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.