Who Is a Visitor in Tourism?

By Anna Duncan

If you’re interested in tourism, then you must have heard the term ‘visitor’ thrown around quite a bit. But what exactly does it mean?

Who is considered a visitor in tourism? In this article, we’ll answer these questions and more.

What is Tourism?

Before we get into who a visitor is, let’s first define what tourism is. According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), tourism refers to “the activities of persons travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business or other purposes.”

In simpler terms, tourism involves people traveling to different places for various reasons such as vacation, work, or cultural experiences.

Who is a Visitor?

Now that we have a basic understanding of what tourism is let’s discuss who a visitor is. A visitor is anyone who travels to a place that they do not normally reside in. Visitors can be classified into two main categories: domestic visitors and international visitors.

Domestic Visitors

Domestic visitors refer to people who travel within their own country for leisure or business purposes. For example, if someone from New York City visits Los Angeles for vacation or work-related reasons, they would be considered domestic visitors.

International Visitors

On the other hand, international visitors refer to people who travel from one country to another for various reasons such as vacation, education or work-related purposes. For example, if someone from Japan visits New York City for vacation or work-related reasons they would be considered an international visitor.

Types of Visitors

Visitors can also be classified based on their purpose of travel. The UNWTO categorizes visitors into three types:

  • Tourists: These are people traveling outside of their usual environment for leisure purposes.
  • Business travelers: These are people who travel for work-related purposes such as meetings, conferences or exhibitions.
  • VFRs (Visiting friends and relatives): These are people who travel to visit friends or family in another location.

The Importance of Understanding Visitors in Tourism

Understanding who visitors are and why they travel is crucial for tourism industry professionals. By understanding the different types of visitors, tourism businesses can better tailor their products and services to meet the specific needs and wants of their Target audience.

Additionally, understanding visitor behavior can help tourism businesses create Targeted marketing campaigns that are more likely to attract potential visitors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a visitor is anyone who travels to a place outside of their usual environment for leisure, business or other purposes.

They can also be categorized based on their purpose of travel such as tourists, business travelers or VFRs. Understanding visitors’ behavior is essential for tourism businesses to create products and services that cater specifically to their Target audience.