domestic meaning in tourism

What is domestic tourism and why is it so important?

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Domestic tourism is BIG business in some countries, bringing in a significant revenue for the economy of the local area and nationwide. But what is domestic tourism?

In this article I will explain what domestic tourism is and why it is important. I will also give some examples of some of the biggest domestic tourism destinations worldwide.

What is domestic tourism?

Domestic tourism definitions, why is domestic tourism important, domestic tourism in the united kingdom, domestic tourism in the united states of america, domestic tourism in india, domestic tourism in south africa, domestic tourism in china, domestic tourism: conclusion, further reading.

As I described in my tourism glossary , domestic tourism is the act of travelling for business or leisure within one’s home country. According to the UNWTO , a person must be away from their usual place of residence (but still in their home country) for at least one night to qualify as a domestic tourist.

Popular destinations for domestic tourism include the USA, India and China . This is because they are big countries with a variety of tourist experiences to offer.

Ever seen the film ‘ Into the Wild? ‘ This is a great example of domestic tourism! It’s a story of a young guy who sold all of his belongings and hitch hiked through America to Alaska . Here is the trailer-

Travelling a few miles away from your home, you don’t expect to be classed as a ‘tourist’ right? But in fact, you often will be classed as a tourist- a domestic tourist!

In general, domestic tourists are anyone who undertakes travel activities in their own country of residence, i.e. living in London and travelling to Glasgow for the day or for an overnight stay.

Unlike other definitions in the tourism ‘vocabulary’, the term ‘domestic tourism’ has not changed in its years. In 2005, Gillian Gale, in her text book designed for BTEC National Travel and Tourism students , defined domestic tourists as;

“People who are travelling in their own country for tourism purposes”

Further to this, Arjun Kumar Bhatia, in his text on International Tourism Management states that;

“In domestic tourism, people travel outside their normal domicile to certain other areas within the country as contrasted with travelling outside the boundaries of the country as in international tourism .”

According to a recent report published by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), domestic tourism accounts for 73% of total Travel and Tourism spending globally in 2018; thus it is a key driver of the tourism sector.

Countries rely on domestic tourism as a tool to reduce poverty, improve infrastructure, generate employment and most importantly to drive economic growth.

The activities of domestic tourists create economic importance as the money spent on domestic tourism feeds back into that particular country’s economy; providing itself with a more viable and prosperous economy.

Popular domestic tourism destinations

According to the WTTC report published in 2018, there has been a slight shift in the countries’ positions in domestic visitor spending between 2008 and 2017.

Below I have listed a few examples of domestic tourism.

According to Visit Britain and its annual review, in 2017/2018, 100.6 million domestic overnight trips were taken and 1.5 billion domestic day visits were taken in England in 2017.

The UK’s domestic overnight trips reached £19 billion, whilst the 1.5 billion domestic day visits reached £50.1 billion. All of which feeds back into the UK economy.

The most popular travel attractions for domestic tourism in the UK are:

• The Tower of London
• Westminster Abbey
• Kew Gardens
• St Paul’s Cathedral
• Chester Zoo
• Windermere Boat Cruises, Bowness
• Flamingo Land Theme Park and Zoo, Yorkshire
• Drayton Manor Theme Park

As you can see from the list above, the majority of the locations are based in London, the Capital city of the UK. Most domestic tourism activities in the UK are either centred around the conservation of either natural or heritage sights or theme parks.

Despite living on the outskirts of London for most of my life, I am ashamed to say that I have only actually ever visited a few of these attractions! I guess I will add these to my bucket list and take the kids on a day trip soon…

In 2018, domestic tourists spent $933 billion dollars in the United States of America – representing 86% of total tourism expenditures. In 2018, domestic tourism supported 7.7 million jobs.

To me, it is no surprise that the domestic tourism industry in the USA is worth so much. Not only is it a HUGE country with an incredible range of diversity in tourism areas, from the snows of Alaska to the heat of Miami, but it is also true that most Americans do not have a passport !

According to the World Atlas , the most popular destinations for domestic tourism in the United States are;

• Alaskan Cruise, Alaska
• Orlando, Florida
• Las Vegas , Nevada
• Maui, Hawaii
• New York City, New York
• Honolulu, Hawaii
• Hawaiian Cruise, Hawaii
• Miami Beach, Florida
• Washington, DC
• Los Angeles, California

The table below shows you the percentage of domestic tourism which took place in each of these locations in 2018.

India is home to some of the most beautiful natural and cultural heritage sites in the world, not only making it a popular destination for international tourists, but also for domestic tourists.

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, domestic spending in India is at 87.2%, compared to foreign spending at 12.8%. Therefore, domestic tourism in India contributes to 9.4% of its overall GDP.

According to Treebo the top 7 visited states by domestic tourists are;

• Uttar Pradesh
• Madhya Pradesh
• Andhra Pradesh
• Maharashtra

India is a beautiful country, with so much to offer! It has certainly been one of my favourite countries to travel and I hope to return with my children someday soon. It is no surprise to see that the domestic tourism industry in India is so significant, given the diversity of attractions and the sheer size of the country, not to mention that many people living in India cannot afford to travel internationally.

One of our recent travel destinations is South Africa , which is a growing destination for domestic tourism. The Minister of SA has fostered The National Tourism Sector Strategy (NTSS), which is a strategy that focuses on domestic tourism and its contribution to a sustainable tourism economy.

You can read more on The National Tourism Sector Strategy here .

According to a report by Statistics South Africa , the number of day trips increased from 39.4 million in 2016 to 48.0 million in 2017. Overnight trips also increased to 44.4 million in 2017.

Unlike the other destinations listed above, South Africa is home to abundant wildlife and nature reserves sites that attracts domestic tourism. According to the South African Tourism Board, the top destinations in South Africa are;

• The Winelands
• Garden Route
• Johannesburg
• Kruger National Park
• Durban beachfront
• Robben Island
• Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
•  Wild Coast

I can certainly say that we loved South Africa. You can see a taste of what the country has to offer in our video below.

According to the Chinese Ministry at a press conference, domestic tourism generated 5.13 trillion yuan ($764 billion U.S dollars) in revenue last year and this figure was climbing steeply each year prior to the pandemic, in fact the Chinese market (both domestically and internationally has been the fastest growing tourism industry in the world in recent years!). In comparison, Chinese tourists spent a total of $115.29 (U.S dollars) on outbound tourism .

According to research by the WTTC , China has been extremely successful in fostering domestic tourism, and is now one of the leading domestic tourism markets in the world.

There is a lot of hidden cultural heritage in China that is often overlooked or ignored with its commercialised industry and giant sky scrapers. Here is a video demonstrating some of China’s most popular tourist attractions.

We have all most likely been a domestic tourist in our life at one point or another, whether we realised it at the time or not! As this post has demonstrated, the domestic tourism industry is a huge economic contributor in many destinations, especially in countries that are large or where the local people do not often have the cash to travel internationally.

Do you want to learn more about the tourism industry? Take a look at my types of tourism glossary to see which areas are covered in the blog. You can also refer to some of the texts named below, which are particularly useful if you are a travel and tourism student! Oh, and why not subscribe to the blog for updates on new posts, travel discounts and deals? You can subscribe to the blog using the form below.

• BTEC National Travel and Tourism – a textbook for BTEC Level 3 Travel and Tourism students
• The Business of Tourism – an essential text for students of tourism management or travel and tourism
• Tourism: Principles and Practice – the ultimate one-stop text for any student studying Tourism
• 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

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UNWTO Highlights Potential of Domestic Tourism to Help Drive Economic Recovery in Destinations Worldwide

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• 14 Sep 2020

As restrictions on travel begin to ease globally, destinations around the world are focusing on growing domestic tourism, with many offering incentives to encourage people to explore their own countries. According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), with domestic tourism set to return faster than international travel, this represents an opportunity for both developed and developing countries to recover from the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recognizing the importance of domestic tourism, the United Nations specialized agency has released the third of its Tourism and COVID-19 Briefing Notes, -Understanding Domestic Tourism and Seizing its Opportunities.- UNWTO data shows that in 2018, around 9 billion domestic tourism trips were made worldwide – six times the number of international tourist arrivals (1.4 billion in 2018). The publication identifies ways in which destinations around the world are taking proactive steps to grow domestic tourism , from offering bonus holidays for workers to providing vouchers and other incentives to people travelling in their own countries.

Domestic tourism to drive recovery

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “UNWTO expects domestic tourism to return faster and stronger than international travel. Given the size of domestic tourism, this will help many destinations recover from the economic impacts of the pandemic, while at the same time safeguarding jobs, protecting livelihoods and allowing the social benefits tourism offers to also return.”

UNWTO expects domestic tourism to return faster and stronger than international travel

The briefing note also shows that, in most destinations, domestic tourism generates higher revenues than international tourism. In OECD nations, domestic tourism accounts for 75% of total tourism expenditure , while in the European Union, domestic tourism expenditure is 1.8 times higher than inbound tourism expenditure. Globally, the largest domestic tourism markets in terms of expenditure are the United States with nearly US$ 1 trillion, Germany with US$ 249 billion, Japan US$ 201 billion, the United Kingdom with US$ 154 billion and Mexico with US$ 139 billion.

Initiatives to boost domestic tourism  

Given the value of domestic tourism and current trends, increasing numbers of countries are taking steps to grow their markets, UNWTO reports. This new Briefing Note provides case studies of initiatives designed to stimulate domestic demand. These include initiatives focused on marketing and promotion as well as financial incentives . Examples of countries taking targeted steps to boost domestic tourist numbers include:

• In Italy, the Bonus Vacanze initiative offers families with incomes of up to EUR 40,000 contributions of up to EUR 500 to spend in domestic tourism accommodation.
• Malaysia allocated US$113 million worth of travel discount vouchers as well as personal tax relief of up to US$227 for expenditure related to domestic tourism.
• Costa Rica moved all holidays of 2020 and 2021 to Mondays for Costa Ricans to enjoy long weekends to travel domestically and to extend their stays.
• France launched the campaign #CetÉtéJeVisiteLaFrance (‘This Summer, I visit France’) highlighting the diversity of destinations across the country.
• Argentina announced the creation of an Observatory for Domestic Tourism to provide a better profile of Argentine tourists.
• Thailand will subsidize 5 million nights of hotel accommodation at 40% of normal room rates for up to five nights.

Related Links

• Download the news release
• UNWTO Briefing Note – Tourism and COVID-19, Issue 3. Understanding Domestic Tourism and Seizing its Opportunities
• More Than 50% of Global Destinations Are Easing Travel Restrictions
• UN Secretary-General: COVID-19 and Transforming Tourism
• UNWTO Briefing Note – Tourism and COVID-19, Issue 1. How are countries supporting tourism recovery?
• UNWTO Briefing Note: Tourism and COVID-19, Issue 2: Tourism in SIDS

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Domestic tourism, internal tourism

Domestic, or internal, tourism refers to tourism practised by the inhabitants of a country within the country. Other than a statistical definition based on the place of residence, debatable in some ways, the recognition of this flow compared to international tourism flows raises questions: while domestic tourism concerns massive numbers of tourists, it has long been underestimated and not much explored. However, it involves important issues, from an economic, social and political point of view, and it enriches our perspective of the globalisation of tourism.

Official statistical definition and common confusions

Domestic tourism is defined as tourism practised by the inhabitants of a country within the country. According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the term is synonymous with domestic tourism. The glossary of this institution states that it “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” (International Recommendations on Tourism Statistics 2008, paragraph 2.39). If we take the example of France , tourist trips made not only by the French living in France, but by all the people residing in France, whether French or foreign citizens, should be counted, since the UNWTO’s criterion is the principal residence and not the nationality.

There is no full consensus on the use of the term “ tourisme domestique ” (domestic tourism) in French. It is true that “domestic” refers to the familiar sphere of the home, while tourism is fundamentally not part of ordinary life. The term is an Anglicism, as “ domestic tourism ” is commonly used in English literature. This explains why it is rejected by the French Academy, and not recommended by TERMIUM, the Canadian terminology and linguistic data bank. In principle, the term “ tourisme interne ” (domestic tourism) should be used in French, but it can be confused with “ tourisme intérieur ” (internal tourism).

Indeed, tourisme domestique (domestic tourism) should not be confused with the terms tourisme intérieur (internal tourism) and tourisme national (national tourism) (Ill. no. 1). According to the UNWTO, internal tourism “comprises domestic tourism and inbound tourism, that is, the activities of resident and non-resident visitors within the country of reference as part of domestic or international tourism trips” (International Recommendations on Tourism Statistics 2008, para. 2.40 (a)). If we take the example of France, tourist trips made by people residing in France and by foreigners, that is, all tourist flows within the country, should be counted

Domestic tourism is not synonymous with national tourism either. According to the UNWTO, national tourism “comprises domestic tourism and outbound tourism, that is, the activities of resident visitors within and outside the country of reference, either as part of domestic or outbound tourism trips” (International Recommendations on Tourism Statistics 2008, para. 2.40 (a)). If we take the example of France again, tourist trips by people residing in France, made in France and abroad, should be counted.

Ill. 1. Distinction between domestic, internal, and national tourism (source: Brunello Pascal and Vacher Luc, 2022, Cartes et graphiques, approche géographique du tourisme, Centre de Traitement de l’Information Géoréférencée (CTIG), University of La Rochelle, http://ctig.univ-lr.fr/page_tourisme7monde.htm)

Considerable numerical strength

Domestic tourism represents massive flows of people, much larger than international tourism flows, as illustrated in Figure 1. According to the UNWTO, in 2018, nine billion trips were made by domestic tourists worldwide, that is six times more than those made by international tourists (1.4 billion in the same year). In the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, three-quarters of total tourism revenues come from domestic tourism, with Spain and France representing the largest markets.

Conversely, countries with much higher international tourism than domestic tourism remain rare and are mostly small extroverted territories, such as these Caribbean islands geared to international customers, to which we can add the Maldives, Seychelles and Mauritius. Andorra, Monaco as well as Macao are also to be included in this category, for reasons of visit related to shopping and casinos. The small wealthy states of Switzerland, Belgium and Luxembourg, also register a structural imbalance between domestic and international tourism, but the magnitude is lower.

This structural importance of domestic tourism compared to international tourism puts into perspective the place occupied by otherness in a tourism project. It shows that we practice tourism first at home, then in other countries. There are two main reasons for this. Firstly, domestic tourism generally costs less, not only because of the shorter distance travelled, but also because tourists can rely on more extensive networks of family and friends for free accommodation and cost sharing. Secondly, the management of otherness must be mastered and remains socially very discriminating (see Learning ). Going abroad is far from representing the norm in tourism.

Nevertheless, there is a need to critically analyse statistics on domestic tourism. The size of countries can introduce a bias, especially in countries such as the United States, Canada, Brazil, China, and Australia. Trips are counted as domestic tourism, whereas in Europe, for a comparable distance, they would be considered as international tourism. This explains why these countries appear among the leaders in Figure 2. This again shows that, in tourism measurement, it is not the number of border crossings that should be counted but the fact of going to a tourist destination. However, this graph shows that even in the biggest international tourism destinations, domestic tourism remains predominant. In France, for example, the number one destination in terms of international tourist arrivals, domestic tourism is twice the size of international tourism, even though the latter is overestimated because of the position of France as a transit point between Northern and Southern Europe.

Ill. 2. Share of domestic tourist trips relative to international tourist arrivals (2018) (source: E. Peyvel, 2022, from OMT, 2020, Understanding domestic tourism and seizing its opportunities)

Added to this is the fact that it is difficult to accurately count the inhabitants of a country who become tourists within the country for a few days. They do not have visas , and it is more difficult to count them at strategic border crossings, such as international airports. In addition to the risk of double counting, there is the fact that they are more difficult to count at certain merchant points (such as hotels or paid tourist sites) because they generally frequent these less, hence the interest of cordon point surveys (Terrier, 2006). Finally, it is not actually a homogeneous category. It aggregates people who are very different in terms of their characteristics (social, age or gender) and their practices.

For this reason, it is important to exercise caution when exploring this category and not to make direct comparisons with international tourism (Vincent and Evanno, 2022). On the contrary, it is more helpful to see the movements and sharing of places, practices and perceptions among tourists, especially for populations from the diaspora. Between internal and external, the delimitation of domestic tourism can indeed be complex, as in the case of the French overseas territories, where arrivals of tourists from metropolitan France, often the majority, are generally counted separately, and not as part of domestic tourism (Gay, 2021).

Economic interests and social issues

Domestic tourism has undeniable comparative advantages over international tourism. Firstly, it fluctuates less, as it is less sensitive to crises that can slow international tourism from time to time, whether they are related to health (as the Covid crisis has shown, forcing tourism professionals to focus on the captive market of domestic tourists in order to limit losses), political issues (e.g., the Arab springs in 2011) or financial issues (e.g., the subprime crisis  in 2007-08). In addition, by generally knowing their country better than international tourists and relying on the support of family and friends, domestic tourists venture in a wide variety of destinations. As such, they contribute to a better distribution of tourism flows and revenues compared to international tourism, which tends to concentrate on the most well-known sites.

In addition, domestic tourism is an excellent indicator of the production and sharing of wealth. It is a useful tool to read inequalities and better understand the so-called emerging countries. It is worth noting that 50% of domestic tourism today is in the Asia-Pacific region, with China and India in the lead (UNWTO, 2020), as illustrated in Figure 3. In addition to the usual economic indicators of the production of wealth, studying domestic tourism makes it possible to understand its distribution and practices, to serve well-being. As such, it is a good way to understand social change and to get a finer understanding of social stratifications. Domestic tourism is also a sign of social progress. Correlated with the industrialisation and tertiarisation of our economies, it developed with the introduction of mandatory paid leave and the progressive structuring of labour law, in accordance with Article 24 of the Declaration of Human Rights.

Ill. 3. Domestic tourists at Dasara Falls (Vietnam) (Cl. Emmanuelle Peyvel, 2020)

Domestic tourism, a State affair

These economic and social issues explain why domestic tourism is supported by political regimes that can be very different. It can be used as a tool for nation building. Encouraging domestic tourism creates a sense of civic belonging and encourages participation in economic recovery through nationalism, as was the case in the United States (Shaffer, 2001). Other studies have shown that controlling it in critical places of the Nation, such as history and ethnology museums, mausoleums, and battlefields, makes it possible to convey a narrative of national unity, for example in Indonesia (Cabasset, 2000), in China (Nyri, 2005) and Vietnam (Peyvel, 2016). In socialist countries, domestic tourism was built not as a commercial sector but as a reward offered by the state to deserving heroes and workers, as illustrated in Figure 4. In this sense, it contributed to the building of a New Man (Gorsuch and Koenker, 2006). Totalitarian regimes have also used domestic tourism for propaganda purposes, in order to showcase the success of the system. This explains the construction of the Nazi seaside resort of Prora by the leisure organisation Kraft durch Freude (strength through joy), or the Opera Nazionale del Dopolavoro (National Afterwork Club) in Mussolini’s Italy.

Ill. 4. Tourists in Sochi in 1964 (source: Fond Dupâquier, EHESS Russian and Soviet image library, with the kind permission of the photographic agency La collection; http://iconotheque-russe.ehess.fr)

Even today, many countries use different tools to support domestic tourism: paid holidays, the introduction of double pricing with preferential treatment for inhabitants of a country over international tourists, the financing of holiday camps, support for modest families, etc. These schemes are to be understood as instruments of democratisation of the practice but also as indirect support to the commercial sector. It is in this sense that we must understand the measures adopted in times of crisis, as seen during the Covid crisis. France is one of those countries that put forward specific promotional campaigns. The promotional video “Cet été, je visite la France” (This summer, I am visiting France) (Atout France, 2020) encourages tourism without language barriers, without borders, without jet lag, and finally making it possible paradoxically to feel at home.

A long-underestimated mobility which contributes to a better understanding of the globalisation of tourism

While, as early as 1937, the Council of the League of Nations recommended a definition of international tourism for statistical purposes, it was not until the Manila Declaration (1980) that domestic tourism was officially recognised and it was not until the Ottawa Conference (1991) that the UNWTO published a technical manual to harmonise counting methods, recognising that the need to quantify its scale is all the more pressing as data is scarce, is based on variable definitions and quantify people who are difficult to identify. It is especially in the so-called southern countries that it was difficult for the UNWTO to recognise the existence of domestic tourism, because these flows hardly fit in with its logic, according to which only international tourism can act as a lever for development. For a long time, it seemed unthinkable that the residents of these countries, unanimously considered to be poor, could produce wealth, especially in the tourism sector. It is only recently that the UNWTO has changed its narrative. At the International Meeting on the Development of domestic Tourism (Algiers, 2011), F. Pierret, then Executive Director of the UNWTO, recognised a certain social diversity in these countries, allowing domestic tourism. The same year, the UNWTO initiated its first study on the subject in Asia, the results of which were presented a year later at the 24 th Meeting of the South and East Asia Pacific Commissions in Chiang Mai. Finally, it acknowledged that domestic tourism had been neglected.

From a scientific point of view, it was not until the 1980s that domestic tourism in the so-called southern countries was developed as a legitimate subject of research. However, domestic tourism goes back much longer. This meant that these works were part of an epistemological evolution, shifting the focus and renewing analyses long carried out only from Europe and North America (Peyvel, 2017). Denisson Nash (1981) and Nelson Graburn (1983) were the first to insist on the need to analyse so-called non-Western tourism practices. One of the seminal texts deals with China (Tie-Sheng and Li-Cheng, 1985), before the more general study by Jafar Jafari (1987). Domestic tourism in the so-called southern countries became a real focus of research during the 1990s (Berriane, 1992; Hitchcock, King and Parnwell, 1992; Raymond, 1999). Now, production has become more regular and Asia occupies a prominent place, given its tourism growth. These studies enrich our understanding of the globalisation of tourism by renewing the approach to concepts such as exoticism, authenticity, patrimony, and identity affiliations (Sacareau, Taunay and Peyvel, 2015). In this respect, studying domestic tourism is of theoretical interest, besides the monographic interest.

PEYVEL Emmanuelle

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Choo, H. (2023). Domestic Tourism. In: Jafari, J., Xiao, H. (eds) Encyclopedia of Tourism. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-01669-6_255-2

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• January 2021

Travel at Home: The Benefits of Domestic Tourism

It’s been a long couple of years since travel was stopped. Even now travel is in a precarious position as countries around the world constantly revise their border measures and restrictions in light of the changing Covid situation. But in the face of such adversity, travel hasn’t been completely stamped out. In fact, the true nomads have found a way to experience the thrill and adventure of travelling even in the midst of Covid by redefining what travelling meant. 

Travelling doesn’t always have to mean going away to faraway exotic places and experiencing foreign cultures. Sometimes the best places are close to home and under the radar. This is exactly the sentiment that gave rise to domestic tourism. 

Domestic tourism isn’t by any means a new phenomenon. But when international travel locked down, domestic tourism became the only respite for wayfarers creating a surge of interest for domestic locations where one could relax and holiday. Now that countries are cautiously reopening borders and easing Covid restrictions, domestic tourism may once again fade into the budget option for many travellers as they look to celebrate their newfound freedom with distance. But there are many reasons why domestic tourism shouldn’t be forgotten or looked down on, even with international shores opening. 

So hold on to your travel pillow and your planner as I go through the beauty and benefits of domestic tourism.       

Domestic Tourism 

Domestic travel is termed as travel within one’s own country. Even visitors to a neighbouring state would be classified as domestic tourists. Domestic travel is important for the domestic economy as it feeds money back into the local economy. This helps revitalise the livelihoods of locals, as well as bolsters the local government’s funds using which they can improve infrastructure and amenities for the local community. This is especially important considering the impact Covid-19 has had on people’s employment and financial outlook. Any bit of help that we can extend to those around us will go a long way to helping them through difficult times. 

But other than helping the local economy, there are other benefits to travelling domestically. 

Save your wallet

Perhaps the most obvious is the impact it has on your wallet. There’s no doubt that international travel can take a chunk out of your finances. This not only applies to foreign countries where the currency is stronger than your local currency or places where the cost of living is much higher. Travelling internationally often involves extra expenses such as immigration fees and visa expenditure, any fees associated with obtaining other necessary documents, tickets for long-haul flights, hotel stays, tour guides, and the more expensive ‘foreign visitor’ tickets for local attractions. And this list doesn’t even include the extra expenses associated with health measures for Covid-19.  

When travelling domestically, you automatically save on immigration and visa fees. You can also save on flight tickets if you travel by car or bus, opt for an AirBnB or stay at a friend’s place to save on expensive hotels, forego a tour guide in favour of exploring yourself, and benefit from the discounted locals’ ticket prices for attractions. 

Not only can these savings translate to a cheaper overall trip, it could also mean a few extra days enjoying the sunny beaches of California or squeezing in one more museum visit for the family.   

Revel in the hyperlocal

Domestic tourism also gives you space to truly enjoy the local. When visiting internationally, most tourists are caught up in what I call ‘the tourist hustle’—visiting all the places catering to tourists. Of course, this makes sense. You can’t go to Paris and not visit the Eiffel tower. But the problem is that these spaces have been developed and maintained by the local government specifically to appeal to tourists, and are often overcrowded . That’s why you often find a McDonalds right next to a major world attraction. Government’s know that some tourists would prefer more globalised, familiar cuisine than their local dishes.

Moreover, the people you run into and interact with during these stays will also likely be other tourists like yourself rather than the locals. By visiting only these spaces that cater to tourists, you miss out on experiencing the true local flavour. Furthermore, if you visit foreign countries with no knowledge of their customs and how to speak their language, you may find yourself experiencing miscommunication with the locals and losing a lot in terms of the depth of experience. 

When travelling domestically, however, you can bypass the major tourist attractions and get acquainted with the lesser-known hidden gems. This can help you rediscover your own culture and the beauty of your homeland. Speaking the same language as the locals and not immediately being recognised as a tourist may also go a long way towards gaining the locals’ favour and insights into the best places to visit, from their point of view. This will be an entirely new experience of travelling than the one you will have access to as an international tourist.    

Both domestic and international travel have their benefits and unique appeal. Next time you plan a trip, don’t just jump straight to international travel. Take a minute to see if there’s anyplace closer to home you’d like to visit. 

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The difference between international and domestic tourism

• Hospitality & Tourism

What is Domestic Tourism?

Domestic tourism is travel within your own nation. For example, if a Canadian from Alberta decided to spend a few days at Niagara Falls, as you’re staying in your own country of residence, this is domestic or internal tourism.

The domestic tourism economy around the world is lucrative and has been boosted by the growing trend of staycations. An internal holiday can be a cost-effective option for individuals and has other benefits, such as making residents aware of the history and culture of their country.

This type of tourism is likely to be less of a hassle for visitors, as visiting another part of your own country will lead to no language differences, currency/food changes or etiquette differences.However, domestic trips tend to be significantly shorter than cross-border trips and wider statistics on this activity are under-reported compared to international tourism.

What is International Tourism?

International tourism is what it says on the can. The World Tourism Organization (WTO) defines tourism as ‘traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes’.

International tourism has increased due to people around the world having more money in their pocket, as well as the impact of greater globalisation.

Global tourism has the greatest impact upon developing nations, where the sector is much-needed to provide a big source of income. Tourism is responsible for one in every ten jobs on the planet and global economies spend a lot of money on boosting their tourist sector.

It’s good to bear in mind that it can be difficult to compare domestic and international tourism as states vary in size and activities. For example, Americans wishing to go on holiday in their own state will likely have a greater amount to see/do, compared to internal visitors in Belgium.

What’s the Difference Between Domestic and International Tourism?

The following table will help you determine the general differences between domestic and international tourism:

Why Are Tourists Favouring Domestic Tourism Over International Tourism?

There are a number of reasons why people would favour domestic travel over foreign travel. Among the most common reasons are:

•  Cost: Domestic travel generally entails shorter distances and lower travel expenses than international travel.
•  Language and cultural barriers: Domestic tourism may be more enticing to travellers who are not comfortable traveling to a foreign country where they may be unfamiliar with the language and culture.
•  Familiarity: Exploring one’s own country can be less overwhelming as there may be fewer changes to adapt to.
•  Time: Domestic tourism may be more convenient for those who have limited time for vacation, as it typically involves shorter travel times.
•  Economic advantages: By supporting local companies and job-generating opportunities, domestic tourism can help boost the economy of one’s own country.

What Should You Consider Before Going on a Domestic or International Trip?

There are several things to consider before embarking on a trip, whether domestic or international. Some of these include:

•  Budget: Determine how much money you will need for the trip. Be sure to allocate funds for transportation, lodging, food, and any attractions or activities you’d like to see or do.
•  Documentation: For those looking to travel internationally, it’s important to prepare the necessary documentation, such as a passport and visa, well in advance and keep them on your person during your transit.
•  Activities: Research and plan out the activities and attractions you want to experience during your trip.
•  Travel insurance: Consider getting travel insurance as a safeguard against unforeseen circumstances like trip cancellations or health concerns.
•  Health and safety: Research the health and safety protocols at your travel destination and ensure that you are able to comply with them, including getting vaccinated, masking, or purchasing travel insurance that covers medical emergencies.

If you’re interested in joining this sector,  check out TSoM’s academic opportunities in hospitality and tourism .

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Chapter 1. History and Overview

1.1 What is Tourism?

Before engaging in a study of tourism , let’s have a closer look at what this term means.

Definition of Tourism

There are a number of ways tourism can be defined, and for this reason, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) embarked on a project from 2005 to 2007 to create a common glossary of terms for tourism. It defines tourism as follows:

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 imply tourism expenditure (United Nations World Tourism Organization, 2008).

Using this definition, we can see that tourism is not just the movement of people for a number of purposes (whether business or pleasure), but the overall agglomeration of activities, services, and involved sectors that make up the unique tourist experience.

Tourism, Travel, and Hospitality: What are the Differences?

It is common to confuse the terms tourism , travel , and hospitality or to define them as the same thing. While tourism is the all-encompassing umbrella term for the activities and industry that create the tourist experience, the UNWTO (2020) defines travel as the activity of moving between different locations often for any purpose but more so for leisure and recreation (Hall & Page, 2006). On the other hand, hospitality can be defined as “the business of helping people to feel welcome and relaxed and to enjoy themselves” (Discover Hospitality, 2015, p. 3). Simply put, the hospitality industry is the combination of the accommodation and food and beverage groupings, collectively making up the largest segment of the industry (Go2HR, 2020). You’ll learn more about accommodations and F & B in Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 , respectively.

Definition of Tourist and Excursionist

Building on the definition of tourism, a commonly accepted description of a tourist is “someone who travels at least 80 km from his or her home for at least 24 hours, for business or leisure or other reasons” (LinkBC, 2008, p.8). The United Nations World Tourism Organization (1995) helps us break down this definition further by stating tourists can be:

• Domestic (residents of a given country travelling only within that country)
• Inbound (non-residents travelling in a given country)
• Outbound (residents of one country travelling in another country)

Excursionists  on the other hand are considered same-day visitors (UNWTO, 2020). Sometimes referred to as “day trippers.” Understandably, not every visitor stays in a destination overnight. It is common for travellers to spend a few hours or less to do sightseeing, visit attractions, dine at a local restaurant, then leave at the end of the day.

The scope of tourism, therefore, is broad and encompasses a number of activities and sectors.

Spotlight On: United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

UNWTO is the United Nations agency responsible “for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism” (UNWTO, 2014b). Its membership includes 159 countries and over 500 affiliates such as private companies, research and educational institutions, and non-governmental organizations. It promotes tourism as a way of developing communities while encouraging ethical behaviour to mitigate negative impacts. For more information, visit the UNWTO website .

NAICS: The North American Industry Classification System

Given the sheer size of the tourism industry, it can be helpful to break it down into broad industry groups using a common classification system. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) was jointly created by the Canadian, US, and Mexican governments to ensure common analysis across all three countries (British Columbia Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, 2013a). The tourism-related groupings created using NAICS are (in alphabetical order):

• Accommodation
• Food and beverage services (commonly known as “F & B”)
• Recreation and entertainment
• Transportation
• Travel services

These industry groups (also commonly known as sectors) are based on the similarity of the “labour processes and inputs” used for each (Government of Canada, 2013). For instance, the types of employees and resources required to run an accommodation business whether it be a hotel, motel, or even a campground are quite similar. All these businesses need staff to check in guests, provide housekeeping, employ maintenance workers, and provide a place for people to sleep. As such, they can be grouped together under the heading of accommodation. The same is true of the other four groupings, and the rest of this text explores these industry groups, and other aspects of tourism, in more detail.

It is typical for the entire tourist experience to involve more than one sector. The combination of sectors that supply and distribute the needed tourism products, services, and activities within the tourism system is called the Tourism Supply Chain. Often, these chains of sectors and activities are dependent upon each other’s delivery of products and services. Let’s look at a simple example below that describes the involved and sometimes overlapping sectoral chains in the tourism experience:

Before we seek to understand the five tourism sectors in more detail, it’s important to have an overview of the history and impacts of tourism to date.

Long Descriptions

Figure 1.2 long description: Diagram showing the tourism supply chain. This includes the phases of travel and the sectors and activities involved during each phase.

There are three travel phases: pre-departure, during travel, and post-departure.

Pre-departure, tourists use the travel services and transportation sectors.

During travel, tourists use the travel services, accommodations, food and beverage, recreation and entertainment, and transportation sectors.

Post-departure, tourists use the transportation sector.

[Return to Figure 1.2]

Media Attributions

• Front Desk by Staying LEVEL is licensed under a CC BY-NC 4.0 Licence .

Tourism according the the UNWTO 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.

UN agency responsible for promoting responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism worldwide.

Moving between different locations for leisure and recreation.

The accommodations and food and beverage industry groupings.

someone who travels at least 80 km from his or her home for at least 24 hours, for business or leisure or other reasons

A same-day visitor to a destination. Their trip typically ends on the same day when they leave the destination.

A way to group tourism activities based on similarities in business practices, primarily used for statistical analysis.

Introduction to Tourism and Hospitality in BC - 2nd Edition Copyright © 2015, 2020, 2021 by Morgan Westcott and Wendy Anderson, Eds is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Australian winemakers hail axing of Chinese tariffs, but warn it's no quick fix for struggling industry

Wine producers across the country have welcomed an end to China's duties on Australian wine.

China made the announcement on Thursday , with the heavy tariffs ending on Friday.

Wine Australia chief executive Martin Cole said he expected Australian wine would quickly be getting into China.

"I think we've been waiting with bated breath for quite a while, but absolutely great to have that confirmed," he said.

"Some businesses have been preparing to go into the market from Hong Kong so I think things will start flowing pretty quickly.

"It'll take some time to rebuild the pipeline, there's some additional requirements I think in terms of the need for self-registration, et cetera, so we've updated our export guide."

Mr Cole said the introduction of duties caused the loss of 30 per cent of the sector's export business virtually overnight.

"We had something like 20 per cent of the share of imported wine into China, which was worth $1.2 billion.

"It really was about premium red wine so that's made a huge impact on our business.

"On top of that, think of COVID, think of inflation and all of the usual things that you deal with in an agricultural sector, so it's been a really tough time."

But Dr Cole warned that while China was a very important market, it was currently a fraction of what it was.

"The imported wine market's down to about a third of what it was.

"There is a downturn in the economy, so that's certainly part of it.

"I think also in terms of reopening of the economy there, reopening of tourism and the on-premise businesses as well will be part of that.

"We are seeing that in other markets as well, similar sort of trends."

Dr Cole said, however, that the sentiment for Australian wine remained very strong.

'The most difficult stage in my career'

South Australia is the nation's biggest wine-producing state, and local producers have cautiously welcomed Beijing's decision.

The state's wine exports to China peaked in October 2020 — a month before the tariffs were introduced — at $946 million, which made up almost half of SA's global wine exports, according to the state government.

By January 2024, they were valued at a mere $2.8 million.

Owner of Taylor Wines in SA's Clare Valley, Mitch Taylor, welcomed China's decision.

"This opportunity will mean a lot for our family business to now re-engage with the opportunities that China presents," he said.

"It's probably been the most difficult stage in my career [the tariffs], since working in the family business for 30 years."

The tariffs have forced many Australian producers to re-evaluate their export strategies.

"We will look at the whole region and not try to specialise too much in the Chinese market," Mr Taylor said.

"A lot of hard work [has been done] there in the past, so it will be good to try and rebuild those relationships in the market.

"We will build up trust, but saying that we will [also] be looking to another markets … to make sure we've got a good spread of our wines in all the key Asian markets."

No quick fix 

In SA's Riverland region, some producers have been getting paid 1970s rates amid a glut of red wine, with growers being offered as little as $120 a tonne.

To put that in perspective, production costs are estimated to be about $300 a tonne.

Riverland grape grower and entrepreneur, Yianni Koutouzis, who owns Sixty Eight Roses, said he and other growers were facing financial stress and uncertain futures in the industry.

He said the removal of the tariffs would not be an immediate fix.

"It's a crisis at the moment in the Riverland, it's a very, very serious matter, and it's something that needs to get addressed pretty quickly, and hopefully this will give some sort of relief for us."

Calls to expand export markets

WA winery Ferngrove — which is majority Chinese owned — said it was also hit hard by the tariffs.

"We had to refocus, and put a lot more effort back into domestic markets, a lot more focus back into our direct-to-consumer business, and continue with our export markets in the UK and Asia," managing director Andrew Blythe said.

Mr Blythe agreed that wine exports to China would fail to reach the same heights as the pre-tariff era in the near future.

"The economic landscape in in China has certainly changed a lot over the last three, four years," he said.

"So we certainly won't be going anywhere near the same volume to where we were shipping before.

"We're kind of aiming for around 30 or 40 per cent of what it used to be."

Mr Blythe also said he believed the industry needed to learn from the saga of the last few years, and broaden its markets.

"A lot of those South-East Asian markets, I would certainly be focusing on them," he said.

"There's low, low hanging fruit in those markets."

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