Travel and tourism terminology

Tourist Destinations

Short-haul destination: A location generally less than 3-4 hours away by flight from the tourist’s place of origin.
Long-haul destination: Tourist spots that usually require more than 4 hours of flight from the tourist’s home place.
Domestic tourism: When tourists travel within their own country.
Inbound tourism: Visits to a country by tourists who are not residents of that country.
Outbound tourism: When residents travel outside their home country.

Types of Tourists

Leisure tourists: Individuals who travel for enjoyment, relaxation, or to visit family and friends.
Business tourists: People who travel for work purposes, such as attending conferences, meetings, or trainings.
Adventure tourists: Tourists who seek out new experiences, which often involve physical activities or journeys to remote locations.
Eco tourists: Tourists who travel to natural environments, with an emphasis on learning about and conserving the local environment and culture.

Travel Industry Terms

Package Tour: A type of tourism where travel and accommodation are arranged by a tour operator as a single package.
Independent Travel: Refers to tourists arranging each element of their trip separately, e.g. booking flights and accommodation directly.
Travel Agent: A person or company that arranges travel and accommodation for customers.
Tour Operator: A company or individual who creates and sells package holidays.
Itinerary: A detailed plan or route of a trip.
FIT (Fully Independent Traveller): An individual or small group who arranges their travel and accommodations themselves rather than through a tour operator.

Tourism Impacts

Economic impacts: The changes in the economy of a region due to tourism, such as job creation or revenue from tourism.
Socio-cultural impacts: The changes to a local community’s way of life, behaviours, values, etc. as a result of tourism.
Environmental impacts: The changes in the environment, both natural and man-made, due to tourism activities.

Accommodation Types

Hostel: A budget accommodation option where facilities are usually shared.
Hotel: An establishment that provides lodging and other services for travellers.
B&B (Bed and Breakfast): A type of lodging that offers a place to sleep and a meal in the morning.
Resort: A place designed for tourists, with a variety of facilities and services onsite, often in a scenic location.
Self-catering: Accommodation where the guests make their own meals rather than being served in a hotel or restaurant.

Travel Documentation

Visa: A permit granted by a country to a foreigner, allowing them to enter, remain within, or to leave that country.
Passport: A government-issued document that certifies the identity and nationality of its holder for the purpose of international travel.
ETicket: A digital ticket that is just as valid as a paper ticket.
Travel Insurance: Insurance coverage that is designed to cover losses experienced while travelling, such as medical expenses, trip cancellation, flight accident, or lost luggage.