US Tourist Destinations – A Brief History
Tourist is one of the world’s fastest growing industries, with many analysts predicting a continued growth in tourism. Touring is the process of visiting a place that is not your everyday destination, to sight see, relax, go on a cultural exchange, or participate in a particular activity. Tourist is one of the most important sources of revenue for travel, accommodation, entertainment, tourism, business, leisure and other aspects of the travel industry.
Tourism is travel for business or pleasure; the concept and practice of arranging, accommodating, attracting, and entertaining guests, and the management of conducting tours. Tourists are primarily persons who are traveling to a vacation destination for the purpose of having fun, or for the purpose of education and research, or for any other reason. Tourist destinations offer various activities to suit every visitor’s taste and budget. As a destination, a tourist attraction offers many opportunities for tourists to interact, meet, play and experience a new culture, tradition, or area of interest.
In the past, before the existence of modern forms of transport, tourists would visit local travel stores to find hotel accommodations, restaurants, bed and breakfast, and other accommodations. Nowadays, tourists can easily find a wide range of accommodation options, located anywhere within or near to their travel destination. There are many different types of accommodations available for tourists to choose from, depending on their preferences. Some common types of lodging include: hotels, guest houses, inns, camping grounds, cabins, private holiday estates and rest homes, resorts and vacation clubs, etc.
Tourist accommodation plays an integral role in the smooth running of tourism. Different types of tourist accommodation vary in style, design, services, availability, cost, proximity to attractions, cuisine, cost effectiveness, attractiveness, reliability, security, cleanliness, convenience, ambiance, recreational opportunities, recreation, proximity to main attractions, socialization and proximity to transport. The tourism industry is an $8 billion business in the United States alone, and each and every person that goes on vacation in the US has an accommodation to go home to when they are done. The importance of tourism to the US cannot be underestimated. A study by the Economic and Social Research Council found that the US has one of the largest, most varied and vibrant tourism industries in the world.
The accommodation industry supports a variety of activities and attracts a diverse range of people, regardless of their lifestyle and profession. Some of the popular types of lodging include: hotels, motels, cabins, self-contained lodges, serviced apartments, hostels, camping sites, condos, resort hotels, vacation rentals, vacation homes, studio apartments, studio or house rentals, vacation clubs, youth hostels, holiday parks, campgrounds, cottages, private housing, heritage and tourist organizations, youth hostels, hotels for rent in New York City, hotels for rent in Las Vegas, hotels for rent in Chicago, hotels for rent in Dallas, hotels for rent in New Orleans, cruise ships, cruise lines and discos. In addition, a growing trend is for people to find accommodation outside of the US. While many of these accommodations are quite similar to those offered within the US, there are others that are decidedly more exclusive. Some examples include: camping sites and lodges, cruise ships, island resort destinations, ski trips, backpacking, caravanning, trekking, rock climbing, horseback riding, wine tours, family resorts, camping in the woods, rock climbing on mountains, beach vacations, luxury villas and self-contained lodges, nature sightseeing tours, hot springs, hiking holidays, surfing, windsurfing, kayaking, surfing, rock climbing, horseback riding, sailing, horseback riding, river cruises, wineries, vineyards and other accommodation options.
In essence, it would be impossible to name a single type of lodging or recreational facility that has become a staple of any US tourist destination over the last century. However, certain elements have remained consistent. Certain places and activities continue to be the top attractions and remain among the top destinations for tourist travel. While these elements continue to change, staying in a tourist destination and experiencing the US culture remain unchanged. As a result, US tourism continues to expand at breakneck speed.
