classification of Tourist 

Classification of Tourists - Detailed Notes

Tourism is a dynamic and diverse sector, and tourists can be classified based on various factors such as their purpose of travel, duration of stay, origin, and the type of services they require. Understanding these classifications helps in designing targeted tourism strategies and policies.

पर्यटक वह व्यक्ति होते हैं जो यात्रा के उद्देश्य से किसी स्थान पर जाते हैं। उनका मुख्य उद्देश्य किसी अन्य स्थान की संस्कृति, इतिहास, परंपरा, प्राकृतिक सुंदरता, और विश्राम का अनुभव करना होता है। पर्यटकों का अनुभव यात्रा की विभिन्न गतिविधियों, जैसे कि साहसिक खेल, ऐतिहासिक स्थल देखना, धार्मिक यात्रा, खरीदारी, और प्रकृति के साथ समय बिताने पर निर्भर करता है। 

1. Based on Purpose of Visit

1. Leisure Tourists (Holiday Tourists):

   • Purpose: Travel for relaxation, recreation, and entertainment.

   • Examples: Beach holidays, city breaks, cultural exploration, adventure tourism.

   • Characteristics: Seek destinations with scenic beauty, historical landmarks, and recreational facilities.

2. Business Tourists:

   • Purpose: Travel for business-related activities such as meetings, conferences, trade shows, and corporate events.

   • Examples: Corporate conferences, exhibitions, business meetings.

   • Characteristics: May require business accommodation, transport, and amenities like conference facilities and high-speed internet.

3. Medical Tourists:

   • Purpose: Travel for medical treatment, health check-ups, and wellness activities.

   • Examples: Treatment at health resorts, medical surgeries, wellness retreats, and alternative therapies.

   • Characteristics: Primarily visit destinations known for medical tourism services, often choosing specialized hospitals or health resorts.

4. Religious or Pilgrimage Tourists:

   • Purpose: Travel to sacred or holy places for religious reasons, to participate in pilgrimages, or to attend religious events.

   • Examples: Pilgrimages to Varanasi, Mecca, Jerusalem, or the Kumbh Mela.

   • Characteristics: Seek spiritual experiences and may require places of worship, religious ceremonies, and travel packages to pilgrimage sites.

5. Adventure Tourists:

   • Purpose: Travel for adventure and thrill-based activities, such as trekking, mountaineering, and extreme sports.

   • Examples: Trekking in the Himalayas, bungee jumping, scuba diving, skydiving.

   • Characteristics: Tend to visit remote areas or locations with opportunities for outdoor activities, nature exploration, and physical challenges.

6. Cultural Tourists:

   • Purpose: Travel to explore the culture, history, art, and heritage of a destination.

   • Examples: Visiting historical sites, museums, attending festivals, or exploring local traditions and customs.

   • Characteristics: Interested in learning about local history, traditions, architecture, and arts.

7. Eco-Tourists:

   • Purpose: Travel to natural environments to conserve the environment, observe wildlife, and promote sustainable tourism.

   • Examples: Wildlife safaris, nature reserves, eco-lodges.

   • Characteristics: Seek environmentally sustainable and low-impact travel experiences, focusing on nature preservation and responsible tourism.

2. Based on Duration of Stay

1. Same-Day Tourists (Excursionists):

   • Purpose: Tourists who visit a destination for a short time, usually for a day, and return the same day.

   • Examples: Day trips to nearby cities or attractions.

   • Characteristics: Do not require overnight accommodation, usually come for sightseeing or business meetings.

2. Overnight Tourists:

   • Purpose: Tourists who stay in a destination for at least one night.

   • Examples: Tourists visiting historical sites, beaches, or taking short vacations.

   • Characteristics: Require overnight accommodation and may stay for a few days to explore the destination.

3. Long-Term Tourists (Extended Tourists):

   • Purpose: Tourists who stay in a destination for an extended period, often several months.

   • Examples: Expatriates, people on long vacations or studying abroad.

   • Characteristics: May require long-term accommodation and are usually involved in activities like study, work, or leisure that require a prolonged stay.

3. Based on Mode of Travel

1. Domestic Tourists:

   • Purpose: Tourists traveling within their own country.

   • Examples: A person traveling from Delhi to Kerala.

   • Characteristics: Often cheaper and more flexible travel arrangements, contributing significantly to a country's tourism industry.

2. International Tourists:

   • Purpose: Tourists traveling to a foreign country from their country of residence.

   • Examples: A person traveling from the USA to India.

   • Characteristics: Requires visa arrangements, international transportation, and may engage in cultural exchange activities.

4. Based on Type of Accommodation

1. Independent Tourists (FIT - Free Independent Travelers):

   • Purpose: Tourists who organize and manage their travel arrangements, including accommodations, transport, and activities on their own.

   • Examples: Solo travelers, backpackers.

   • Characteristics: Prefer freedom and flexibility, often opt for budget accommodations like hostels, guesthouses, or self-booked hotels.

2. Group Tourists:

   • Purpose: Tourists who travel as part of a group, often guided by a tour operator or guide.

   • Examples: Package tour groups, senior citizen travel groups.

   • Characteristics: Stay in hotels arranged by tour operators, travel as a part of a package, and follow an itinerary set by the organizer.

5. Based on Tourist's Social Class

1. Mass Tourists:

   • Purpose: Tourists who are part of large, organized groups, usually on package tours.

   • Examples: Bus tours, cruise passengers.

   • Characteristics: Travel in large groups, often on budget tours, and stay in mainstream hotels or resorts.

2. Niche Tourists:

   • Purpose: Tourists who travel for specialized interests or hobbies.

   • Examples: Art lovers, sports enthusiasts, culinary tourists.

   • Characteristics: Prefer specific and often luxury services tailored to their niche interest.

3. Luxury Tourists:

   • Purpose: Tourists seeking exclusive and high-end experiences.

   • Examples: Staying in five-star hotels, private jet tours, luxury cruises.

   • Characteristics: Expect premium services, exclusive experiences, and personalized itineraries.

6. Based on the Season of Travel

1. Peak Season Tourists:

   • Purpose: Tourists who visit during the peak tourist season, when the destination is most popular and crowded.

   • Examples: Tourists visiting Goa during the winter months or foreign tourists during the summer holidays.

   • Characteristics: Higher accommodation costs and crowded destinations.

2. Off-Season Tourists:

   • Purpose: Tourists who visit during the off-season when tourist numbers are lower, and prices are more affordable.

   • Examples: Visiting hill stations during the monsoon season.

   • Characteristics: Seek quiet, less crowded destinations, and are often budget-conscious.