GEOG 3490 Chapter 1: Chapter1Notes
3 Aug 2015
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Document Summary
The word tourist, and what it implies did not come about until the 19th century, especially after the railway was introduced, making distance travel easier. Now over 800 million people travel per year. Stakeholders include the government, tourism industry, donor agencies, local communities, non-government agencies (ngos) and the tourists themselves. The tourism industry contributes directly to gross domestic product (gdp), as well as creates millions of jobs, accounting for 8. 7% of total employment (who, 2007). Even though these statistics are impressive, it is hard to define tourism as an industry as it does not have production function (does not produce product). Due to the fact that there is no tangible product it becomes hard to measure. Murphy (1985) suggests that tourism industry doesn"t exist, as there are industries (transport, accommodation, etc) that are there for the local people as well. The other difference is that the consumer travels to the product not the other way around.
