difference between inbound and outbound tourism examples

What is Inbound and Outbound Tourism?

by Hammad Ur Rehman | Oct 25, 2021 | Travel Guide | 6 comments

Don’t you just love traveling around the world and exploring different places? Staying or visiting different countries or states for the sake of fun-filled holidays or work-related visits, are termed tourism. Tourism can be of two types, Inbound tourism or Outbound Tourism. Now the question arises that what is inbound and outbound tourism?

Well, the difference between the two is just a matter of perspective, that is, from where and how you see it. In simple words, if we look from the USA tourism perspective, the outbound tourism would be Robert going to Pakistan, while inbound tourism would be, Ali coming to the USA. Similarly, if we look from a Pakistani tourism perspective, the outbound tourism would be Ali going to the USA, and the inbound tourism would be, Robert coming to Pakistan.

Let’s move on and further elaborate on these two types of tourism.

What is Inbound tourism?

Inbound tourism is economically significant for a country. The tourist countries economically rely on the inbound visitors to drive their maintenance, growth, and development.

What exactly is inbound tourism? In easy words, you can call it incoming tourism. Let’s move further to see the definitions, meanings, significance, drawbacks, and examples of inbound tourism.

Definition of inbound tourism

When someone travels to a country, other than their own country, for tourism, this is called inbound tourism.

Inbound tourism is frequently influenced by certain factors like:

• Season or Weather
• Public holidays
• School’s summer or winter vacations

According to WTO (World Trade Organization) and UN (United States Nation), inbound tourism can be defined as follows:

“ The act of traveling to another country for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business, or other purposes .”

Importance of inbound tourism

Through foreign exchange, tourism may bring a lot of wealth into a country. This is especially advantageous in places where the local exchange rate is cheaper as compared to visitors’ native currency. Therefore, inbound tourism has high significance in many countries mainly because of the benefits it provides economically.

Mostly, countries target specific nations for advertising and promoting their inbound tourism. For instance, in today’s era, Chinese people tend to spend more on traveling every year as compared to any other nation, plus, the greatest outbound tourism markets are also produced by China. Therefore, Chinese inbound tourists are highly in demand by many tourist countries.

Drawbacks of inbound tourism

Depending entirely on income from the inbound tourism may cause problems. There are many places like Maldives, Goa, Fairy meadows, Greece, etc., whose economies rely on tourists from other countries.

The primary drawback of inbound tourism is that the place is at the hands of the transportation network. Many tourism industries have been ravaged as a result of airlines ceasing to operate a specific route. Cultural conflicts can also take place due to inbound tourism.

Some other disadvantages of inbound tourism include:

• Disposal, contamination, and emissions are all on the rise.
• Environmental and aquatic habitats are being physically harmed on a daily basis.
• Inappropriate buildings are being built next to historical places and monuments.
• Plenty of resources are being used up.
• Building infrastructure and utilization of land.

Inbound Tourism examples

Now that we have a basic understanding of inbound tourism, let’s look at some practical examples.

If a person from one country travels to another country for tourism, then it’s an inbound tourist. For example, Ali is having a summer break from his university and wants to go abroad. So, he decides to go for tourism to France and enjoys his summer break there. This is an example of inbound tourism because Ali is coming from Pakistan to France for his vacation, and it is a tourist activity for him.

Likewise, Robert is also having a summer break from his school and wants to visit another country. So, he decides to go for tourism to Pakistan and enjoys his summer break there. This is also an example of inbound tourism because Robert is coming from America to Pakistan for his vacation, and it’s a tourist activity for him.

Generally, some of the countries that are renowned for inbound tourism include Maldives, Goa, Greece, etc.

What is outbound tourism?

Leaving your homeland for the sake of gaining international tourism experience has wide importance for many countries.

Let’s jump into detail and find out what is outbound tourism, how do we define it, the importance of outbound tourism has it got any disadvantages, and a few examples of outbound tourism.

Definition of outbound tourism

When a tourist travels or visits outside his or her country for the sake of tourism, but not for more than a year. This type of tourism is called outbound tourism.

The WTO (World Trade Organization) and UN (United States Nation) define outbound tourism as follows, “The act of leaving your home country internationally for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business or other purposes.”

Throughout the years, the market for outbound tourism has grown significantly. However, different regions of the world have different growth rates of the tourism market, but the factors leading to progress are similar.

Importance of outbound tourism

Outbound tourism also has a positive impact on the economy of the county. It provides economic improvements in a variety of industries such as education, healthcare, business, and retail, etc.

For example, the more people travel to foreign nations, the more their demands for products and services increase. Thus, it is a source of economic growth and prosperity for many countries.

This direction of tourism helps in increasing employment opportunities, foreign currency earnings, and trade balance. Thus, it is a source of economic growth and prosperity for many countries.

Within a very short period, China has become the largest source of outbound tourists. The increasing number of Chinese outbound tourists opens the gate of opportunities for tour group operating companies, hotels, national government ad retailers.

Drawbacks of outbound tourism

Apart from the advantages, there are a few disadvantages of outbound tourism as well. These drawbacks include the following:

• Many outbound tourists spend a huge amount of money on international chains like KFC fast-food chains, which reduces the positive effects of tourism as the tourist is using money that has been taken out of his residence.
• ·Sometimes, a country relies far too much on its outbound tourism market. For example, some Caribbean island nations depend on money from tourists to fund their entire economy and government, but this is a risky move as the tourism market is highly inconsistent, and a small incident can lead to a large drop in tourism.

Outbound tourism examples

Let’s go through an example of outbound tourism from the USA point of view:

John is a US citizen and has a passport to the USA. He wants to go for tourism so he can explore the international culture and experience new things. So, he goes for a tour to Spain with his family and friends. This is an example of outbound tourism because John has applied for a tourist visa and is traveling outside his country, USA.

Another example of outbound tourism from Spain’s perspective:

Robert is a tourist from Spain who wants to go for tourism in the USA, but he has no American visa. So, he goes for a tour to the UK with his family and friends. This is an example of outbound tourism because Robert has applied for a tourist visa and is traveling outside his country, Spain.

What is domestic tourism?

Until here, we discussed international inbound and outbound tourism. However, tourism can also be domestic. Now you would want to ask what is domestic tourism ?

Well, it’s very simple. In domestic tourism, the tourist visits different regions, cities, or towns of the same country where he/she resides. In easy words, domestic tourism is vacations spent within the same country you live in.

Let me give you an example of domestic tourism, Sarah lives in California, USA, and for her vacations, she visits Pennsylvania, USA.

Domestic tourism is used by the government to eradicate poverty, economic development, production of employments, infrastructure upgrades, reduce the load from overcrowding. For instance, If the government of California promotes domestic tourism within its state, then more people would come to visit various places in California, which are less popular, and it would boost the economy of California by providing employment opportunities to the people.

Also Learn: Domestic vs International Travel

Final Thoughts

In general, tourism contributes significantly to international trade and the provision of job opportunities in many nations. I hope this article has provided you with a clear picture of what are the types of tourism and why are they significant. All types of tourism are important for the economic growth of any nation.

Check our article on: What is FIT And GIT in The Tourism

Very helpful and very interesting

Nice Post. very well written and very impressive

My sister bookmarked this webpage for me and I have been going through it for the past several hours. This is really going to benefit me and my friends for our class project. By the way, I like the way you write.

Good day I am so happy I found your web site, I really found you by accident, while I was searching on Digg for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say kudos for a marvelous post and a all round interesting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at the minute but I have book-marked it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the fantastic work.

I am so happy i have many to questions to answer travel and tourism and I can easily learnt tourism ?

I aam actually glad to gance att his blog poswts which contains plenty off helpful information, thanks for providin these statistics.

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Destinations (7)
• Resorts (1)
• Uncategorized (13)

Recent Posts

• Is Traveling a Hobby? (Learn About Travelling as a Hobby)
• Why is Traveling so Tiring?
• Why is Traveling Important? (9 Reasons Why It’s Important)
• 9 Things to Do Before Your Vacation
• How to Overcome Jet Lag Fast

What Is Inbound and Outbound Tourism With Example?

By Robert Palmer

Inbound and outbound tourism are two terms that are commonly used in the travel industry. Both of these terms refer to the movement of people from one place to another for the purpose of tourism. In this article, we will take a closer look at what inbound and outbound tourism means, along with examples.

What is Inbound Tourism?

Inbound tourism refers to when tourists visit a country that is not their own. In other words, it refers to the arrival of visitors from overseas into a country.

This type of tourism is also known as international tourism. The visitors could be traveling for various reasons such as leisure, business or visiting friends and family.

Inbound tourism can have a significant impact on a country’s economy by generating revenue through spending on accommodation, food, transport, and other tourist activities. For example, when tourists visit India to see the Taj Mahal or Singapore to experience its unique culture, they contribute significantly towards the local economy.

Examples of Inbound Tourism

• A family from Germany visiting Disneyland in California
• A group of backpackers from Australia traveling across Southeast Asia
• A businessman from Japan attending a conference in New York City

What is Outbound Tourism?

Outbound tourism refers to when tourists leave their home country to visit another country. It’s also known as domestic tourism when people travel within their own country for leisure or business purposes.

Outbound tourism can have an impact on both the traveler’s home country and the destination they are visiting. When people travel abroad from their home countries, they spend money on flights, accommodation and other tourist activities which can contribute significantly towards the local economy of the visited country.

Examples of Outbound Tourism

• A family from Canada taking a vacation to Hawaii
• A group of friends from the United States traveling to Europe for a backpacking trip
• A couple from Australia taking a romantic getaway to Bali, Indonesia

Inbound and outbound tourism are two important aspects of the travel industry. While inbound tourism refers to tourists visiting a country that is not their own, outbound tourism refers to people leaving their home country for leisure or business purposes.

10 Related Question Answers Found

What is meant by inbound and outbound tourism, what are the types of outbound tourism, what is the meaning of outbound tourism, what is meant by outbound tourism, what is an example of outbound tourism, what is the significance of outbound tourism, what is outbound tourism, what does outbound tourism mean, what is an example of inbound tourism, what is outbound tourism in simple words, backpacking - budget travel - business travel - cruise ship - vacation - tourism - resort - cruise - road trip - destination wedding - tourist destination - best places, london - madrid - paris - prague - dubai - barcelona - rome.

© 2024 LuxuryTraveldiva

UN Tourism | Bringing the world closer

Un standards for measuring tourism, share this content.

• Share this article on facebook
• Share this article on twitter
• Share this article on linkedin

Glossary of tourism terms

Tourism is a social, cultural and economic phenomenon which entails the movement of people to countries or places outside their usual environment for personal or business/professional purposes. These people are called visitors (which may be either tourists or excursionists; residents or non-residents) and tourism has to do with their activities, some of which involve tourism expenditure.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Activity/activities : In tourism statistics, the term activities represent the actions and behaviors of people in preparation for and during a trip in their capacity as consumers ( IRTS 2008, 1.2 ).

Activity (principal): The principal activity of a producer unit is the activity whose value added exceeds that of any other activity carried out within the same unit ( SNA 2008, 5.8 ).

Activity (productive): The (productive) activity carried out by a statistical unit is the type of production in which it engages. It has to be understood as a process, i.e. the combination of actions that result in a certain set of products. The classification of productive activities is determined by their principal output.

Administrative data : Administrative data is the set of units and data derived from an administrative source. This is a data holding information collected and maintained for the purpose of implementing one or more administrative regulations.

Adventure tourism : Adventure tourism is a type of tourism which usually takes place in destinations with specific geographic features and landscape and tends to be associated with a physical activity, cultural exchange, interaction and engagement with nature. This experience may involve some kind of real or perceived risk and may require significant physical and/or mental effort. Adventure tourism generally includes outdoor activities such as mountaineering, trekking, bungee jumping, rock climbing, rafting, canoeing, kayaking, canyoning, mountain biking, bush walking, scuba diving. Likewise, some indoor adventure tourism activities may also be practiced.

Aggregated data : The result of transforming unit level data into quantitative measures for a set of characteristics of a population.

Aggregation : A process that transforms microdata into aggregate-level information by using an aggregation function such as count, sum average, standard deviation, etc.

Analytical unit : Entity created by statisticians, by splitting or combining observation units with the help of estimations and imputations.

Balance of payments : The balance of payments is a statistical statement that summarizes transactions between residents and non-residents during a period. It consists of the goods and services account, the primary income account, the secondary income account, the capital account, and the financial account ( BPM6, 2.12 ).

Bias : An effect which deprives a statistical result of representativeness by systematically distorting it, as distinct from a random error which may distort on any one occasion but balances out on the average.

Business and professional purpose (of a tourism trip): The business and professional purpose of a tourism trip includes the activities of the self-employed and employees, as long as they do not correspond to an implicit or explicit employer-employee relationship with a resident producer in the country or place visited, those of investors, businessmen, etc. ( IRTS 2008, 3.17.2 ).

Business tourism : Business tourism is a type of tourism activity in which visitors travel for a specific professional and/or business purpose to a place outside their workplace and residence with the aim of attending a meeting, an activity or an event. The key components of business tourism are meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions. The term "meetings industry" within the context of business tourism recognizes the industrial nature of such activities. Business tourism can be combined with any other tourism type during the same trip.

Business visitor : A business visitor is a visitor whose main purpose for a tourism trip corresponds to the business and professional category of purpose ( IRTS 2008, 3.17.2 ).

Central Product Classification : The Central Product Classification (CPC) constitutes a complete product classification covering goods and services. It is intended to serve as an international standard for assembling and tabulating all kinds of data requiring product detail, including industrial production, national accounts, service industries, domestic and foreign commodity trade, international trade in services, balance of payments, consumption and price statistics. Other basic aims are to provide a framework for international comparison and promote harmonization of various types of statistics dealing with goods and services.

Census : A census is the complete enumeration of a population or groups at a point in time with respect to well defined characteristics: for example, Population, Production, Traffic on particular roads.

Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism : Coastal tourism refers to land-based tourism activities such as swimming, surfing, sunbathing and other coastal leisure, recreation and sports activities which take place on the shore of a sea, lake or river. Proximity to the coast is also a condition for services and facilities that support coastal tourism. Maritime tourism refers to sea-based activities such as cruising, yachting, boating and nautical sports and includes their respective land-based services and infrastructure. Inland water tourism refers to tourism activities such as cruising, yachting, boating and nautical sports which take place in aquatic- influenced environments located within land boundaries and include lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, groundwater, springs, cave waters and others traditionally grouped as inland wetlands.

Coherence : Adequacy of statistics to be combined in different ways and for various uses.

Competitiveness of a tourism destination : The competitiveness of a tourism destination is the ability of the destination to use its natural, cultural, human, man-made and capital resources efficiently to develop and deliver quality, innovative, ethical and attractive tourism products and services in order to achieve a sustainable growth within its overall vision and strategic goals, increase the added value of the tourism sector, improve and diversify its market components and optimize its attractiveness and benefits both for visitors and the local community in a sustainable perspective.

Consistency : Logical and numerical coherence.

Country of reference : The country of reference refers to the country for which the measurement is done. ( IRTS 2008, 2.15 ).

Country of residence : The country of residence of a household is determined according to the centre of predominant economic interest of its members. If a person resides (or intends to reside) for more than one year in a given country and has there his/her centre of economic interest (for example, where the predominant amount of time is spent), he/she is considered as a resident of this country.

Country-specific tourism characteristic products and activities : To be determined by each country by applying the criteria of IRTS 2008, 5.10 in their own context; for these products, the activities producing them will be considered as tourism characteristic, and the industries in which the principal activity is tourism-characteristic will be called tourism industries ( IRTS 2008, 5.16 ).

Cultural tourism : Cultural tourism is a type of tourism activity in which the visitor's essential motivation is to learn, discover, experience and consume the tangible and intangible cultural attractions/products in a tourism destination. These attractions/products relate to a set of distinctive material, intellectual, spiritual and emotional features of a society that encompasses arts and architecture, historical and cultural heritage, culinary heritage, literature, music, creative industries and the living cultures with their lifestyles, value systems, beliefs and traditions.

Data checking : Activity whereby the correctness conditions of the data are verified. It also includes the specification of the type of error or of the condition not met, and the qualification of the data and their division into "error-free data" and "erroneous data".

Data collection : Systematic process of gathering data for official statistics.

Data compilation : Operations performed on data to derive new information according to a given set of rules.

Data confrontation : The process of comparing data that has generally been derived from different surveys or other sources, especially those of different frequencies, in order to assess and possibly improve their coherency, and identify the reasons for any differences.

Data processing : Data processing is the operation performed on data by the organization, institute, agency, etc., responsible for undertaking the collection, tabulation, manipulation and preparation of data and metadata output.

Data reconciliation : The process of adjusting data derived from two different sources to remove, or at least reduce, the impact of differences identified.

Destination (main destination of a trip): The main destination of a tourism trip is defined as the place visited that is central to the decision to take the trip. See also purpose of a tourism trip ( IRTS 2008, 2.31 ).

Destination management / marketing organization (DMO) : A destination management/marketing organization (DMO) is the leading organizational entity which may encompass the various authorities, stakeholders and professionals and facilitates tourism sector partnerships towards a collective destination vision. The governance structures of DMOs vary from a single public authority to a public/ private partnership model with the key role of initiating, coordinating and managing certain activities such as implementation of tourism policies, strategic planning, product development, promotion and marketing and convention bureau activities. The functions of the DMOs may vary from national to regional and local levels depending on the current and potential needs as well as on the decentralization level of public administration. Not every tourism destination has a DMO.

Documentation: Processes and procedures for imputation,  weighting,  confidentiality  and suppression rules, outlier treatment and data capture should be fully documented by the  survey provider.  Such documentation should be made available to at least  the body financing the survey.

Domestic tourism : Domestic tourism comprises the activities of a resident visitor within the country of reference, either as part of a domestic tourism trip or part of an outbound tourism trip ( IRTS 2008, 2.39 ).

Domestic tourism consumption : Domestic tourism consumption is the tourism consumption of a resident visitor within the economy of reference ( TSA:RMF 2008, figure 2.1 ).

Domestic tourism expenditure : Domestic tourism expenditure is the tourism expenditure of a resident visitor within the economy of reference, (IRTS 2008, 4.15(a)).

Domestic tourism trip : A domestic tourism trip is one with a main destination within the country of residence of the visitor (IRTS 2008, 2.32).

Domestic visitor : As a visitor travels within his/her country of residence, he/she is a domestic visitor and his/her activities are part of domestic tourism.

Durable consumer goods : Durable consumer goods are goods that may be used repeatedly or continuously over a period of a year or more, assuming a normal or average rate of physical usage. When acquired by producers, these are considered to be capital goods used for production processes, as is the case of vehicles, computers, etc. When acquired by households, they are considered to be consumer durable goods ( TSA:RMF 2008, 2.39 ). This definition is identical to the definition of SNA 2008, 9.42 : A consumer durable is a goodthat may be used for purposes of consumption repeatedly or continuously over a period of a year or more.

Dwellings : Each household has a principal dwelling (sometimes also designated as main or primary home), usually defined with reference to time spent there, whose location defines the country of residence and place of usual residence of this household and of all its members. All other dwellings (owned or leased by the household) are considered secondary dwellings ( IRTS 2008, 2.26 ).

Ecotourism : Ecotourism is a type of nature-based tourism activity in which the visitor's essential motivation is to observe, learn, discover, experience and appreciate biological and cultural diversity with a responsible attitude to protect the integrity of the ecosystem and enhance the well-being of the local community. Ecotourism increases awareness towards the conservation of biodiversity, natural environment and cultural assets both among locals and the visitors and requires special management processes to minimize the negative impact on the ecosystem.

Economic analysis : Tourism generates directly and indirectly an increase in economic activity in the places visited (and beyond), mainly due to demand for goods and services thatneed to be produced and provided. In the economic analysis of tourism, one may distinguish between tourism's 'economic contribution' which refers to the direct effect of tourism and is measurable by means of the TSA, and tourism's 'economic impact' which is a much broader concept encapsulating the direct, indirect and induced effects of tourism and which must be estimated by applying models. Economic impact studies aim to quantify economic benefits, that is, the net increase in the wealth of residents resulting from tourism, measured in monetary terms, over and above the levels that would prevail in its absence.

Economic territory : The term "economic territory" is a geographical reference and points to the country for which the measurement is done (country of reference) ( IRTS 2008, 2.15 ).

Economically active population : The economically active population or labour force comprises all persons of either sex who furnish the supply of labour for the production of goods and services as defined by the system of national accounts during a specified time-reference period (ILO, Thirteenth ICLS, 6.18).

Economy (of reference): "Economy" (or "economy of reference") is an economic reference defined in the same way as in the balance of payments and in the system of national accounts: it refers to the economic agents that are resident in the country of reference ( IRTS 2008, 2.15 ).

Education tourism : Education tourism covers those types of tourism which have as a primary motivation the tourist's engagement and experience in learning, self-improvement, intellectual growth and skills development. Education Tourism represents a broad range of products and services related to academic studies, skill enhancement holidays, school trips, sports training, career development courses and language courses, among others.

Employees : Employees are all those workers who hold the type of job defined as "paid employment" (ILO, Fifteenth ICLS, pp. 20-22).

Employer-employee relationship : An employer-employee relationship exists when there is an agreement, which may be formal or informal, between an entity and an individual, normally entered into voluntarily by both parties, whereby the individual works for the entity in return for remuneration in cash or in kind ( BPM6, 11.11 ).

Employers : Employers are those workers who, working on their own account with one or more partners, hold the type of job defined as a "self-employment job" and, in this capacity, on a continuous basis (including the reference period) have engaged one or more persons to work for them in their business as "employee(s)" (ILO, Fifteenth ICLS, pp. 20-22).

Employment : Persons in employment are all persons above a specified age who, during a specified brief period, either one week or one day, were in paid employment or self-employment (OECD GST, p. 170).

Employment in tourism industries : Employment in tourism industries may be measured as a count of the persons employed in tourism industries in any of their jobs, as a count of the persons employed in tourism industries in their main job, or as a count of the jobs in tourism industries ( IRTS 2008, 7.9 ).

Enterprise : An enterprise is an institutional unit engaged in production of goods and/or services. It may be a corporation, a non-profit institution, or an unincorporated enterprise. Corporate enterprises and non-profit institutions are complete institutional units. An unincorporated enterprise, however, refers to an institutional unit —a household or government unit —only in its capacity as a producer of goods and services (OECD BD4, p. 232)

Establishment : An establishment is an enterprise, or part of an enterprise, that is situated in a single location and in which only a single productive activity is carried out or in which the principal productive activity accounts for most of the value added ( SNA 2008, 5.14 ).

Estimation : Estimation is concerned with inference about the numerical value of unknown population values from incomplete data such as a sample. If a single figure is calculated for each unknown parameter the process is called "point estimation". If an interval is calculated within which the parameter is likely, in some sense, to lie, the process is called "interval estimation".

Exports of goods and services : Exports of goods and services consist of sales, barter, or gifts or grants, of goods and services from residents to non-residents (OECD GST, p. 194)

Frame : A list, map or other specification of the units which define a population to be completely enumerated or sampled.

Forms of tourism : There are three basic forms of tourism: domestic tourism, inbound tourism, and outbound tourism. These can be combined in various ways to derive the following additional forms of tourism: internal tourism, national tourism and international tourism.

Gastronomy tourism :  Gastronomy tourism is a type of tourism activity which is characterized by the visitor's experience linked with food and related products and activities while travelling. Along with authentic, traditional, and/or innovative culinary experiences, Gastronomy Tourism may also involve other related activities such as visiting the local producers, participating in food festivals and attending cooking classes. Eno-tourism (wine tourism), as a sub-type of gastronomy tourism, refers to tourism whose purpose is visiting vineyards, wineries, tasting, consuming and/or purchasing wine, often at or near the source.

Goods : Goods are physical, produced objects for which a demand exists, over which ownership rights can be established and whose ownership can be transferred from one institutional unit to another by engaging in transactions on markets ( SNA 2008, p. 623 ).

Gross fixed capital formation : Gross fixed capital formation is defined as the value of institutional units' acquisitions less disposals of fixed assets. Fixed assets are produced assets (such as machinery, equipment, buildings or other structures) that are used repeatedly or continuously in production over several accounting periods (more than one year) ( SNA 2008, 1.52 ).

Gross margin : The gross margin of a provider of reservation services is the difference between the value at which the intermediated service is sold and the value accrued to the provider of reservation services for this intermediated service.

Gross value added : Gross value added is the value of output less the value of intermediate consumption ( TSA:RMF 2008, 3.32 ).

Gross value added of tourism industries : Gross value added of tourism industries (GVATI) is the total gross value added of all establishments belonging to tourism industries, regardless of whether all their output is provided to visitors and the degree of specialization of their production process ( TSA:RMF 2008, 4.86 ).

Grossing up : Activity aimed at transforming, based on statistical methodology, micro-data from samples into aggregate-level information representative of the target population.

Health tourism : Health tourism covers those types of tourism which have as a primary motivation, the contribution to physical, mental and/or spiritual health through medical and wellness-based activities which increase the capacity of individuals to satisfy their own needs and function better as individuals in their environment and society. Health tourism is the umbrella term for the subtypes wellness tourism and medical tourism.

Imputation : Procedure for entering a value for a specific data item where the response is missing or unusable.

Inbound tourism : Inbound tourism comprises the activities of a non-resident visitor within the country of reference on an inbound tourism trip ( IRTS 2008, 2.39 ).

Inbound tourism consumption : Inbound tourism consumption is the tourism consumption of a non-resident visitor within the economy of reference ( TSA:RMF 2008, figure 2.1 ).

Inbound tourism expenditure : Inbound tourism expenditure is the tourism expenditure of a non-resident visitor within the economy of reference ( IRTS 2008, 4.15(b) ).

Innovation in tourism : Innovation in tourism is the introduction of a new or improved component which intends to bring tangible and intangible benefits to tourism stakeholders and the local community, improve the value of the tourism experience and the core competencies of the tourism sector and hence enhance tourism competitiveness and /or sustainability. Innovation in tourism may cover potential areas, such as tourism destinations, tourism products, technology, processes, organizations and business models, skills, architecture, services, tools and/or practices for management, marketing, communication, operation, quality assurance and pricing.

Institutional sector : An aggregation of institutional units on the basis of the type of producer and depending on their principal activity and function, which are considered to be indicative of their economic behaviour.

Institutional unit : The elementary economic decision-making centre characterised by uniformity of behaviour and decision-making autonomy in the exercise of its principal function.

Intermediate consumption : Intermediate consumption consists of the value of the goods and services consumed as inputs by a process of production, excluding fixed assets whose consumption is recorded as consumption of fixed capital ( SNA 2008, 6.213 ).

Internal tourism : Internal tourism comprises domestic tourism and inbound tourism, that is to say, the activities of resident and non-resident visitors within the country of reference as part of domestic or international tourism trips ( IRTS 2008, 2.40(a) ).

Internal tourism consumption : Internal tourism consumption is the tourism consumption of both resident and non-resident visitors within the economy of reference. It is the sum of domestic tourism consumption and inbound tourism consumption ( TSA:RMF 2008, figure 2.1 ).

Internal tourism expenditure : Internal tourism expenditure comprises all tourism expenditure of visitors, both resident and non-resident, within the economy of reference. It is the sum of domestic tourism expenditure and inbound tourism expenditure. It includes acquisition of goods and services imported into the country of reference and sold to visitors. This indicator provides the most comprehensive measurement of tourism expenditure in the economy of reference ( IRTS 2008, 4.20(a) ).

International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities : The International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC) consists of a coherent and consistent classification structure of economic activities based on a set of internationally agreed concepts, definitions, principles and classification rules. It provides a comprehensive framework within which economic data can be collected and reported in a format that is designed for purposes of economic analysis, decision-taking and policymaking. The classification structure represents a standard format to organize detailed information about the state of an economy according to economic principles and perceptions (ISIC, Rev.4, 1).

International tourism : International tourism comprises inbound tourism and outbound tourism, that is to say, the activities of resident visitors outside the country of reference, either as part of domestic or outbound tourism trips and the activities of non-resident visitors within the country of reference on inbound tourism trips ( IRTS 2008, 2.40(c) ).

International visitor : An international traveller qualifies as an international visitor with respect to the country of reference if: (a) he/she is on a tourism trip and (b) he/she is a non-resident travelling in the country of reference or a resident travelling outside of it ( IRTS 2008, 2.42 ).

Job : The agreement between an employee and the employer defines a job and each self-employed person has a job ( SNA 2008, 19.30 ).

Measurement error : Error in reading, calculating or recording numerical value.

Medical tourism : Medical tourism is a type of tourism activity which involves the use of evidence-based medical healing resources and services (both invasive and non-invasive). This may include diagnosis, treatment, cure, prevention and rehabilitation.

Meetings industry : To highlight purposes relevant to the meetings industry, if a trip's main purpose is business/professional, it can be further subdivided into "attending meetings, conferences or congresses, trade fairs and exhibitions" and "other business and professional purposes". The term meetings industry is preferred by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and Reed Travel over the acronym MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) which does not recognize the industrial nature of such activities.

Metadata : Data that defines and describes other data and processes.

MICE : See meetings industry.

Microdata : Non-aggregated observations, or measurements of characteristics of individual units.

Mirror statistics : Mirror statistics are used to conduct bilateral comparisons of two basic measures of a trade flow and are a traditional tool for detecting the causes of asymmetries in statistics (OECD GST, p. 335).

Mountain tourism : Mountain tourism is a type of tourism activity which takes place in a defined and limited geographical space such as hills or mountains with distinctive characteristics and attributes that are inherent to a specific landscape, topography, climate, biodiversity (flora and fauna) and local community. It encompasses a broad range of outdoor leisure and sports activities.

National tourism : National tourism comprises domestic tourism and outbound tourism, that is to say, the activities of resident visitors within and outside the country of reference, either as part of domestic or outbound tourism trips ( IRTS 2008, 2.40(b) ).

National tourism consumption : National tourism consumption is the tourism consumption of resident visitors, within and outside the economy of reference. It is the sum of domestic tourism consumption and outbound tourism consumption ( TSA:RMF 2008, figure 2.1 ).

National tourism expenditure : National tourism expenditure comprises all tourism expenditure of resident visitors within and outside the economy of reference. It is the sum of domestic tourism expenditure and outbound tourism expenditure ( IRTS 2008, 4.20(b) ).

Nationality : The concept of "country of residence" of a traveller is different from that of his/her nationality or citizenship ( IRTS 2008, 2.19 ).

Non-monetary indicators : Data measured in physical or other non-monetary units should not be considered a secondary part of a satellite account. They are essential components, both for the information they provide directly and in order to analyse the monetary data adequately ( SNA 2008, 29.84 ).

Observation unit : entity on which information is received and statistics are compiled.

Outbound tourism : Outbound tourism comprises the activities of a resident visitor outside the country of reference, either as part of an outbound tourism trip or as part of a domestic tourism trip ( IRTS 2008, 2.39(c) ).

Outbound tourism consumption : Outbound tourism consumption is the tourism consumption of a resident visitor outside the economy of reference ( TSA:RMF 2008, figure 2.1 ).

Outbound tourism expenditure : Outbound tourism expenditure is the tourism expenditure of a resident visitor outside the economy of reference ( IRTS 2008, 4.15(c) ).

Output : Output is defined as the goods and services produced by an establishment, a) excluding the value of any goods and services used in an activity for which the establishment does not assume the risk of using the products in production, and b) excluding the value of goods and services consumed by the same establishment except for goods and services used for capital formation (fixed capital or changes in inventories) or own final consumption ( SNA 2008, 6.89 ).

Output (main): The main output of a (productive) activity should be determined by reference to the value added of the goods sold or services rendered (ISIC rev.4, 114).

Pilot survey : The aim of a pilot survey is to test the questionnaire (pertinence of the questions, understanding of questions by those being interviewed, duration of the interview) and to check various potential sources for sampling and non-sampling errors: for instance, the place in which the surveys are carried out and the method used, the identification of any omitted answers and the reason for the omission, problems of communicating in various languages, translation, the mechanics of data collection, the organization of field work, etc.

Place of usual residence : The place of usual residence is the geographical place where the enumerated person usually resides, and is defined by the location of his/her principal dwelling (Principles and recommendations for population and housing censuses of the United Nations, 2.20 to 2.24).

Probability sample : A sample selected by a method based on the theory of probability (random process), that is, by a method involving knowledge of the likelihood of any unit being selected.

Production account : The production account records the activity of producing goods and services as defined within the SNA. Its balancing item, gross value added, is defined as the value of output less the value of intermediate consumption and is a measure of the contribution to GDP made by an individual producer, industry or sector. Gross value added is the source from which the primary incomes of the SNA are generated and is therefore carried forward into the primary distribution of income account. Value added and GDP may also be measured net by deducting consumption of fixed capital, a figure representing the decline in value during the period of the fixed capital used in a production process ( SNA 2008, 1.17 ).

Production : Economic production may be defined as an activity carried out under the control and responsibility of an institutional unit that uses inputs of labour, capital, and goods and services to produce outputs of goods or services ( SNA 2008, 6.24. ).

Purpose of a tourism trip (main): The main purpose of a tourism trip is defined as the purpose in the absence of which the trip would not have taken place ( IRTS 2008, 3.10. ). Classification of tourism trips according to the main purpose refers to nine categories: this typology allows the identification of different subsets of visitors (business visitors, transit visitors, etc.) See also destination of a tourism trip ( IRTS 2008, 3.14 ).

Quality of a tourism destination : Quality of a tourism destination is the result of a process which implies the satisfaction of all tourism product and service needs, requirements and expectations of the consumer at an acceptable price, in conformity with mutually accepted contractual conditions and the implicit underlying factors such as safety and security, hygiene, accessibility, communication, infrastructure and public amenities and services. It also involves aspects of ethics, transparency and respect towards the human, natural and cultural environment. Quality, as one of the key drivers of tourism competitiveness, is also a professional tool for organizational, operational and perception purposes for tourism suppliers.

Questionnaire and Questionnaire design : Questionnaire is a group or sequence of questions designed to elicit information on a subject, or sequence of subjects, from a reporting unit or from another producer of official statistics. Questionnaire design is the design (text, order, and conditions for skipping) of the questions used to obtain the data needed for the survey.

Reference period : The period of time or point in time to which the measured observation is intended to refer.

Relevance : The degree to which statistics meet current and potential users' needs.

Reliability : Closeness of the initial estimated value to the subsequent estimated value.

Reporting unit : Unit that supplies the data for a given survey instance, like a questionnaire or interview. Reporting units may, or may not, be the same as the observation unit.

Residents/non-residents : The residents of a country are individuals whose centre of predominant economic interest is located in its economic territory. For a country, the non-residents are individuals whose centre of predominant economic interest is located outside its economic territory.

Response and non-response : Response and non-response to various elements of a survey entail potential errors.

Response error : Response errors may be defined as those arising from the interviewing process. Such errors may be due to a number of circumstances, such as inadequate concepts or questions; inadequate training; interviewer failures; respondent failures.

Rural tourism : Rural tourism is a type of tourism activity in which the visitor's experience is related to a wide range of products generally linked to nature-based activities, agriculture, rural lifestyle / culture, angling and sightseeing. Rural tourism activities take place in non-urban (rural) areas with the following characteristics:

• Low population density;
• Landscape and land-use dominated by agriculture and forestry; and
• Traditional social structure and lifestyle

Same-day visitor (or excursionist): A visitor (domestic, inbound or outbound) is classified as a tourist (or overnight visitor), if his/her trip includes an overnight stay, or as a same-day visitor (or excursionist) otherwise ( IRTS 2008, 2.13 ).

Sample : A subset of a frame where elements are selected based on a process with a known probability of selection.

Sample survey : A survey which is carried out using a sampling method.

Sampling error : That part of the difference between a population value and an estimate thereof, derived from a random sample, which is due to the fact that only a subset of the population is enumerated.

Satellite accounts : There are two types of satellite accounts, serving two different functions. The first type, sometimes called an internal satellite, takes the full set of accounting rules and conventions of the SNA but focuses on a particular aspect of interest by moving away from the standard classifications and hierarchies. Examples are tourism, coffee production and environmental protection expenditure. The second type, called an external satellite, may add non-economic data or vary some of the accounting conventions or both. It is a particularly suitable way to explore new areas in a research context. An example may be the role of volunteer labour in the economy ( SNA 2008, 29.85 ).

SDMX, Statistical Data and Metadata Exchange : Set of technical standards and content-oriented guidelines, together with an IT architecture and tools, to be used for the efficient exchange and sharing of statistical data and metadata (SDMX).

Seasonal adjustment : Seasonal adjustment is a statistical technique to remove the effects of seasonal calendar influences on a series. Seasonal effects usually reflect the influence of the seasons themselves, either directly or through production series related to them, or social conventions. Other types of calendar variation occur as a result of influences such as number of days in the calendar period, the accounting or recording practices adopted or the incidence of moving holidays.

Self-employment job : Self-employment jobs are those jobs where remuneration is directly dependent upon the profits (or the potential of profits) derived from the goods or services produced.

Self-employed with paid employees : Self-employed with paid employees are classified as employers.

Self-employed without employees : Self-employed without employees are classified as own-account workers.

Services : Services are the result of a production activity that changes the conditions of the consuming units, or facilitates the exchange of products or financial assets. They cannot be traded separately from their production. By the time their production is completed, they must have been provided to the consumers ( SNA 2008, 6.17 ).

Social transfers in kind : A special case of transfers in kind is that of social transfers in kind. These consist of goods and services provided by general government and non-profit institutions serving households (NPISHs) that are delivered to individual households. Health and education services are the prime examples. Rather than provide a specified amount of money to be used to purchase medical and educational services, the services are often provided in kind to make sure that the need for the services is met. (Sometimes the recipient purchases the service and is reimbursed by the insurance or assistance scheme. Such a transaction is still treated as being in kind because the recipient is merely acting as the agent of the insurance scheme) (SNA 2008, 3.83).

Sports tourism : Sports tourism is a type of tourism activity which refers to the travel experience of the tourist who either observes as a spectator or actively participates in a sporting event generally involving commercial and non-commercial activities of a competitive nature.

Standard classification : Classifications that follow prescribed rules and are generally recommended and accepted.

Statistical error : The unknown difference between the retained value and the true value.

Statistical indicator : A data element that represents statistical data for a specified time, place, and other characteristics, and is corrected for at least one dimension (usually size) to allow for meaningful comparisons.

Statistical metadata : Data about statistical data.

Statistical unit : Entity about which information is sought and about which statistics are compiled. Statistical units may be identifiable legal or physical entities or statistical constructs.

Survey : An investigation about the characteristics of a given population by means of collecting data from a sample of that population and estimating their characteristics through the systematic use of statistical methodology.

System of National Accounts : The System of National Accounts (SNA) is the internationally agreed standard set of recommendations on how to compile measures of economic activity in accordance with strict accounting conventions based on economic principles. The recommendations are expressed in terms of a set of concepts, definitions, classifications and accounting rules that comprise the internationally agreed standard for measuring indicators of economic performance. The accounting framework of the SNA allows economic data to be compiled and presented in a format that is designed for purposes of economic analysis, decision-taking and policymaking ( SNA 2008, 1.1 ).

Total tourism internal demand : Total tourism internal demand, is the sum of internal tourism consumption, tourism gross fixed capital formation and tourism collective consumption ( TSA:RMF 2008, 4.114 ). It does not include outbound tourism consumption.

Tourism : Tourism refers to the activity of visitors ( IRTS 2008, 2.9 ).

Tourism characteristic activities : Tourism characteristic activities are the activities that typically produce tourism characteristic products. As the industrial origin of a product (the ISIC industry that produces it) is not a criterion for the aggregation of products within a similar CPC category, there is no strict one-to-one relationship between products and the industries producing them as their principal outputs ( IRTS 2008, 5.11 ).

Tourism characteristic products : Tourism characteristic products are those that satisfy one or both of the following criteria: a) Tourism expenditure on the product should represent a significant share total tourism expenditure (share-of-expenditure/demand condition); b) Tourism expenditure on the product should represent a significant share of the supply of the product in the economy (share-of-supply condition). This criterion implies that the supply of a tourism characteristic product would cease to exist in meaningful quantity in the absence of visitors ( IRTS 2008, 5.10 ).

Tourism connected products : Their significance within tourism analysis for the economy of reference is recognized although their link to tourism is very limited worldwide. Consequently, lists of such products will be country-specific ( IRTS 2008, 5.12 ).

Tourism consumption : Tourism consumption has the same formal definition as tourism expenditure. Nevertheless, the concept of tourism consumption used in the Tourism Satellite Account goes beyond that of tourism expenditure. Besides the amount paid for the acquisition of consumption goods and services, as well as valuables for own use or to give away, for and during tourism trips, which corresponds to monetary transactions (the focus of tourism expenditure), it also includes services associated with vacation accommodation on own account, tourism social transfers in kind and other imputed consumption. These transactions need to be estimated using sources different from information collected directly from the visitors, such as reports on home exchanges, estimations of rents associated with vacation homes, calculations of financial intermediation services indirectly measured (FISIM), etc. ( TSA:RMF 2008, 2.25 ).

Tourism destination : A tourism destination is a physical space with or without administrative and/or analytical boundaries in which a visitor can spend an overnight. It is the cluster (co-location) of products and services, and of activities and experiences along the tourism value chain and a basic unit of analysis of tourism. A destination incorporates various stakeholders and can network to form larger destinations. It is also intangible with its image and identity which may influence its market competitiveness.

Tourism direct gross domestic product : Tourism direct gross domestic product (TDGDP) is the sum of the part of gross value added (at basic prices) generated by all industries in response to internal tourism consumption plus the amount of net taxes on products and imports included within the value of this expenditure at purchasers' prices ( TSA:RMF 2008, 4.96 ).

Tourism direct gross value added : Tourism direct gross value added (TDGVA) is the part of gross value added generated by tourism industries and other industries of the economy that directly serve visitors in response to internal tourism consumption ( TSA:RMF 2008, 4.88 ).

Tourism expenditure : Tourism expenditure refers to the amount paid for the acquisition of consumption goods and services, as well as valuables, for own use or to give away, for and during tourism trips. It includes expenditures by visitors themselves, as well as expenses that are paid for or reimbursed by others ( IRTS 2008, 4.2 ).

Tourism industries : The tourism industries comprise all establishments for which the principal activity is a tourism characteristic activity. Tourism industries (also referred to as tourism activities) are the activities that typically producetourism characteristic products. The term tourism industries is equivalent to tourism characteristic activities and the two terms are sometimes used synonymously in the IRTS 2008, 5.10, 5.11 and figure 5.1 .

Tourism product : 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.

Tourism ratio : For each variable of supply in the Tourism Satellite Account, the tourism ratiois the ratio between the total value of tourism share and total value of the corresponding variable in the Tourism Satellite Account expressed in percentage form ( TSA:RMF 2008, 4.56 ). (See also Tourism share).

Tourism Satellite Account : The Tourism Satellite Account is the second international standard on tourism statistics (Tourism Satellite Account: Recommended Methodological Framework 2008 –TSA:RMF 2008) that has been developed in order to present economic data relative to tourism within a framework of internal and external consistency with the rest of the statistical system through its link to the System of National Accounts. It is the basic reconciliation framework of tourism statistics. As a statistical tool for the economic accounting of tourism, the TSA can be seen as a set of 10 summary tables, each with their underlying data and representing a different aspect of the economic data relative to tourism: inbound, domestic tourism and outbound tourism expenditure, internal tourism expenditure, production accounts of tourism industries, the Gross Value Added (GVA) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) attributable to tourism demand, employment, investment, government consumption, and non-monetary indicators.

Tourism Satellite Account aggregates : The compilation of the following aggregates, which represent a set of relevant indicators of the size of tourism in an economy is recommended ( TSA:RMF 2008, 4.81 ):

• Internal tourism expenditure;
• Internal tourism consumption;
• Gross value added of tourism industries (GVATI);
• Tourism direct gross value added (TDGVA);
• Tourism direct gross domestic product (TDGDP).

Tourism sector : The tourism sector, as contemplated in the TSA, is the cluster of production units in different industries that provide consumption goods and services demanded by visitors. Such industries are called tourism industries because visitor acquisition represents such a significant share of their supply that, in the absence of visitors, their production of these would cease to exist in meaningful quantity.

Tourism share : Tourism share is the share of the corresponding fraction of internal tourism consumption in each component of supply ( TSA:RMF 2008, 4.51 ). For each industry, the tourism share of output (in value), is the sum of the tourism share corresponding to each product component of its output ( TSA:RMF 2008, 4.55 ). (See also Tourism ratio ).

Tourism single-purpose consumer durable goods : Tourism single-purpose consumer durables is a specific category of consumer durable goods that include durable goods that are used exclusively, or almost exclusively, by individuals while on tourism trips ( TSA:RMF 2008 , 2.41 and Annex 5 ).

Tourism trip : Trips taken by visitors are tourism trips ( IRTS 2008, 2.29 ).

Tourist (or overnight visitor): A visitor (domestic, inbound or outbound) is classified as a tourist (or overnight visitor), if his/her trip includes an overnight stay, or as a same-day visitor (or excursionist) otherwise ( IRTS 2008, 2.13 ).

Tourism value chain : The tourism value chain is the sequence of primary and support activities which are strategically fundamental for the performance of the tourism sector. Linked processes such as policy making and integrated planning, product development and packaging, promotion and marketing, distribution and sales and destination operations and services are the key primary activities of the tourism value chain. Support activities involve transport and infrastructure, human resource development, technology and systems development and other complementary goods and services which may not be related to core tourism businesses but have a high impact on the value of tourism.

Travel / traveller : Travel refers to the activity of travellers. A traveller is someone who moves between different geographic locations, for any purpose and any duration ( IRTS 2008, 2.4 ). The visitor is a particular type of traveller and consequently tourism is a subset of travel.

Travel group : A travel group is made up of individuals or travel parties travelling together: examples are people travelling on the same package tour or youngsters attending a summer camp ( IRTS 2008, 3.5 ).

Travel item (in balance of payments): Travel is an item of the goods and services account of the balance of payments: travel credits cover goods and services for own use or to give away acquired from an economy by non-residents during visits to that economy. Travel debits cover goods and services for own use or to give away acquired from other economies by residents during visits to other economies ( BPM6, 10.86 ).

Travel party : A travel party is defined as visitors travelling together on a trip and whose expenditures are pooled ( IRTS 2008, 3.2 ).

Trip : A trip refers to the travel by a person from the time of departure from his/her usual residence until he/she returns: it thus refers to a round trip. Trips taken by visitors are tourism trips.

Urban/city tourism : Urban/city tourism is a type of tourism activity which takes place in an urban space with its inherent attributes characterized by non-agricultural based economy such as administration, manufacturing, trade and services and by being nodal points of transport. Urban/city destinations offer a broad and heterogeneous range of cultural, architectural, technological, social and natural experiences and products for leisure and business.

Usual environment: The usual environment of an individual, a key concept in tourism, is defined as the geographical area (though not necessarily a contiguous one) within which an individual conducts his/her regular life routines ( IRTS 2008, 2.21 ).

Usual residence : The place of usual residence is the geographical place where the enumerated person usually resides (Principles and recommendations for population and housing censuses of the United Nations, 2.16 to 2.18).

Vacation home : A vacation home (sometimes also designated as a holiday home) is a secondary dwelling that is visited by the members of the household mostly for purposes of recreation, vacation or any other form of leisure ( IRTS 2008, 2.27 ).

Valuables : Valuables are produced goods of considerable value that are not used primarily for purposes of production or consumption but are held as stores of value over time ( SNA 2008, 10.13 ).

Visit : A trip is made up of visits to different places.The term "tourism visit" refers to a stay in a place visited during a tourism trip ( IRTS 2008, 2.7 and 2.33 ).

Visitor : A visitor is a traveller taking a trip to a main destination outside his/her usual environment, for less than a year, for any main purpose (business, leisure or other personal purpose) other than to be employed by a resident entity in the country or place visited ( IRTS 2008, 2.9 ). A visitor (domestic, inbound or outbound) is classified as a tourist (or overnight visitor), if his/her trip includes an overnight stay, or as a same-day visitor (or excursionist) otherwise ( IRTS 2008, 2.13 ).

Wellness tourism : Wellness tourism is a type of tourism activity which aims to improve and balance all of the main domains of human life including physical, mental, emotional, occupational, intellectual and spiritual. The primary motivation for the wellness tourist is to engage in preventive, proactive, lifestyle-enhancing activities such as fitness, healthy eating, relaxation, pampering and healing treatments.

• English (UK)
• English (CA)
• Deutsch (DE)
• Deutsch (CH)

8 types of tourism that you need to know

The three tourism categories, domestic tourism, inbound tourism, outbound tourism, the 8 types of tourism according to motivation, business tourism.

• Meet with business partners or prospects
• Attend an event, conference, or trade show
• Visit another office location of the same company

See how to save money on business travel

Leisure tourism, shopping tourism, cultural tourism, sports tourism, rural tourism, mountain tourism, urban tourism, many people travel – but for completely different reasons.

Make business travel simpler. Forever.

• See our platform in action . Trusted by thousands of companies worldwide, TravelPerk makes business travel simpler to manage with more flexibility, full control of spending with easy reporting, and options to offset your carbon footprint.
• Find hundreds of resources on all things business travel, from tips on traveling more sustainably, to advice on setting up a business travel policy, and managing your expenses. Our latest e-books and blog posts have you covered.
• Never miss another update. Stay in touch with us on social for the latest product releases, upcoming events, and articles fresh off the press.

5 inefficient processes affecting your business and how to fix them

Duty of care in the workplace: everything you need to know

CEO Roles and Responsibilities: conquer your role as CEO

• Business Travel Management
• Offset Carbon Footprint
• Flexible travel
• Travelperk Sustainability Policy
• Corporate Travel Resources
• Corporate Travel Glossary
• For Travel Managers
• For Finance Teams
• For Travelers
• Thoughts from TravelPerk
• Careers Hiring
• User Reviews
• Integrations
• Privacy Center
• Help Center
• Privacy Policy
• Cookies Policy
• Modern Slavery Act | Statement
• Supplier Code of Conduct

What is outbound tourism and why is it important?

Disclaimer: Some posts on Tourism Teacher may contain affiliate links. If you appreciate this content, you can show your support by making a purchase through these links or by buying me a coffee . Thank you for your support!

Outbound tourism is an important type of tourism . Many countries rely heavily on travellers leaving their home country in search of an international tourism experience.

But what does it actually mean to be an outbound tourist? In this article I will explain what is meant by the term outbound tourism, provide definitions of outbound tourism and I will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of outbound tourism. Lastly, I will provide examples of destinations which have significantly sized outbound tourism markets.

What is outbound tourism?

Outbound tourism definitions, the advent of low cost travel, increased disposable income and leisure time, globalisation, the importance of outbound tourism, the growth of the chinese outbound tourism industry, positive impacts of outbound tourism, negative impacts of outbound tourism, the value of outbound tourism to the uk, outbound tourism: conclusion, further reading.

Outbound tourism is the act of travelling ‘out’ of your home country for the purposes of tourism.

Outbound tourism does not include the purchasing of good or services before or after the trip within the tourism generating country.

To learn more about what a ‘tourism generating country’ is, read my post about Leiper’s Tourism System .

The terms outbound tourism and inbound tourism are often used interchangeably.

This is because a tourist who is travelling internationally is both an outbound tourist (because they travel OUT of their home country) and an inbound tourist (because they travel IN to another country).

The only exception to this would be if a person was travelling on a multi-centre trip, for example a backpacker. This is because they are not necessarily travelling from their home country.

The most widely utilised definition of tourism , proposed by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and United States (UN) Nations Statistics Division (1994), prescribes that in order to qualify as a tourist one must travel and remain in a place outside of their usual residential environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business or other purposes.

When considering outbound tourism, it therefore makes sense to simply add in the prerequisite of leaving your home country country…

Based on this commonly accepted definition (although this is not without its limits- see this post for more details ), therefore, outbound tourism can be defined as:

‘The act of leaving your home country to travel internationally for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business or other purposes.’

Some other organisations have also offered definitions for the term outbound tourism.

The European Union define outbound tourism as:

‘Visits by residents of a country outside that country’.

Similarly, Visit Britain state that outbound tourism is:

‘The activities of a resident visitor outside of their country of residence’.

The growth of outbound tourism

The outbound tourism market has grown considerably throughout the years.

Of course, the outbound tourist market has grown at different rates in different parts of the world, but the reasons for this growth are largely the same.

Three of the biggest factors contributing to the growth of outbound tourism are: the advent of low cost travel, increases in disposable income and leisure time and globalisation.

The past two decades have seen significant developments in the history of tourism .

Increased competition within the marketplace and the introduction of low cost airlines has meant that more of us are able to travel more often.

In recent years the amount of disposable income that the average person has each year has increased. This means that people have more money to spend on international tourism .

People also have more leisure time than they used to. Paid holidays and increased flexibility as a result of flexi-time practices at work, means that people have more opportunities for international tourism than they did in the past.

Other posts that you might be interested in: – What is tourism? A definition of tourism – The history of tourism – The structure of the tourism industry – Stakeholders in tourism – Inbound tourism explained: What, why and where – What is ABTA and how does it work? – The economic impacts of tourism

More people want to experience outbound tourism nowadays than ever before. Globalisation has opened up many opportunities for us around the world.

Many destinations that were not previously accessible have opened up and subsequently developed their tourism industries.

Click here to learn more about globalisation and its impact on the tourism industry!

Outbound tourism is hugely important to many countries around the world. The OECD have a handy tool on their website which demonstrates the value of this tourism in different parts of the world.

Outbound tourism has many positive economic impacts that reaches further than just the tourism industry. Outbound tourism can help to enhance the economies of many countries by providing economic boosts in a range of sectors such as retail, healthcare and education.

Many countries, however, rely too much on outbound tourism. Should there be a reason that tourism declines, for example during the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, a country’s economy could face dire consequences if they do not diversify their income.

A major recent development in the tourism industry is the growth of Chinese outbound tourism.

Today, China is the largest outbound tourism market in the world.

Chinese tourists spent more than $288billion on international travel in 2018, which equates to a whooping 25% of global tourism spend . It is predicted that Chinese tourists will take 160 million overseas trips by 2020.

This growth is largely attributed to rising incomes amongst Chinese workers and new freedoms allowed to the population . Many countries around the world now offer simpler and easy to obtain visas for Chinese citizens than they did in previous years.

This has resulted in a boom in Chinese outbound tourism. Whilst Chinese tourists travel all over the world, markets in Asian countries such as Thailand and Bali have seen particular increases in overall tourism numbers as a result.

Chinese tourists typically spend significantly more money when they travel than tourists from other countries. This means that the Chinese outbound tourism market is particularly welcomes in many destinations around the world.

Outbound tourism can be beneficial for both the traveller generating region and the tourist destination region .

In the tourist’s home country, outbound tourism can help to boost the economy. If tourists use a local operator to organise their travel arrangements, such as the national airline or a domestic travel agent, then some of the profits made will be retained in the home country.

When the tourist reaches their holiday destination there are many economic advantages to the host destination. The graph below by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) outlines the areas that profit the most from outbound tourism.

Foreign exchange income can be particularly beneficial in destinations where the currency is weak. Many destinations focus their marketing efforts in countries that have strong currencies, such as the UK, USA or Europe.

Another positive impact of outbound tourism is that income from tourism can be used to help boost the wider economy. Money can be reinvested in areas such as healthcare and education.

There are two major economic impacts that can have a negative effect on the destination.

The first is economic leakage in tourism . Outbound tourists often seek the familiar and may choose to spend their money in large chain organisations such as a Hilton Hotel or a McDonalds fast food restaurant. This causes money to be taken out of the tourist destination region, thus limiting the positive impacts from tourism.

The second is over dependence. If a destination relies too heavily on their outbound tourism industry, they could come into trouble should this be disrupted.

Disruptions to the tourism industry occur frequently around the world. Reasons include natural disasters, political unrest, economic instability and pandemics.

You can read about the economic impacts of tourism in more detail here.

According to the ONS, outbound tourism is a significant market in the UK, accounting for 1.8% of GDP.

The outbound tourism sector accounts for more than 221,000 jobs in the United Kingdom.

The economic contribution of UK outbound tourism equates to £37.1 billion.

The graph below indicates which destinations UK outbound tourists are choosing to travel to, with Spain being the most popular.

Outbound tourism is an important part of the structure of the tourism industry . Many countries rely heavily on outbound tourist markets and outbound tourism is a significant economic contributor. The outbound tourism market has grown and developed throughout the years, with the most significant and rapidly emerging market being the Chinese.

• An Introduction to Tourism : a comprehensive and authoritative introduction to all facets of tourism including: the history of tourism; factors influencing the tourism industry; tourism in developing countries; sustainable tourism; forecasting future trends.
• The Business of Tourism Management : an introduction to key aspects of tourism, and to the practice of managing a tourism business.
• Tourism Management: An Introduction : gives its reader a strong understanding of the dimensions of tourism, the industries of which it is comprised, the issues that affect its success, and the management of its impact on destination economies, environments and communities.

Liked this article? Click to share!

Understanding Inbound Tourism: A Comprehensive Guide

Welcome to the world of travel and tourism, where the concept of inbound tourism plays a crucial role in shaping the industry. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve deep into the definition, significance, trends, and impact of inbound tourism on destinations around the globe. Whether you are a seasoned travel professional or an enthusiastic traveler, understanding inbound tourism is essential to grasp the dynamics of the travel industry.

What is Inbound Tourism?

Inbound tourism refers to the act of traveling to a destination by individuals who are not residents of that destination. In simpler terms, it involves tourists visiting a country or region that is different from their place of origin. This form of tourism encompasses a wide range of activities, including sightseeing, cultural exploration, leisure travel, business trips, and more.

One of the key characteristics of inbound tourism is that it involves foreign visitors who contribute to the economy of the destination they are visiting. These visitors bring in revenue through various means such as accommodation, dining, transportation, shopping, and other tourism-related activities. Inbound tourism is a significant driver of economic growth and development for many countries, making it a vital component of the global tourism industry.

The Significance of Inbound Tourism

Inbound tourism plays a pivotal role in the economic, social, and cultural development of destinations worldwide. Here are some key reasons why inbound tourism is significant:

• Economic Impact: Inbound tourism generates revenue for the host destination through spending on accommodations, food, transportation, and other services. This revenue contributes to the local economy, creates jobs, and supports small businesses.
• Cultural Exchange: Inbound tourism promotes cultural exchange and understanding between different countries and cultures. Tourists have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the local customs, traditions, and way of life, fostering mutual respect and appreciation.
• Infrastructure Development: The influx of foreign tourists often leads to improvements in infrastructure such as airports, roads, hotels, and attractions. These developments benefit both tourists and local residents, enhancing the overall quality of life in the destination.
• Promotion of Heritage and Natural Resources: Inbound tourism can help raise awareness about the importance of preserving heritage sites, natural landscapes, and wildlife. Tourists often visit destinations to experience their unique cultural and natural attractions, creating incentives for conservation efforts.

Trends in Inbound Tourism

The landscape of inbound tourism is constantly evolving, influenced by changing consumer preferences, technological advancements, global events, and economic factors. Here are some notable trends shaping the world of inbound tourism:

• Emerging Destinations: As travelers seek new and authentic experiences, emerging destinations are gaining popularity among tourists. These destinations offer unique attractions, cultural heritage, and natural beauty, attracting visitors looking for off-the-beaten-path experiences.
• Digital Transformation: The rise of digital platforms and online booking systems has transformed the way travelers research, plan, and book their trips. Online travel agencies, review websites, and social media influencers play a significant role in shaping travelers' decisions and preferences.
• Sustainable Tourism: There is a growing emphasis on sustainable tourism practices that minimize the environmental impact of travel and support local communities. Eco-friendly accommodations, responsible tour operators, and conservation initiatives are becoming increasingly important for travelers seeking ethical travel experiences.
• Personalized Experiences: Travelers are increasingly looking for personalized and customized experiences that cater to their interests and preferences. From tailored itineraries to unique accommodations, the demand for personalized travel experiences is driving innovation in the tourism industry.

The Impact of Inbound Tourism

The impact of inbound tourism extends beyond economic benefits, influencing various aspects of destination development and community well-being. Here are some key areas where inbound tourism has a significant impact:

• Employment Opportunities: Inbound tourism creates job opportunities in sectors such as hospitality, transportation, retail, and tour operations. These jobs provide income for local residents and contribute to the overall prosperity of the destination.
• Cultural Preservation: Tourism can help preserve and promote the cultural heritage of a destination by showcasing traditional crafts, performing arts, cuisine, and festivals. Cultural tourism initiatives support local artisans, performers, and cultural institutions, preserving traditions for future generations.
• Infrastructure Development: The demand from tourists drives investments in infrastructure projects such as airports, roads, public transportation, and tourist facilities. These developments benefit both tourists and local residents, improving accessibility and quality of life.
• Environmental Conservation: Sustainable tourism practices promote the protection of natural resources, wildlife habitats, and ecosystems. Responsible tourism initiatives aim to minimize the environmental footprint of travel activities and raise awareness about conservation efforts.

Inbound tourism is a dynamic and multifaceted aspect of the global travel industry, influencing economies, cultures, and communities around the world. By understanding the definition, significance, trends, and impact of inbound tourism, stakeholders in the travel industry can make informed decisions and contribute to sustainable tourism development. As the world continues to evolve, inbound tourism will play a vital role in shaping the future of travel and creating memorable experiences for travelers worldwide.

Select Currency... EUR €4.49/month GBP £3.99/month INR ₹399/month USD $4.99/month

• Custom itineraries for trips up to 30 Days See Example
• Latest AI updates (As of October 2023 )
• Personalized packing lists
• Extra itinerary information (weather, currency, etc.)
• Private itineraries
• Ad-free experience
• Includes all Long Trip features

Select Currency... EUR €2.75/month GBP £2.30/month INR ₹249/month USD $2.99/month

• Custom itineraries for trips up to 20 days
• Standard support

"This is so awesome! We hired a travel agent for $200 and your AI just spit out almost exactly the same itinerary the agent planned for our honeymoon in Greece!"

"This is super cool. I did three days in a relatively small town, and it came up with a nice sounding trip (relaxation focused)."

- Redditor StillKickinginAZ

"This is incredible"

- Jenny Turner

Statistics Explained will be under maintenance from 8pm to 11pm.Edition and login will not be available.

• Statistical themes
• Statistics 4 beginners
• Eurostat home
• Education corner
• Regional yearbook
• Sustainable development
• What links here
• Special pages

Glossary:Tourism

Tourism means the activity of visitors taking a trip to a main destination outside their usual environment , for less than a year, for any main purpose, including business, leisure or other personal purpose, other than to be employed by a resident entity in the place visited.

Three types can be distinguished, according to the origin and destination of visitors:

• domestic tourism means visits within a country by visitors who are residents of that country.
• inbound tourism means visits to a country by visitors who are not residents of that country.
• outbound tourism means visits by residents of a country outside that country.

Derived groupings:

• national tourism means domestic and outbound tourism.
• internal tourism means domestic and inbound tourism.
• international tourism means inbound and outbound tourism.

Further information

• Methodology for tourism statistics and Tourism Satellite Accounts (TSA)

Related concepts

Statistical data.

• Tourism statistics
• Tourism glossary
• ISSN 2443-8219
• This page was last edited on 16 December 2014, at 12:41.
• 1 watching user
• Privacy policy
• Accessibility
• About Statistics Explained
• Disclaimers

Outbound tourism

• Living reference work entry
• First Online: 01 January 2015
• Cite this living reference work entry

• Peiyi Ding 3 &
• Shan Jiang 4  

149 Accesses

1 Citations

Outbound tourism describes the phenomenon of residents traveling from one country to another (World Tourism Organization 1994 ). It does not comprise of goods and services acquired for or after the trip within the generating country. It may be contrasted with inbound, domestic, and border tourism . For example, from an Australian perspective, visitors from the United States are inbound tourists, while from the US standpoint, they are outbound tourists.

With rising levels of disposable income, however, many emerging economies have shown fast growth. In 2012, the world’s top five destinations were the United States, Spain , France , China , and Macao (China). Source markets are largely concentrated in the industrialized countries of Europe , the Americas , and Asia and the Pacific (UNWTO 2013 ). With regard to expenditure on outbound tourism, China has shown by far the fastest growth. With the 2012 surge, China leaped to first place (US$102 billion), overtaking both the longtime top spender Germany...

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Institutional subscriptions

Gholipour, F., and R. Tajaddini 2014 Cultural Dimensions and Outbound Tourism. Annals of Tourism Research 49:203-205.

Article   Google Scholar  

Pearce, D., and R. Butler 2010 Tourism Research: A 20-20 Vision. Oxford: Goodfellow.

Google Scholar  

World Tourism Organization 1994 Recommendations on Tourism Statistics. New York: United Nations.

UNWTO 2013 UNWTO Tourism Highlights. Madrid: World Tourism Organization.

Download references

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

Tourism Confucius Institute, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Parkland Dr., 4215, Southport, Australia

Capital Normal University, Beijing, China

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peiyi Ding .

Editor information

Editors and affiliations.

School of Hospitality Leadership, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, Wisconsin, USA

Jafar Jafari

School of Hotel and Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR

Honggen Xiao

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 © Crown

About this entry

Cite this entry.

Ding, P., Jiang, S. (2015). Outbound tourism. In: Jafari, J., Xiao, H. (eds) Encyclopedia of Tourism. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-01669-6_139-1

Download citation

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-01669-6_139-1

Received : 20 April 2015

Accepted : 20 April 2015

Published : 29 September 2015

Publisher Name : Springer, Cham

Online ISBN : 978-3-319-01669-6

eBook Packages : Springer Reference Business and Management Reference Module Humanities and Social Sciences Reference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

• Publish with us

Policies and ethics

• Find a journal
• Track your research

The differences between outbound and inbound tour operator agents

By Blake Ng — 25 Mar 2018

distribution   inbound tour operator   inbound travel   outbound tour operator   outbound travel

Updated January 2023 – Are you a tour operator trying to find which option is best for you? Or alternatively, are you a tourism professional trying to set up your distribution system? Trying to make your mark and stand out in a highly competitive industry? Let’s start at the beginning to help you understand the types of travel agents available to partner with. 

The role of a tour operator is to brainstorm ideas and conduct research to design holiday packages for travelers. In essence, they curate and compile various travel elements into a package that people will find appealing — creating a tailored and individual experience based on the interests and needs of various travelers. Holiday packages usually combine accommodation, cuisine, sightseeing, and transport. 

Inbound vs. outbound travel

An inbound tourist is someone who visits a country but is not a resident of it. In outbound tourism, residents of a country visit another country. Does this sound like two sides of the same coin? That’s because it is.

Let’s look at an example:

Kevin, an Australian citizen, is traveling to Argentina for a holiday.

Kevin is an inbound tourist to Argentina. In contrast, Kevin is an outbound tourist from Australia. 

Depending on where Kevin chooses to organize his holiday packages will depend on if he makes use of inbound tourism or outbound tourism.

An inbound tour operator will sell to people soon to be arriving in their countries, whereas an outbound tour operator will sell to people before they arrive at their destination.

Inbound tour operator agents

An inbound tour operator, also known as a destination management company, is a locally-based business or individual that provides holiday planning. This includes itinerary planning and arrangement of payment for their overseas clients. 

Inbound tour operators deal with both individuals and groups of international travelers. They make arrangements that are specifically catered to international guests, ensuring their clients have a comfortable and enjoyable stay. 

An inbound operator can work with the convenience of being able to operate at the same location in which they are organizing the holiday packages. Compared to outbound tour operators, an inbound operator would better understand the local area and its culture. This is especially true when receiving any inquiries or questions about tour information from a potential client. Additionally, an inbound tour operator is usually encouraged to develop strategic partnerships with other local companies and tour and activity operators . Building these relationships is a lot easier due to geographical location. 

Inbound tour operators are locally based

The purpose of inbound tour operators is to promote the entire destination to potential visitors from their local viewpoint. The operational advantage of being locally based is having easy access to work with other companies to promote the location as a whole to interested overseas travelers. Additionally, inbound tour operators can offer a more personalized service to their customers by having direct contact with them in their chosen destinations.

Inbound tour operators often work with other travel agents and distribution partners

Tour packages are often created and promoted by inbound tour operators in partnership with other travel agent s and travel distribution channels . Inbound tour operators work under the assumption that travelers are often motivated by package deals and promotions, and take advantage of this when marketing their destination. This means it’s beneficial for inbound tour operators to create packages that include local tourism businesses such as hotels, transportation, and tours and activities. Following that, these same packages are promoted to segments of the target market that are most likely to visit the region in the near future.

Choose an inbound tour operator if:

Working with an inbound tour operator is a good idea if you want to increase your visibility in a chosen destination. This will be increasingly beneficial if your target market shows interest in package deals. 

Outbound tour operator agents

A typical outbound tour operator works with international tourists. In contrast to inbound tour operators, outbound tour operators take travelers overseas from their home country. They offer a variety of tour packages that enable tourists across borders to travel abroad easily.

Outbound tour operators contribute significantly to the destination country’s economic growth. The majority of outbound tour operators choose to focus on a specific destination. This may be a destination that is currently popular or a destination in which they have special expertise and distribution partners. 

Most outbound tour operators cater to international travelers. 

Outbound tour operators offer travelers the convenience of visiting another country of their choice through tour packages. When travelers book a tour with an outbound tour operator, they can get everything they need under one roof — simplifying the travel experience. 

A particular region of the world is often their specialty

Outbound tour operators have the benefit of being experts in the destinations they serve. European destinations are a very popular choice with outbound tour operators; however other destinations, such as Southeast Asia and the Middle East, are growing in popularity. A successful outbound tour operator will often be very tuned-in to trends, one step ahead of the crowds, so they know which destinations to specialize in next. 

Choose an outbound tour operator if:

If your business strategy includes targeting international travelers, partnering with an outbound tour operator is likely to be a good fit. Additionally, an outbound tour operator will be a good fit if you understand overseas offerings and have the ability to promote them to domestic customers.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Just like running any form of travel company, there will always be some advantages and disadvantages. before working with either an inbound or outbound tour operator, here are a few pros and cons you should consider.

Inbound tour operators

As an inbound tour operator, you’ll have the advantage of convenience. This is due to being able to operate in the same location or home country as the tours you offer. This is extremely beneficial when receiving any inquiries or questions about the tours as you’d have a greater understanding of the local area and its culture compared to outbound tour operators. Furthermore, as an inbound tour operator, developing strategic partnerships and forming great relationships with other local companies and tour and activity operators will be a lot easier and is usually encouraged.

Another major advantage an inbound tour operator has is that most of the interactions with their customers will be direct. Meaning, it will allow them to offer a more personalized experience based on their customer’s needs.

Outbound tour operators

Just like the inbound operators, outbound tour operators deal with customers from their own countries. This makes designing and creating tour packages a whole lot simpler as they can customize the tours based on the customer’s interests. However, a disadvantage outbound tour operators have is not being based on the travel destination itself. This could create problems and can be more difficult to resolve any issues that may arise.

Fortunately, outbound tour operators have the flexibility to update their products and packages based on the latest travel trends and demands. As we all know, the travel industry is highly competitive and constantly evolving. Offering outbound tours gives you the freedom to adapt to changes in the travel and tourism market swiftly.

Which one should you choose?

The key difference between inbound and outbound tour operators comes down to whether they provide tours in their home country or abroad. You should consider both types of tour operator agents when developing your distribution strategy. Partnering with these two agents will maximize your reach to both international and domestic travelers.

Now, it’s time to think about ways to make your distribution and marketing channels more effective. You can identify your key partners via your research or by connecting with a tour wholesaler . By establishing partnerships with a large tour operator network , you can advance your business — both inbound and outbound. Read our previous blog if you are looking for tips and tricks for partnering with travel agencies or download our online distribution  ebook today.

In general, both types of tour operator agents play an important role in the overall success of your distribution strategy. By partnering with both of these agents, you’ll be able to maximize your reach to both international and domestic travelers.

When bookings start to come through, you’d want to ensure that you’re providing your customers with a simple booking journey. By utilizing an online booking software , you’re not only simplifying the customer’s booking journey, you’re streamlining your processes as well. This is due to advanced features that automate your processes that allow your customers to make a booking on the spot. These features include a real-time availability viewer, that allows your customers to book based on your exact availabilities. Payment gateway integrations that provide your customers with the convenience of secure online payments. And Automatic communication, which sends your customers confirmation and updates regarding their bookings.

To top this all off, you can easily manage your partnership with both outbound and inbound tour operators via an online tour operator marketplace like Rezdy Channel Manager . Rezdy’s marketplace broadens your reach to over 25,000 active resellers in the industry.

Using Rezdy Channel Manager is as simple as:

• Naming your price
• Setting your rates
• Letting resellers sell and promote your products

On top of that, you don’t have to worry about collecting payments and paying commissions as Rezdy automatically organizes payments for both parties. This reduces the need to chase your agents for payments.

Ready to capture more inbound and outbound bookings with Rezdy? Start a FREE 21-day trial or book a free demo today.

If you enjoyed this article, then make sure to sign up for our newsletter where you’ll receive the latest marketing tools and tour operator tips designed with businesses like yours in mind.

Start free trial

Enjoy 21 days to take a look around and see if we are a good fit for your business.

No obligations, no catches, no limits, nada

Distribution

eBook: Guide to growing your tourism business through distribution & channel management tools

How to navigate API connections with resellers

Case Study: Wendella Tours & Cruises

• Hospitality Industry
• Institutions
• Vocational Courses
• Master’s Courses (International)
• Order our Book
• Search for: Search Button

What is Tourism and explain in brief factors that promote tourism?

Ans: Travelling outside from their usual environment/places for the purpose of Leisure, Business, Pilgrimage, Education, Treatment, etc. There are Outbound tourism, Inbound Tourism, Domestic Tourism which has explained in detail below.

This Industry is a dynamic and competitive industry, very important for the country’s economy.

India is growing rapidly.

It has been calculated by the World Travel and Tourism Council of World that Indian tourism generated ₹16.91 lakh crores (US$240 billion) or 9.2% of Indian GDP and created 43 Million Jobs in 2018 and expected to grow ₹32.05 lakh crores (US$450 billion) by 2028.

It enhances the economy of the countries and boosts in a range of many sectors of the countries.

Many Countries rely on Tourism.

Outbound Tourism

Outbound tourism is the act of traveling “out” of your home country for the purpose of tourism, it comprises the activities to travel out their country of residence and outside their usual environment for not more than 12 consecutive months for the purpose of Leisure, Business, Pilgrimage, Education, Treatment, etc. It involves the people going from India to other provinces, territories, or countries. For example, going to Hawaii for a holiday is considered outbound tourism. The three biggest factors contributing to the growth of outbound tourism are the advent of low cost, an increase in disposable income, and leisure time in globalization. There are tourists who visit places with the objective of studies and exploration. The need for research promotes tourism. Archeologists, Geologists, Oceanographers, Biologists and Zoologists, Architects, and People researching Arts and Cultures seek places that have great significance in the field of research.

The recent growth in outbound tourism industries in the world market is from China. It has an estimate in 2018 is approx $300 billion only in outbound tourism. Whilst, Chinese tourism travel all over the world. This means that the Chinese outbound tourism market is particularly welcoming in many destinations around the world.

Inbound Tourism

The tourists coming from other places are called inbound tourists. Tourism can bring in a lot of money to a country through the foreign exchange from a global market. It is for this reason that many countries will target their advertising towards certain nationalities and will try to attract tourists, mainly from the United States, China, Japan, Germany, and many other countries. To attract the tourist the government explores the cultures, Places, Monuments & Heritage, Food, Lifestyles, etc. The best example is people mostly travel to see the “Wonder of the World” or a place like Las Vegas due to the biggest Casino or to a place like Dubai to watch” Burj Khalifa”. The Industry also implements marketing campaigns, aimed to attract travelers from other parts of the country.

The problems occur when there are pandemic, terrorism, natural calamities, etc. this kind of uncertainties our intentional problem creates a major problem in economics.

India is said to be the largest market for travel and tourism. India is a diverse product like eco-tourism, film, rural and religious, spiritual tourism.

Domestic Tourism

It comprises the activities of residents, traveling within the countries. It is also a big business to bring the economy of the local area. India is one of the popular domestic tourism. It is surrounded by Sea, Hills, Sand dune, Jungles, Different cultures, religion, food, temples (the state with the highest domestic tourists was Tamil Nadu, with over 385 million tourist visits), monuments, and heritage, etc.

No Responses

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

© 2024 The Hotel Skills. Created with ❤️ using WordPress and Vertice theme.

Inbound vs Outbound Marketing: What’s the Difference? (Infographic)

We all know that marketing exists in many different shapes and sizes. Indeed, you probably experience marketing efforts multiple times a day — whether it’s while you’re out and about or sitting on your couch watching TV.

You may have also heard of inbound and outbound marketing before. These terms might sound like industry jargon when they first hit your ears, but their distinction is actually significant.

There wasn’t always a clear divide between these two marketing strategies. In fact, once upon a time, there was no inbound vs outbound marketing — there were just traditional tactics.

So how did we get from the old days to modern marketing? Let’s start at the beginning.

Outbound Marketing: A Tale As Old as Time

Back in the day, marketing consisted of cold calling, setting up trade show tables, passing around pamphlets or sending catalogs through direct mail. It was a one-way conversation: Here’s our product, and here’s why it’s great.

This traditional marketing strategy would soon be known as outbound marketing. It was all about stopping potential customers in their tracks and getting them to notice your brand. The goal was to promote brand awareness, whether consumers wanted to learn about your brand or not.

When a potential customer realizes they have a need for your product or service and then goes to your brand first because it was top-of-mind, you know the outbound tactics worked.

When outbound marketing was all there was, it was the best strategy for lead generation. Brands just had to be more in-your-face than their competitors.

But then, the internet happened, and a whole new form of communication was born. Marketers took hold of the power of the internet and replicated their traditional efforts on digital marketing platforms. Billboards became banner ads, pamphlets became pop-ups, and radio scripts – well, those stayed pretty much the same, but were inserted into online radio stations like Pandora.

These marketing tactics fell flat in this new territory. We all feel the same way about banner ads and pop-ups. They can provide the right answer, but only some of the time – as long as there’s proper targeting, convenient and unobtrusive location on the page and no adblocking.

The one-way communication model isn’t effective when two-way communication is as simple as sending a tweet. Thus, the online world gave way to a new marketing technique, made up of online articles, email newsletters and social media — basically, anything that can facilitate that two-way conversation.

Subscribe to The Content Marketer

Get weekly insights, advice and opinions about all things digital marketing.

Thank you for subscribing to The Content Marketer!

In Comes Inbound Marketing

Inbound marketing methodology allows for two-way conversations between brands and audiences. It’s distinct in the fact that it invites people in rather than shoving a message in front of their eyes.

Inbound marketing is nearly synonymous with content marketing – but not quite. They both rely on genuinely informative content (not salesy or braggy – just honest and helpful), like blog posts, white papers, infographics, email marketing and case studies. Beyond these, inbound marketing also includes:

• Search engine optimization.
• Social media.
• Audience personas.
• Lead capture (like website forms ).
• Attractive, helpful websites.

Inbound marketing efforts largely focus on the buyer’s journey. In other words, inbound tactics are carefully designed to speak to a specific stage in the decision-making process. If someone is just encountering a brand or product for the first time, there’s a blog post for that. If they’re weighing their options and have some reservations about a product, there’s a white paper or a case study for that.

Over time, inbound marketing strategies have evolved and improved. The banner ads and pop-up windows that many consumers previously ignored have been reconceptualized to be helpful to brands and less irritating to customers. In fact, when intelligently created and used, pop-up windows that prompt readers to sign up for email newsletters are highly effective and can serve to increase a brand’s reach. And, though banner ads aren’t often clicked on, they’re still valuable in that they encourage view-through conversions (which just means that a user sees the ad and visits that company’s website later on).

How Outbound Marketing Complements Inbound Marketing (and Vice Versa)

Have you ever heard of the marketing rule of 7 ? It states that there must be at least 7 points of contact between brand and consumer before a sale is made. Is this always the case? Not necessarily. You might see a new brand of ice cream at the grocery store and buy it for the first time on a whim, even though you’ve never heard of it. But with some purchases — especially expensive ones — customers need the hard sell.

This is where it goes from a competition between outbound vs inbound marketing to a happy marriage between the two. Outbound and inbound practices can be strategically tied together to bolster overall marketing goals.

For example, consider a contact capture form on a website in order to download an eBook. This is an inbound technique because the user chooses to give his or her contact information to the brand, and because it’s providing the person with an informational resource.

But what does the company do with that information?

An optional next step is to pick up the phone. Once you have this person’s name and number, why not have a real conversation about their needs or objectives? This action is an outbound technique because the company is reaching out to that person, with the ultimate goal of making a conversion.

Is Outbound Marketing Outdated?

Inbound marketing is the centerpiece of the industry today, but that’s not to say outbound marketing efforts should be abandoned. As mentioned above, the two are complementary, and both have a place in a marketing strategy.

For example, consider these statistics for popular outbound marketing techniques:

Direct Mail

• Millennials love mail. In a USPS survey, 75% of millennials stated that receiving personal mail makes them feel special.
• The same survey found that 62% of millennials have visited a business that they found out about from direct mail marketing .
• According to a Neilson report, 80% of people listen to the radio either the same amount or more today than they did before 2020.
• The same report found that 53% of radio listeners feel that the radio informs them about things they need to know.
• 46% of respondents to the same survey said the radio helps them learn about which stores to shop at.

Which is More Effective, Inbound or Outbound?

The question on many marketers’ minds when contemplating how to build out a marketing strategy is which methods are most effective. This is a good question, and one that can be answered in many ways, depending on how you define effectiveness.

Inbound Has Better ROI

If you’re seeking a lower cost per lead generation, you want an inbound approach.

Outbound marketing requires that you buy something to get started, whether it’s a pay-per-click advertisement, a billboard, a booth at a trade show or another costly tactic. Inbound marketing, however, has many affordable (if not free) alternatives. You can launch a blog campaign for free or cheap, and it doesn’t cost anything to start a social media account. Since there’s less upfront cost, the ROI is higher.

Of course, ROI isn’t the only statistic marketers care about. It’s also important to think about the time it takes to bring in a lead and the actual probability that they’ll become a paying customer.

Outbound Is Faster To Implement

If you’re looking to implement a marketing strategy fast, outbound may be a more effective strategy. Inbound marketing is a decidedly long-term strategy. It takes time to identify the right keywords and the best channels to utilize. In most cases, it takes 6-12 months to see results from an SEO strategy.

Outbound also needs some time to gain traction. However, it’s generally faster to execute an outbound marketing plan, and the results may begin coming in quicker.

What Inbound and Outbound Have in Common

Though they may seem like conflicting priorities, the two marketing strategies do share a couple similarities. They both aim to bring more business and awareness to your brand. They also both need great content to work. Without the power of words, along with compelling graphics, images, videos and sound bites, it’d be hard to capture an audience.

Inbound marketing is heavily focused on great content; its goal is to be informative, after all. Outbound marketing also requires good content in the form of direct mail campaigns, advertising scripts, pamphlets and info sheets.

In other words, though the marketing landscape is changing, there’s one thing that marketers will always rely on: captivating content that draws people in.

Editor’s Note: Updated July 2021.

Share this article

Get our weekly newsletter

Recommended Reading

How To Boost Your Brand With White Label Content Marketing

You’ve heard it a thousand times before: “Digital marketing is a fast-paced world.” It’s cliche, but it’s true.  Producing high quality content, such as articles, videos, emails and social posts takes time and resources, but it’s necessary to reach the right audience with the right message at the right moment. The simple truth is that… Read more »

Brand Attributes: What They Are and How To Define Yours (Infographic)

Brand attributes are inherently and intentionally part of your brand. Here’s what this looks like in action.

The Content Marketer

Get the latest content marketing updates delivered directly to your inbox with our weekly newsletter.

Thinkific Plus

Inbound vs. outbound marketing: examples and strategies for growing your business, share this article.

How can we generate more revenue and increase sales? That’s the question on every business leader’s mind right now.

What can you do to ensure you reach your sales targets in 2022 when you have so many competing objectives?  A combination of inbound and outbound strategies is the answer.

But first, you must understand the key differences between inbound vs. outbound marketing. 

Both inbound and outbound strategies are critical for growth, but inbound marketing will help establish your business’s thought leadership, while outbound marketing will quickly generate top-line revenue.

Getting the attention of B2B audiences is becoming increasingly complex, so you need a clear and effective lead generation strategy to succeed. Keep reading to learn how to use inbound and outbound marketing to generate more qualified leads for your business in less time.

Inbound vs. Outbound Marketing: What’s the Difference?

Put simply, inbound marketing attracts interested customers, whereas outbound marketing proactively reaches out to prospective customers.

Inbound marketing: Let’s say you have a question about outsourcing some web development work overseas. A Google search leads you to a page that offers a free download of The Complete Guide to Outsourcing Web Development Development Overseas. After it arrives in your inbox and you read more about outsourcing, you click a link to sign up for a free trial of an outsourcing platform, allowing you to put your knowledge into action. 

Outbound: Let’s say you’re a VP of marketing. You receive an email or LinkedIn message from a software sales rep asking if you’re interested in a demo. While this email probably went to many marketing VPs, it’s addressed to you, doesn’t look like a mass marketing email, and has a link to schedule a meeting. You take immediate action and book a call to learn more about their software.

There are benefits and drawbacks to both inbound and outbound marketing strategies, but most businesses benefit from a blend of these two marketing strategies.

Key differences: Inbound vs. Outbound Marketing

What is inbound marketing.

The goal of inbound marketing is to attract customers to your products and services. Your potential customers begin their buying journeys by searching for information or products that fulfill a need and solve a problem. 

Google has more than 3.5 billion searches per day or 1.2 trillion searches per year and 58.4% of consumers buy products or services online every week. With an inbound marketing strategy, you’ll use informational content to explain how your products or services will resolve their pain points, answer key questions in their niche industry, or satisfy their needs.

One key characteristic of inbound marketing is that although the content is mainly informational, it also weaves in your product comparisons,  testimonials, and customer stories. The top ways to generate inbound B2B leads include:

Email marketing

Even those who are interested in your products or services won’t return to your website regularly. To keep them engaged you need to be collecting their email address and sending them valuable content straight to their inbox (e.g. newsletters, discounts, individual offers).

Content marketing

Content is a long-game lead-generation strategy. Blog posts, ebooks, white papers, how-to guides, and FAQs remain accessible on your website for years to come, allowing you to rank higher in search results for various keywords. In the short term, your potential customers see that you update your website regularly, which keeps them coming back to learn more.

Social media content 

Social media also works well for nurturing leads and turning them into customers by telling your compelling story over time. You can attract new customers with hashtags and viral posts. You can also nurture existing customers who follow you on social media to get updates about your company and your products.

💡 Supercharge your inbound marketing with Thinkific’s Free Download Funnel Leveraging our AI powered funnel , build and publish a landing page to offer a free digital download to your prospects in return for their email addresses.

B2B Inbound Marketing in Action:

Creating online courses is one of the most effective ways to generate leads for B2B companies. As professionals seek to improve their skill sets and learn new strategies, B2B companies can simplify their complex products, processes and services into easy-to-understand offerings that meet those needs.

For example, John Lee Dumas, founder of the award-winning podcast Entrepreneurs on Fire, used online courses to generate $50K for his business in two months . How? He built up his sales funnel using free and paid courses. As new students enrolled in his free course, he grew his pool of qualified leads. Then, he invited his students to explore other paid courses, such as Real Revenue, where John helps entrepreneurs turn their ideas into action and revenue.

What Is Outbound Marketing?

Outbound marketing efforts are every promotion you don’t expect to get, such as display advertising, direct mail, event marketing, cold calls, podcast ads, and TV commercials. The most effective B2B outbound strategy is cold emailing potential customers with relevant messages that address their pain points. The end goal of a cold email is to book face-to-face meetings or calls. Tradeshows are also opportunities to arrange meetings. 

B2B Outbound Marketing in Action:

Outbound marketing can be done in a variety of ways using email. You can send newsletters regularly, share valuable content, and drip campaigns to nurture leads. Email is one of the most impactful ways to warm up cold leads and connect them with your sales team. The best way to scale these efforts is with marketing automation tools .

While B2B email marketing can take many forms, the main goal is to engage prospects and share value. The B2B buying process is longer and more complex, so providing education about your product or service is critical. 

Outbound email marketing allows you to consistently engage with your leads. Best of all, you can repurpose the content you’re using for your inbound strategy to send emails that provide value to increase their chances of converting.

The Bottom Line on Growing Your Business With Inbound and Outbound Marketing

Inbound vs. Outbound Marketing: Which to choose? While both inbound and outbound marketing strategies have pros and cons, most businesses benefit from a combination of both.  Use blog posts, ebooks, and online courses to generate high-quality inbound leads as part of your inbound marketing strategy. With cold email marketing, your outbound marketing will be more sales-oriented and have a greater impact on sales and revenue. 

Looking to start generating consistent quality leads for your business? 

Thinkific Plus makes it easier to transform leads into brand advocates by offering high-value education at every stage of the customer journey. It’s so simple to use, that you can focus on generating demand—not worrying about technology.

 Learn more about Thinkific Plus or book a call with our team to try it today.

Daniela Ochoa is the go-to Content Marketing Specialist here at Thinkific Plus! With years of experience in marketing and communications, she is passionate about helping businesses grow through strategic storytelling, innovative digital campaigns, and online learning at scale.On this blog, she shares her expertise in content marketing, lead generation, and more.

• 25 of The Best Landing Page Examples
• What Is Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) and Why Does It Matter?
• How to Reduce Churn (5 Strategies & Tips for Net Growth)
• Customer Success vs Customer Support: How To Use Both
• 7 SaaS Customer Retention Strategies (Examples & Key Metrics to Optimize)

Related Articles

How ellie talks money made 7 figures in less than a year.

Ellie Diop clocked in seven figures in revenue since joining Thinkific. Get the inside scoop on how she got there.

How To Implement Employee Training And Development

Whether you’re doing employee training and development for the first time or digitizing to support a remote workforce, this guide is for you.

Best Marketing Automation Platforms: Find Your Match (Compare These 15 Options)

Learn about marketing automation platforms and decide which one is right for you depending on your business needs and goals.

Try Thinkific for yourself!

Accomplish your course creation and student success goals faster with thinkific..

Download this guide and start building your online program!

It is on its way to your inbox

Inbound vs. Outbound Marketing: The Differences Between the Two

Have you ever been tasked with producing or updating your company’s marketing strategy? Whether you should use an inbound or outbound marketing strategy may be a familiar argument you hear when discussing upcoming project strategies.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with information and advice. Should you focus on making splashy signage, talking to potential leads at an industry event, or developing an exclusively digital strategy ?

Fortunately, these two universal marketing concepts can help you limit your scope. Both have distinct applications, benefits and challenges, which we’ll explore in this article, along with an overview of them and examples of how to apply each method.

In this inbound vs. outbound marketing guide, you’ll discover:

• The difference between inbound and outbound marketing

What is inbound marketing?

What is outbound marketing.

• Frequently asked questions
• Get started on your inbound or outbound marketing strategy

The difference between inbound and outbound marketing.

There are several main differences between inbound and outbound marketing. Outbound marketing involves proactively reaching out to consumers to get them interested in a product. By contrast, inbound marketing centers on creating and distributing content that draws people into your website.

Outbound marketing typically has a more aggressive, wide-sweeping approach, with the expectation that at least some people will convert. Inbound marketing is usually more subtle and focuses on convincing a particular group of individuals to make a purchase over time.

Here are a few other differences at a glance:

Inbound marketing is focused on attracting customers to your products and services. Your best prospects are searching for products online, with up to 63% of consumers starting their shopping journey online .

They begin by searching for products and services, or content to fulfill a need and solve a problem. As such, your content should explain how your products or services will resolve their issues, answer key questions in their niche industry, or satisfy their needs.

There are many ways to do this, including:

• Video content
• Other online marketing content

Each of these content pieces can also serve as a way to differentiate your product from the competition. Embed product comparisons, amazing testimonials, competitive pricing, and outstanding reviews into your podcast, social media posts, or reports.

Keep in mind that prospective customers should receive thoughtful content at various points throughout their buying journey, that is varied in material, but consistent in messaging.

An example of inbound marketing.

Let’s say a customer is looking for a new marketing software. First, they may type “best marketing tool” into a search engine, to explore the landscape.

The first organic result may be a blog outlining the top 10 marketing platforms in a clear, unbiased way. After reading the post, they might want to learn more about digital marketing .

Conveniently, the end of the blog has a link to encourage them to sign up for an upcoming webinar, to learn more about a new digital marketing strategy. They click the link, then enter their name and email address to access the content. The site then stores their contact information and tracks whether or not they attend the webinar.

Once they attend the webinar, they might wonder if any companies successfully implemented the strategy that was discussed. Right on cue, the vendor will send them a follow-up email, containing case studies that show how one of their competitors effectively used digital marketing to achieve a huge ROI.

This prompts them to request a demo with a sales representative. They go into the sales call already interested in (and educated on) what the software does, providing you with an easier sell.

Benefits of inbound marketing.

There are several benefits to inbound marketing that can help you determine if it’s the right strategy for your company:

Inbound marketing is non-invasive. Prospects can read your blog posts or attend a webinar on their own time.

Inbound marketing content is educational. It is specifically designed for each stage in the sales funnel.

Inbound marketing is quantifiable. You can tie each part of your strategy to a metric that gets monitored over time.

Your website and content are continuously being updated, so inbound marketing continues generating leads over time.

Challenges of inbound marketing.

Of course, inbound marketing isn’t for every company. There are some drawbacks to focusing solely on digital content.

Inbound marketing:

x Requires continuous maintenance. This is to ensure that content always speaks to consumers’ evolving wants and needs.

x Takes a great deal of time and effort. Developing and testing out different content that will entice customers to convert takes time.

x Demands a holistic strategy. You’ll need to buy tools to help you implement integrated, cross-channel campaigns.

Outbound marketing sends a message to a huge amount of people, in the hopes of making a sale. This strategy is rooted in the thought that the larger the group you message to, the larger the return.

Outbound marketing is often associated with traditional marketing, like:

• Direct mail
• Cold calling

However, outbound marketing can also be applied to more modern technology, like pay-per-click advertising and spam emails.

Frequently, consumers are not even aware of or looking for the product that’s being advertised. Prospects could be watching TV or perusing a website and be interrupted by an ad illustrating why they should buy a certain product.

An example of outbound marketing.

A customer is driving on the highway and sees a billboard for a furniture store in the area. They might briefly think that they really should invest in a new couch, but they keep that in the back of their mind.

A few weeks later, as they watch the local news, they see a commercial for the same furniture store. Again, they think about buying a couch, but forget after the news comes back on.

Three months later, they check their mailbox and find a discount coupon for the furniture store. As it happens, they just received a bonus at work. Finally, they decide to go ahead and buy that new couch.

None of the ads referred to a couch, and they weren’t necessarily looking to buy one right away. Nevertheless, ads kept popping up in their everyday life, so they ended up shifting their attention to a need that wasn’t top of their mind initially.

Benefits of outbound marketing.

Outbound marketing has a few perks that should not be overlooked.

Outbound marketing:

Promotes brand awareness. Reach people who haven’t heard of your products or services before.

Can yield immediate results. People interested in your products and services are likely to take action on your ads and make a purchase.

Is something consumers are used to. They know that there will be ads in the Sunday paper or on TV and may trust those ads more than the ones presented to them on newer technology .

Challenges of outbound marketing.

Outbound marketing can be difficult to get right. Here are some disadvantages of going along this route:

x Outbound marketing is more generalized. It’s difficult to make outbound marketing appealing and relevant to everyone.

x It’s easy for consumers to tune out outbound marketing. Many people mute the TV during commercials or immediately throw out or recycle their junk mail.

x Measuring the effectiveness is harder. It’s challenging to measure results of some outbound marketing strategies like billboards.

x Outbound marketing is costly. Traveling to trade shows, paying for banner ads, and purchasing billboard spaces add up.

Overall, outbound marketing is all about sending a message at scale, while inbound marketing has a very targeted approach.

The likelihood that at least some people will convert from your outbound marketing efforts is high, but it is often associated with a high acquisition cost.

Rather than shouting your product’s name from the rooftops and hoping that a few people respond, inbound marketing content can be finely tuned to appeal to your best-fit prospects.

Frequently asked questions about inbound and outbound marketing.

What is the meaning of outbound marketing.

Outbound marketing focuses on reaching out to the public with non-targeted content to promote products or services. It covers traditional marketing and advertising methods like:

• Telemarketing

Outbound also relies on sending out messages and collateral at scale, to reach as many people as possible.

What is the meaning of inbound marketing?

Inbound marketing focuses on drawing customers to your brand by providing content and experiences tailored to them. An example could be writing articles or creating videos that answer key audience search queries.

By drawing the right sort of person towards your products or services, inbound marketing often creates better leads and lasting relationships.

Is SEO inbound marketing?

Yes, SEO is a good example of inbound marketing. It utilizes search traffic to create content tailored towards a certain audience. In doing so, it can draw people towards your brand who are likely to buy products or make other conversions.

Get started on your inbound or outbound marketing strategy.

No matter your marketing strategy, you need a way to keep up with the constantly changing marketing landscape. Marketo Engage specializes in:

• Consumer marketing
• Mobile marketing
• Email marketing
• Account-based marketing
• Revenue attribution
• Lead management

Marketo Engage has helped hundreds of enterprise clients achieve their inbound and outbound marketing goals by suggesting new ways to engage with your customers at scale.

Start unlocking the power of inbound and outbound marketing today, with a free Marketo Engage product tour.

https://main--bacom-blog--adobecom.hlx.page/blog/fragments/explore-short-videos-showcasing-marketo-s-powerful-features

See Marketo Engage in Action!

Schedule a demo

• United States (English)
• Deutschland (Deutsch)
• France (Français)
• Australia (English)
• United Kingdom (English)
• España (Español)

• Home to half of the world’s top 10 trending tourism destinations, Asia Pacific is making a comeback: Mastercard Economics Institute on travel in 2024
• Japan tops the trending list, welcoming a record-breaking 3M+ international arrivals in March
• While outbound travel from the Chinese Mainland continues to recover, now at 80% of 2019 levels, more Indians are traveling than at any time in history
• Travelers to APAC are vacationing longer while prioritizing experiences over purchases

The global travel sector is breaking boundaries in 2024 as consumer spending on tourism remains robust and passenger traffic soars, according to the latest report from the Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI). Released today, the MEI’s fifth annual report, " Travel Trends 2024: Breaking Boundaries " provides comprehensive insights into the evolving landscape of the travel industry across 74 markets, including 13 [1] i n the Asia Pacific region (APAC).

Despite fluctuating exchange rates and varying levels of affordability, travel is booming, with nine out of the last 10 record-setting spending days in the global cruise and airline industries occurring this year [2] . Looking ahead, the MEI anticipates this momentum will continue as consumers around the world prioritize meaningful experiences and allocate more of their budgets to travel.

Drawing on a unique analysis of aggregated and anonymized Mastercard transaction data, including Mastercard SpendingPulse™ and third-party data sources, the report takes a deep dive into key tourism trends for 2024 and beyond. Here in the Asia Pacific region, a few themes stand out, including:

APAC destinations are trending in a big way, comprising half of the top 10 hot spots that have demonstrated the greatest momentum among travelers. This is measured and ranked by the change in share of tourism transactions over the past 12 months ending March 2024. 

• Japan emerged as the #1 trending destination worldwide (growing 0.9% vs Ireland at 0.4%), as it welcomed 3,081,600 visitors from abroad in March 2024 – the highest level ever – even before the peak travel season begins. Driven by a weak yen (the lowest since 1990), Japan’s favorable exchange rate is expected to help it remain the clear tourism frontrunner throughout 2024, benefitting Japanese businesses catering to tourists and the local economy overall.
• APAC passenger traffic is rebounding , particularly for shorter, intra-regional trips. For example, this summer's top destinations for travelers from Singapore include Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Perth.
• Thailand tourism is expected to fully recover in 2024 , according to MEI, with total visitor arrivals now only 7% below 2019, pre-pandemic levels [3] . Notably, inbound flight traffic from South Asia and the ASEAN region is nearly 20% above 2019 levels.

“Consumers in the Asia Pacific region have an intense desire and willingness to travel and are becoming increasingly savvy to ensure they get the best value and unforgettable experiences from their trips,” said David Mann, chief economist, Asia Pacific, Mastercard. “For tourism authorities, retailers, the hospitality and F&B sectors, the bottom line is that costs matter. In today’s economy, foreign exchange rates and spending power have become vital components in driving a traveler’s assessment of value when they are making their plans. This suggests that businesses targeting tourism dollars need to review their current strategies, and shift them if necessary, to maintain their appeal to travelers.”

Summer holiday hot spots (June-Aug 2024 [4] )

While Japan was the top trending destination during the last 12 months [5] , looking ahead, Munich ranks as the #1 summer destination (in terms of share gain in flight bookings) due to its hosting of the UEFA EURO 2024 football championship in June. Tokyo comes in a close second while Bali (#6) and Bangkok (#7) are also among the top 10 cities where demand is gaining momentum in the next three months.

Chinese Mainland Domestic Tourism Rebounds While Outbound Travel Continues to Recover

The Chinese Mainland’s travel dynamic has shifted, as more Chinese tourists prioritize domestic trips over international ones.

• The Chinese Mainland’s domestic tourism story is a positive one, as air passenger traffic has fully normalized and even exceeded 2019 levels, benefiting local businesses.
• Meanwhile, international tourism traffic leaving the Chinese Mainland continues to recover and is now at 80.3% of 2019 levels.
• Additional upside growth is expected in 2024, supported by visa exemptions in APAC and beyond, as well as an increase in international flight capacity, benefiting destinations such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

More Indians are Traveling Than Ever Before

Strengthened by a burgeoning middle class, additional route capacity, and a strong desire to travel, 2024 marks the year when more Indians are traveling internationally than at any time in history.

• In the first three months of 2024, 97 million passengers traveled through Indian airports. Just 10 years ago, the same figure would have taken a whole year to achieve.
• Domestic passenger traffic is up 21% compared to 2019 levels while international passenger traffic is up 4%, as of March 2024.
• Indian travelers to key markets are up significantly in 2024 compared to 2019: 53% increase in visitors to Japan, 248% increase to Vietnam, 59% increase to the United States (notable as total overseas arrivals to the U.S. are still 7% below 2019 levels, largely due to the strong USD). 

Leisure for Longer

• In APAC (excluding ANZ) in 2024, tourists are extending their trips by an average of 2 days to a total duration of 7.4 days, motivated by the affordability of destinations, warm weather, and favorable exchange rates. This compares to the 2019 average of 6.1 days per trip.
• In Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), overseas visitors are staying for an average of 5.4 days, an increase of 0.6 days compared to 2019.
• The APAC destinations with the longest increase in trip duration between 2019-2024 are India (+2 days), Vietnam (+2 days), Indonesia (+1.9 days), and Japan (+1.4 days), largely due to their lower growth in hotel prices during this period compared to other markets.
• Longer stays generally translate to more spend per trip too, which benefits local economies.

Thrill Seekers Want Experiences and Nightlife

Consumers globally continue to prioritize experiences over material goods. This is playing out in the travel sector as spending on experiences and nightlife totals 12% of tourism sales – the highest point in at least five years. Meanwhile, retail shopping is recovering at a slower pace.

• Australian tourists are the highest spenders globally on experiences and nightlife.
• In 2024, Aussies are spending one of every five dollars (19%) on these activities – significantly higher than the global average (12%).
• Tourists from the Chinese Mainland are also increasingly seeking out experiences, spending 10% on this category in 2024, up from 7% in 2023.

Casual Trumps Luxury for Fashion and Food 

Tourists today prefer laid-back vibes, except in spots where luxury retail and fine dining provide exceptional value for money.

• Notably, luxury fashion sales soared YoY in the year ending March 2024 in Japan (152%) and Hong Kong SAR (208%), despite casual fashion still leading the pack in most places.
• Hong Kong SAR’s surge is partly attributed to its late reopening in 2023, whereas Japan's boom stems from a weak yen and robust inbound tourism.
• Australia, India, and Thailand now enjoy burgeoning fine dining scenes, leading to premium dining outperformance compared to casual dining, which remains dominant elsewhere.

“Amidst the evolving tourism landscape and continuing surge in travel throughout 2024, the Mastercard Economics Institute aids businesses and policymakers in translating macroeconomic forces and data insights into actionable strategies at the country, category, and company levels, in addition to counseling on possible scenarios and the implications they have on demand,” added Mann.

Explore the full  Travel 2024: Breaking Boundaries report here . Additional reports and insights from the Mastercard Economics Institute can be found here .

[1] Australia, Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand

[2] MEI analysis of aggregated, anonymized switched consumer volumes (nominal USD unadjusted for FX) through March 2024

[3] MEI analysis of Thailand Department of Tourism visitor arrival data through the end of February 2024.

[4] MEI analysis of aggregated & anonymized Mastercard leisure flight booking data provided by third party partners.

[5] MEI analysis of aggregated & anonymized Mastercard leisure travel related switched transactions.

Media Contacts

About Mastercard Economics Institute

Mastercard Economics Institute launched in 2020 to analyze macroeconomic trends through the lens of the consumer. A team of economists, analysts and data scientists draws on Mastercard insights - including Mastercard SpendingPulse™ - and third-party data to deliver regular reporting on economic issues for key customers, partners and policymakers.

About Mastercard (NYSE: MA)

Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.

www.mastercard.com

• Press Releases

Asia Pacific

• Region (English)
• Mainland China (Simplified Chinese)
• India (English)
• Japan (Japanese)
• Taiwan (Traditional Chinese)

Other information

• About Mastercard
• Investor Relations
• Global Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use

Crack the sales formula with CRM Lab

Twice a month, receive actionable CRM content to your inbox.

You have been subscribed.

Outbound sales vs inbound sales

Which should you choose? Outbound sales or inbound? Learn in the article.

In the ever-changing world of sales, it's important to stay ahead of the curve. Inbound sales and outbound sales are different beats, but each has its own unique advantages. Each can be highly effective if you use it correctly.

In this article, we'll explore the differences between outbound and inbound sales, the best channels to utilize for each, and how to measure their individual success.

What is inbound sales?

Inbound sales is a sales strategy where leads come to you of their own volition. It’s all about drawing customers in by providing them with valuable information and resources.

One way to do inbound sales is to create quality content that resonates with your target audience; think blog posts, videos, and ebooks. By establishing yourself as an industry expert, you attract potential customers who are actively seeking solutions to their problems.

Once an inbound prospect engages with your content, it's crucial to continue nurturing the relationship. You can do this through:

• Email marketing campaigns
• Personalized communication
• One-on-one consultations and product demos

… And more!

The goal is to guide the prospect through their buying journey, ensuring they have all the information they need to make an informed decision.

To this end, understanding the buyer's journey is crucial. The journey typically consists of three stages:

• Awareness — The buyer identifies a problem or need
• Consideration — The buyer evaluates different solutions available to them
• Decision — The buyer selects a product or service that best meets their requirements

As a salesperson utilizing inbound sales techniques, it's essential to tailor your approach to each stage of the buyer's journey. By providing relevant content and support at the right time, you can effectively move prospects through the sales funnel and ultimately convert them into satisfied customers.

Best channels for inbound sales in 2024

Consumer behavior, like technology, is always evolving.—it's important to stay up-to-date with the best channels for inbound sales.

In 2024, some of the most effective channels include:

• Blog : Producing valuable content that addresses your target audience's pain points and positions your brand as a trusted authority.
• SEO : Optimizing your website and content to rank higher in search engine results, making it easier for potential customers to find you.
• SMM : Building a strong presence on social media platforms and engaging with your target audience to foster relationships and amplify your brand message.
• Newsletters : Creating personalized email campaigns to nurture leads and guide them through the sales funnel.

Inbound marketing channels currently on the rise are through social media content, webinars, and YouTube videos.

Metrics to measure the success of inbound sales

Do the following to measure the success of your inbound sales strategy:

• Website traffic : Monitor the number of website visitors to gauge the effectiveness of your content and optimization efforts.
• Conversion rate : Measure the percentage of visitors who take a desired action, such as filling out a form or making a purchase.
• Lead scoring : Evaluate the quality of leads generated through inbound sales activities to ensure they align with your ideal customer profile.
• Customer acquisition cost : Calculate how much it costs your business to acquire a new customer through inbound sales efforts.

Inbound sales positives:

• Attract leads who are already interested in the product or service
• Higher conversion rates
• Generally less costly than outbound techniques
• Leads come with a certain level of trust and knowledge about the product, enabling a smoother sales process
• Digital and content-driven strategies can reach a wide audience without increasing costs
• Inbound strategies provide a wealth of data for optimizing sales tactics and improving customer engagement.

Inbound sales negatives:

• Building an effective inbound sales funnel can take time and might not generate immediate sales
• Depends on the quality and relevance of content
• High competition for keywords and changes in search engine algorithms can affect visibility
• Needs a range of skills from content creation to SEO and analytics, requiring more specialized staff
• Since customers initiate contact, businesses have less control over when a lead enters the sales funnel

What is outbound sales?

Outbound sales involves taking a more proactive approach by reaching out to potential customers directly such as via cold calls. It can also involve sending direct mail or email campaigns or it can involve attending industry events to connect with prospects. The key is to initiate contact and present your product or service to potential buyers, even though they might not be actively seeking a solution.

To that end, outbound sales need thorough research to find the right prospects and match your message to their needs. Successful outbound sales professionals understand the importance of building rapport, addressing objections, and demonstrating the value of their offering.

A key aspect of outbound sales is using several channels to engage customers, such as social media platforms like LinkedIn. Personalized emails capture the attention of prospects. By using several strategies, outbound sales experts can reach and convert more leads.

Persistence is often the name of the game—sales professionals must follow up consistently with leads. They should nurture relationships over time and stay top of mind with potential customers. Outbound sales teams show dedication by being proactive and persistent. They must solve customer problems and provide viable solutions.

Best channels for outbound sales in 2024

While inbound sales have gained popularity in recent years, outbound sales still hold their own. In 2024, some of the most effective channels for outbound sales include:

• Cold calls : Although it may seem old-fashioned, targeted cold calling still yields positive results when done strategically.
• Email campaigns : Craft personalized email campaigns to capture the attention of potential customers.
• Direct mail : Stand out from the digital noise by sending physical mail to grab the attention of your target audience.
• Industry events : Networking at industry conferences and trade shows provides an opportunity to connect with potential customers face-to-face.

Which metrics measure the success of outbound sales

Just like inbound sales, tracking the success of outbound sales activities is essential. Here are some metrics to consider:

• Call-to-conversion ratio : Measure the percentage of outbound calls that result in a successful conversion.
• Email open and response rates : Monitor how often your outbound email campaigns are opened and how many recipients respond to your message.
• Meeting conversion rate : Track the percentage of initial meetings or demos that lead to a sale.
• Customer lifetime value : Determine the average value a customer brings to your business over their lifetime to assess the effectiveness of your outbound sales efforts.

Outbound sales positives:

• Allows businesses to actively reach out to potential customers, offering more control over the sales process.
• Direct contact with prospects can lead to immediate feedback and quicker sales cycles.
• Sales teams can specifically target demographics that fit their ideal customer profile.
• With proactive outreach, companies can potentially contact a larger number of prospects.
• Outbound efforts areeasily measured (calls made, emails sent, response rates), aiding strategy refinement.

Outbound sales negatives:

• Higher costs due to significant investment in sales teams, tools, and databases for prospecting.
• Cold outreach often leads to lower conversion rates since the leads haven't expressed prior interest.
• Aggressive outbound tactics can sometimes negatively impact how potential customers perceive a brand.
• Outbound sales activities, especially cold calling and emailing, are subject to strict regulations.
• The cost and effort to scale outbound sales efforts can be substantial, as it often involves linear increases in resources.

Key differences between inbound and outbound sales

While both approaches can be successful, there are key differences between inbound and outbound sales:

• Outbound sales require a more proactive approach, reaching out to potential customers directly. In contrast, inbound sales attract potential customers who are actively seeking a solution.
• Inbound sales typically have a lower cost per lead as you're attracting potential customers who are already interested. Outbound sales may have a higher cost per lead due to the resources required for outreach.
• Inbound sales focus on building relationships through valuable content and personalized nurturing. Outbound sales require building rapport quickly during initial contact.

Outbound sales vs. inbound sales

Inbound Sales

Outbound Sales

Focused on attracting customers through content creation, SEO, and providing value.

Involves proactively reaching out to potential customers through calls, emails, and direct mail.

Lead generation

The company generates leads through content, attracting already interested customers.

The sales team identifies and contacts leads directly.

Generally lower due to the organic nature of lead generation.

Higher due to the need for tools, resources, and manpower for direct outreach.

Lead quality

Higher, as leads are often more interested and educated in the product or service.

Varies, as leads may not have prior interest or knowledge of the product or service.

Sales cycle

Can be longer as it relies on nurturing leads through the funnel.

Potentially shorter, as it involves direct contact and quicker qualification processes.

Customer relationship

Builds a relationship through trust and providing value over time.

Focuses on establishing a connection and addressing needs directly.

Scalability

It is easier to scale as it leverages digital channels that can reach a wider audience.

More challenging to scale due to the linear increase in efficiency and resources required.

Skills required

Content creation, blogging, social media skills, basic design skills.

Sales techniques, prospecting, cold calling, and follow-up strategies.

Content marketing, SEO, social media, and email marketing.

Cold calling, email campaigns, direct mail, industry events.

Success metrics

Website visitors, conversion rates, lead quality, CAC.

Call-to-conversion ratio, email open/response rates, meeting conversion rate, CLTV.

Do I have to choose between inbound sales and outbound?

The short answer to whether you have to choose between inbound and outbound sales is “no”. The long answer is also “no”, but with more explanation. Strap in.

Most businesses end up using a mix of inbound and outbound sales to maximize their sales potential. There’s no rule that says a business can’t reach out to clients while also developing a robust content strategy to bring new clients into the business.

Just look at NetHunt for an example:

• We have a great blog filled with heaps of valuable sales content (which you’re reading right now).
• However, we also reach out to prospects via LinkedIn as an important channel in our sales process.

So no, you don’t have to choose one. As a matter of fact, any business looking to thrive in the modern sales environment has to have both.

How to choose which approach to adopt first?

Yes, you should implement both, inbound and outbound sales into your processes. Oftentimes businesses just don’t have the financial resources to start working on both at the same time. Naturally, the question of which to pick first arises.

Here are five key factors that will help you decide which approach you should adopt first:

1. Your budget

Budgeting is a crucial factor. Inbound marketing, like creating content and SEO, needs regular time and resource investments.

Outbound sales methods, like cold calling, direct mail campaigns, and paid advertisements, can also be costly— they probablycost more upfront.

However, it's important to consider the potential return on investment (ROI) for each approach. Inbound sales techniques often have a longer-term payoff. They focus on building brand awareness and generating leads over time. Outbound sales strategies yield quick results. But, they need a big initial investment for new leads.

Budget considerations go beyond the cost of a sales strategy. Other factors to consider include how scalable the approach is.

Also, consider the level of personalization possible and the impact on customer relationships. For instance, outbound sales may produce quick results but they can make customers feel you're too intrusive. This hurts the brand.

2. The learning curve

Consider the education level needed for your product or service. This choice impacts your sales method, whether inbound or outbound. If your offering is complex or unfamiliar to a target audience, inbound sales techniques can be more effective. Inbound strategies allow you to create and share educational content—blog posts, videos, and ebooks. These help educate your potential customers and build trust.

Alternatively, your product or service is simple and easy to understand. In this case, outbound sales techniques may be better. Outbound sales allow you to reach out to potential customers, provide information and address their immediate concerns or questions.

Consider the education aspect of your product or service. It's key to study the market and know what your audience knows. Thorough market research can reveal the educational needs of your customers. It can also help you adjust your sales approach.

3. Your revenue per sale

The average revenue per sale and per customer plays a significant role in the decision-making process. If your product or service commands a higher price point, inbound sales strategies can be more effective in nurturing leads and converting them into customers. Inbound techniques give you the opportunity to build relationships, showcase the value of your offering, and address any objections or barriers to purchase.

If your average revenue per sale is relatively low, outbound sales strategies may be more suitable. Outbound sales can allow you to reach a larger audience in a shorter time period, quickly generate sales, and increase overall revenue. By leveraging targeted advertising campaigns and proactive outreach, you can engage potential customers who are more likely to convert.

4. Your niche

The size of your target audience is another crucial factor to consider when deciding between inbound and outbound sales. Inbound strategies excel at attracting a broader audience and building long-term relationships. By creating valuable content and optimizing it for search engines, you can attract a large volume of potential customers.

Alternatively, if your target audience is smaller and more specific, outbound sales strategies may be more efficient. Outbound sales allow you to directly target potential customers who meet your specific criteria.

5. Your time-to-convert metric

The speed at which your customers make purchasing decisions is a critical aspect that can significantly impact your sales strategy. Understanding customers' buying behavior is key to tailoring your approach effectively.

Inbound sales techniques, characterized by a focus on relationship-building and lead nurturing, are ideal for customers who prefer a more consultative and gradual decision-making process.

On the other hand, if your target audience tends to make swift purchasing decisions, outbound sales strategies can be a game-changer. With this approach, you have the opportunity to take a proactive stance by directly engaging potential customers and initiating immediate sales discussions.

What CRM should you choose for inbound vs. outbound sales?

When looking for a CRM system that can support your sales needs, you might find yourself confronted with a variety of options. Here’s a short table summarizing a couple of great options for each sales approach:

Best pick overall

The up-and-comer

Outbound CRM

NetHunt CRM Introduced in 2015, NetHunt CRM rapidly gained favor among users, earning accolades, recognition, and a plethora of positive online feedback. The secret to NetHunt CRM's success lies in its flexibility. You can customize the system however you want and it offers unmatched integrations. NetHunt CRM streamlines your business processes, allowing automation and expansion without constant tab switching.

Pipedrive Pipedrive primarily serves as a sales management tool. It’s useful for companies with an intricate sales process. It shines in mapping out the sales journey, offering clear visibility from the first interaction to deal closure. Though Pipedrive may not directly offer some standard features like email marketing, it compensates with extensive integration options. This helps connect seamlessly with marketing, customer support, or project management applications. All in all, you’ll have a customized solution that aligns with the specific demands of your business.

Inbound CRM

HubSpot Marketing Hub With HubSpot Marketing Hub, your marketing team can grow traffic, convert leads, and track your sales funnel in one spot. It’s an all-in-one inbound marketing software for your entire team.

Monday.com Don't be surprised if you’ve seen Monday CRM pop up recently. This CRM suite has been making waves in the industry these past few months, and there’s good reason for that. It features an efficient system for managing leads, detailed tracking of customer interactions, and the ability to monitor team activities closely. Additionally, it offers comprehensive analytics and reporting tools.

Inbound sales vs. outbound sales FAQ

What is the difference between outbound and inbound sales.

The primary difference between outbound and inbound sales lies in how you approach potential customers. Outbound sales involve proactive efforts by the sales team to reach out to potential customers through methods like cold calling, emailing, and direct mail. This approach is direct and seeks to initiate conversations with prospects. Inbound sales, on the other hand, focuses on attracting customers. You can create valuable content, leverage SEO, and utilize social media to draw interested folk into the sales funnel. The key distinction is that outbound sales push the product towards customers, whereas inbound sales pull customers towards the product.

Do all companies need outbound sales in their sales strategy?

Not all companies require outbound sales as part of their sales strategy. The necessity for outbound sales depends on various factors such as the nature of the product or service, target market, industry competition, and customer buying behavior. Businesses with products or services that solve specific, niche problems might benefit more from targeted outbound efforts. However, companies that can attract a significant volume of leads through inbound marketing may not need to prioritize outbound sales. Ultimately, the decision should align with a company's overall sales objectives and the preferences of its target audience.

Can a company use both outbound and inbound sales?

Yes, a company can use both outbound and inbound sales strategies effectively. Combining these approaches allows businesses to maximize their reach and tap into diverse customer segments. While inbound sales can attract and nurture leads who are already interested in a product or service, outbound sales can actively target and engage potential customers who might not be aware of the company's offerings. Employing both enables businesses to leverage the strengths of each approach, ensuring a more comprehensive and flexible sales strategy that can adapt to varying market conditions and customer behaviors.

Closing words

Understanding and using both inbound and outbound sales strategies is important. They are key to business success. Inbound sales focuses on attracting and nurturing leads. It does this through valuable content and engagement. This aligns with the modern buyer's preference for research and self-discovery.

Outbound sales involve proactive outreach to potential customers. They offer direct and personal pitches. Each approach has its own strengths and challenges, but when combined, they make a strong sales strategy.

Inbound sales excels in building long-term relationships and establishing trust, while outbound sales are effective at quickly generating leads and directly engaging potential customers.

For businesses looking to harness the full potential of both inbound and outbound sales, choosing the right CRM is pivotal. NetHunt CRM is versatile and powerful. It seamlessly integrates with your existing tools and workflows, supporting both inbound and outbound sales strategies well. NetHunt CRM has strong features for lead management, automation, and analytics. It lets sales teams track and nurture leads from first contact to conversion. It works for any sales approach! Try it now, for free, here .

Table of Contents

Stay tuned for upcoming newsletters in your inbox!

Join the Telegram channel NetHunt CRM

All about CRM and B2B sales.

Originally published May 08, 2024, updated May 09, 2024

by Kirill Skurikhin

We value your privacy and keep a very high level of security. NetHunt uses the information you provide to us to email you about our relevant content. You may unsubscribe from these emails at any time. For more information, check out our Privacy Policy .

The Ultimate Guide to Cold Outreach Strategies

Discover cold outreach techniques, utilize tools such as NetHunt CRM, follow best practices to boost business development, and strengthen customer connections.

Ultimate guide to sales engagement in 2024

Sales engagement has been making quite a fuss over the past few years. Here's why this sales strategy has been taking over the world.

Top 15 sales and marketing events worth visiting in 2024

Read this and figure out which sales and marketing events you need to attend this year, online and offline.

NetHunt saves your time & grows your business

Twice a month, we handpick the hottest sales and marketing tips and deliver them to your inbox. Share your email now!

Inbound tourism shows strong rebound, with more bugs being addressed

These days, one of the favorite topics among my colleagues and friends is the rising number of foreign faces we see on the streets.

A journalist in Beijing mentioned this to me last month when I was there attending a training session.

A couple of days ago, during another training session in Shanghai, I mentioned the same phenomenon to a colleague from Hangzhou, who confirmed that the same could be said of Hangzhou, a city known throughout the world for its breathtaking scenic beauty.

Apparently, we do not need statistics to support our observations, though statistics are equally persuasive.

According to the National Immigration Administration, during the first quarter of 2024, Chinese immigration management agencies processed over 141 million traveler trips. Among them, trips by foreign nationals reached 13.1 million, a year-on-year increase of 305.2 percent.

There are a number of explanations for this dramatic growth.

International tourists from a cruise liner arrive at Shanghai's Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal last month.

Earlier this year, China adopted a visa-free policy that spares many European passport holders a time-consuming and costly process.

This measure undoubtedly encourages travelers from nearly a dozen European countries to explore China, which beckons with its well-endowed tourist resources, rugged terrain and tantalizing food.

In a further move, Chinese President Xi Jinping, during his recent European tour, announced that China has decided to extend visa exemption entry for citizens from 12 countries, 11 of them in Europe, on short-term visits to China until the end of 2025.

An insider from a travel agency said this extension enables travel agencies to plan travel products for the spring and summer of 2025.

In an interview with Xinhua News Agency, Ralph Ossa, chief economist of the World Trade Organization, said China's visa-free policy for European countries and the recovery of Chinese outbound tourism are conducive to global service trade.

One of the first beneficiaries is the international aviation sector that is still recovering from the doldrums during the pandemic. Air China, for instance, handled a total of 6,364 passengers traveled between Geneva and Beijing during this March, up 374.9 percent from a year earlier.

There are other explanations for these easily observed uplifting signs of change.

The ravages of COVID-19 had significantly dampened enthusiasm for travel to China, but scrutiny will show that the post-pandemic recovery had also been compounded by three other factors, mobile payment, flights, and hotels.

In March this year, Sun Yeli, minister of culture and tourism in China, mentioned the payment difficulties encountered by inbound tourists in a fast digitalized country where cashless smartphone payment has become the norm, and cash payment a rarity.

Since then, relevant authorities have come up with a host of measures to address the issue, which include detailed measures intended to enable foreign travelers to use bank cards or cash in such venues as hotels, airports, tourist attractions and other commercial outlets.

For those who opt for mobile payment, domestic payment platforms and enterprises have collaborated on a streamlined process whereby foreign tourists could easily register for payment applications. All commercial venues are also required to accept cash.

These simplified procedures ensure that foreign tourists in China enjoy the same level of convenience in accommodation, transportation and shopping as Chinese tourists.

Although mobile payment is not something new, some Westerners are more accustomed to Apple Pay or Google Pay, which are not so popular in China.

In spite of marked progress in payment, work is still needed in this direction. For instance, re-installing and upgrading point-of-sale devices in hotels and shopping malls would infinitely facilitate substantial payment at these venues, but it would involve more work to persuade small retailers to install point-of-sale devices, or return to cash.

Another obstacle impacting inbound travel is the number of international flights that, in spite of their recovery, seem to have been restored to only a fraction of the pre-pandemic highs, largely blamed on the demand. This means flight fares are at a level many travelers find intimidating.

Yet another difficulty seemed to be with smaller hotels in China. While domestic travelers could check in by simply having their ID cards scanned, foreign passport holders would be met with a lengthy verification process that makes some small hoteliers reluctant to receive foreign visitors. The de facto ruling out of these small hotels, understandably, adds significantly to the costs of ordinary and younger passport-holding travelers in China.

But these are problems that are being addressed.

In a recent interview with China Tourism News, Shi Qingjun, president of Beijing New World Tours, said that "the market rebound has been so robust, that it beat our previous estimation ... Given our limitation in personnel and guides, our ability to handle inbound travelers has already been overstretched."

Some destinations are more favorable to some visitors. One favorite destination for South Korean visitors, for example, is Zhangjiajie in Hunan Province, which accounted for nearly 43 percent of all inbound visitors during the first two months of the year.

Pride of Place

Double Five Shopping Festival

Building an Innovation Hub

Wisdom of Wellness

• Art & Culture
• Entertainment
• iDEALShanghai

沪公网安备 31010602001940号

Copyright 2019 © Shanghai Daily All Rights Reserved.

Scan to follow SHINE's official Wechat account.

Thank you for subscription (5s)

• Shanghai Daily PDF / Subscribe
• Shanghai Daily Archive
• APP Download

Privacy Policy

Terms of Use