Tourism Transportation and Travel Systems

Transportation Sector Development

• Transportation's rapid development and technological advances enable tourists to reach destinations around the world
• It is an integral part of both tourism and hospitality

Transportation and Travel Evolution

• Transportation and travel have changed significantly over time

Pre-Industrial Travel System Era

• This was before widespread industrialization in Europe and North America
• Common carriers and regularly scheduled transportation services were scarce
• Travelers arranged transport with individual suppliers
• Only a limited number of people had the means and reasons to travel

Early-Industrial Travel System Era

• Innovation in transportation technology brought road improvements, railways, canals, and steamship services
• Increased accessibility of travel boosted travel as more people could afford it
• Common carriers began offering scheduled transport services

Mature-Railway System Era

• Thomas Cook began his company's activities in the UK in 1840, innovating in the travel sector
• Railways started marketing aggressively, expanding operations to include hotels and travel-related services
• More people traveled than in the previous era

Express-Travel System Era

• Trains and other transport forms began only stopping at major stations or terminals
• Travel speed increased, encouraging more travel

Automobile-Based Travel System Era

• Private automobile influence grew in North America and Europe from the 1920s
• Development of motorways, interstate highways, and trunk highways occurred from 1920-1974
• Automobiles dominated travel from 1920-1945

Modern-Tourism Travel System Era

• This period spanned from 1945-1974
• Car ownership increased impacting long-distance rail travel
• The 1970s saw wide-bodied jets increase air travel
• Mass tourism philosophy and marketing approaches developed in the 1950s and 1960s

Post-Mobility Adjustment Era

• Beginning in 1973-1974 due to the oil embargo by OPEC and rising fuel prices
• The energy crisis altered travel patterns worldwide, encouraging travelers to seek group-oriented transport modes

Selection of Transportation Mode

• A tourist's travel experience is affected by transport mode and frequency of use
• Transportation itself can become a tourist attraction by way of cruises, orient express trains and boat trips

Air Transportation

• Airlines spend billions to meet air transport demand driving technological innovation
• The air travel industry has an unparalleled role in long-distance travel
• Air transport vehicles include airplanes, helicopters, hot air balloons and gliders

Automobile Transportation

• For short distances, cars, vans and buses are common transport
• Automobile transport offers flexibility enabling tourists to experience local cultures
• Tourists use this mode due to its low cost

Railway Transportation

• Railways were frequently used in the 19th century
• Railways transport loads although tourists prefer air or automobile transport
• Fast trains compete with air and automobiles using technology
• High-speed, regional, rapid transit, and freight trains are examples of railway transport

Sea Transportation

• Sea transport includes cruise, boat, yachting, and ferry travel
• Cruise ships are known as sailing hotels and provide travel opportunities
• Tourists can visit several countries on a cruise
• Maritime vessels and cargo ships such as ro-ro, container vessels, crude and bulk carriers are other forms of sea transport

Meaning of Recreation and Leisure

• Recreation involves visiting places for relaxation or diversion from routine, such as parks, museums, historic sites, and theaters
• It is the pursuit of leisure activities in spare time
• Leisure is productive, creative, or contemplative use of free time

Varied Views of Recreation and Leisure

• Recreation includes public agencies providing parks, playgrounds, swimming pools, sports fields, and community centers
• Recreation can be senior centers, sheltered workshops, or treatment centers
• Environmentalists focus on recreation's impact on natural surroundings like forests, mountains, rivers, and lakes

Recreational Participation

• Recreation includes travel, tourism, cultural entertainment, arts participation, hobbies, and social groups
• It involves thousands of participants, solitary experiences, strenuous activity or mental activity
• It can be a lifelong interest or a single experience

Attractions

• Attractions are classified in several forms

Natural Attractions

• Natural attractions drive people to travel
• Examples include national parks, forests, botanical parks, and zoological parks

Purpose Built Attractions

• Built for tourism
• Theme parks, zoos, and art galleries are examples of purpose-built attractions

Heritage Attractions

• Heritage attractions appeal to those interested in contemporary and long-vanished civilizations
• The Great Wall of China, and the Rice Terraces are examples of heritage attractions

Recreation Attractions

• Indoor and outdoor facilities supporting sports and recreation like bowling, camping, fishing, and golfing
• These attractions maintain and provide access to such facilities

Commercial Attractions

• These include the retail sector
• Commercial attractions deal in gifts, handcrafted goods, arts, and souvenirs that attract tourists such as shopping centers and boutiques

Industrial Attractions

• Factory tours are growing
• Wineries and breweries are examples of industrial attractions

Challenges Faced by the Recreation and Leisure Service Field

• The challenges the recreation and leisure service field face in the 21st Century
• Serving diverse populations covering race, age and gender
• Emphasizing recreation's social purposes i.e. youth work, disability and community development
• Promoting understanding of recreation, parks, and the profession
• Upgrading recreation programs and facilities, mostly in inner cities and for minority populations
• Adopting benefit-based management and promoting outcomes
• Promote recreation as a health-related activity
• Partnering with environmental groups to protect and restore wildlands and waterways
• Expanding and improving family programs and facilities
• Promoting ethics in youth sports
• Mainstreaming those with disabilities in recreation programs
• Planning for recreation and leisure in a job-scarce economy
• Developing professionalism through accreditation, certification, education, or standards
• Unifying recreation and leisure through common programs

Gaming Entertainment Defined

• The gaming industry includes casinos (land-based and riverboats), card games, charitable games, lottery operated games, and betting on greyhound and horse races
• Gaming entertainment is a subset, relating to casino gaming, hotel operations, entertainment, retail, recreation and other operations -The casino industry offers entertainment and leisure activities along with betting, serving "social gamblers" who combine gambling with other activities

Games and Facilities Inside Casinos

• Table Games involve betting between casinos and customers like dice/craps, roulette, Big 6 wheel, and pai-gow
• Card Games have players gamble against each other with the casino providing or dealing the games
• Blackjack, baccarat, and poker are examples of card games
• Slot Machines/Video Games use simulated reels with pay offs based on a computerized program
• Video games include video poker, keno, bingo, and lottery terminals
• Keno and Bingo are both based on a random number
• Race and Sports Books have wagering on horse track betting, while sportsbooks bets on professional and collegiate sporting events
• Casino Cage is the center for financial customer transactions and accounting for monies handled on the casino floor
• Surveillance uses high-tech cameras and video recording devices as the "eye in the sky"
• Ancillary Departments are support services e.g. restaurants, bars, lounges, showrooms, and lodging

Reasons for Visiting Casinos

• Gambling is a main draw
• Recreation and Entertainment provides a mental escape
• Social interaction is common with senior citizens and retirees
• Economic factors occur when casinos offer low rates
• Curiosity caused by mega resorts with must-see facilities
• Amenity Offerings such as health spas and salons draw people