ABSTRACT
Sociological studies introduce one dimension into the analysis of tourism: the linkage with leisure and free time. Tourism reflects new needs within the population, whether spontaneous or media-induced through advertising. Tourism is also a potent stimulus to economic activity. One of the variables used to measure the impact of tourism on the economy is the money spent by the tourist. The state, through an extensive regulatory framework, has played a decisive role in promoting tourism. This began with the inclusion of the term "tourist" in the country's population law and the subsequent development of various legal instruments to regulate the industry. The quantification of direct and indirect employment is a first step toward an understanding of tourism's labor absorption. In Mexico, an airline package, including deluxe hotel, meals and entertainment, has become increasingly important; whereas others activities—camping, for instance—is a less attractive option.
