MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO TRAVEL AND
TOURISM
TOURISM THROUGH CENTURIES
From the very early historical period, travel has had a fascination for
mankind. People traveled by foots over paths, open fields and also forests.
Movement across landscape was a tough adventure requiring skills. There
were no travel formalities and procedures as there were no boundaries. All
human activity focused upon day- to- day survival. The early hunters were
busy in search of basic necessities like food, shelter and water.
Around 4000 BC, sailing vessels were used in Egypt. It was also during this
period that animals were domesticated and trained to carry and transport
community members, tools and agricultural supplies. It makes the
movement of people to distant lands possible. The primary motive of
travel was trade, exchange of goods, commerce and the merchants or
traders looking to merchandise and engage in trade and commerce.
Another type of travelers during this period was the pilgrims, a scholar in
search of ancient texts, and a curious wayfarer looking for new and
ancient experience. Seeking knowledge was one of the important travel
motivations during that period.
TRAVEL IN THE PRE- HISTORIC TIMES
In the pre-Historic age, all human activities including movements revolved
upon day-to-day survival. Gradually when the regions where explored, fire
was discovered and tools were made and people are able to settle down
in shelters. This results an increasing trend in travel.
During the monolithic age, people settle down in more permanent regions,
and formed themselves into some kind of agricultural communities. The
element of travel in human can thus be praised to the beginning of that
time. During this period, several innovations in the field of transpiration
changed the nature of travel. In Egypt, around 4000 BC, sailing vessels
were introduced. The invention of wheel and money by the Sumerians
(Iraq, Syria and Jordan), around 3500 BC marked the beginning of modern
era of travel. Sumerians used money for their various business and travel
dealings. Many traders could pay for transportation as well as
accommodation with money.
Shugli, the ruler of ancient Babylonia claimed to have protected roads and
built rest houses at various places. That’s why they are known as the
forerunners of modern day accommodation.
Travel in the past was not a thing of pleasure as in the case of now. Trade
and commerce was the strongest force in ancient times, it made the
people travel in distant lands in order to seek fortune. Early travel in the
orient, particularly India and China was also largely based on trade and
commerce. The most important travel motivation in the orient was in
search of fortune.
India and China enjoyed the reputation of being countries with fabulous
wealth and many travelers visited the land for accruing wealth. India
attracted a series of invaders like Alexander the Great, and Vasco-da
Gama. Many foreigners, Arabs and Europeans and alike to come to India
to establish trading ports. The great explorer Christopher Columbus set
out a new route to India and in the process he discovered America.
TRAVEL IN THE MIDDLE AGE
The first traveler to reach in the orient was Benjamin of Tudela, a Jewish
scholar. He wrote a detailed account of his 13 years journey through
Europe, Persia and India.
Alexander the Great and Marcopolo is being treated as the pioneers of in
middle age travel. They paved the way of modern travel. When Alexander
the Great reached in India, he found well maintained roads linked with
shady trees.
In 1271, young Marco polo left from Venice, with his father and uncle.
They travelled through Persia and Afghanistan to the “roof of the world”,
then the unknown Pamir plateau. On his way back to home, he stopped at
Sumatra, Java and Ceylon. Yet another famous traveler who crossed
interesting accounts of his travel experience was Ibn Batuta. During 1325,
many European travelers visited India. Later in 16th and 17th centuries
many more European Monks, traveler and adventures visited India and
other places in search of knowledge. Expeditions of these great travelers
were rewarded them with new ideas and also with fabulously rich
treasures from rich and highly advanced civilizations of Asia and other
parts of the world. During this period, travel was considered as difficult
and not a thing of pleasure. Transportation and communication system
were non- existent. Land migration may done by foot, horseback,
elephant, camel and river raft.
EARLY PLEASURE TRAVEL
Romans probably can be considered as the forerunners of pleasure travel,
because they have plenty of money and time to spend. They travelled to
enjoy attractions associated with natural beauty, art, music, games etc.
Travel for pleasure, religion and sports were considered as an important
pass of time for the Romans. Romans have a safe access to Greece,
Egypt, Asia Minor and many parts of the present day Europe and Africa.
Silk route was created during this period (a route stretching across 1200
Kms from Mediterranean sea to Great civilizations of China, India, Persia,
Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome). Along the fabulous highway so
many cities and towns grow to exchange luxury goods. The rulers build
spectacular palaces, mosques, temples and other structures. Fine network
of roads existed during this period and new roads were constructed
increasingly.
Travel literature published extensively giving routes, names of major
roads, distance between places and time required to travelling to them.
Romans travelled primarily to see the famous temples in the
Mediterranean, particularly to see the famous monuments and famous
pyramids of Egypt. They also travelled during holiday vacation especially
during Olympic Games.
Spas and seaside resorts were built during this period. In 1865, sea side
resorts were built in Britain, France and few more countries of the central
Europe. Due to the fall of roman empires, the luxury vacation travel
disappeared and a sharp decline in trade and commerce can see.
TRAVEL FOR RELEGIOUS PURPOSE
By the end of the middle ages, a large number of pilgrims were travelling
to the main shrines of Europe. The adoption and spread of Christianity
leads to travel to holy lands. Pilgrim travel was a powerful means of
creating unity and understanding between people from different regions.
The powerful influence of crusading religion that slowly spread to different
foreign lands such as Christianity in Europe and America, Buddhism, Islam
and Hinduism in Asia. Religion helps for the assimilation of distant
languages, literature, music, art, architecture, philosophy, and forms of
government.
Pilgrimage travel was largely undertaken by foot, horseback, boat or
horse driven coaches. There were no specified roads and travel was rather
a dangerous activity. A great threat to pilgrims was the attack of bandits
and robbers, who used to way lay pilgrims and took their belongings. In
order to avoid such things, group of pilgrims were usually hired and
service of an experienced guide who was familiar with dangerous track.
Roadside inns were provided for accommodation during those days. The
Inns are the ideal place for night halts. Here, accommodation is provided
either at free of cost or at a nominal rate. Religious travel helped in many
other areas such as education, learning and site seeing.
GRAND TOUR AND RENISSANCE
By the end of the 15th Century Italy was Europe’s economic and cultural
leader. This leads to political disunity and war. This war played an
important part in the dissemination of the Renaissance and the
subsequent development of Grand tour. Romans visited Greek and
eastern Mediterranean, English from 16th century onwards visited Italy.
Grand tourist respected learning and social commitment of the old world.
18th century is considered as the golden age for Grand tour. During this
period, many poets, authors and intellectuals visited Italy and other
countries in Europe to broaden their knowledge and learn new arts and
crafts. 18th century become the grate age of travel.
PAID HOLIDAYS AND GRWOTH OF TOURISM
Introduction to annual holidays in Europe was another important landmark
which encourages many people to undertake travel. Annual holiday was
the forerunner of paid holiday.
During 19th century, few factories in Europe and some parts of the United
States offered paid holiday for their employees. Introduction of annual
holiday is very largely of English origin and plays an important role in the
development of mass tourism. Introduction of paid holidays leads to
generates mobility of the population, created new industries, construction
of towns and infrastructural development. Paid holiday can truly be
associated with the development of modern mass tourism. Many
European countries offers legal minimum of three weeks as paid holidays
and some countries offer4 weeks for paid holidays. Worldwide, there 800
million wage earners are entitled to paid holiday. Out of this, roughly half
are in Europe, less than 30 % in America and the rest in Asia – Pacific
region.
Motivation
Motivation is a reason for actions, willingness, and goals. Motivation is
derived from the word motive, or a need that requires satisfaction. These
needs, wants or desires may be acquired through influence of culture,
society, lifestyle, or may be generally innate. An individual's motivation
may be inspired by outside forces (extrinsic motivation) or by themselves
(intrinsic motivation).
Intrinsic Motivation:
Definition: The motivation to engage in an activity for its own sake,
because it is inherently enjoyable or interesting.
Examples: Reading a book for pleasure, playing a sport for fun, pursuing
a hobby.
Extrinsic Motivation:
Definition:
The motivation to engage in an activity to obtain an external reward
or avoid a negative consequence.
Examples: Working to earn a salary, studying to get good grades,
cleaning your room to avoid being scolded
BASIC TRAVEL MOTIVATORS
1. PHYSICAL TRAVEL MOTIVATORS
The physical travel motivators related to physical relaxation and rest,
sporting activities and specific medical treatment. All theses activities are
connected with the individuals bodily wealth and well being.
2. CULTURAL TRAVEL MOTIVATORS
The cultural motivators are related with the individual's desire travel in
order to learn about other countries, their people and their cultural
heritage expressed in art, music, literature, folklore etc.
3. INTER PERSONAL TRAVEL MOTIVATORS
The inter personal travel motivators are related with the individuals desire
to visit friends and relatives, to escape from one’s family, work mates,
neighbors, or to meet new people and or to forge new friendship, or
simply to escape from the routine or everyday life.
4. STATUS AND PRESTIEGE MOTIVATORS
These are identified with the needs of personal esteem and personal
development. The prestige travel motivators are related with the travel for
business or professional interest, for the purpose of education and pursuit
of hobbies.
GRAY’S CLASSIFICATION OF TOURISTS
Gray’s (1979) travel-motivation theory, poses only two main motives for
travel.
1. Wanderlust: One is the desire to go from a known to an unknown place,
2. Sunlust: The sun lust tourist mainly preferred familiar tourist
destinations. They make advance reservations for transportation and
accommodation.
Crompton’s Theory
Crompton's theory of travel motivation, developed by John L. Crompton in
1979, is one of the most widely recognized and foundational frameworks
in tourism studies for understanding why people travel. It's often referred
to as the "Push and Pull Factors" theory.
Push Factors (Internal Motivators):
These are the internal forces or psychological desires that push an
individual away from their home environment and create a desire to
travel. They are intrinsic to the individual and often relate to
personal needs or a desire for change.
Examples:
Escape: From routine, stress, work pressure, or personal problems.
Relaxation and Rest: The need to unwind, rejuvenate, or de-
stress.
Adventure and Exploration: A desire for new experiences, to visit
unknown places, or try new activities.
Pull Factors (External Motivators/Destination Attributes):
These are the external attributes or characteristics of a destination
that pull an individual towards it. They are extrinsic to the individual
and are controlled by the destination itself, making it appealing.
Examples:
Natural Attractions: Beautiful landscapes, beaches, mountains,
forests, wildlife.
Cultural Attractions: Historical landmarks, museums, heritage
sites, local traditions.
Events and Festivals: Unique cultural celebrations, concerts,
sports events.
Affordability and Cost of Living: Budget-friendly
accommodation, food, and activities.
MASLOW'S NEED HIERARCHY THEORY
Maslow (1943) identified motives for travel. According to Maslow, there
are five needs forming a hierarchy, progressing from the lower to the
higher needs. At the bottom are the basic needs for food, water and air.
Then, above them is the need for safety, security, and protection. Maslow
argued that if the lower needs are fulfilled the individual would be
motivated by needs of the next level of the hierarchy.
PHYSIOLOGICAL NEEDS
The basic need is a concept that was derived to explain and cultivate the
foundation for motivation. This concept is the main physical requirement
for human survival. This means that basic needs are universal human
needs. Basic needs are considered to be a governor on the attainment of
the "higher" needs. Efforts to accomplish higher needs may be interrupted
temporarily by a deficit of primal needs, such as a lack of food or air. Basic
needs are considered in internal motivation according to Maslow's
hierarchy of needs. This theory states that humans are compelled to fulfil
these basic needs first to pursue intrinsic satisfaction on a higher level.
SAFETY NEEDS
Once a person's physiological needs are relatively satisfied, their safety
needs to take precedence and dominate behavior. In the absence of
physical safety – due to war, natural disaster, family violence, childhood
abuse, etc. and/or in the absence of economic safety – (due to an
economic crisis and lack of work opportunities) these safety needs
manifest themselves in ways such as a preference for job security,
grievance procedures for protecting the individual from unilateral
authority, savings accounts, insurance policies, disability
accommodations, etc.
SOCIAL NEEDS
After physiological and safety needs are fulfilled, the third level of human
needs is interpersonal and involves feelings of belongingness. According
to Maslow, humans possess an effective need for a sense of belonging and
acceptance among social groups, regardless of whether these groups are
large or small. For example, some large social groups may include clubs,
co-workers, religious groups, professional organizations, sports teams,
gangs, and online communities. Some examples of small social
connections include family members, intimate partners, mentors,
colleagues etc.
ESTEEM/ EGO NEEDS
Esteem needs are ego needs or status needs. People develop a concern
with getting recognition, status, importance, and respect from others.
Most humans need to feel respected; this includes the need to have self-
esteem and self-respect. Esteem presents the typical human desire to be
accepted and valued by others. People often engage in a profession or
hobby to gain recognition. These activities give the person a sense of
contribution or value. Low self-esteem or an inferiority complex may result
from imbalances during this level in the hierarchy. People with low self-
esteem often need respect from others; they may feel the need to seek
fame or glory.
SELF ACTUALIZATION NEEDS
This level of need refers to the realization of one's full potential. Maslow
describes this as the desire to accomplish everything that one can, to
become the most that one can be. People may have a strong, particular
desire to become an ideal parent, succeed athletically, or create
paintings, pictures, or inventions. To understand this level of need, a
person must not only succeed in the previous needs but master them.
Self-actualization can be described as a value-based system when
discussing its role in motivation.
COMPONENTS OF TOURISM
1. ATTRACTION
Tourism attraction is anything which provides physical or mental
satisfaction for thetourist. Attractions are categorized as:
1. Natural tourism attractions
2. Manmade tourism attractions
Natural tourism attractions - Natural attractions are those which are
created by nature. Examples for natural attractions are waterfalls,
beaches, forests etc.
Manmade attractions - Man made attractions are those which are created
by human beings. Examples are: forts, palaces, fairs and festivals etc.
ACCESSIBILITY
Accessibility is the mode of transportation we used to reach a destination.
Modes of transportation includes:
1. Rail transportation
2. Road transportation
3. Water transportation
4. Air transportation.
AMENITIES
Amenities are the basic facilities available at a tourism destination like
electricity, water supply, public sanitation facilities etc.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodations are the lodging establishments provided at the tourism
destinations. Accommodations are categorized as:
1. Primary accommodation units
2. Supplementary accommodation units.
ACTIVITIES
There is different tourism activities provided at the tourism destination
like adventurous tourism activities, camp fires etc.
TOURISM SYSTEM AND ELEMENTS(LEIPER’S MODEL TOURISM SYSTEM)
Leiper’s Tourism System is a basic conceptualization of the structure of
the tourism industry. It is one of the most widely accepted and most well-
known models used in tourism research when attempting to understand
the tourism system.
Leiper (1979) defines Tourism as: “The system involving the discretionary
travel and temporary stay of persons away from their usual place of
residence for one or more nights, excepting tours made for the primary
purpose of earning remuneration from points en route. The elements of
the system are tourists, generating regions, transit routes, destination
regions and a tourist industry. These five elements are arranged in spatial
and functional connections. Having the characteristics of an open system,
the organization of five elements operates within broader environments:
physical, cultural, social, economic, political, technological with which it
interacts.”
Traveler Generating Region (TGR)
The traveler/ tourist generating region, as per Leiper’s model tourism
system is the point at which the tourist starts his/ her journey. The point is
also known as origin point and here the arrangements for travel taken
place. The service of intermediaries like the travel agents, tour operation
companies, ticketing agents etc., are very essential at this point.
Tourist Destination Region (TDR)
The destination region according to Leiper’s model tourism system is the
place at which the tourism attractions are located. It is the at most
stopping point of a journey and the facilities and services required to cater
the needs of the tourists are located here. Accommodation, entertainment
activities, attractions, facilities for shopping etc., are very essential at the
destination region.
Transit Route Region (TRR)
In between the origin and destination, tourist takes rest at an
intermediate stop over point and this point is known as the transit route
region according to Leiper. TRR require facilities like transportation and
communication for the tourists.