business & Markets

You are here

Maritime tourism.

W ith over $1.1 trillion turnover globally, the tourism industry is now a significant part of countries’ direct and indirect revenue. For countries such as Malaysia and Sri Lanka, tourism is the main contributor to their GDP.

This article will take a look at maritime tourism; a major section of the industry which deals with water, shores, and of course, money. First it tries to draw a picture of what maritime tourism looks like; and in the next two parts it separately reviews the current state of this type of tourism in the north and south coastlines of Iran.

This industry with all its extensions such as hotels, restaurants, commercial centers, and travel agencies, along with all entities related to leisure activities and traveling make a great contribution to the world’s economy annually. That is the reason that has intrigued countries like Qatar, the UAE, and even Saudi Arabia, which earn billions of dollars every year from oil sale, to shift their gaze towards the tourism industry for even more income.

As research and experience both show, investing in the tourism industry has always been a secure financial move. In 2012 the number of tourists around the world exceeded 1 billion people. According to the statistics of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), for every tourist 2 to 6 direct jobs and 9 to 15 indirect ones (including productive skills and service-oriented professions) are created.

This is while, despite the huge potential, Iran’s income from tourism sector was only a little over $1 billion last year; a figure which is planned to reach $20 billion by 2025.

Maritime Tourism is among many different types of tourism that benefits the countries along the sea shores. Maritime tourism is the sector of the tourism industry that is based on tourists and visitors taking part in active and passive leisure and holidays pursuits or journeys on (or in) coastal waters, their shorelines and their immediate hinterlands. Marine leisure is a collective name for a full range of activities or pursuits that are undertaken by local people, tourists, and day visitors in these marine related localities.

 Europe Reaping the Benefits

In Europe alone, employing over 3.2 million people, this sector generates close to $200 billion in gross value added, representing over a third of the continent’s maritime economy. As much as 51% of bed capacity in hotels across Europe is concentrated in regions with a sea border.

The European Comission reports that as part of EU’s Blue Growth strategy, the coastal and maritime tourism sector has been identified as an area with special potential to foster a smart, sustainable and inclusive Europe. It is the long term strategy to support sustainable growth in the marine and maritime sectors as a whole. The ‘blue’ economy represents roughly 5.4 million jobs and generates a gross added value of almost $543.5 billion a year. However, further growth is possible in a number of areas which are highlighted within the strategy.

Countries with developed marine tourism strive to come up with new ideas and strategies to further expand this sector of the industry. For instance, the EU Commission adopted a Communication on “A European Strategy for more Growth and Jobs in Coastal and Maritime Tourism” in February 2014, presenting a new strategy to enhance coastal and maritime tourism in Europe in order to unlock the potential of this promising sector. The communication was the result of a public consultation launched on The European Maritime Day (EMD) 2013.

 Iran’s Obstacles

Iran enjoys hundreds of kilometers of coastline; the Caspian Sea in the north and the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman in the south. Therefore, Iran could benefit greatly from the income of maritime tourism provided the development of infrastructure and facilities required for expansion of the sector.

Another main factor which hinders investment in this area is safety regulations and marine conventions to which passenger vessels and ships need to conform. An increase in costs is the natural result of such compliance that deters potential investors, encouraging them to seek other areas with less expense and faster return of the capital.

Time is also a determinant. The number of air travelers is five times greater than seafarers and certainly one of the main reasons behind this gap is the longer traveling time for sea journeys.

Another impeding issue is the lack of publicity. This type of tourism does not enjoy the same level of publicity as other types of tourism within Iran. As an expert in maritime tourism puts it, the culture for maritime tourism is not known by Iranians except for those who inhabit coastal areas and possibly those who frequently travel between islands.

However, one of the most important points in the proper development of maritime tourism in Iran is security. The safety and security of the tourists taking trips to the sea is the foundation of a successful marine tourism in today’s world. Iran must build secure ports, produce or import safe watercrafts, and train safe guards in order to promote a safe image of marine tourism.

The number of casualties in Iranian waters, which unfortunately discourages Iranian travelers from taking up marine tours, has undoubtedly forced officials to effectively address the safety and security issues in maritime travels.

Raising public awareness towards this type of tourism, comprehensive introduction of the the country’s maritime potentials and attractions, and support of the government from the sector could be major steps to help prosper the industry.

Promoting Iran’s potential to successfully organize marine tours, bringing attention to the country’s coastlines, and receiving support from the government are steps that need to be taken in order to help maritime tourism prosper and become a source of revenue for Iran.

Add: No. 108 - Qaem Maqam Farahani St. Tehran, Iran

Tel: (+98 21) 42710103

Fax: (+98 21) 42710102

• Advertisement
• Subscription
• Republishing Guidlines

. . . . . .

Subscribe to our daily newsletter.

More from DEN Media Group:

Donya-e-Eqtesad Daily

Tejarat Farda

EghtesadNews

DEN Publication

DEN Training Center

Donya-e-Bourse

© Financial Tribune Daily and Contributors 2014-2018

Fiancialtribune.com

• Latest News
• National and Politics
• Iran-Europe Relations
• US Withdrawal from JCPOA
• Agriculture
• Iran Economic Growth
• Foreign Investment in Iran
• Iran Foreign Trade
• Gold and Currency
• Iran Steel Market
• Real Estate
• Tehran Stock Exchange
• Natural Gas
• Iran Oil News
• Iran Petrochemical Industry
• Renewable Energies in Iran
• South Pars Gas Field
• Iran Petroleum Contract (IPC)
• Iran Tourism Statistics
• Iran Travel Blog
• Iran Travel FAQs
• Health and Medical Tourism
• Iran Auto Exports
• Iran Auto Imports
• Iran Science and Technology

Travel With - The Holiday Story

18 Different Types of Tourism | Globally Accepted

Last few years, tourists and their demands have frequently been changing. Also, the tourism industry is changing based on needs. This article elaborates on different types of tourism, tourists, planning, activities, products, travel , etc. It helps your travel planning as well.

Along with recreation, tourism has become one of the growing industries, and it’s the source of income for many people.

“Life is all about adventure, so pack your bags and start the tour.”

Different Types of Tourism

What is tourism.

Tourism is a process of spending time away from daily routine or home to pursue recreation, relaxation, and pleasure while using the commercial provision of services.

Tourism in a country has many benefits: it creates employment, boosts revenue, develops infrastructure, helps in cultural exchange, etc. Travel duration under tourism must be less than 12 months (a consecutive year).

So, What comes first to mind when we hear the word Tourism?

The most common thought is to pack the rucksack and travel away from day-to-day life. That means the movement of people from their usual residence to another place.

Suppose your friend’s aim for the tour might differ from yours. For example, you may travel for recreation, but he may go for business.

Classification of Tourism

According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), tourism involves the movement of people in the country’s natural environment or outside the country for personal or other purposes. These different purposes classified the tourism industry in many ways.

This article lists the main tourism classifications: Domestic tourism, International tourism, Business tourism, Adventure tourism, Medical tourism, Educational tourism, etc.

Importance of Tourism – Why is tourism important?

Tourism has a direct impact on any country’s economy. The role of tourism in economic development is important. A vast amount of job possibilities can develop through public relations in tourism. Knowing another state/country’s taste culture is a great filling from a traveler’s perspective.

Mainly how many types of tourism are there

Mainly three types of tourism are found in any country. The classes are domestic tourism, International tourism, and outbound tourism. But nowadays, many types of tourism newly evolved.

18 Different Types of Tourism

The various types of tourism are developed nowadays and become popular; they are:-

• Domestic tourism
• International tourism
• Outbound tourism
• Business tourism
• Adventure tourism
• Wildlife tourism
• Medical tourism
• Wellness tourism
• Pilgrimage and spiritual tourism
• Cultural tourism
• Dark tourism
• Culinary tourism
• Celebrity tourism or Film tourism
• Educational tourism
• Cruise tourism
• Rural tourism
• Beach tourism
• Space tourism

Let’s discuss how many flavors and categories of tourism can be found in any country and accepted globally.

1. Domestic Tourism

Domestic tourism involves traveling in one’s own country, and tourists don’t cross international borders or entry points. Domestic tourism is used to minimize poverty, enhance infrastructure, and boost the economy’s growth and generation of employment.

2. International Tourism

Travel outside your country needs a visa and passport; called International tourism. For example, if you want to explore The UK from Sri Lanka, you need documents to enter another country.

Read How to Listen to Music on a Plane

3. Outbound Tourism

This tourism defines a tourist traveling for a holiday to a different country, like your residents in  Bali  and traveling to  Barcelona . It is an example of outbound Tourism.

4. Business Tourism

This tourist travels to meetings, officially gets together for conferences, etc.

Business tourism plays a vital role in the tourism sector. Sometimes, people stay out of their typical environment for more than a year for business purposes and spend their vacations there.

General activities related to business tourism include attending meetings, officially getting together, conferences, seminars, visiting exhibitions and trade fairs, etc. This tourism levels up the purchasing power.

5. Adventure Tourism

Adventure tourism is a person’s travel from one place to another to seek fresh adventures and activities. This form of tourism is most famous among young tourists and people who like to explore remote areas. It encourages us to leave our comfort zone by undertaking activities like  hiking , rafting, climbing, diving, etc.

Adventure tourism is increasing day by day. You could also try whitewater rafting, the Ladakh tour, the Kedarnath tour, Port Blair, and Andaman and Nicobar tour for the adventure.

6. Wildlife Tourism

Wildlife tourism is people’s travel to different places to observe and interact with wildlife, flora, and fauna in their natural habitat. Safaris, visiting the animal rescue center, swimming with dolphins, etc., are examples of wildlife tourism.

Because of exotic species of wildlife, this tourism became recognized. The Sariska Wildlife or Hyde Park  Sanctuary , Keoladeo Gana National Park, and Corbett National Park are renowned for wildlife tourism. The Great Barrier Reef is also famous in Australia.

7. Medical Tourism

Many people travel for treatment, and several medical institutes cure foreign patients. Thailand has recorded 6000,000 new patients every year. Malaysia also treated over 100,00 tourists in 2005. 45% of foreign tourists come to Chennai for medical treatment.

8. Wellness Tourism

Wellness tourism has been a significant part of tourism since ancient times. This tourism mainly attracts those tourists who want to regain their health. Wellness tourism will help you to get rid of mental and health stress.

Tourists recover their health issues through physical, spiritual, or psychological activities. All around the world, plenty of destinations are popular for improving health.

Examples include Mexico Temazcal Beach Resort Spa, Caribbean wellness cruise, California weight loss and detox retreats, Colorado Hiking and Mountain Yoga retreat, and China Hot Spring Resorts TCM.

Ayurveda,  Yoga , Meditation, Panchakarma, and Rejuvenation Therapy are the oldest Therapy of treatments to improve health and the best way to develop wellness tourism.

9. Pilgrimage and Spiritual Tourism

Pilgrimage or spiritual tourism is when a person journeys to other places for spiritual or religious reasons. 

Spiritual tourism helps support local cultural activities and handicrafts, generating employment and revenue. Trips to Jerusalem,  Bodh Gaya , Hajj, etc., are pilgrimage or spiritual tourism.

This tour has been famous for ages, but It’s popular among older people mainly. Vaishno Devi, Golden Temple, Char Dham, and Mathura Vrindavan are some places famous for Pilgrimage tours.

10. Cultural Tourism

Cultural tourism is a person’s journey to learn and participate in local festivals, rituals, and cultural activities of other places. It’s more than a commercial activity.

This form of tourism helps spread aboriginal communities’ culture, traditions, diversity, and richness to the rest of the world.

Visit the historical sites and the artistic features of that country too. Famous cultural tourism places are:-

• India – Durga puja in Kolkata , Temples at Banaras, Jaipur, known as the pink city Palace in Rajasthan. Forts and monuments in Delhi, Agra, UP.
• UK – Tower of London, The British Museum, Big Ben, London Durga puja , etc.
• Kenya – The main attraction is the dance of the Maasai tribe.
• Morocco – The main attractions are the Olive Festival and Honey Festival.
• Jordan – The main attraction- is Jerash, famous for Roman architecture Petra, the red-rose curved rock city and one of the seven world wonders, and Shoubak with its Montreal Crusader Castle.
• Greece – The main attraction- is the Lion Gate of Mycenae.
• Turkey – the main attraction- Sultan Ahmed. Mosque, House of the Virgin Mary.
• Vietnam – The main attraction- is Sapa Market.
• Ireland tour – Cliffs of Moher, Dublin, Killarney National Park, etc.

11. Dark Tourism

Dark tourism, Black tourism, or grief tourism are related to people’s travel to historical places involved with tragedy and death. Since 2016, dark tourism has significantly increased (over 1200%). Chornobyl, cemeteries, Ground Zero, historical museums, and Auschwitz are popular dark tourism destinations. 

It is referred to as mourning tourism. Dark tourism involves visiting those places and sites that have witnessed the greatest tragedies in history. Besides this history of human suffering and bloodshed, these locations are famous for their historical value.

So, those sites that carry potent pesticides have become popular tourist destinations and attract many tourists yearly.

Like Famous sites In Japan, Hiroshima & Nagasaki bombing locations, Ground Zero, New York,  USA . The War Remnants Museum, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Auschwitz concentration camp, Auschwitz, Germany; Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, etc.

12. Culinary Tourism

Culinary or food tourism involves tasting and experiencing local and traditional food in a specific country, region, city/town/village.

It is significant that besides accommodation and infrastructure. Here, food is one of the prime components. Therefore, lots of tours are organized here to experience the culinary culture.

Today, with the overall growth of this sector, tourism has expanded and developed to the next level.

Every year, Different states of India organize food festivals at different times in different states. Thousands of people from abroad join this festival to enjoy traditional food.

Everyone knows India is called “The land of spices.” And every state has unique kinds of food culture. Today, it is a significant part of tourism.

Culinary Tourism includes where people visit certain regions like California, Napa Valley, Catalonia, USA, and Spain) to enjoy foreign wines.

Famous Destinations : London, France, Beijing, Mexico, Italy, etc.

13. Celebrity Tourism or Film Tourism

Celebrities are the primary source of attraction for celebrity or film tourism. In this form of tourism, tourists visit places where a celebrity currently lives or has lived. Management organizations use celebrity tourism to promote a place or attraction.

Although no celebrities are present, only you can see the entire studio. Many Destination Management organizations (DMOs) use celebrity tourism to promote destinations as an attraction.

Popular celebrity tourism destinations are – Hollywood, Harry Potter Studios, Ramoji Film City India, Cannes Film Festival, Hong Kong, and Madame Tussauds.

14. Educational Tourism

Educational tourism is a new pattern of tourism that comprises learning new things. It’s the journey a person takes to leave his hometown or country for educational or learning purposes. Educational tourism is famous in Japan, Australia, the UK, etc.

An educational tourist can be away from his hometown for many days. Education and learning are the key reasons for their travels, and it is learning knowledge from historical places, cultural and social events, and understanding a language.

It’s used as a tool to complement education by gathering travel experience. Many educational institutes combine these trends in primary schools and are compulsory in higher education.

15. Cruise Tourism

Holidays based partially or wholly on a cruise ship are considered cruise tourism. It provides tourists with a multi-centered holiday experience. Cruise ships (like small yachts, big ships, etc.) take people on a tour of oceans, fjords, or rivers.

Throughout their trip, tourists can enjoy time at various destinations. The Mediterranean, Caribbean, Arctic, Antarctica, etc., are famous destinations. It’s the newest and fastest-growing part of the world’s tourism industry.

The world’s famous coastline and inland waterways have the potential to develop cruise and houseboat tourism like Quark Expeditions, OZ Cruising, and A-ROSA River Cruises.

India has many types of tourist cruises. Soon, India will be including Ocean Cruise, River Cruises, and Lake Cruises.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by ⚓️ Iglu Cruise (@iglucruise)

16. Rural Tourism

There are many forms of tourism, and It’s divided into many parts. In this category, a tourist spends leisure time in rural areas or villages. Visitors can make a plan to visit the rural area for some days or a couple of months. 

Especially Solo travelers can visit those places to enjoy their lonely time. They join all the local activities that happen in this village.

Rural tourism is included in a ‘country holiday’ where tourists spend much of their leisure time. Thus, they taste the recreational activities in the rural environment.

Like Farming in Rural Punjab, The Spiti Valley Rural Tourism, Sundarban and Jodhpur Village Life, Bhubandanga West Bengal, and Community Tourism in Kutch. 

17. Beach Tourism

Beach tourism is how a beach plays a major element in the holiday, and it’s the most modern form and the staple of tourism.

In beach tourism, tourists travel to a beach for leisure, recreation, or business purposes. People who like the clear blue sight of a beach undertake this journey. 

Popular Beach Destinations: The Maldives, Seychelles, Turks And Caicos, French Polynesia,  Africa , Queensland, Australia, Philippines, Thailand, Bali In Indonesia, Lakshadweep, Goa, Puri, etc.

Why is Beach Tourism important?

• Beach tourism has brought about many economic benefits.
• It has led to the building of many attractions, resorts, etc.
• Beach resorts help in meeting the increase in intra-regional demand and domestic demand. 
• This type of tourism creates numerous employment opportunities.

Negative Impacts of Beach Tourism

• It leads to the wastage of a lot of resources and space.
• Beach tourism pollutes water and environmental resources. 
• Building new berths, marinas, etc., hurts coastal and marine life.

18. Space Tourism

We have seen significant changes in the aviation industry in the last 100 years. What was once used for warfare and cargo transport is now used for traveling.

Human development has now broken all bounds to take this journey to the vast emptiness of space.

Russia has been the pioneer in this field. Soyuz spacecraft conducted its first space trip with American businessman Dennis Tito in April 2001.

It was a government spacecraft that conducted seven space expeditions within the next six years. This surge in public interest led other organizations worldwide to dive into this area.

There are different types of space tourism

Orbital Space Tourism:  These flights remain within an orbit around the Earth at a speed higher than suborbital space flights. These flights orbit the world constantly for their entire stay in outer space.

Sub-orbital Space Tourism : This was the beginning of space tourism. The spacecraft launches with a substantial initial velocity that pushes it out of the Earth’s atmosphere. But this doesn’t throw it entirely out of the gravitational sphere. The power is insufficient for orbiting, so it freezes once the engines are shut off.

SpaceX C.E.O. Elon Musk proposed the prospect of lunar tourism. In 2018, he announced the ‘Dear Moon Project,’ the highly anticipated first lunar space tourism mission. They will carry out this project in 2022 with Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa.

Space Tourism cost

The cost of each sub-orbital trip on the Soyuz spacecraft is reported to be 200,000-250,000 million U.S. dollars. Other trips carried out by different organizations were priced around the same margin.

Virgin Galactic recently announced that each ticket would cost 450,000 USD for the upcoming missions.

Space Tourism companies

Even though the industry is still up and coming, massive companies dominate the market. Space Adventures of Virginia, U.S.A, was the first successful space tourism company.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic, and Amazon C.E.O. Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin are all set to launch their space tourism business by 2022. Blue Origin recently conducted its debut flight with Jeff Bezos.

Oliver Daemen and Wally Funk were the world’s youngest and oldest men in space, respectively.

Space Tourism advantages

The universe and outer space have always been intriguing subjects for people on Earth. Yet, there were limited resources to satisfy their curiosity. The option of space tourism thus connects people with space in a unique way and solves its mystery. A more ecological advantage is the waste policy.

There is minimum pollution associated with these travels. Also, this allows a whole new sector of job opportunities for highly educated professionals and ambitious youth.

Top 13 list of space tourists

• Dennis Tito (American): April 28 – May 6, 2001
• Richard Branson
• Gennady Padalka
• Guy Laliberté
• Eytan Stibbe
• Sian Proctor
• Mark Shuttleworth (South African / British): April 25 – May 5, 2002
• Gregory Olsen (American): October 1 – October 11, 2005
• Anousheh Ansari (Iranian / American): September 18 – September 29, 2006
• Charles Simonyi (Hungarian): April 7 – April 21, 2007[8]
• Richard Garriott (American): October 12 – October 23, 2008[9]
• Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor (Malaysian): October 10 – October 23, 2007

Space Tourism in India

Space activities, in general, have been quite a staggering section in India. Last year, the government announced a policy that opens space exploration to private sectors, but hardly any company has taken action on it.

Entrepreneur Santhosh George Kulangara will be the first Indian space tourist as he booked his spot on a Virgin Galactic space flight in 2007. Hopefully, he will join Dennis Tito, Mark Shuttleworth, Gregory Olsen, and many more this year.

Forms of Tourism

• Atomic Tourism
• Beach Tourism
• Bicycle Tours
• Eco-Tourism
• Geo-Tourism
• Industrial Tourism
• Rural Tourism
• Space Tourism
• Sports Tourism
• Sustainable Tourism
• Virtual Tourism
• War Tourism

What is the main purpose of tourism?

• Economic Sustainability:  It ensures the effectiveness and competitiveness of tourism destinations and enterprises. It helps continue improvement, which is beneficial in the long run.
• Local enrichment:  Tourist destination prosperity is an enormous part of tourism. The tourism business continuously maximizes the economic growth of the host destination.
• Employment Standards:  Tourism supported the level of wages, terms of service, and availability for all. It creates local jobs without discrimination based on gender, race, disability, or other means.
• Local management:  Involve local communities and empower local people for planning and decision-making. The community and tourism management team helped to develop this.
• Community Welfare:  Maintain and boost the local community’s lifestyle. They are part of social structures. But surely, this process should take place with no social humiliation or exploitation.
• Natural Integration : Maintain and improve the quality of both urban and rural landscapes. It avoids natural and visual degradation of the environment.
• Natural Integration:  Maintain and improve the quality of both urban and rural landscapes. It avoids natural and visual degradation of the environment.
• Biodiversity:  Another purpose of tourism is to assist in conserving wildlife and natural wildlife areas and reducing losses.
• Environmental cleanness:  Besides the purpose of tourism, all tourists must reduce air, water, and land pollution and waste generation.
• Tourism is a significant part of  national integration .
• Tourism always  motivates tourists  to understand their traditions, heritage, culture, and religion.
• Tourism’s most significant part is  economic growth  or the business part of the destination. It encourages local people to create handicraft items and prepares local food items, souvenirs, dresses, etc., for sale.
• Tourism is one such thing that constantly boosts the country economically.

Niche Tourism

This tourism focuses on a specific aspect of traveling. It also focuses on the consumer market segment’s interest. It makes the destination more exciting and marketable. Niche Tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors. Niche tourism indicates a specific feature of travel.

For example, some tourists want a museum, some wish to visit old architectural monuments, buildings, palaces, etc., and some want to eat in a famous restaurant. Thus, niche Tourism shows a particular activity that is not the only focus of travel.

Types of Niche Tourism

• Macro-Niche
• Micro-Niche

What is Macro-Niche?

Macro-niche tourism can be explained as a niche with broad customer interest categories such as rural tourism, Business tourism, sports tourism, medical tourism, environmental travel, etc.

What is Micro-Niche?

It is a small group trip, such as gastronomy tourism, cycling tourism, and geo-tourism.

Niche tourism in South Africa

South Africa is an attractive destination because of the wide diversity of animal and bird species. As a result, tourism professionals found this country has considerable potential.

Advantages of Niche Tourism

•  Even if niche tourism is smaller than mainstream markets, it spreads more.
•  It has more potential to grow.
•  It creates quality jobs that require specialized skills.

What are the different types of tourists?

When we visit a place, we find different kinds of travelers. The aim of each traveler is different. Let us discuss the types of visitors. Five types of tourists are found mostly :-

• Incentive tourists – These tourists did not plan for the tour earlier. Suppose you have been rewarded with two tickets from the office because of your performance. You and your colleagues came for the trip.
• Business tourist – This type of tourist travels for business. They will always prefer a hotel with a conference room. They don’t come to enjoy luxury, but they want the hotel to serve everything on time.
• Leisure tourist – This type of tourist comes to enjoy the vacation. They love those hotels that serve them something extra, like drinks. They choose hotels that give them comfort and luxury at their best.
• Special interest tourists – They often plan their tours very well. This tourist doesn’t need comfort but loves to do adventure.
• The Foodie tourist – This type is quite common. They wish to taste various foods in various places. The signature dishes of those areas and various kinds of foods.

Types of a Tourist Attraction

We have to keep in mind that attraction varies from person to person. For example, suppose Rahul and Sheela are traveling to Kashmir. Rahul is interested in climbing the mountains to see snowfall, whereas Sheela is excited to visit the temples in Kashmir.

Tourist attractions could be classified into the following two categories:-

• Natural attraction – If you are a nature lover, don’t miss The Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand, Coorg, known as the ‘Scotland of India.’
• Events and heritage attractions – Goa is a place for heritage lovers. So pack your bag, take the camera, and start your journey towards Goa. I am sure you will have an unforgettable lesson in Goa’s history. Fort Aguada, Chandor, and some famous museums are places to visit.

What is Tourism Planning?

Perfect planning is always a matter of the success of any activity. Whenever we plan something and implement it, we get a better result. It’s the same with tourism. But it is neither guaranteed nor forever. It’s a process where the people’s needs are determined using the best resources, programs, and activities.

How do these tourism plans help us?

A tourism plan makes guidelines for the areas. Then, it helps the government and private sectors to develop those areas. Most importantly, we must remember a few steps involved in tourism planning.

Main types of tourism planning

• Financial planning
• To establish the objective 
• Human resource planning
• Monitoring progress
• Human resource planning.

Types of Tourism Activities

There are various kinds of tourism activities. Like- 

• Heritage trails
• Swimming with dolphins

 Name of some international tourist organization-

• American Society of Travel Agents : Founded 1931, Headquarter- New York
• International Academy of Tourism : Founded-1951, Headquarter- Monge Carlo
• International Bureau of Social Tourism : Founded 1963, Headquarters- Brussels
• International Touring Alliance: Founded-1919, Headquarters- Europe
• World Tourism Organization : Founded 1975, Headquarter- Madrid.

Types of Tourism packages

For different categories of tourists, everybody needs a separate package. Let’s discuss the various types of Packages that are available.

1. Adventure Tourism Package

This tourism encourages people to come out of their comfort zone to feel the thrill of nature closely in life. It is found that people are taking adventure more often. It shows potential growth in recent years.

The most exotic and adventurous destinations are Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Jammu, and Kashmir.

2. Wildlife Tourism Package

In every country, wildlife tourism is famous. But, if you love wildlife, you must choose the right package. This package is exclusively for wildlife lovers who love taking their snaps.

3. Medical tourism package 

It has been observed that medical tourism has grown rapidly in Asia-specific countries.

4. Pilgrimage tourism package

Many foreigners visit various temples in India, Sri Lanka, and Singapur. However, the major attraction is the traditional architecture, art forms, and rituals performed.

Famous pilgrimage areas are the Meenakshi Temple, Golden Temple, Jagannath Temple, Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, Atala Mosque, etc. Therefore, this type of package is chosen based on your religious beliefs.

5. Eco-tourism Package

This type of tourism has become one of the fascinating travel forms. Although eco-tourism is more of a travel philosophy, it attracts many tourists. Some eco-tourism destination areas are Kerala, Galgibaga Beach, Goa, and Coorg.

6. Cultural Tourism Package

The social richness of any country draws visitors from every corner of the world to witness sheer celebrations. The cultural tour package offers you a comprehensive exploration of the different shades. Moreover, this package will bring a tourist a closer view of traditions and architecture.

Along with these, we found tourism packages like-

7.   Family Tourism Package

A family tour package is designed keeping in mind the family’s needs. It gives assurance of total relaxation and fun pastimes.

The package includes adults, kids, and the elderly. This package includes sightseeing trips, tours of historical places, and adventure trips.

8. Honeymoon Tourism Package

Couples, after their marriages, take a honeymoon tour package, and it provides newlyweds with all the perquisites to make their trip memorable.

The honeymoon tourism package includes lodgings, dining, food & drinks, etc. Famous destinations for a honeymoon tour package are Maldives, Bali, Mauritius, etc.

9. Wellness Tourism Package

Traveling to other places for health and well-being takes a wellness tourism package. Tourists take this package to visit sites that provide recuperation facilities. Wellness tourism has seen a significant boost in the modern years.

Popular destinations for a wellness tourism package are Ayurveda centers, Iceland (for its spas), Bali (for yoga), etc.

10. Cruise Tourism Package

A cruise tourism package provides tourists with a journey filled with fun and recreational activities onboard and excursions onshore.

Tourists get an all-planned ship or boat trip for a specific date to a particular location at a specific price. These packages are curated as per the needs of the tourists.

What are Tourism Products?

According to the market’s needs, the customer supplies anything in the market for use/consumption, called a product.

A product can be offered in the market observation, purchase, use, or any need or demand.

A tourism product is provided to the tourist during their traveling. It mainly focuses on facilities and services designed to meet the needs.

It includes physical objects, services, personalities, places, and ideas. The above components are provided by one company or any group of companies. Tourism products can be given to tourists in a tourist destination.

Products are needed for leisure, pleasure, religious, or business purposes. These products are provided in the market at a cost.

The main reason for choosing a tourist destination is a tourism product. It gives an economic boost to the destination. So it needs to be marketed and stored in a hassle manner.

Services are designed for the visitor to fulfill their needs. Therefore, it is a combination of products. Thus, the country’s total tourism and tourist satisfaction depend on the sum of its attractions, transportation, accommodation, entertainment, etc.

Individual service providers, such as hotels, airlines, travel agencies, etc, provide every element of a tourism product. Therefore, you can analyze these products’ attractiveness, accommodation, and accessibility.

Types of Tourism Products 

Attractions:  It is one of the main elements. Tourists will not be encouraged to visit certain places without attractions. Attractions are the ingredients. The product determines the choice of a particular tourist to visit a specific destination.

Attractions include archaeological, cultural, and historical buildings, monuments, beach resorts, mountains, flora and fauna, national parks, trade fairs, arts and music festivals, exhibitions, games, etc. Nowadays, tourists are susceptible to changes in fashion.

Accessibility:  That means by which a visitor can reach the attraction place. Tourists visit the attraction destination by different transport modes. Visitors visit his predetermined location by car, motorcycle,  train , ship or boat, airplane, or cycle.

The place becomes very cheap if any destinations do not have good transport systems. Tourist centers should be located near tourist-producing markets. It is connected to a network of efficient transportation to receive the largest number of tourists.

Accommodation:  Another tourism product is accommodation. It is an essential part of tourism—the tourist destination location must-have hotels, guest houses, camping, and homestay. An alternate arrangement should exist if accommodation is not possible at the central location. At least some distance away.

Hospitality:  It is a major factor for a tourist destination that will develop in the future. The location’s restaurants, pubs, cafes, foods, and beverage serving style increase location attractiveness.

Natural tourism products:  Our nature is beautiful and precious to us. Nature has arranged amazing things in different parts of the world, such as – hills, mountains, caves, glaciers, sea, islands, beaches, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, wildlife, deserts, etc.

The tourism product utilizes those natural gifts as a Natural tourism product, such as snow-capped mountains in Kashmir, Dudhsagar Falls in Goa, palm-fringed beaches of Goa, the wildlife of Kaziranga National Park in Assam, the Thar Desert in Jaisalmer, etc.

Read Things to do in Bainbridge Island, Seattle Washington

Human-created tourism products

Artificial tourism products are those that humans create. Human-made tourism products’ primary purpose is to attract tourists, such as Temples, Forts, palaces, museums, theme parks, etc.

The destination’s tradition and culture play a vital role in tourism. Humans maintain it to attract tourists through- classical dance – music, folk dance, paintings, handicrafts, festivals, fairs, etc.

Examples:  Machu Picchu World Heritage Site,  Egyptian pyramids , Taj Mahal, Red Fort in Agra, Lothal in Gujarat, Mexican pyramids, or Mesoamerican pyramids are important archaeological sites.

The Bhangra dance form of Punjab, the Kolkata Book Fair, the Durga puja in Kolkata, the Brass work of Muradabad, etc., are also included in human-made tourism products.

Tour guides are another main aspect of traveling. It is also a parameter for tourism. National and international travelers need a travel guide to discover a new place. Sometimes, national travelers may visit any tourist destination on their own.

But an international traveler always wants a good tourist guide. How do you present the location, and how much information do you provide to understand the place? It depends on a guided tour and a travel guide. This parameter upgrades the tourist destination’s level.

What are the different types of tourist destinations?

Types of tourism and types of tourist destinations may sound synonymous. However, the two have slight conceptual differences. Tourism is a broader concept, including the aspects of tourism and hospitality.

At the same time, a tourist destination is a narrower concept applying to places of tourist attraction. Based on the type of place and the causes of interest, the tourist’s destinations are:

• Coastal Destinations  – Preferred mostly for the ample sunshine and salty waters lining lands adjoining the sea. Be it domestic or international coastal locations, they are great for fun and relaxation. They are favored mostly by people living in inland areas away from the sea.
• Beaches  – The meeting point of land with the ocean offers a great tourist attraction. Waves hitting the shores of sandy beaches are great for tourists. In addition, new beach activities like parasailing, beach biking, etc., also attract tourists immensely.
• Island – A land in the middle of the sea or ocean on all sides is an island. Tourists are taken mainly by boat from the mainland to explore these islands. Islands standing in between a river are called riverine islands.
• Mangroves – It offers a panoramic view amidst the confluence of a river with the sea/ocean. Example: Sundarbans of India.
• Inland Destinations  – Travel away from the coast is an inland destination. A variety of sub-classifications can come in under like:

Based on the type of region:

• Hill stations – Offering a surreal view from an altitude, all mountains and hills are great tourist destinations.
• Jungles – Trekking/hiking/driving through the wild greenery are great tourist attractions. Protected areas like Reserve Forests and National Park serve the twin purpose of tourism and conservation.

Based on the population structure

• Rural – For a change, get away from the fast-paced urban life to taste village life. Touring rural locations is gaining popularity because of lower population density, greener areas, and a serene environment.
• Urban – Posh urban destinations offer a pull factor for tourists to experience ultra-modern and urban life. Examples: New York, Shanghai, etc.
•   Offbeat – Previously undiscovered newer locations around famous tourist spots are offbeat destinations. With lower tourist popularity, the exclusiveness of these places is retained.

Based on the type of activity

• Hiking and Camping – Places, where tourists come mostly for hiking or camping (day/night), are fast gaining popularity. These places are primarily amidst nature and come under adventure tourism.
• Preserved sites – Sites like UNESCO World Heritage sites have become popular tourist destinations. The rich natural/cultural value owes them their status.

Based on historical/religious importance

• Historical Places & Monuments – Tourists flock to places holding remnants of the past. Areas having historic architecture and events give an insight into the past culture. Examples: Taj Mahal and Jalianwallah Bagh, etc.
• Pilgrimages & Holy Shrines:  Religious tourism has flourished here, making it a spiritual destination. Example: Hajj of Mecca, Bethlehem for Christians.
• Museums and buildings:  Places where artifacts and remnants of historical culture are well preserved. Famous among tourists of all ages.

Based on entertainment

• Luxury destinations:  Locations that only promote high-end tourism are luxury destinations. Example: Bali.
• Carnival:  Annually, countries host cultural events to celebrate any occasion for a short period. When tourists travel here to enjoy themselves, it becomes a popular destination. Example: Christmas Carnival in Toronto.
• Amusement Park and Zoo:  Famous for the lot is Disney Land, a great tourist destination for children. Singapore Zoo, which ushers in global tourists.

Tourism Destinations

According to UNWTO in the “World’s Top Tourism Destination,” the first four places for International tourism are France, Spain, the USA, and China.

A tourism destination is the endpoint of the journey. But, of course, we all have some goals in every field, so it’s the same with tourism.

There are various types of tourist destinations. They are as follows:-

• Centered Destination
• Based Destination
• Multi-centre Destination
• Touring Destination
• Transit Destination

Types of Tourist Attractions

• Historial attractions
• Cultural attractions
• Political significance
• The natural or scenic beauty
• Leisure travel
• Fun and Amusement

How many Types of Tourism are there in India?

There are 16 Different kinds of tourism in India , but the list may increase.

Is there anything about tourism that I’ve missed?

Over the past 75 years, the travel industry has made great strides in harmoniously uniting strangers, travelers, and locals. As a result, visits and travel are more than adventure, learning new skills, rejuvenating, and achieving perfection.

Tourism has changed from providing services like rooms, flights, and meals that people were satisfied with ten years ago. Now, people want to experience whale watching or mountain biking.

In the luxury sector, wealthy people spend more money on an experience than objects. It is called experience economics, and there is an idea that the memories of tourist values ​​are compared to some physical resources. The rate of global tourists is increasing daily, and every country is trying to make its tourism more developed and successful.

As you can see, the tourism industry is vast and diverse. There are different kinds of tourism here; some have been around for decades, and others are just emerging.

A tour to the Grand Canyon would fall under which type of tourism?

Grand Canyon tour would fall into natural adventure tourism. Here, you can enjoy – The floor Landing Helicopter Tour, ATV, Gold Mine Tour, White Water Adventure Tour, and Rim Airplane Tour.

Kindly Stay 5 Seconds More and Share this Article.

HI TRAVELLER …Myself Ruma Dey Baidya. I’ve been backpacking for the last 20+ years. Photography and travelling have been my passion since my childhood. Whenever I got an opportunity, I never missed it. I am not a solo backpacker, so I always try group travel. I prefer budget travel, and it also helps me to save expenses. We know that memories are not constant, so I decided to document them and created this travel diary. This website [ TheHolidayStory ] is dedicated to those who passionate about travel like me. Please feel free for any information related to my blog. I am always happy to reply. Mail id – ruma[@]theholidaystory.com