A MOMENT WITH JAMES SORIE SAMURA

• Define tourism
• Define a tourist, visitor and excursionist
• Define tourist/tourism product
• Tourist/tourism destination
• Explain tourism production
• Explain the differences between domestic and international tourist/tourism products
• Give the positive impacts (advantages) and the negative impacts (disadvantages) of tourism
• Explain tourist needs and wants
• Give a brief history of tourism

DEFINTION OF TOURISM

There is no consensus definition of tourism as there so many definition by so many people and institution but all geared to almost the same meaning.

According to the United Nation World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), “Tourism comprises the activities of persons traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes.”

DEFINITION OF A TOURIST/VISITOR

For the purpose of tourism statistics tourist/visitor is a person who travel to and stay in places outside his usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes.

DEFINITION OF A EXURSIONIST

Any person visiting a country other than his residence and remaining less than 24 hours.

DEFINTION OF TOURIST/TOURISM PRODUCT

As defined by UNWTO, a Tourism Product is “a combination of tangible and intangible elements, such as natural, cultural and man-made resources, attractions, facilities, services and activities around a specific center of interest which represents the core of the destination marketing mix and creates an overall visitor experience including emotional aspects for the potential customers. A tourism product is priced and sold through distribution channels and it has a life-cycle”.

DEFINITION OF A TOURIST/TOURISM DESTINATION

A tourist destination is an area that mostly depends on the revenues accruing from tourism. Bierman (2003) defines a destination as “a country, state, region, city or town, which markets itself as a place for tourists to visit.”

TOURISM PRODUCTION

Tourism production is the process of enhancing a destination with the needed touristic resources to enable the attraction and entertainment of tourists. This involves the standardization of travelling regulation and facilities, creation of more attractions, maintenance and upgrading of existing ones, conservation etc.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL TOURIST/TOURISM PRODUCTS

INTERNATIONAL TOURISM

International Tourism is simply the visit to a foreign country. In order to travel to a foreign country, one need a valid passport, visa, health documents, foreign exchange, etc. It is further divided into Inbound Tourism and Outbound Tourism.

INBOUND TOURISM

This refers to tourists of outside origin entering a particular country. When people travel outside their host/native country to another country, then it is called inbound tourism for that country where he/she is traveling. For example when a tourist from Indian origin travels to Japan then it is inbound tourism for Japan because foreign tourist comes to Japan.

OUTBOUND TOURISM

This refers to tourists traveling from the country of their origin to another country. When tourists travel a foreign region then it is outbound tourism for his own country because he/she is going outside their country. For example when a tourist from India travel to Japan then it is outbound tourism for India and Inbound tourism for Japan.

DOMESTIC TOURISM

The tourism activity of the people within their own country is known as domestic tourism. Traveling within the same country is easier because it does not require formal travel documents and tedious formalities like compulsory health check and foreign exchange. In domestic tourism, a traveler generally does not face much language problems or currency exchange issues. Though it is important to have a tour guide that understands the language of the place visited.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF TOURISM

THE ADVANTAGES OF TOURISM

Economic

It brings in money. This is probably the main advantage of tourism and the reason why it has been promoted so much, especially in developing countries. The income generated can make up a significant proportion of both private, local, and national incomes.

Opportunistic

It provides jobs. Hotels, bars, transport, activities, shops, and restaurants all need staffing. Tourism can provide much-needed employment for people.

Infrastructural

It provides a means and an incentive for investment in infrastructure such as roads, rail networks, and local medical and education facilities

Environmental

It can provide economic incentives for a place to preserve, maintain, and regenerate the environment in both urban and rural settings

Cross-Cultural

It promotes international connections, which can bring more business and cultural collaborations in the long term. It also promotes cross-cultural awareness for locals and tourists and builds bridges of understanding between cultures.

Promotional

It “puts a place on the map”: Tourism gives the locality a chance to show itself off and raise its profile in the world.

THE DISADVANTAGES OF TOURISM

Environmental

Tourism can often cause environmental damage with risks like erosion, pollution, the loss of natural habitats, and forest fires. Even if tourists behave responsibly, the sheer number of them can cause damage. Ancient buildings, monuments, and temples often struggle to cope with increased traffic and suffer inevitable wear-and-tear. Reefs and other natural tourist attractions can suffer permanent damage.

Cultural

The commercialization of culture can undermine the soul of a tourist destination. Local traditions that have a rich cultural heritage are reduced to wearing costumes and putting on acts for the tourists in return for money.

Culture Clashes

Tourists often lack respect for local traditions and culture, refuse to follow local dress standards, get drunk in public, or behave rudely or inappropriately towards locals.

Service Economy

Although jobs are created by tourism, most are relatively low-level such as bar work, hotel service, restaurant serving, and so forth. These low-wage, low-skill workers have little prospect for advancement or promotion.

Seasonal Fluctuations

Tourism jobs are quite commonly seasonal and insecure, with no extra benefits such as pensions, sick pay, or healthcare. Some areas can be inundated with visitors during busy times, and then virtually deserted for many months.

Imbalanced Funding

Money can end up being directed to tourist areas when it could be used more effectively elsewhere in a country. The locals who do not live in specific tourist areas miss out and suffer relative decline.

Foreign Poaching

Oftentimes, big foreign companies own most of the tourism industry in a developing country. They make the major profits, leaving local businesses with relatively little benefit.

Tourism Dependence

Sometimes, tourism becomes so focal that other forms of income-generation are neglected and an economic dependence on tourism forms. This is fine in good times, but it can leave the country vulnerable to economic ruin in the end and can contribute to political upheaval or natural disasters.

TOURISTS’ NEEDS AND WANTS

1. Nature Around/Natural Attractions
2. Natural ecological sites
3. Lakes
4. Rivers
5. Beaches
6. Mountains
7. Rural settings
8. Ecological parks
9. Forest tour
10. Atmospheric and Climatic Conditions
11. Exotic atmosphere
12. Weather
13. Tourism Infrastructure
14. The modern city
15. Shopping areas/zones
16. Bars/Pubs/Night lifestyle
17. Budget Meals and Accommodation
18. Cheap accommodations
19. Star hotels
20. Cheap restaurants
21. Culture and History
22. Historical sites buildings
23. Art and crafts (handicrafts)
24. Museums
25. Art galleries
26. Other local products
27. Society
28. Attractiveness and friendliness of local communities
29. Mix culture
30. Uniqueness/differentiating community
31. Others
32. Food of the community
33. The people
34. Recreation facilities
35. Marketed image of the destination

BRIEF HISTORY OF TOURISM

Travel for leisure purposes has evolved from an experience reserved for very few people into something enjoyed by many. Historically, the ability to travel was reserved for royalty and the upper classes. From ancient Roman times through to the 17th century, young men of high standing were encouraged to travel through Europe on a “grand tour” (Chaney, 2000). Through the Middle Ages, many societies encouraged the practice of religious pilgrimage, as reflected in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and other literature.

The word hospitality predates the use of the word tourism, and first appeared in the 14th century. It is derived from the Latin hospes, which encompasses the words guest, host, and foreigner (Latdict, 2014). The word tourist appeared in print much later, in 1772 (Griffiths and Griffiths, 1772). William Theobald suggests that the word tour comes from Greek and Latin words for circle and turn, and that tourism and tourist represent the activities of circling away from home, and then returning (Theobald, 1998).

LECTURE FIVE:  UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF TOURISM

• Explain the basic concepts of tourism
• Explain the components of tourism
• Explain the operation of tourism
• Explain the types and forms of tourism

COMPONENTS OF TOURISM

Accessibility	Accommodation	Attraction	Amenities	Activities	Affordability
Air Railway Road Sea	Hotels Motels Inns Guesthouses Farm houses Camp sites	Monuments Pilgrimage Museums Zoos Rivers Beaches Art galleries Hill station Natural attractions Lakes	Electricity supply Water supply Banking system   Communication system	Hiking Boat riding Sightseeing Events Bike riding etc	Affordable price and time for tourism activities

TOURISM OPERATIONS

Tourism Operations means all tourism activities and services undertaken by Project Company for the purpose of the Project in the Concession Area, including services for the operation and management of the Project Facility, leisure facilities and activities, food and drink facilities and services, trading, access to cultural, historic or natural sites etc.

TYPES AND FORMS OF TOURISM

It is eminent to know the types of tourism as a destination manager or rebranding officer. Knowing the types and their unique characteristics helps in the development of the resources that expected tourists would need. It also help in forecasting both the benefits and vices that may come with these visitors. For example, if a country want to boost its foreign exchange, then such nation should attract international tourists but if the main aim is peace and national unity, then domestic tourism is to be activated which will stir up cultural understanding and oneness. Thus, the two broad typology of tourismare international tourism and domestic tourism.

INTERNATIONAL TOURISM

International Tourism is simply the visit to a foreign country. In order to travel to a foreign country, one need a valid passport, visa, health documents, foreign exchange, etc. It is further divided into Inbound Tourism and Outbound Tourism.

INBOUND TOURISM

This refers to tourists of outside origin entering a particular country. When people travel outside their host/native country to another country, then it is called inbound tourism for that country where he/she is traveling. For example, when a tourist from Indian origin travels to Japan then it is inbound tourism for Japan because foreign tourist comes to Japan.

OUTBOUND TOURISM

This refers to tourists traveling from the country of their origin to another country. When tourists travel a foreign region then it is outbound tourism for his own country because he/she is going outside their country. For example when a tourist from India travel to Japan then it is outbound tourism for India and Inbound tourism for Japan.

DOMESTIC TOURISM

The tourism activity of the people within their own country is known as domestic tourism. Traveling within the same country is easier because it does not require formal travel documents and tedious formalities like compulsory health check and foreign exchange. In domestic tourism, a traveller generally does not face much language problems or currency exchange issues. Though it is important to have a tour guide that understands the language of the place visited.

FORMS OF TOURISM

Most nations miss out in tourism as most a time more focus is place in the travel for leisure, this does not attract much tourists’ receipt as compared to other forms such as medical tourism, education tourism, cultural tourism etc. which most countries are realising an appreciable tourists’ receipt. Tourism has various forms based on purpose of visit and alternative forms. These are further divided into many types according to their nature. Some most important forms of tourism are following as:

PILGRIMAGE/RELIGIOUS TOURISM

Pilgrimages have created a variety of tourist opportunities in medieval period and even in today’s modern tourism, they stand as an important stream of tourism.

MEDICAL/HEALTH TOURISM

Even though health tourism existed long before, it gained importance during eighteenth century. This tourism is associated with spas, places with health giving mineral waters, treating diseases from gout to liver disorders and bronchitis. A number of doctors have highlighted the benefits of sea bathing, which has become a part of health tourism. This has also been modified today into medical tourism. Where persons leave own country to other country for the purpose of medical treatment. It is a form of tourism worth investing on especially in this part of the globe as most people visit the west world in search of good hospitals with outstanding doctors.

SPORT TOURISM

Sport has become a global economic activity that motivates people to travel from one country to another. This form of tourism is a typical example of Mass Tourism. There are international sport meets such as world cup, nation’s cup, national tournaments, champion’s league, laliga and others that arose the spirit of the people to travel as either spectators, officials or participants (sportmen). This form of tourism helps in bringing people together and it is a tool being used by international peacekeeping institutions to reduce racism. It is also good in improving the infrastructural status of the host country as facilities such as hotels, stadiums, electricity, water supply, security and others need to be in good order to accommodate the visitors.

WINTER TOURISM

Winter sports contribute to winter tourism. Many water sports holiday packages are available at places in many countries apart from Ski and Snow festival tours organized annually. Skiing is extremely popular in the mountainous areas. Ski festivals have variety of events like ski and sled competitions, ski and snowboard lessons, performances and recreational activities. Majority of the event participants are from countries with a warm climate. This form of tourism is not for Sierra Leone, as we do not have winter season and hence no snow.

MASS TOURISM

Mass travel is possible with improvements in technology allowing the transport of large numbers of people in a short period of time to places of leisure interest. Through this, greater numbers of people enjoy the benefits of leisure time. The increase in the speed of Railways, the better Sea travel options, and the increase in the number of improved Air travel services, the mass travel has grown and developed internationally. This form of tourism is considered to have the greatest vices due to the visit of large number of people to a particular destination at a particular time.

SEX TOURISM

Though frown at by international tourism stakeholders, this form of tourism is still prevailing in some countries such as Thailand, where tourists visits for satisfying their sexual need. In order countries, this form of tourism is prohibited and it is considered to demoralise the people of the visited place.

INDUSTRIAL TOURISM

The industrial revolution has left the world with so many industries that produce eventually everything we use. Most a time people want to know how the things they use are been made, hence, the need to visit industries. This can also be linked to education tourism where the purpose of the visit is to gather knowledge on how a certain industry is operating. For example, students of the department wanting to know how Radisson Blu Hotel is operating or students of geology wanting to know how London mining is operating, have a real life experience with the machines and having some experience that could have not been taught in classroom.

RURAL TOURISM

This is otherwise known as pro poor tourism. In this form of tourism, tourists are encouraged to visit remote sites in rural settings and interact with the poor. They may develop interest in observing or participating in some local activities. The tourists will also buy local goods from locals. There will be the possibility of starting friendship or adopting families that may last forever. This will help in changing the way people behave. For example, the wearing of trousers by women is not our culture. Someone might have visited and bring such change in our culture. Therefore, care should be taken in rural tourism to prevent adulterating our culture.

DARK TOURISM

Travel to sites associated with death and suffering, such as the scene of the Hindenburg airship disaster, or to the sites of disasters (Disaster tourism). The Pop-culture tourism is the tourism by those that visit a particular location after reading about it or seeing it used as a location in a film.

SPACE TOURISM

Traveling in outer space or on spaceships, whilst the forecasts of future tourism arrivals illustrate the importance of looking ahead in trying to anticipate changes, one new trend that is likely to emerge in the next 50 years and is therefore worthy of discussion is space tourism.

NICHE TOURISM (ADVENTURE TOURISM, CULTURAL TOURISM, BICYCLE TOURS, EDUCATION TOURISM, HOBBY TOURISM, ECOTOURISM, BEACH TOURISM)

Physical activity or sports-oriented niche tourism includes adventure tourism such as the mountaineering and hiking (tramping), the sport travel for golf and scuba diving or extreme tourism for people interested in risky activities. There are many types of niche tourism. The creative tourism includes attending cultural festivals, events, and workshops. The educational tourism is to attend classes and learn certain faculties. The hobby tourism is to gather more information about hobbies and this involves garden tours, amateur radio, or square dance cruises. The music and dance tourism involves focusing on cultural and arts activities with more emphasis on music and dance. The heritage tourism involves visiting places to know about the heritage and culture of those places. There are many sub-types in nature and environment oriented tourism, such as coastal tourism, ecotourism, garden tourism, rural tourism or the Agrotourism.

The mystical tourism involving meditation, yoga, and rituals.

Other forms of tourism include Geotourism, Atomic Tourism, Sustainable Tourism, Virtual Tourism and Wildlife Tourism.

LECTURE SIX: TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN SIERRA LEONE

This should be taken as assignment and should satisfy the requirement for both test and assignment.

• Know the various tourist attractions in Sierra Leone (classify into natural and manmade)
• Identify the major tourist attraction in Sierra Leone
• Explain the significance of attractions