Modern Trends in Tourism
Introduction
As per UNWTO (United Nations World tourism organization) the word “tourism”, is described as follows:
"Tourism comprises the activities of persons traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes."
When considering the history of tourism, it can be seen as an activity which the affluent took part in. The word tourist was used by 1772 and tourism by 1811. The Grand Tour for example was an activity that young, affluent European men took part in to travel across Europe and gain knowledge and be cultured. Leisure travel came into play with the industrial revolution and Thomas Cook was one of the pioneers in offering tourism products at this stage.
Today the tourism industry plays a vital role in the economy as well as in the society. Organizations such as the United Nations World Tourism Organization and even local governmental bodies such as Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau stand testimony to its importance. Furthermore many industries have come to revolve around the tourism industry and it has become a job generator in the market.
Change is inevitable. Since the time of the Grand Tour the lifestyle, the attitudes and society as a whole has changed, and this in turn has vastly affected the tourism industry. Certain factors that have brought about this change include social media platforms, globalization, life style changes, demographics, price-value etc. It is undeniable that with the introduction of the internet, that the whole world has become a global village. The life on the other side of our planet can be easily accessed through the www. However man by nature is an insatiable creature and his thirst cannot be merely quenched by the virtual side of it. Social media platforms also intensify this feeling by creating a network. Furthermore individuals today lead a very busy lifestyle where leisure time is a
As per UNWTO (United Nations World tourism organization) the word “tourism”, is described as follows:
"Tourism comprises the activities of persons traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes."
When considering the history of tourism, it can be seen as an activity which the affluent took part in. The word tourist was used by 1772 and tourism by 1811. The Grand Tour for example was an activity that young, affluent European men took part in to travel across Europe and gain knowledge and be cultured. Leisure travel came into play with the industrial revolution and Thomas Cook was one of the pioneers in offering tourism products at this stage.
Today the tourism industry plays a vital role in the economy as well as in the society. Organizations such as the United Nations World Tourism Organization and even local governmental bodies such as Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau stand testimony to its importance. Furthermore many industries have come to revolve around the tourism industry and it has become a job generator in the market.
Change is inevitable. Since the time of the Grand Tour the lifestyle, the attitudes and society as a whole has changed, and this in turn has vastly affected the tourism industry. Certain factors that have brought about this change include social media platforms, globalization, life style changes, demographics, price-value etc. It is undeniable that with the introduction of the internet, that the whole world has become a global village. The life on the other side of our planet can be easily accessed through the www. However man by nature is an insatiable creature and his thirst cannot be merely quenched by the virtual side of it. Social media platforms also intensify this feeling by creating a network. Furthermore individuals today lead a very busy lifestyle where leisure time is a
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