Inglese turistico C1 completo

The nature of tourism

A visitor is a traveller taking a trip for less than a year for any main purpose like business, leisure or other personal purpose. If a visitor spends at least one night out, he/she can be classified as a tourist (according to UNWTO - United Nations World Tourism Organization).

That means that tourism is a temporary movement of people to destinations away from where they live or work. It can be divided into:

• Domestic tourism: when the trip takes place within a person’s country of residence.
• Internal tourism: when the trip involves another country. This is in turn divided into:
• Outbound tourism: it refers to a person who travels outside its country of residence.
• Inbound tourism: a person enters in a country different from the one he/she comes from.

The reasons for a trip might be:

• Leisure: holidays for recreational activities, sports, shopping; educational, cultural and religious; health and wellness…
• Business: people who travel for work-related purposes: conferences, meetings… The employer will pay for all or most of the trip.
• Visiting friends and relatives (VFR): it’s particularly common during holiday and festival periods. Usually people don’t spend on accommodation, but on services and activities like transport, food and local attractions.

A short history of tourism

The Romans and Greeks can be considered as the first tourists: they travelled not only to expand their empire and to trade, but also for education, culture and recreation. They visited historical sites, including the seven wonders of the ancient world, they took part in musical or sporting competitions, they relaxed in towns and resorts by the sea, or hot springs or thermal baths.

During the Middle Ages, travel was full of dangers: bandits, robbers… But despite this, and the high cost, this period and the Renaissance were ages of great travels. The main reasons for the trips were exploration, trade, but also religious pilgrimages. In fact, they needed transport, food and accommodation, just like tourists today.

In the 18^th century, there was an important trip called the Grand Tour. It was for young aristocrats, it lasted from 1 to 3 years, and then youths visited the most important cities in Europe, especially France and Italy but also Germany, Spain and Greece. The young men were accompanied by tutors, so they could enrich their culture.

Later it became popular also for young women, who were accompanied by a chaperone, an older lady who had to ensure their safety and protect their reputation.

Thanks to the Industrial Revolution, short breaks for health reasons at spas and seaside towns in Europe became more popular. Faster transport was developed, such as steamships and trains, and it was also more available. Travel for leisure purposes began to take hold, and several British families began to take day trips to the seaside.

With the introduction of paid holidays and cars, people could travel easily and they had the opportunity to stay in places like holiday camps or caravan parks.

In the 70s, with jumbo jets, international travel became more popular. These jets were able to transport a lot of people in a quick and safe way. With the increase of paid holidays, tour operators offered cheap package holidays to new destinations such as exotic locations.

It began the mass tourism era, with standard products for large numbers of people going to the same destination at the same time.

The world tourist industry today

During the second half of the 20^th century, tourism started to take off. In 1950 there had been 25 million international tourist arrivals, 278 million in 1980, and 1235 million in 2016. A lot of tourists used to come from Europe, America and Asia, where the economy was stronger, but later they started to arrive also from the Middle East, Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe.

The UNWTO has predicted a total of 1.8 billion international tourist arrivals by 2030. It also predicted a decline in the European and American share of international tourism.

The reasons for the continual growth can be:

• More destinations have invested in infrastructure and tourism facilities like roads, airports, hotels…
• TV, internet and other media have stimulated the wish in people to travel.
• Travel has become easier and cheaper thanks to low-cost airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet that became popular in the 90s. Internet has contributed with online travel agencies that allowed tourists to organize the aspects of a holiday.
• People have more free time, more income, and more than one holiday a year. Retired people have more time to spend travelling.

Holiday hot spot

France, the UK, Italy and the USA are, and probably will remain, the top destinations for tourists. There are also holiday trends: every year there are new countries that everyone would like to visit. Previsions indicate that the trend for colder climates will continue.

A study by Virtuoso, a global network of luxury travel agencies, has predicted that Iceland, Alaskan cruises and adventure trips to the Arctic and Antarctica will continue to be popular. Seeing the Northern Lights is on many travellers’ wish lists. Probably Africa, South Africa, Kenya and Botswana too, will remain one of the favourite places. Safaris will have wildlife preservation and sustainability as priorities.

Virtuoso also reported an increase in demand for international trips of at least two weeks. More economic trips, suggested for example by Lonely Planet, an important guidebook, include Portugal with its great beaches and cuisine; Chile for its geographical and environmental extremes and the capital Santiago; Djibouti for its geological formations and thrilling whale shark diving; and Malta after Valletta was named as the European Capital in 2018.

The economic impact of tourism

The tourism industry is one of the world’s largest economic sectors. It’s important for economic progress thanks to the creation of jobs and businesses, the stimulation of capital investment and the development of infrastructures. As a worldwide export category it’s in 5^th position, after fuel, chemicals, food and automotive products.

For countries that are less economically developed, Less Economically Developed Countries, tourism is in first place. It contributes to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The UNWTO shows that international tourism receipts reached $1,220 billion in 2016, with Europe accounting for 36.7%, Asia and the Pacific 30.1% and the Americas 25.7%.

Considering the earnings coming from international passenger transport services, the total earnings equal $4 billion a day on average. The economic impact includes indirect effects on other sectors like agriculture, construction, engineering, real estate development, food production, consumer goods and retail.

Booking a cruise is a benefit for the cruise company, the travel agent and who made the booking. Eating in a local restaurant or buying a souvenir is a source of income for several local shops and restaurants. We also have to consider the construction and the engineering to build and design a ship; agriculture and food processing, advertising and PR for marketing and selling.

Social and environmental impact of tourism

Many LEDs are trying to develop the tourist sector in order to invest and improve the quality of life. It is to consider that tourism has both advantages and problems:

• Advantages: income can be invested in education, health and other services. Jobs are created and people can learn new skills. Local infrastructure is improved. New facilities and structures are built using the local workforce. Tourists can support local businesses connected to culture and traditions. Tourists can learn about a country’s natural and cultural heritage.
• Problems: profits often go to foreign companies. International companies employ foreign people, while locals do badly-paid work. Development for citizens might be stopped in favour of the tourist one. Increase of traffic and pollution. If the structures are badly planned they can destroy natural landscapes. Overconsumption of natural sources. Sometimes tourists feel in danger to get too close to the local community. Environments might be destroyed by tourists who don’t respect them, hunting during safaris. Diseases might be spread faster.

Sustainable tourism

Sustainable tourism aims to control and reduce to a minimum the negative impacts of tourism. The impact of tourism is different from place to place, and therefore there are also different solutions. The LEDCs and the countries with an endangered ecosystem feel the negative impacts much more.

There are some sustainable tourism principles that countries should follow:

• Follow a code of conduct established by the UNWTO and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
• Have a certification from organizations like the Rainforest Alliance.
• Employ local people, use and buy locally-produced goods, food, souvenirs…
• Protect the environment.
• Recycle, use alternative energy, conserve water and treat correctly the waste.

Sustainable tourism depends also on governments, international organizations, tour operators, local people and tourists.

It doesn’t depend on the kind of holiday that you choose.

Organizations for the promotion of tourism

There are international, national, regional and local agencies that promote tourism. The UNWTO aims to promote responsible, sustainable and accessible tourism worldwide. It researches and offers technical support and assistance to individual countries.

In the UK, the national tourism agency “Visit Britain” is a public body funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. It promotes Britain across the world. There are also agencies for each country in the UK, visitengland.com, visitwales.com … and for the Republic of Ireland, discoverireland.ie.

The US website of the National Travel and Tourism Office aims to intensify tourism. The US government website offers also details on visas and the application process. Each state, the District of Columbia as well, has its own website. Welcome centres or visitor centres can be found in major cities, near attractions, and so on.

The Italian National Tourism Board (ENIT) is a public body that aims to promote tourism in Italy, both the whole country and the single regions. It also points to increase the promotion of products, develop the hospitality sector and provide information to tourists.

APT provides information to tourists on a local area, itineraries and accommodation.

IAT offers tourist information, including accommodation, food, attractions ….

There are also non-profit organizations such as Pro Locos formed by volunteers who want to promote culture, traditions, heritage, local handcrafts, traditional festivals of small villages and towns.

Organisations for selling tourism products

The main components of the distribution chain for tourism products are: primary providers of travel products, hotels, airlines…, wholesalers, tour operators, retailers, travel agencies, and the final consumer.

A tour operator combines two or more travel services offered by primary suppliers, and sells them as a single product for a fixed price, a package holiday. Sometimes tour operators might also own their companies.

An inbound tour operator offers packages aimed at overseas visitors, while an outbound tour operator produces packages to destinations overseas.

They may also sell specific packages: luxury, ecotourism, over 50….

These packages can be sold directly to the consumer, or through a travel agency.

Travel agencies are retailers for the tourist industry and they provide a wide range of services: they promote and sell package holidays; plane, rail and ferry tickets; they organize travel insurance, car rental, accommodation and excursions; they provide information on currencies, visa requirements…

Agents usually receive a commission from the operator or company on the tickets or packages they sell. They help to create a personalized itinerary at the best value.

The effect of ICT and the internet on the tourism industry

The tourist sector has dramatically changed thanks to the development in ICT, Information and Communications Technology. People who work in the tourism sector have now a new way to interact with customers. Hotels can accept bookings from anywhere in the world at any time; an airline can have online check-in that allows the company to save money and time.

Online travel agencies, expedia.com, offer hotels, flights, car rentals and packages at competitive rates and you can purchase them directly online; comparison sites, kayak.com, allow users to compare prices and offers, then they direct you to the provider’s website to complete the purchase.

Also, social media have an important impact on tourism, TripAdvisor and Facebook are useful for research and sharing personal experiences. Also, companies can use them to promote themselves.

Package holidays

Usually they include accommodation, transport, for example from the airport to the hotel, flights, meals and drinks. Sometimes they also include representatives, that means people who help guests during their transfer and give advice and recommendations. Also, entertainment is often included, clubs, shows, activities, excursions, tours, or you can purchase them also while you are there.

Insurance may be included. It is advisable to read the terms and conditions, so you know exactly what you are paying for.

They are safe and usually cheaper, but they also have less freedom.

Communication in tourism: written communication

The point of communication is to inform, present, promote and sell. Written communication is an important part of the sector.

Emails and memos are usually informal, while business letters and faxes are usually more formal.

Emails

They are fast, convenient, eco-friendly, direct and instant. In the object you should write a short title that refers to the contents.

Body of the letter:

• I am writing in relation to/to enquire about…
• We would be grateful if you could…
• Many thanks for your letter of 17^th September 20…
• We hope to welcome you to our hotel/on board one of our cruises in the near future.
• With reference to your letter dated 17^th September 20…
• Thanking you in advance for your kind assistance…
• We are one of the largest groups of hotels/resorts in…
• Please do not hesitate to contact us.
• Our company specialises in…
• We look forward to hearing from you.
• Looking forward to receiving a prompt reply.
• Enclosed you will find our latest brochure for winter sun holidays.

A memo is a short note with minimal information from one person, department, or office to another. They can be paper or electronic. They are used to tell employees about changes in procedures, rules or to request to attend a meeting.

There is a “from” and a “to”, the date and the subject. Usually there are no greetings nor closing salutations. There are contractions and abbreviations, and often imperatives.

Formal letters

They should be correct, courteous and well organized. There should always be the reference, the date of writing, the recipient’s address, the attention line, opening salutation, subject line, body, closing salutation, signature, position in company and enclosure.

Ms is the most common title for women, especially if you don’t know whether they are married or not.

The body of the letter is divided into:

• Opening paragraph: purpose of the letter.
• Middle paragraph: main points with specific details. Each point or theme should be in a new paragraph.
• Closing paragraph: it suggests a course of action and tells the reader what response is required.

Faxes and electronic faxes

They are environmentally friendly, there is no need to print any document and you can send them via computer, smartphone or tablet for free. They can’t be signed manually, but electronic signatures can be used.

Sometimes people still use a telephone or a fax machine.

The main elements are: sender’s name and position, company name and fax number; receiver’s name, position, company name and fax number; date, subject, number of pages, space for the message.

Forms

A form might be printed or online, it’s made up of fields that need to be filled. There are often specific requests on how they should be filled, capital letters, black ink….

Communication in tourism: oral communication

Voicemail

It allows to leave an automatic message. Callers can leave a message directly to the person they are trying to contact without the risk that colleagues forget to pass on a message. Many companies use an automated information system. People must press a relevant number for a specific service or department.

Face-to-face communication

It is important to smile, be pleasant and friendly. You should always respect other people’s personal space. When dealing with people of different nationalities, you need to be aware of customs and sensitive topics to avoid.

In Britain and in Japan it is very important to be on time, while in certain areas of the Arab world it’s standard to be kept waiting. In the USA and Europe, staying too close to someone seems invasive and off-putting. In the USA and Europe people shake hands, in Japan they bow, in Thailand they put their palms together and so on. In Japan and in some Middle Eastern countries, eye contact can be seen as disrespectful.