According to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), tourism is defined as the activities of persons travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business, and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited.

The definition contains several key ideas:

• Movement of people – tourism arises from people travelling to and staying in various destinations
• Outside usual environment – the journey and stay occur outside the normal place of residence and work
• Temporary character – movement to destinations is short-term, with the intention of returning within days, weeks, or months
• Non-remunerative purpose – destinations are visited for purposes other than taking up permanent residence or employment paid from within the places visited

Key Tourism Terminologies

• Tourist/Visitor: Any person travelling to a place other than their usual residence for less than 12 months, whose main purpose does not involve activities remunerated within the place visited

• Traveller: Any person on a trip between two or more localities, regardless of purpose or means of transport

• Overnight visitor (tourist): A visitor who stays at least one night in collective or private accommodation

• Same-day visitor (excursionist): A visitor who does not spend the night in the destination and returns within the same day

• Leisure: Activities undertaken during free time for relaxation, diversion, or broadening knowledge

• Destination: A specific place with attractions, services, and infrastructure that attracts visitors for leisure, business, culture, or nature exploration

• Recreation: Activities selected during leisure time to meet personal wants or desires

Example: When a family from Dar es Salaam visits Mikumi National Park for a weekend safari, they are tourists. If they return home the same day without staying overnight, they are same-day visitors (excursionists).

Tourism has evolved significantly over time:

• Ancient times: Travel for trade, conquest, and religious pilgrimages (e.g., Egyptians travelled for religious purposes around 1500 BC)
• 17th century – Grand Tour: Educational journeys by European aristocrats to France, Italy, Germany, and Greece
• 19th century – Industrial Revolution: emergence of middle class with disposable income; railways and steamships made destinations accessible; Thomas Cook organised structured tours
• Modern era: Tourism encompasses leisure, culture, business, and health – now a global phenomenon

Tourism trends and patterns refer to changes in tourism activities over time. Several factors influence these trends:

Key Influencing Factors

• Technological innovations: Introduction of jet aircraft, high-speed trains, online booking platforms, and AI in travel planning
• Consumer behaviour: Changes in demand for domestic and international travel, new markets in Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR)
• Transportation improvements: From holiday camps to timeshare, self-catering, and Airbnb
• Information availability: Greater access to destination information through media, brochures, and the internet
• Government promotion: Increased destination promotion and consumer protection

Example: The rise of online travel agencies (OTAs) and mobile booking apps has transformed how Tanzanian tourists plan safaris, making it possible to book Serengeti accommodations from a smartphone.

Domestic Tourism

Residents of a given country travelling only within the country. Example: A trip from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi National Park by Tanzanian residents.

Inbound Tourism

Non-residents travelling in a given country. Example: When Kenyans travel to Tanzania for tourism, it represents inbound tourism for Tanzania.

Outbound Tourism

Residents of one country visiting another country. Example: Tanzanian residents travelling to Kenya for tourism purposes constitute Tanzania's outbound tourism.

Classification of Visitors

• International visitor: Any person who travels to a country other than their usual residence for tourism purposes
• Domestic visitor: Any person residing in a country who travels to a place within that country for tourism purposes

Wildlife Tourism

Visiting natural habitats to observe wild animals in their natural environment. Example: Game drives in Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area to view the "big five" animals.

Cultural Tourism

Visiting ancient monuments, historic sites, and participating in cultural experiences. Example: Visiting the Old Fort in Zanzibar, Kaole ruins, or attending traditional Maasai ceremonies.

Adventure Tourism

Travel to remote or exotic areas seeking challenging and exciting experiences. Example: Mount Kilimanjaro trekking, scuba diving in Zanzibar, kayaking, and hot air ballooning over the Serengeti.

Agrotourism

Visiting working agricultural settings for leisure or educational purposes. Example: Visiting coffee plantations in Arusha, Kilimanjaro, or Mbeya to learn about coffee production.

MICE Tourism

Business events including Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions. Example: Attending the Sabasaba Exhibition in Dar es Salaam or conferences at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC).

Astro Tourism

Observing astronomical phenomena and stargazing in locations with clear night skies. Example: Stargazing in the Serengeti or visiting observatories in northern Tanzania.

Religious Tourism

Travel for religious or spiritual purposes, including pilgrimages. Example: Visiting holy sites or attending religious festivals.

Tourism motivation is explained through push and pull factors:

Push Factors (Internal motivations)

These are internal factors that drive individuals to travel:

• Need for relaxation: Escaping work pressures, urban congestion, and stressful environments
• Cultural and heritage exploration: Desiring to experience different cultures, traditions, and historical landmarks
• Adventure exploration: Seeking excitement, challenge, and new experiences
• Visiting friends and relatives: Spending time with family and loved ones, especially during holidays
• Business and professional: Traveling for meetings, conferences, and corporate events

Example: A Tanzanian student working in Dar es Salaam may feel stressed from city life (push factor) and decide to travel to Zanzibar for a beach holiday.

Pull Factors (Destination attractions)

These are external factors from destinations that attract visitors:

• Natural beauty: Beaches, mountains, waterfalls, and national parks
• Cultural and historical attractions: Landmarks, arts, traditions, and museums
• Transportation facilities: Well-developed infrastructure, direct flights, and good public transport
• Climate and weather: Favourable weather conditions attracting tourists from colder regions
• Safety, security, and political stability: Safe destinations with low crime rates and stable governments

Example: The Ngorongoro Crater's stunning natural beauty and wildlife (pull factor) attracts tourists from around the world to Tanzania.

A Form 5 student in Tanzania can apply this knowledge when planning a school trip to a national park. For instance, if students from Mwanza want to visit Serengeti, they would classify this as domestic tourism, identify wildlife tourism as the type, consider push factors like the need for adventure and pull factors like seeing the big five, and research transportation options and accommodation facilities within their budget—decisions directly informed by understanding tourism forms, types, and motivational factors.