What Does Commercial Tourism Mean?

By Alice Nichols

Commercial tourism is a term that is used to describe the act of traveling for the sole purpose of engaging in commercial activities. This type of tourism is becoming increasingly popular, with more and more people traveling to various destinations around the world to engage in different commercial activities. In this article, we will take a closer look at what commercial tourism means and some of the popular forms it takes.

What is Commercial Tourism?

Commercial tourism refers to travel that is undertaken for the purpose of engaging in commercial activities. It involves visiting a particular destination specifically to engage in commercial activities such as shopping, sightseeing, or attending events. The main aim of commercial tourism is to provide tourists with unique experiences that they cannot get back home.

The Forms of Commercial Tourism

There are various forms that commercial tourism can take. Some of the most popular forms include:

  • Shopping Tourism: This form involves traveling for the sole purpose of shopping. Tourists visit different destinations to buy unique products and souvenirs.
  • Sightseeing Tourism: This form involves visiting a destination for the purpose of exploring its natural beauty and cultural heritage.
  • Event Tourism: This form involves traveling to attend events such as concerts, festivals, and sporting events.
  • Culinary Tourism: This form involves traveling to a destination specifically for food-related experiences such as wine tasting or cooking classes.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Commercial Tourism

Like any other form of tourism, commercial tourism has both advantages and disadvantages.

The Advantages:

  • Commercial tourism can boost local economies by increasing demand for goods and services in specific areas.
  • Tourists who engage in commercial tourism often return home with unique and memorable experiences that they would not have otherwise had.
  • Commercial tourism can provide employment opportunities for locals, especially in the service industry.

The Disadvantages:

  • Commercial tourism can lead to overcrowding and congestion in popular tourist destinations, causing inconvenience for both tourists and locals.
  • Commercial tourism can contribute to environmental degradation through activities such as littering and overuse of natural resources.
  • Commercial tourism can lead to the exploitation of local cultures and traditions for profit.

Conclusion

In conclusion, commercial tourism is a growing trend that involves traveling for the purpose of engaging in commercial activities. It takes various forms such as shopping, sightseeing, event attendance, or culinary experiences.

While it has its advantages such as boosting local economies and providing unique experiences, it also has its disadvantages such as overcrowding, environmental degradation, and cultural exploitation. It is important for travelers to be aware of these pros and cons before engaging in commercial tourism.