turism

Turism is the activity of people traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for purposes other than work, typically for leisure, culture, or business. It includes both domestic and international travel and encompasses overnight stays as well as day trips. Turism is influenced by factors such as transportation options, destination attractions, price levels, safety, and the availability of accommodation and services.

Turism covers a range of forms and interests. Common categories include leisure and recreation turism, cultural and heritage turism, eco-turism or sustainable turism, adventure and nature turism, medical turism, business turism, religious or pilgrimage turism, and sports turism. The growth of online platforms and review systems has also shaped how travelers plan, book, and experience turism, emphasizing accessibility, convenience, and personalized recommendations.

Economically, turism can be a major source of revenue and employment for many regions. It supports sectors such as transportation, lodging, food service, attractions, and retail, and can drive infrastructure improvements and regional development. Socially, turism can foster cultural exchange and global understanding. At the same time, it can pose challenges, including environmental pressure, resource use, crowding, housing impacts, and disruption of local communities. Sustainable turism seeks to balance benefits with protections for ecosystems, cultures, and resident well-being through careful planning, resource management, community engagement, and responsible travel practices.

Governance of turism typically involves national tourism strategies, regional organizations, and cooperation with international bodies. Key indicators include tourist arrivals and expenditures, length of stay, occupancy and utilization of facilities, and tourism-related employment. Data and research support policy decisions, destination planning, and efforts to promote resilient and inclusive turism.