Tourism: meaning, definitions and examples

🌍

Add to dictionary

tourism

[ˈtʊə.rɪ.zəm ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

industry

The commercial organization and operation of vacations and visits to places of interest.

Synonyms

hospitality industry, travel industry.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
tourism	Used when referring to the activity of traveling for leisure, recreation, or business purposes. It is a broad term that encompasses various aspects of travel including sightseeing, traveling to different destinations, and participating in events or activities. Tourism contributes significantly to the country's economy. They focus on sustainable tourism to protect the environment.
travel industry	Used to refer to businesses and services that facilitate the movement of people from one location to another, including airlines, travel agents, tour operators, and car rentals. This term highlights the logistic and transportation side of travel. The travel industry is seeing a resurgence as restrictions lift. Technological advancements are reshaping the travel industry.
hospitality industry	Used to describe the broad category of fields that provide services to guests, including lodging, food and drink service, event planning, theme parks, travel, and tourism. This term emphasizes the service aspect and guest experience. The hospitality industry was heavily affected by the pandemic. She has been working in the hospitality industry for over a decade.

Word

Description / Examples

tourism

Used when referring to the activity of traveling for leisure, recreation, or business purposes. It is a broad term that encompasses various aspects of travel including sightseeing, traveling to different destinations, and participating in events or activities.

Tourism contributes significantly to the country's economy.
They focus on sustainable tourism to protect the environment.

travel industry

Used to refer to businesses and services that facilitate the movement of people from one location to another, including airlines, travel agents, tour operators, and car rentals. This term highlights the logistic and transportation side of travel.

The travel industry is seeing a resurgence as restrictions lift.
Technological advancements are reshaping the travel industry.

hospitality industry

Used to describe the broad category of fields that provide services to guests, including lodging, food and drink service, event planning, theme parks, travel, and tourism. This term emphasizes the service aspect and guest experience.

The hospitality industry was heavily affected by the pandemic.
She has been working in the hospitality industry for over a decade.

Examples of usage

Tourism is a major source of revenue for many countries.
Tourism has a significant impact on the global economy.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

activity

The practice of traveling for pleasure.

Synonyms

sightseeing, traveling.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
tourism	Use when discussing the general industry or activity of traveling for leisure, often including the economic and cultural aspects. Tourism is a major source of revenue for many countries. The city is trying to attract more tourism by promoting its historical sites.
traveling	Use when referring to the act of moving from one place to another, either for work, leisure, or other purposes. It is more general and not specifically focused on leisure or the tourism industry. I enjoy traveling to new countries and experiencing different cultures. Traveling by train can be more relaxing than flying.
sightseeing	Use when specifically referring to visiting and looking at the major attractions and landmarks in a place. We spent the day sightseeing and visited the Eiffel Tower. Sightseeing in Rome can be exhausting with so many historical places to visit.

Word

Description / Examples

tourism

Use when discussing the general industry or activity of traveling for leisure, often including the economic and cultural aspects.

Tourism is a major source of revenue for many countries.
The city is trying to attract more tourism by promoting its historical sites.

traveling

Use when referring to the act of moving from one place to another, either for work, leisure, or other purposes. It is more general and not specifically focused on leisure or the tourism industry.

I enjoy traveling to new countries and experiencing different cultures.
Traveling by train can be more relaxing than flying.

sightseeing

Use when specifically referring to visiting and looking at the major attractions and landmarks in a place.

We spent the day sightseeing and visited the Eiffel Tower.
Sightseeing in Rome can be exhausting with so many historical places to visit.

Examples of usage

My favorite hobby is tourism, I love exploring new places.
Tourism allows people to experience different cultures.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'tour' comes from the Latin word 'tornare', meaning 'to turn' or 'to revolve' around.
Tourism as a concept started to gain popularity in the 19th century during the industrial revolution when more people had time and money to travel.
The modern term 'tourism' was first used in the early 20th century, evolving from the practice of 'touring'.

Economic Impact

Tourism is a major industry worldwide, contributing over 10% to the global GDP before the pandemic.
Many countries depend on tourism as a primary source of income, creating jobs in hospitality, transport, and entertainment.
In 2020, the global tourism sector saw a dramatic decline due to travel restrictions, but it’s showing signs of recovery as restrictions ease.

Cultural Significance

Tourism exposes travelers to different cultures, traditions, and cuisines, fostering cultural exchange and understanding.
Cultural tourism focuses on experiencing a destination's history and heritage, such as visiting museums, historical sites, and festivals.
In many places, locals depend on visitors to sustain their traditional crafts and customs, linking their economy to culture.

Environmental Concerns

While tourism can boost economies, it often leads to environmental degradation, such as habitat loss and pollution.
Overtourism can overwhelm popular destinations, leading to regulatory measures to protect local ecosystems.
Sustainable tourism is gaining importance, encouraging practices that preserve nature and enhance local communities.

Technological Influence

The rise of social media has transformed tourism, with travelers sharing experiences instantly and influencing others' travel choices.
Online booking platforms have simplified planning trips, making travel accessible to more people than ever before.
Virtual reality experiences allow people to explore destinations from their homes, changing how potential travelers consider their trips.

Translations

Translations of the word "tourism" in other languages:

🇵🇹 turismo

🇮🇳 पर्यटन

🇩🇪 Tourismus

🇮🇩 pariwisata

🇺🇦 туризм

🇵🇱 turystyka

🇯🇵 観光 (かんこう)

🇫🇷 tourisme

🇪🇸 turismo

🇹🇷 turizm

🇰🇷 관광 (관광)

🇸🇦 السياحة

🇨🇿 turismus

🇸🇰 turizmus

🇨🇳 旅游 (lǚyóu)

🇸🇮 turizem

🇮🇸 ferðamennska

🇰🇿 туризм

🇬🇪 ტურიზმი

🇦🇿 turizm

🇲🇽 turismo

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,212 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

...
6209 replacing
6210 hurried
6211 auto
6212 tourism
6213 forwarded
6214 depicted
6215 pricing
...