TRAVEL AND TOURISM with consumers from

abroad.
§ Tourism has inevitably grown
from a rather limited § Many millions of jobs are
aristocratic activity to a created by tourism every
common phenomenon in year and the revenue being
modern society. generated from the
expenditure made by
§ During this evolution, the tourists in different stages of
phenomenon has passed a their journey is immense.
number of milestones,
transforming itself into a § As per the latest figures
modern form which released by the United
permeates deep into the Nations World Tourism
social life of almost all Organization (UNWTO),
societies in the world. receipts from international
tourists’ spending on
§ This multifaceted accommodation, food and
phenomenon has already drink, entertainment,
demonstrated its persuasive shopping, other services
economic significance, and goods reached an
irresistibly luring both private estimated US $ 1,220 billion
developers and in 2016 (UNWTO, 2017).
governments to hastily
promote it. § On the one hand, tourist
destinations and
§ Certainly, there are many governments are engaged
reasons to suggest why the in developing and
tourism industry is being so promoting tourism rigorously,
hastily developed by many while people, on the other
countries. hand, are being persuaded
to visit and experience
§ While domestic tourism tourism.
contributes greatly to wider
redistribution of income, § The “travel propensity” has
international tourism is more already permeated almost
important to the industry as all societies in the world.
it generates foreign
currency through § The surging travel propensity
transaction of “invisibles” and the consequential
 growth in the demand for for movement to be
services have invigorated considered travel).
the worldwide expansion of
the tourism sector. § The nature, style, mode,
speed, comfort and safety
§ Of late, tourist destination when travelling has
countries are facing intense transformed over time,
competition in attracting surpassing many milestones.
tourists, thus increasing the
dynamism and innovation in § In usual contexts, travel is
the tourism sector. also referred to as a journey
from one place to another.
§ Tourists therefore get more A journey can also be made
options, not only in what to visit a place. It means
they see, but also in their that travel can be for
experience. As commonly various purposes, which
predicted, tourism is poised include visiting too. Visiting
to grow further, and will entails travel, and some of
remain a very competitive those who take part in
sector, particularly in terms visiting are called tourists
of economic and social based on certain
contributions. parameters accepted
internationally.
FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENT OF
TOURISM § This denotes that tourism
involves visiting a place of
§ Movement is one prime interest, and is essentially a
reason for the result of travel from one
transformation of human place to another.
beings from the early days
of secluded, animal-like The following extract from the
beings to the modern social UNWTO clarifies the relationship:
lifestyle humans enjoy
today. TOURISM CONCEPTS AND
DEFINITIONS
§ Movement turns into travel
when it is across a certain 1. Tourism involves movement of
distance (though there is no people from one place to
accepted specific distance another.
2. The travel takes place due to those various needs. The traveler
physical or psychological reasons, spends money to buy those
or both. services and products offered,
and this constitutes an economic
3. The movement has to be from activity.
the place of residence and/ or
work to a distant place. 10. During the travel process, the
tourist will interact with different
4. The visit has to take place in a groups of people ranging from
different environment from the service providers to local
usual, day-to-day life community members.
environment.
11. The tourism-related businesses
5. A minimum stay of one day (24 and facilities use a variety of
hours) in the place visited is resources, both natural and
required. artificial, in order to cater for the
requirements of tourists.
6. The stay should not extend Consequently, tourists become
beyond one year, consecutively. the consumers of those resources
directly or indirectly.
7, The tourist visiting a place may
have to take part in certain 12. During the process of provision
activities, such as sightseeing. of services and products to tourists
as well as the consumption by
8. The tourist, during the entire them, a range of benefits as well
process of travel, should not as consequences will be
directly take part in any activity generated on the environment,
that would enable him or her to society, culture and the
earn money as remuneration. economy.
Throughout the travel process
(from departure from usual 13. Tourism takes place in an
residence until return to the open environment and the
same), the traveler will have a external environment influences it
variety of needs, all of which will in different ways.
constitute the elements that
contribute to the tourist TOURISM INDUSTRY
experiences.
§ As tourism has progressed,
9. Different businesses offer so has the industry, which is
services and products that satisfy now one of the largest in
 the world. It ultimately guides, tourist information
attempts to satisfy the services, souvenir shops,
needs and wants of the beach vendors, relevant
tourists during the course of government offices, NGOs,
their journey, which includes and educational
onward journey, intra- and establishments.
inter-destination travel,
return journey, stay, and the § Moreover, the tourist
various activities that form ultimately has a single need,
part of the visit. Leiper has which can be satisfied only
defined it as “the range of when all the industrial
businesses and elements concerned
organizations involved in provide quality services/
delivering tourism products” products.
(Leiper, 1990).
§ Although there are industries
§ This also points to the that produce products of
diversity involved in the varying nature, the industry
entity called the tourism in total exists to generate an
industry. The tourism industry experience that is on par
is not a single industry or an with or better than the
independent one. Instead it expectations of the tourist.
is a combination, an
amalgam of diverse § Generating a good “tourist
industries. experience” is the ultimate
objective of the tourism
§ This diverse sector with industry, though each
different elements provides element has similar
different products that can objectives in accordance
satisfy different needs of the with its product. It can be
same consumer at different achieved only when all the
phases of their journey. elements in the industry aim
at providing quality services
§ According to Riley et al. and products.
(2002), the tourism industry in
general can include the § To put it simply, tourist
hotel sector, transport, tour satisfaction is attained only
operators, travel agencies, when the tourist gets the
tourist attractions, expected level of service
conference businesses, tour and products from the
 entire tourism industry. Most § Most of the tourism products
of the industries in it have also possess the
specific characteristics, characteristics of the service
though they have a number products, which include
of similar characteristics as intangibility, perishability
well. and inseparability. Many are
performed rather than
THE INDUSTRY HAS SOME manufactured/ produced,
COMMON CHARACTERISTICS as in the case of goods.
THAT ARE UNIQUE TO SOME
§ The tourist gains a total
EXTENT, INCLUDING THE experience and each of the
FOLLOWING SIGNIFICANT services sold contribute to it.
CHARACTERISTICS: Moreover, the product is
produced and consumed
• Service orientation simultaneously, and the
• High fixed costs of service personnel who are with the
operations service firms have some
• People orientation consumer contact and are
• Heterogeneity seen by the customer.
• Geographical fragmentation
of the industry § The performance of the
• Dominant role of intermediaries personnel also matters in the
• Labor-intensive tourist experience. The
• Seasonality and fluctuating products have a time span
demand and hence they cannot be
• Immovability stored for future sale. It
• High level of interdependence doesn’t mean that all the
Rigidity of supply products are intangible,
perishable and inseparable.
§ The tourism industry
predominantly consists of § There are also products with
industries with service characteristics of “goods”.
orientation.
§ Most of the tourism industries
§ Transport services and the are characterized by high
hospitality industry, the two fixed costs and low variable
major industry elements, are costs. Fixed costs do not
classified as service sectors. vary according to output
level or sales revenue, and
 include rent, buildings, growth of tourism into its modern
machinery, etc. form. People engage in tourism
with a wide variety of purposes.
§ A firm which has a large
proportion of fixed costs in TRANSPORT AND TOURISM
comparison with the total
cost is said to have high Transportation, the act of
fixed costs. Hotels, transporting, enables the
especially upmarket hotels, movement of people or goods
have high fixed costs. from one location to another. It
needs an efficient system with
§ The initial expenses for the necessary facilities, means and
buildings and arranging the equipment to transport people
required facilities are very and/ or cargo. Transportation is
high. This provides an certainly the prime means and
opportunity to offer flexible facilitator of growing spatial
pricing. interaction the world over. The
very purpose of efficient transport
§ The “break even” point of is to ensure the smooth, safe and
all these organizations with rapid movement of people and
high fixed costs is usually at goods from place to place for
a much higher level of various reasons.
output. Also, they require a
longer period in order to The evolution and growth of
break even. tourism in a destination has
indispensable dependence on
SUMMARY: transport. Moreover, transport
plays other key roles. The
Tourism, one of the largest Organization for Economic
industries and fastest growing Cooperation and Development
economic activities, has evolved (OECD) policy document on
through centuries to become a transport and tourism summarizes
common social phenomenon the role of transport with regard to
that can be accessed by a large tourism in the following way:
section of the societies around
the world. In fact, all the social, THE ORGANIZATION FOR
cultural, technological and ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND
economic developments which DEVELOPMENT (OECD) POLICY
occurred after the end of the DOCUMENT ON TRANSPORT AND
Second World War spurred the TOURISM SUMMARIZES THE ROLE
OF TRANSPORT WITH REGARD TO THE EARLIEST HUMAN ACTIVITIES:
TOURISM IN THE FOLLOWING WAY: EVEN IN THE ANCIENT ERA PEOPLE
USED TO TRAVEL USING DIFFERENT
Transport is a key enabler of MODES OF TRANSPORT:
tourism and plays a vital role in
moving tourists from their place of ✓ Evolution of modern transport
residence to their final destination began sometime towards the end
and on to various attractions. of eighteenth century when
mechanized forms of transport
Transport connects the markets in options started to emerge.
tourism generating regions to
destinations and facilitates the ✓ Before then, animals and wind
internal movement of visitors power were used for long
between components of the journeys. Public transport was
tourist experience (e.g. limited and to a certain extent
attractions, accommodation, transport wasn’t comfortable,
commercial services, etc.), and safe or smooth.
can be a major element of the
attraction or an experience in ✓ However, international travel
their own right (e.g. Queen Mary occurred over land and sea,
II, the Orient Express, world mainly for the purpose of trade.
heritage listed Semmering ✓ Once industrialization began,
Railway). the stage was set for
transformation in transport
The location, capacity, efficiency technology as well. The
and connectivity of transport can emergence of mechanized forms
therefore play an important role in of transport was an aftereffect of
how a destination physically industrialization and it continued
develops, and significantly into the following centuries.
influence the mobility of visitors
and the connectivity of tourist
✓ Transportation then began only
experiences within destinations.
by providing necessary transport
(OECD, 2016)
services for people and goods to
move to other places.
BEFORE GOING DEEP INTO THE
NUANCES OF TRANSPORT AND ITS
✓ Advancements in transport
INEXTRICABLE LINK WITH TOURISM,
technology were made and
LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THE
roads were then improved.
EVOLUTION OF MODERN
TRANSPORT. TRAVEL WAS ONE OF
Railway-, canal- and steamship- ✓ The introduction of the Model T
based transport began in this era. car by Henry Ford in 1908 marked
one of the most important
✓ More common carriers milestones in the history of travel.
emerged and more scheduled Within a couple of decades, the
services began. The overall automobile sector had set a
development in society led to tremendous pace.
more motivation and more
money to travel. ✓ In between, rail transport lost its
prominence, particularly in the
✓ By the nineteenth century, rail West, and ship-based passenger
travel had become the transport, especially in the second
backbone of transport in Europe; half of twentieth century, lost
in America it was sooner. ground.

✓ Organized tourism also began ✓ The introduction of jet engines

in this era when Thomas Cook in aircraft was another milestone
organized a trip using rail services in the history of travel: aircraft
from Leicester to Loughborough in could carry more passengers and
1841. cargo at greatly improved
speeds.
✓ The technology advanced
further, which resulted in faster, ✓ Wide-body jet aircraft were
safer and more comfortable commercially used from 1970,
travel. The twentieth century has and thus mass tourism philosophy
witnessed dramatic changes in began.
transport.
✓ After the formation of OPEC
✓ Modern aviation began in its and the rise in oil prices in the
early years, and towards the end 1970s, land and air transport was
of the century it became a huge set back for a short period.
sector transporting more than a
billion passengers and employing ✓ The introduction of deregulation
millions of people. in the US changed the fate of air
transport.
✓ The automobile sector was also
born and grew during this same ✓ Within a decade, air transport
era. became a popular transport
mode. Air transport continued to
grow and is still in a growth
trajectory as its influence spreads Once, road and railway
to more communities across the investment was done solely by
world. public sector agencies. The “build
operate transfer” (BOT)
TRANSPORT, TYPES, LINKAGES, arrangement is common in this
AND ELEMENTS sector across the world.

✓ Transport represents not just the THE TERMINAL

means of reaching places; it is a
combination of different “The terminal” provides the
elements. The movement of access for the passengers. It is
people and goods can be usually a built structure with varied
possible with the involvement of facilities and services provided as
all of them. All elements are part of the terminal. Terminals are
interlinked. Each element has places where the mode of
different sub-elements as well. transport can also be changed.
Cooper et al. (2000) identified For instance, a passenger arriving
four basic physical elements: in a car can change their mode
of transport into air transport at an
1. The Way airport.
2. The Terminal
3. The Carrying Unit Bus stations, railway stations,
4. The Motive Power seaports and airports are
examples of terminals. Earlier,
THE WAY terminals were simple structures
that provided access to another
“The way”, the medium of mode of transport. Now, the
transport, can be both natural scope and functions of terminals
and artificial. Roads and railways are being expanded. For
are examples of artificial media instance, airports are now turning
on which transport is undertaken. into mini cities with almost all the
Sea routes and airways are facilities and services of a city
natural media. In this modern era available within them.
of transportation, privatization has Privatization is in vogue in the
been used in the construction airport sector as well.
and management of artificial
ways as well, due to the THE MOTIVE POWER
increasing requirement of heavy
investment. ✓ The “motive power” enables
the carrying units to move and it is
fundamental to ensuring the
speed, range and capacity of
vehicles. Over the last two
centuries, revolutionary
advancements have taken place
in the area of motive power,
which has resulted in much
smoother, speedier and safer
transport in short and long
distance travels. Since
industrialization, motive power has
advanced regularly and
consistently.
AIR TRANSPORT: LINKAGES WITH
✓On the basis of the medium in OTHER MODES OF TRANSPORT
which the transportation activities
take place, transportation is ✓ International Travel involve
classified into three groups: land- different forms of transport. If the
based, air-based and countries are separated by sea,
waterbased. Each form has its and if the passenger prefers sea
own relevance and importance transport, then naturally other
in the tourism sector. A large modes of transport would be
variety of land-based transport required for him/ her to access
forms are found in the tourism sea transport.
sector. Road transportation is one
of the most important forms of ✓ Reaching a seaport would
tourism transportation, and in the necessitate the passenger using
last century it has grown one or more other forms of
tremendously. A wide variety of transport, such as air, rail, bus,
modes are involved in road coaches, taxis, etc. Here, strong
transportation. linkages with other forms of
transport are essential. If the
international travel is by air, similar
linkages are involved. If travel also
involves road or rail transport,
usually a passenger has to
depend on some other form( s) of
transport for making the primary
transport form accessible.
✓ The case is also similar for rail reach the accommodation
transportation. In order to access center.
rail transport, reaching a railway
station itself would require using ✓Sightseeing and visiting various
some other vehicles. After attractions are the most important
reaching the destination, taxis, activities of a tourist when he/ she
etc. may be required for the is in the destination. Different
passenger to reach the final attractions may be situated in
destination. Bus journeys may also different locations. Also, for
have to link with other forms of consuming other products, the
transport. tourist needs to travel.

Hence it can be concluded that ✓The mobility of a tourist within a

one mode of transportation destination is thus crucial, as the
generally requires linkages with primary purpose of the tourist in
other modes of transportation or engaging in tourism is to visit
using other types of vehicles. In attractions and experience them.
that case a passenger has to use It’s crucial to ensure suitable
multi-transport forms to complete infrastructure and adequate
their journey. The dependency means of transportation to
relationship varies from one mode facilitate the mobility of tourists
of transport to other. For example,
air and sea transport necessitate LINKING THE DESTINATION
more linkages with other modes WITH TOURISM MARKETS
of transport since the airports and
seaports are usually located
❑ One of the primary features of
away from common places/
tourism is that the destinations are
cities/ residential areas.
away from the markets and the
consumers have to travel
PROVIDING MOBILITY ACCESS distances to access the products
WITHIN A DESTINATION and consume them.

✓Transport provides the means of ❑ This makes the role of transport

travelling in and around the so crucial in tourism. As stated in
destination after arriving. Once a the beginning, transport plays a
tourist lands in a destination, he/ vital role in moving tourists from
she has to move within the their place of residence to their
destination for various reasons. final destination, and connects
From the airport where a tourist the markets in tourism generating
may arrive, transfer is needed to regions to destinations.
 ✓The type of transport in an
❑ Transport provides the means of attraction may vary based on the
travel to the destination from the type of attraction.
tourist’s place of origin and back
again. Destinations need to be ✓Fragile tourist attractions need
linked with different tourist transport forms suitable for them,
markets, as tourists, particularly e.g. more eco-friendly. Industrial
international tourists, come from sites may have different types of
different nations located in transport
different parts of the world.
PROVIDING A RECREATIONAL
❑ For a destination, source TRAVEL OPTIONS
markets are different countries.
One destination receives tourists ✓ Recreational transport is offered
from a number of foreign in destinations to enhance the
countries. All these market
tourism experience. At times,
countries, also referred to as unique transport options are
tourist generating countries/ provided along tourist circuits.
regions, have to be linked with There are recreational rail services
destinations, and efficient linking a destination with nearby
transport systems have to be cities.
there to make the destination
easily accessible.
✓ Hop-on, hop-off city tours are
common in established
PROVIDING MOBILITY WITHIN destinations around the world.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS Bicycle tourism and bike tourism
are centered on recreational trips
✓Some of the attractions require using simple transport forms to
travel options within them. For rural destinations.
instance, an industrial tourist
destination usually requires travel ✓ The Grand Canyon railway in
within it so that tourists can visit Arizona, the Royal Scotsman,
different parts of the site. Scotland, Place on Wheels, India,
etc. are some examples of rail
✓ In wildlife tourism, exclusive services which are unique and
transport is provided in many attractive. They play a key role in
cases to go into the forest and to attracting tourists. Pleasure boats
see wild animals in their habitat. and dhows are also part of
tourism parlance. Different
vehicles are used for recreational ✓ In addition to linking the origin
safaris as well. and destination, transport is
required to link different
ACTING AS THE PRIMARY destinations as well when a tourist
ATTRACTION is on a multi-center tour. In
package tours, this is very
In certain cases, transport is the common (when the package
primary attraction for visitors. consists of more than one
Transport can be a main feature destination).
of a tourist trip when the form of
transport itself is one of the main This phenomenon of visiting more
reasons for taking the trip. than a single destination gained
momentum when long-haul tours
The experience of travel has began to evolve. The distance a
much more significance than the tourist has to cover to reach a
movement of tourist from the faraway destination may tempt
origin to the destination. them to visit neighboring
destination( s) as well.
The vehicle involved in the travel
must be unique, with facilities and The mode of travel between
services for recreation. Cruise destinations may vary, unlike the
voyages and the recreation transport between origin and
onboard during the course of the destination which is dominated by
journey constitute the primary air travel. Road and rail travel also
attraction for cruise tourists. Here, have significant roles to play in
the role of transport increases and inter-destination travel.
holds the role of travel facilitation
as well as attraction. DETERMINANTS IN TOURIST
EXPERIENCE
Cruise tourism is becoming more
popular, with significant growth Transport, being an integral
recorded. Modern cruise element in the tourism system,
operators are competing with provides an experience that is
one another on a wide range of also a determinant in the overall
onboard services and facilities in tourist experience. Certainly,
the hyper-competitive cruise transport experience is an
tourism market. important element of the tourist
experience.
LINKING HOST DESTINATIONS
The nature of tourism transport ✓ Certainly, quality of transport is
experience is defined either by a a crucial element in the success
single mode or a combination of of a destination. The evolution of
transport modes, it still involves the destination is influenced by
movement from one location to the growth of transport as well.
another, and a degree of
attraction or more precisely a The accessibility, quality of the
satisfaction of wants associated transport services, diversity of
with the actual process of transport provisions, etc. are
traveling. The key distinction in factors that determine the
transport for tourism tends to offer success of a destination.
low intrinsic value within the
overall experience and the MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR IN
tourism transport experience a TOURISM’S SOCIO-
higher intrinsic value. (Lumsdon
ECONOMIC BENEFITS
and Page, 2004)
Transport enables the tourists in
CONTRIBUTOR IN TOURIST spatial interaction, facilitates
ATTRACTIVENESS cultural exchange, paves the way
for developing understanding
A destination with good between different cultures and
accessibility and high-quality societies, and has other social
transport infrastructure can benefits. Moreover, transport is
attract tourists. Even if a the major tourism employer and
destination has attractive tourism generates other economic and
resources, transport is necessary social benefits as well
to draw tourists. However, lack of
quality transport can deter the TRANSPORT: FROM A
growth of tourism. Moreover,
many transport forms themselves
GEOGRAPHICAL PERSPECTIVE
can lure tourists. Availability of
recreational transport forms, ✓ Transport primarily deals with
accessibility, etc. certainly time and distance. Travel
contribute in the attractiveness of distance is a factor in the
a destination. accessibility of a destination.
Transport facilitates the
movement with respect to place
DETERMINANT IN DESTINATION
and location and provides the
SUCCESS essential link. It enables the spatial
interaction between different
tourist generating regions and distance has a geographical
destination regions. This flow of perspective. In geography, spatial
people from generating region to differentiation is used to indicate
destination is almost impossible spatial interaction between two
without transport. From a places, which is the basis of
geographic perspective, travel transportation.
occurs to satisfy human desire for
spatial movement and transport According to Ullman (1980), there
facilitates the process of are three major reasons for spatial
movement that has economic interaction and, therefore,
and budgetary costs. transport development. They are:

✓ According to Page (1994), 1.Complementarity

“transport results from a desire for 2.Intervening Opportunities
mobility and travel, and the 3.Transferability or friction of
provision of different modes of Distance
transport aims to facilitate the
efficient movement of goods and In addition to the accessibility
people”. Traditionally, distance aspect of transport for a
has been a bottleneck in the destination, there are other
evolution of tourism in many aspects to consider. The major
destinations. roles of transport for a destination
include the following:
✓ The proximity of tourist
generating countries with high 1. Basic requirement
travel propensity has been an 2. Catalyst in the growth of
advantage for destinations in tourism
attracting international tourists. 3. Determinant in destination
European destinations could success
enjoy the benefit of proximity to 4. Component of tourist
rich tourist markets. attractions
5. Value proposition for
✓ The transformation in aviation in destination marketing
the post-Second World War era 6. Determinant in tourist
has eased the difficulties in long- experience and satisfaction
haul travel through speedier and 7. Recreational Option
cheaper air transport services. 8. Special interest tourism option
Yet, the cost in covering long-haul (e.g. for safaris and adventure
destinations is a determinant in trips)
tourist buying behavior. The
9. Business and economic MULTIMODAL TRANSPORT FOR
opportunities TOURISM
An integrated transport network It’s always better to ensure a
with convenient transfers multimodal transport system
between different modes of aimed at tourists is used in
transport is essential, as are destinations. Indeed, every
reasonably priced travel options. destination will have different
Within the destinations, tourists transport options. Some have a
need a choice of transport to good road network. Rail transport
transfer between port of arrival may also be of a high standard.
and their final destination. In most Airport terminals and seaports
cases, tourism has been may be an option. Public
developed in areas where transport as well as dedicated
extensive transportation networks tourist transport mechanisms are
were in place and the potential found in most tourist destinations.
for further development was However, these varied transport
available. Tourism demand has forms and infrastructure may not
stimulated the rapid development have been organized enough to
of transportation ensure smoother and efficient
travel experience for tourists. An
In order to optimize the transport integrated approach to transport
potentials, destinations essentially encompassing all forms or at least
have to ensure the following: more than one form of travel can
ensure hassle-free travel around a
1. Quality Vehicles destination.
2. Provision of an integrated,
efficient multimodal transport An integrated transport network
system can enable a tourist to visit
3. Safety and security destinations and enjoy tourism
4. Good connectivity with minimum difficulties
5. Quality transport infrastructure associated with changing
6. Proficient travel and tourism transport and separate bookings
information services for different transport types.
7. Proper signboards and Though different forms of transport
guidance may be used, a single contract or
8. Efficient and quality taxi system ticket can often be enough to
9. Efficient drivers/ couriers 10. Fair travel the entire journey – making
rate system it more straightforward for the
tourist.
 transport. It makes the sector’s
TOURISM TRANSPORT: NATURE “barriers of entry” quite high.
AND TYPES
Also, “oligopoly” is a feature of a
➢Tourist transport has certain few transport sectors. Cruise
special characteristics compared tourism is dominated by a few
to other passenger transport cruise liners. Airline sectors also
sectors. feature oligopolies. Tourism
transport in general possesses the
common service characteristics,
➢ Seasonality is one factor that
including intangibility, perishability
influences tourism transport,
and inseparability.
particularly in respect of variation
in transport demand.
With regard to tourism, the
following types of transport can
Destinations that are more
be identified:
affected by seasonality are prone
to increased variations in transport
1. General passenger transport
demand and supply. Price
2. Dedicated tourist transport
elasticity is another factor.
3. Experiential tourist transport
4. Luxury tourist transport
Some of the transport forms face
5. Recreational transport
elasticity of demand. As price
6. Multipurpose tourist transport
increases demand may
(e.g. campervan)
decrease. For instance, the air
transport sector is one in which
Though not meant primarily for
price elasticity can be seen. Some
tourism, general passenger
of the transport sectors are highly
transport is a viable option for
capital-intensive. Cruise tourism
tourists in almost all locations.
operation is possible only when
Within the destinations, use of
the cruise ship is ready to
general transport services is very
undertake service. Obtaining a
common among tourists, except
ship is a costly affair. The same is
package tourists. International
true for air transport. Purchasing
tourist travel also depends much
aircraft necessitates huge
on regular transport services. The
investment. Another feature of
majority of international tourists
tourism transport is the presence
use scheduled air services for
of too many regulations. This is
accessing destinations.
applicable to some of the
transport forms, such as air
Dedicated tourism transport FACTORS INFLUENCING
services are also present. Charter TOURIST TRANSPORT
tour operation is in vogue in many
SELECTION
regions. Both longhaul and short-
haul tourism rely on charter
Tourist choice of transportation
services for tourist arrival and
can have varied influencing
return. Coaches are also used
factors. Usually a combination of
intensively in tourism in many
different factors will come into
locations. Dedicated transport is
play during the transport selection
usually part of package tourism
process. Different types of tourists
services.
have different needs and
consequently transport selection
Experiential tourist transport refers
determinants will also vary.
to those transport services that
provide unique experience for
Still, there are some common
tourists as part of the tourism
determinants/ factors in the
offering. Travelling on a vintage
selection of transport by tourists:
train along a hilly rail route can
provide a mesmerizing
1. Distance
experience.
2. Availability
3. Schedule
Luxury tourist transport is common
4. Frequency
in tourism. This aims to offer better
5. Route
comfort and service. Luxury tourist
6. Convenience
trains are the best examples for
7. Speed
this category of transport services.
8. Price
9. Reliability
Recreational transport is widely
10. Safety and security
used in tourism. Recreational
11. Quality of service
transport includes, among others:
12. Type of tour
bikes, bicycles, hopon, hop-off
13. Unique experience/ recreation
buses, safari vehicles, pleasure
boats and dhows.
TOURISM DEMAND AND
The use of multi-purpose vehicles, TRANSPORT
such as motor homes,
campervans, travel trailers, RV Defining tourism demand is a
trailers, etc. is on the increase in difficult task as there are different
tourism. approaches pertaining to it. A
simple one is a geographers’
view. By 2030, international tourist
arrivals worldwide are expected
According to this view, tourism to reach 1.8 billion (UNWTO, 2017).
demand is the “total number of UNWTO also reports that air and
persons who travel or wish to land (road and rail) are the most
travel, to use tourist facilities and widely used means of transport by
services at places away from their international tourist arrivals, the
places of work and residence” demand for tourism transport is
(Mathieson and Wall, 1982). also steadily increasing, which
necessitates an increase in
The UNWTO’s 2017 Tourism transport supply.
Highlights reveals that there were
around 1.2 billion international Indeed, transport supply in tourism
tourist arrivals in 2016 (UNWTO, has expanded and now
2017). destinations are competing on
the basis of transport options to
Domestic tourist arrivals are much enhance travel experience for
more than the international arrival tourists and to make tourism
figures. This shows the quantum of transport more attractive.
tourism demand as well.
SUMMARY:
These numbers are not the
number of tourists, but rather the ➢Transportation is a crucial sector
number of trips, which means that of any country in the world and
even if one individual makes more plays a critical role in economic
than one trip, it will be counted development.
separately.
➢It is classified on the basis of the
Hence the numbers given are medium in which the travel takes
certainly more than the actual place; as air transportation, water
number of tourists. transportation and surface
transportation.
According to Tourism Towards
2030, a forecast by UNWTO, the ➢Various modes of transport are
number of international tourist
interlinked and interconnected.
arrivals worldwide is expected to
increase by an average of 3.3 per
➢Transport is a facilitator of
cent per year between 2010 and
tourism growth and it links the
2030.
destination with its tourism
markets.

➢Providing mobility and access

within a destination and mobility
within tourist attractions are some
other functions that transport
plays in tourism. Transport also
provides recreational options for
tourists.

➢Indeed, transport supply in

tourism has expanded and now
destinations are competing on
the basis of various transport
options to enhance the travel
experience for tourists and to
make tourism transport more
attractive.

➢ Destinations are essentially

enhancing their accessibility to
compete internationally.