The Tourism industry has developed through the years and presently is one of the most diversified, customized and specialized industries. Let us have a brief description of some of the most popular types of tourism worldwide where tourists are categorized by the purpose of their visit.
a. Leisure Tourism
Leisure time can be defined as “free time”, not doing any work. It is that time to do things that you normally have no time for in your daily life. Leisure tourism includes a holiday with the following:
· Leisure activities
· Relaxation: Sleep, relax, reading, walk on the beach, taking a scenic drive
· Sport activities: hiking, swimming, surfing, running
· Visit places of interest and local attractions
· Visiting friends and relatives
· Shopping for goods that will be used by the tourist.
b. Business Tourism
Business tourism can be defined as “travel for the purpose of business”. Business Tourism can be divided into three sections:
· Trading for goods to be resold on a wholesale basis
· Conduct business transactions e.g. visiting a client, contract negotiations.
· Attending a conference, exhibition or event associated with their business.
c. Medical Tourism
Medical Tourism involves people who travel to a different place to receive treatment for a disease, health condition, or a surgical procedure, and who are seeking lower cost of healthcare and higher quality of care. Favorite procedures in medical tourism include Cardiology, Cardiothoracic, Cosmetic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Weight Loss, Neuron, Eye, Orthopedic Surgery, as well as Organ Transplants (kidney). Medical Tourism services include medical facilitation, travel arrangements, accommodation, transportation and tour packages.
d. Cultural Tourism
Cultural tourism or sometimes referred to as heritage tourism is the division of tourism concerned with the region’s culture, specifically the lifestyle and history of the people, their art, architecture, religion and other elements. Cultural tourism includes cultural facilities such as museums, theatres and festivals. This is one of the most popular types of tourism and attracts tourists from different parts of the world.
e. Adventure Tourism
Adventure tourism is an outdoor activity that generally takes place in an unusual, remote or a wilderness area. This adventurous activity can take place in the sea, in rivers, in the air, in mountains and is associated with low or high levels of physical activity. There are many types of products and services that fall within the Adventure Tourism category such as:
Bungee jumping, mountaineering expeditions, rafting, rock climbing, diving, wind surfing, paragliding and many more.
f. Wellness Tourism
Wellness tourism is one of the fastest growing forms of international and domestic tourism. This form of tourism involves people who travel to a different place to pursue activities that maintain or enhance their personal health and wellness, and who are seeking unique, authentic or location-based experiences. Wellness tourism include massages, body treatments, facial treatments, exercise facilities & programs, weight loss programs, nutrition programs, pre- and post-operative Spa treatments and mind/body programs.
g. Eco Tourism
Ecotourism is “Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.” The purpose of ecotourism is to educate the traveler about natural destinations, to provide ecological conservation and awareness, to benefit economic development, the political empowerment of local communities and respect for the local culture. Here the traveler can experience the natural way of life surrounded by natural circumstances.
h. Sports Tourism
Sports tourism refers to international travel either for viewing or participating in a sporting event. Examples include international sporting events such as the Olympics, world cup (soccer, rugby, and cricket), tennis, golf and Formula 1 Grand Prix.
i. Religious Tourism
Religious Tourism or faith tourism are people of faith who travel on their own or in groups to holy cities or holy sites for pilgrimages, crusades, conventions, retreats, religious tourist attractions or missionary work.
j. Wildlife Tourism
Wildlife tourism is the observation of wild (non-domestic) animals in their natural environment or in captivity. It includes activities such as photography, viewing and feeding of animals. This form of tourism offer tourists customized tour packages and safaris and is closely associated with eco-tourism and sustainable-tourism. Other minor forms of tourism include Slum tourism, Luxury tourism, Agritourism, Geo-tourism, culinary tourism and many more. Tourism is also a profitable industry for the following sectors: accommodation venues, tour guides, recreation, attractions, events and conferences, food and beverage, transportation and the travel trade.
