ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to help the students to understand the concept of tourism from various perspectives and understand the nuances of the tourism industry. Although tourism can be classified on various bases, the most fundamental classification is based on the origin and destination countries. The centuries that followed the dark era became crucial in the evolution of travel and tourism, as those were associated with the grand inventions and discoveries that changed the world. The surging travel propensity and the consequential growth in the demand for services have invigorated the worldwide expansion of the tourism sector. A tourist is basically a traveller and is the most crucial element in the process of tourism. Visitors include tourists, who are distinguished by staying for a minimum period of 24 hours in the place visited, and others who stay for less than 24 hours can be called same-day tourists, day visitors or excursionists.
