Tourism

Tourism is the commercial activity of providing and supporting travel for pleasure. It also includes travel for business and other specific purposes. The United Nations defines tourism more broadly than just holidays. It describes it as people staying in places outside their usual environment. These stays must last at least 24 hours. However, the stay should not exceed one consecutive year.

This industry is a major part of the global economy. It involves many different services and moving parts working together.

There are several ways to categorize how people move. Domestic tourism happens when residents travel within their own country. Inbound tourism occurs when non-residents travel into a specific country. Outbound tourism is when residents travel to a different country. When you combine domestic and outbound tourism, it is called national tourism. International tourism is the combination of both inbound and outbound travel.

This global movement affects a country's balance of payments. This term refers to the record of money coming in and going out of a nation.

Tourism can also be grouped by the type of experience. Outdoor-oriented tourism includes nature, eco, and adventure categories. Nature tourism involves activities like hiking, walking, or camping. It has a low barrier to entry and appeals to many people. Ecotourism is more specific and focuses on education and social responsibility. It aims to center economic growth around the local community. Finally, adventure tourism is the most extreme category. It includes high-risk activities like white water rafting or ice climbing.

The history of travel stretches back thousands of years. In ancient Egypt, people traveled for pleasure as early as 1500 BC. Ancient Romans visited coastal resorts and spas to relax.

During the post-classical era, many religions developed traditions of pilgrimage. People traveled to sacred sites for religious reasons. In the Song Dynasty in China, travel record literature became popular. Later, the Grand Tour became a tradition for wealthy European men. They traveled through Germany and Italy to learn about culture.

Modern tourism has reached massive scales in recent decades. In 2012, international tourist arrivals surpassed 1 billion for the first time. By 2016, arrivals rose to 1,235 million people. This growth produced $1.22 trillion USD in destination spending. However, the industry faces sudden changes from global events. The 2008 economic slowdown and the 2009 H1N1 virus caused declines. The COVID-19 pandemic caused an even more abrupt end to growth. In 2020, arrivals may have decreased by 58% to 78%.

Tourism also creates a variety of essential products and services. These include accommodation services ranging from homestays to five-star hotels. Hospitality services provide food and beverages to travelers. Transport services cover all modes of travel and booking. Cultural services include visits to museums and religious monuments.

Travel agencies and guided tours also help manage the experience. Even specialized services like airport parking and travel insurance are part of the industry. This complex web of services supports the movement of millions.

While tourism brings money, it also brings significant challenges. Global tourism accounts for 8% of global greenhouse-gas emissions. Air travel is a major contributor to these emissions. Large numbers of tourists can also stress local water and trash systems. Some areas face rising rents due to services like Airbnb. To fix this, many organizations focus on sustainable tourism. This approach balances economic benefits with environmental and social responsibility.

The United Nations promotes this through the Sustainable Development Goals.