VUSSC/Content/Tourism/The Tourism System/Why people travel

Have you ever wanted to get away from the normal everyday activities of life? If yes, what were your reasons?

Motivations for travel:


 * Visiting friends and relatives
 * Vacation or Pleasure
 * Opportunity to broaden their frame of reference – education, wanderlust
 * Business
 * Religion – pilgrimages
 * Sport or cultural purposes

Factors that influence travel decisions

1.	Climate

2.	Distance between countries

3.	Attractions – natural and man-made

4.	Communications – transportation infrastructure – can it be traveled by one means of transport or node of transport

5.	Cost

6.	Cultural links / Language

7.	Political factors

Why do tour guides need to know the motivations for travel?

Tour-guides need to be familiar with the places where people come, as this affects the ways people behave. Tour-guides need to be aware of cultural differences and the expectations and level of service may vary.