Tourism » Growth of tourism and tourism types

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

The growth of global tourism and key factors driving this growth
Different types of tourism and their characteristics
Mass tourism vs alternative tourism approaches
Tourism development in different regions
Impacts of tourism on local economies, environments and communities
Case studies of tourism development

Growth of Tourism

Tourism has become one of the world's largest and fastest-growing industries. In the past 70 years, it has transformed from an activity for the wealthy few to a global phenomenon accessible to millions of people.

Tourism by the Numbers

In 1950, there were just 25 million international tourist arrivals worldwide. By 2019 (pre-COVID), this had grown to 1.5 billion arrivals. Tourism generates over 10% of global GDP and provides 1 in 10 jobs worldwide.

Key Definitions:

Tourism: The activities of people travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for leisure, business or other purposes.
Tourist: A person who travels to and stays in places outside their usual environment for more than 24 hours but less than one year.
Tourism industry: All businesses and organisations involved in providing services for tourists.

Factors Driving Tourism Growth

💰 Economic Factors

Rising disposable incomes, particularly in developed countries
Growth of middle classes in emerging economies (China, India, Brazil)
Cheaper travel costs (budget airlines, package deals)
Economic development creating business travel

📅 Social Factors

Increased paid holiday entitlement for workers
Earlier retirement and longer life expectancy
Changing attitudes to travel and experiences
Social media influencing travel choices

🛫 Technological Factors

Faster, more comfortable transport (jet aircraft, high-speed trains)
Online booking platforms making travel planning easier
Improved telecommunications allowing remote working
Better infrastructure in destination countries

📜 Political Factors

Relaxed visa requirements in many countries
Political stability in more regions
Government investment in tourism infrastructure
International agreements supporting travel (e.g., EU freedom of movement)

Types of Tourism

Tourism comes in many forms, each appealing to different travellers and having distinct impacts on destinations.

🏖 Leisure Tourism

Travel primarily for relaxation and enjoyment. Includes beach holidays, city breaks and theme park visits. The largest segment of tourism globally.

💼 Business Tourism

Travel for work purposes, including conferences, meetings and trade shows. Often occurs year-round and brings high-spending visitors.

🏩 Cultural Tourism

Focused on experiencing local culture, history and heritage. Includes visits to museums, historical sites and cultural events.

🏔 Ecotourism

Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people.

🏥 Religious Tourism

Pilgrimages and visits to religious sites like Jerusalem, Mecca, or the Vatican. One of the oldest forms of tourism.

🏆 Sports Tourism

Travel to participate in or watch sporting events, from the Olympics to local football matches.

Mass Tourism vs Alternative Tourism

Tourism development typically follows one of two broad approaches:

🏦 Mass Tourism

Characterised by large numbers of tourists visiting popular destinations, often staying in large hotels and participating in standardised activities.

Features:

Large-scale developments (resorts, hotel chains)
Package holidays and all-inclusive deals
Seasonal peaks and troughs
Often focused on 'sun, sea and sand'
High economic benefits but significant environmental impacts

Examples: Benidorm (Spain), Cancun (Mexico), Phuket (Thailand)

🌲 Alternative Tourism

Smaller-scale, more sustainable approaches that aim to minimise negative impacts while maximising benefits to local communities.

Features:

Small-scale developments (boutique hotels, homestays)
Independent travel arrangements
Year-round tourism potential
Focus on authentic experiences and local culture
Lower economic impact but more sustainable long-term

Examples: Ecotourism in Costa Rica, community-based tourism in Kenya, agritourism in Italy

The Butler Model of Tourism Development

The Butler Tourism Area Life Cycle model describes how tourist destinations develop over time:

Exploration: Small numbers of adventurous tourists discover a destination. Limited facilities.
Involvement: Local businesses begin providing services for tourists. Visitor numbers increase.
Development: Large companies invest in the area. Rapid growth in visitor numbers.
Consolidation: Tourism becomes a major part of the local economy. Growth slows.
Stagnation: The destination reaches capacity. Environmental, social or economic problems may emerge.
Decline or Rejuvenation: The destination either declines as tourists move elsewhere, or reinvents itself to attract new visitors.

Case Study: Benidorm, Spain

Benidorm transformed from a small fishing village in the 1950s to one of Europe's biggest mass tourism destinations. It followed the Butler model closely:

Exploration (1950s): Small numbers of tourists discovered its beautiful beaches
Involvement (1960s): Local businesses began building small hotels
Development (1970s-80s): Rapid growth with high-rise hotels and package tourism
Consolidation (1990s): Became dependent on tourism, with over 5 million visitors annually
Stagnation (2000s): Faced competition from newer destinations
Rejuvenation (2010s): Improved quality, developed new attractions and targeted new markets

Tourism in Different Regions

Tourism in HICs (High-Income Countries)

High-income countries like the UK, USA and Japan have well-established tourism industries with:

Advanced infrastructure and transport networks
Strong domestic tourism markets
Diverse tourism offerings (urban, rural, cultural)
Increasing focus on sustainability and quality experiences
Challenges including overtourism in popular destinations

Tourism in LICs and NEEs (Low-Income Countries and Newly Emerging Economies)

Countries like Kenya, Thailand and Brazil are developing their tourism sectors with:

Tourism often focused on natural assets (beaches, wildlife, landscapes)
Rapid growth creating both opportunities and challenges
Tourism as a development strategy to earn foreign exchange
Concerns about economic leakage (profits going to foreign companies)
Balancing development needs with environmental protection

Case Study: Tourism in Kenya

Kenya has developed a successful tourism industry based primarily on wildlife safaris and coastal resorts:

Tourism contributes about 10% of Kenya's GDP and employs over 1.5 million people
Main attractions include the Maasai Mara, Amboseli National Park and beaches around Mombasa
Challenges include environmental impacts on fragile ecosystems, economic leakage and security concerns
Positive developments include community-based tourism initiatives where local Maasai communities directly benefit from tourism
Kenya is increasingly promoting sustainable tourism practices to protect its wildlife and natural environments

Impacts of Tourism Growth

💰 Economic Impacts

Positive: Job creation, foreign exchange earnings, infrastructure development, multiplier effect

Negative: Economic leakage, seasonal employment, inflation, overdependence on tourism

🌎 Environmental Impacts

Positive: Conservation funding, environmental awareness, protection of natural areas

Negative: Habitat destruction, pollution, water usage, carbon emissions from travel

👥 Social Impacts

Positive: Cultural exchange, preservation of traditions, improved facilities for locals

Negative: Commodification of culture, disruption to local life, potential for conflict

Sustainable Tourism

As awareness of tourism's impacts grows, there is increasing emphasis on sustainable approaches:

Ecotourism: Nature-based tourism that conserves the environment and improves local welfare
Community-based tourism: Tourism controlled and managed by local communities
Responsible tourism: Tourism that maximises benefits to local communities and minimises negative impacts
Slow tourism: Encouraging longer stays and deeper connections with destinations

Future of Tourism

The tourism industry continues to evolve, with current trends including:

Growing concern about carbon emissions from air travel
Increasing use of technology (virtual reality, AI recommendations)
Rise of 'undertourism' - seeking out less-visited destinations
Greater emphasis on authentic, transformative experiences
More awareness of tourism's impacts among travellers