Types and Motivations
Types and Motivations
This domain classifies tourism and explains why people travel. The exam tests matching a trip to its type and identifying push and pull motivations.
Core rules and concepts
- By origin, tourism is domestic or international; international tourism is inbound or outbound.
- By purpose, common types are leisure, business, visiting friends and relatives, religious or pilgrimage, cultural, adventure, wellness, medical, eco-tourism, MICE and sports tourism.
- Push factors are internal reasons such as escape, relaxation, curiosity or family obligation. Pull factors are destination attractions such as beaches, temples, festivals, wildlife or heritage.
- Motivation can be multiple. A pilgrim may be pulled by a shrine and pushed by a need for peace.
- Niche tourism targets a specific interest and often needs specialised services, such as a trekking guide, medical facilitator or birding expert.
Worked example
A group travels to Ajmer Sharif for a religious festival and also visits local markets. The main type is religious tourism; the festival and shrine are pull factors, while faith and family tradition are push factors. Shopping is secondary, so the trip should not be labelled purely leisure or shopping tourism. A same-day return would make them excursionists, not tourists.
Traps that cost marks
Business tourism is not the same as leisure tourism even if the traveller extends the stay. Visiting friends and relatives is a distinct purpose, not automatically leisure. Religious tourism includes pilgrimage but not every cultural visit. Adventure tourism requires risk and specialist activity, not just outdoor sightseeing.