Foreign tourism

What is tourism? And what are its most popular types?

Tourism is a topic that has been increasingly searched for day by day, so it’s important to address it through our platform. Tourism refers to the movement of people from one place to another for leisure and entertainment. There are countless tourist destinations that visitors can explore and enjoy. Through our platform, we provide you with the most important places and information about tourism, which many people may be eager to learn about.

What is Tourism?

It is worth mentioning that “What is tourism” is not a modern phenomenon; rather, it is as old as human history. Humans have known tourism since their existence on Earth. Tourism is even mentioned in the Quran and the Sunnah (Prophetic traditions). “What is tourism” involves traveling from one location to another, either within a country’s borders or abroad, for various purposes. In Islam, tourism also refers to traveling the land for worship and reflecting on God’s creations.

Pillars of Tourism

It should be noted that tourism has several pillars, which are as follows:

  1. Transportation: For tourism to succeed, good transportation methods must be available. There are various means of transportation, such as land, sea, and air transport. Land transport includes bicycles, cars, trains, and many others. Sea transport includes boats, ships, and vessels, while air transport refers to travel by airplanes.
  2. Accommodation: This refers to all the places where tourists stay when visiting a tourist area, such as hotels and camps.
  3. Programs: For any tourist trip, a specific itinerary should be planned, which guides the tourist. For example, identifying sports, tourist, entertainment, medical, and cultural sites that tourists should visit.

 

Types of Tourism

“What is tourism” is divided into several types, each with its own unique features. The most important types of tourism include:

  • Religious Tourism: This involves traveling to religious areas to learn about their history and beliefs while enjoying their spiritual atmosphere.
  • Sports Tourism: This type of tourism involves traveling to a specific country to practice various sports or to enjoy watching sports events and tournaments, such as global football championships.
  • Conference Tourism: A modern form of tourism that emerged in the late 20th century, driven by cultural advancements. It plays a significant role in various fields, including social, cultural, and political, by organizing and hosting global conferences.
  • Cultural Tourism: This type focuses on tourists visiting and exploring different cultural landmarks.
  • Medical Tourism: A newer form of tourism, characterized by its access to natural therapeutic resources such as water springs and wells that contribute to the treatment of various diseases.
  • Recreational Tourism: Involves traveling to a specific country for entertainment and enjoyment, participating in hobbies such as fishing and cycling.

Types of Tourism Based on Geographic Location

Tourism is divided according to geographic location into several types, which include:

  • Domestic Tourism: This refers to traveling within the tourist’s own country. The person moves from one place to another within the country’s borders, mainly for leisure and entertainment.
  • Regional Tourism: In this type, the tourist travels from their country to a neighboring country. For example, people traveling between Arab countries in the Gulf region. This type of tourism is usually low-cost due to the short distances traveled and the ability to use various transportation methods.
  • International Tourism: Also known as external tourism, it involves foreign individuals traveling to a particular country. This is one of the most important types of tourism, supported by many countries to increase their foreign currency reserves. It relies on providing high-quality services and exceptional tourist amenities.

Types of Tourism Based on Length of Stay

“What is tourism” can also be categorized according to the duration of stay into the following types:

  • Seasonal Tourism: This involves traveling during specific times of the year to designated locations. For example, many people travel to coastal areas during the summer or to Saudi Arabia for Hajj or Umrah.
  • Transit Tourism: This type can be divided into land or air transit tourism, where tourists pass through a country without prior planning, often due to layovers or brief stops.

Types of Tourism Based on the Number of Tourists

After clarifying “What is tourism”, tourism is also divided according to the number of tourists, as follows:

  • Individual Tourism: This involves individuals visiting a particular country without any prior planning. They travel during their free time to enjoy a fun and relaxing experience.
  • Group Tourism: This type involves a group of people traveling to a country with prior planning. They organize a structured itinerary for their trip, including the number of days they will spend in the country and the places they will visit. Group tourism is divided into two types:
    • Organized Tourism: This refers to tourists organizing their trip according to a pre-planned itinerary through a specialized travel agency.
    • Unorganized Tourism: This involves traveling without any prior planning and without relying on any travel agencies.

Our Duty Towards Tourism

“What is tourism” requires the combined efforts of both citizens and governments to develop and advance it. This is because the tourist conveys the image they experience in the country they visit to their homeland. Therefore, it is essential to follow the following:

  • Treat tourists with kindness and respect, presenting a positive image of the country without exploiting them or engaging in any form of discrimination.
  • Assist tourists and offer them help in everything they may need. All their requests should be met as quickly as possible.
  • Maintain good behavior, which attracts tourists and encourages them to visit the country again. Additionally, they may recommend the destination to other tourists looking for a remarkable country to visit.

The Importance of Tourism

Understanding “What is tourism” holds immense importance, and all citizens should be aware of its significance to contribute to its development. The benefits of tourism are as follows:

  • A key source of national income.
  • Helps eliminate unemployment by creating various job opportunities for young people.
  • Promotes cultural openness through the exchange of ideas and traditions between tourists and the local citizens of the countries they visit.
  • Contributes to the advancement and development of countries where the number of tourists continues to grow.
  • Helps preserve archaeological and heritage sites by providing the necessary funds for maintenance and protection.
  • Encourages the conservation of natural areas and reserves by raising visitors’ awareness of the importance of environmental protection.
  • The revenue generated from tourism is often used to fund environmental protection projects and preserve biodiversity.
  • Traveling and relaxing in new environments reduce stress and improve mental health.
  • Provides opportunities for experiential learning through exploring new cultures and discovering the history of visited places.
  • Facing travel challenges and interacting with new people helps in personal development and boosts self-confidence.

World Tourism Day

World Tourism Day is an international occasion celebrated annually on September 27th. Its goal is to raise awareness about the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political, and economic value. The day was established by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in 1980, as an opportunity to highlight the role of tourism in fostering global understanding, peace, and prosperity.

Objectives of World Tourism Day

  • Raise awareness about the role of tourism in the global community and how it can positively contribute to sustainable development.
  • Emphasize the importance of preserving cultural heritage and promoting mutual understanding between people through tourism.
  • Highlight the significant economic role of tourism in creating job opportunities and boosting both local and global economies.

Famous Tourist Landmarks Around the World

“What is tourism” highlights many tourist landmarks across the globe, and among the most notable are:

  • Eiffel Tower (Paris, France): A symbol of Paris and one of the most famous towers in the world, standing 324 meters tall.
  • Colosseum (Rome, Italy): A massive Roman amphitheater dating back to the 1st century AD, used for animal fights and public spectacles.
  • The Great Pyramid of Giza (Egypt): The only surviving wonder of the ancient world, built as a tomb for Pharaoh Khufu.
  • Statue of Liberty (New York, USA): A symbol of freedom and democracy, gifted by France to the United States in 1886.
  • Taj Mahal (Agra, India): A massive white marble mausoleum built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
  • The Great Wall (China): A series of fortifications built over centuries to protect China’s northern borders.
  • Burj Khalifa (Dubai, UAE): The tallest building in the world, standing at 828 meters, featuring stunning observation decks.
  • Louvre Museum (Paris, France): The largest art museum in the world, famous for its vast collection, including the Mona Lisa.
  • Sydney Opera House (Sydney, Australia): An iconic building with a unique design, regarded as one of the most famous architectural landmarks globally.
  • Petra (Jordan): An ancient city carved into red rock, once the capital of the Nabateans.
  • Machu Picchu (Peru): An ancient city located in the Andes Mountains, once a center of the Inca civilization.
  • Christ the Redeemer (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil): A massive statue of Christ overlooking Rio de Janeiro, symbolizing Brazil.

These landmarks are not just major tourist attractions but also cultural and historical symbols reflecting the civilizations and history of different nations.

In conclusion, after providing a detailed answer about what tourism is, we hope this article meets your expectations and is to your liking.

 

Next post
The best European countries for tourism