What Strand Is Tourism Belong?

By Michael Ferguson

Tourism is a multifaceted industry that contributes significantly to the world’s economy. It encompasses various activities, including travelling to different destinations, experiencing new cultures, and engaging in recreational activities.

However, many people wonder what strand of industry does tourism belong to? Is it a service industry or a product industry? Let’s dive into the details and find out.

Service Industry vs Product Industry

A service industry primarily deals with providing intangible services to its customers. Examples of service industries include healthcare, hospitality, education, and transportation.

On the other hand, product industries produce tangible goods that are sold to customers. Examples of product industries include automobile manufacturing, food processing, clothing production, and more.

Tourism as a Service Industry

Tourism is widely regarded as a service industry because it mainly deals with providing intangible services to travellers. When people travel for tourism purposes, they rely on various services such as accommodation facilities (hotels, resorts), transportation (flights, trains), recreational activities (theme parks, museums), and food services (restaurants). All these services are intangible in nature and cannot be touched or felt physically.

Moreover, the tourism sector also includes various businesses that provide support services such as tour operators, travel agents and tourist guides. These businesses help tourists plan their trips by offering them customized packages based on their preferences.

Tourism: A Blend of Service & Product Industries

While tourism is primarily considered a service industry due to its focus on intangible services provided to tourists; there is also an argument for it being a product industry. The tourism sector provides tangible products such as souvenirs that people can purchase as memories of their travel experiences.

In addition to this, the infrastructure development required for tourism – such as building hotels or theme parks – involves producing tangible goods like construction materials and equipment. Thus creating employment opportunities in the manufacturing sector.

Conclusion

In conclusion, tourism is predominantly a service industry that offers intangible services to its customers. However, there are also tangible products such as souvenirs and infrastructure development that make it a blend of both service and product industries.

As the tourism industry continues to grow, it will become increasingly important to understand its unique characteristics. By recognising it as a service industry, governments and businesses can identify the specific challenges of the sector and work towards improving its support structure. Additionally, recognising the product aspect of tourism can help promote investment in creating new tourism products and experiences that can attract more travellers.