While all-embracing definitions of tourism and a tourist are desirable, in
practice tourists represent a heterogeneous, not a homogeneous, group with
different personalities, demographics and experiences. –we can classify tourists
in two basic ways which relate to the nature of their trip:
1) A basic distinction can be made between domestic and international
tourists, although this distinction is blurring away in many parts of the
world (For example, in the European Union). Domestic tourism refers to
travel by residents within their country of residence. There are rarely
currency, language or visa implications, and domestic tourism is more
difficult to measure than international tourism. In contrast, international
tourism involves travel outside the country of residence and there may well
be currency, language or visa implications.
2) Tourist can also be classified by ‘purpose of visit category’.
conventionally, three categories are used:
a) leisure and recreation – including holiday, sports and cultural tourism and
visiting friends and relatives (VFR).
b) other tourism purposes – including study and health study.
c) business and professional – including meetings, conferences, missions,
incentive and business tourism.
Not only are these categories used for statistical purposes, they are also useful
for the marketing of tourism.