In most countries the private sector plays an important role in the development, marketing, and management of tourism.
The primary industries involved in tourism are the transportation companies: air, bus, rail, automobile and cruise lines; the lodging industry; the food service industry; attractions, shopping, tour wholesalers and travel agents. The role of the various transportation industries has been covered in the chapter “how do tourists travel?”. Lodging, food service, shopping and attractions will be dealt with in the chapter “the management of tourism”. The importance of tour wholesalers and retail travel agents is covered in the chapters “travel distribution systems” and “the future of tourism”, respectively.
Study questions
- What were the four major provisions of the Bermuda Agreement?
- What are the principal functions of:
- World Tourism Organization?
- International Airlines Travel Agent Network?
- International Civil Aviation Organization?
- National tourism organizations (NTOs) tend to take one of three forms. What are they?
- What are the major functions of a national tourism organization?
- What five factors must be present for a national tourism organization to function effectively?
- What are the major functions of the United States Travel and Tourism Administration?
- What are the three common forms of state involvement in tourism? Give an example of each.
- List the characteristics of states with the most active travel and tourism programs.
Discussion questions
- What kinds of agreements between countries are needed to ensure the rights of international travelers?
- What accounts for the different ways in which a national tourism organization is organized?
- Compare the development of tourism administration at the national level in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
- What are the major functions of state tourism offices in the United States?
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