Tourism Management - Terminology

Let us now discuss a few terms that are frequently used in the tourism industry.

      AttractionIt is a physical or cultural feature of a place that can satisfy tourists’ leisure based need.

      Cultural HeritageIt is an expression of the manner of living developed by a community and passed on from one generation to the next. It includes customs, practices, places, objects, artistic expressions and values.

      Dark Tourism(Black or Grief tourism) It is the tourism involving travel to places historically associated with death and tragedy.

      DestinationIt is a place the tourist visits and stays there for at least 24 hours. The destination supports staying facilities, attractions, and tourist resources.

      EcotourismIt involves maintenance and enhancement of natural systems such as water, air, woods and forests, and flora and fauna through tourism.

      ExcursionistPersons traveling for pleasure in a period less than 24 hours

      Foreign TouristAny person visiting a country, other than that in which he/she usually resides, for a period of at least 24 hours.

      HikingA long and vigorous walk on the trail.

      IntermediariesThey are the intermediate links between the form of goods and services tourists do not require and the form of goods and services the tourists demand.

      ItineraryA documented plan of the tour.

      LeisureThe free time when obligations are at a minimum and one can relax.

      RecreationThe activities carried out during leisure time.

      SiteIt is a particular place bound by physical or cultural characteristics

      SkiingIt is a recreational activity and competitive winter sport in which the participant uses skis to glide on snow.

      SnorkelingIt is the practice of swimming on or through a water body while being equipped with a diving mask composed of a shaped tube called a snorkel.

      TerrainIt is a stretch of land, especially with regard to its physical features.

      Tourism Carrying CapacityThe maximum number of people that may visit a tourist destination at the same time, without causing destruction of the physical, economic, socio-cultural environment, and an unacceptable decrease in the quality of visitors' satisfaction.

      TravelThe act of moving outside one's home community for business or pleasure but not for commuting or traveling to or from usual places.

      United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)It is the United Nations (UN) agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism.

      VisitorA non-residential person visiting the place.

      WTOWorld Tourism Organization.