Exploring the Different Types of Tourists

This article explores different types of tourists such as ethical tourists, adventure tourists, cultural tourists, domestic tourists, business tourists, agritourism tourists, explorers, fun-seekers, escapists, and drifters.

Exploring the Different Types of Tourists

Ethical tourism is a form of tourism that benefits the people and environment involved. It is closely related to sustainable and responsible tourism, and many travelers are now looking for ways to be ethical tourists and incorporate these practices into their travel decisions and behaviors. Adventure tourism is one of the most thrilling types of tourism, as it involves a certain degree of risk and usually requires specialized skills or physical effort. Adventure tourists can partake in activities such as climbing, skydiving, rafting, mountaineering, ziplining, and paragliding.

Cultural tourism is when travelers engage with the culture of a country or religion, particularly the lifestyle and other elements that have shaped people's lives. Tourists can immerse themselves in related activities such as rituals and festivals. Some of the world's most popular cultural tourist destinations include Madagascar, Lombok (Indonesia), Latvia, Haida Gwaii (British Columbia), Northern Sri Lanka, Chiang Mai (Thailand), Aristi (Greece), Western Cape (South Africa), and Tamil Nadu (India). Domestic tourism is when citizens of a country only travel within their country.

People choose domestic tourism because it is cost-effective and allows them to explore some of the physical features and other historical sites. Stanley Plog classified tourists into three types according to his model of allocentricity and psychocentrism. Mid-town tourists are in between: they like adventure but also enjoy some of the comforts of home. Business tourism includes incentive trips, exhibitions, trade fairs, conferences, meetings, and corporate events.

Agritourism is another type of tourism that involves visiting farms or agricultural areas for educational or recreational purposes. Types of agritourism include direct market agrotourism, experience and education agrotourism, and event and recreational agrotourism. Cohen classified tourists into four categories: explorers, fun-seekers, escapists, and drifters. Explorers seek out new experiences rather than familiar ones; however, they still interact with products related to the tourism industry.

Fun-seekers are those who enjoy leisure vacations while recovering from an operation or taking care of medical needs. Drifters are those who live an ecological lifestyle and are interested in eco-tourism. Lastly, escapists are those who cross a national border to obtain a drug that is not sold in their country.

Chester Torn
Chester Torn

Hardcore music junkie. Friendly thinker. Freelance web junkie. Unapologetic coffeeaholic. Professional zombieaholic. Avid coffee geek.

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