Is tourism still a 'special' activity or has it become part of our everyday life?

To start things off, what is tourism? According to Merriam-Webster Online dictionary, the word tourism, pronounced as 'tur-"i-z&m, which carries a function of a noun; is either:

1 : the practice of traveling for recreation
2 : the guidance or management of tourists
3 a : the promotion or encouragement of touring b : the accommodation of tourists

Now taking the word tourist, which means one that makes a tour for pleasure or culture, we can make an early conclusion that by being a tourist- who does either a short or a long period of touring, we are taking travel and tourism in its form of pleasure, relaxation or culture wise.

Nevertheless, the term "tourist" does not include persons who, after entering the country for a tourist visit or stay seek to prolong their length of visit or stay, so as to establish residence and/or to engage in a remunerated activity there.

On the other hand, traveling; one may enjoy good sceneries and visit many places of interests. One could experience the joy and excitement visiting places one has never been to before. The memoirs can be written; but to imagine, one has to experience the sights and scenes. That�s what traveling offers. It forces the tourism department in you to establish a good memory of the exciting things and places you have visited.

However, at the start of the new millennium, tourism is firmly established as the number one industry in many countries and the fastest-growing economic sector in terms of foreign exchange earnings and job creation. In this case, tourism- one of the many sources of a countries� income, and also a source of job provider. No longer will it be a �special� activity.

International tourism is the world's largest export earner and an important factor in the balance of payments of most nations.

Tourism has become one of the world's most important sources of employment. It stimulates enormous investment in infrastructure, most of which also helps to improve the living conditions of local people. It provides governments with substantial tax revenues. Most new tourism jobs and business are created in developing countries, helping to equalize economic opportunities and keep rural residents from moving to overcrowded cities.

Intercultural awareness and personal friendships fostered through tourism are a powerful force for improving international understanding and contributing to peace among all the nations of the world.

Look at all these points, we might do a further conclusion saying that to some who travel once or twice a year with the objective to have fun, be relaxed or for pleasure, tourism is still a special activity that can be done either alone or in a group. But to those who either works in a tourism based organization or firm, or directly involved with tourism as the source of income of the nations� capitals and wealth, tourism has now become a part of their everyday life and expectations.

So to answer the question; is tourism still a �special� activity or has it become part of everyday life and expectations? The answer is YES and NO.

LEA LAURIELLE