Main Difference – Travel vs Tourism
Although travel and tourism are two words that are always used together, each of these words has specific meanings. Travel refers to the activity of going on a long journey. Tourism also refers to travel, but there is a specific purpose in tourism. It refers to traveling to a place for pleasure. This is the main difference between travel and tourism.
Travel – Meaning and Usage
Travel means to make a journey. It simply refers to an individual’s movement from point A to point B. Traveling usually refers to a long journey. For example, if you are going to the market to buy some vegetables, you don’t call it traveling. But, if you are going on a two-week business conference to Hong Kong, you can say that you are traveling.
An individual can travel to places for different purposes. As mentioned above, a person can travel to another country or city for work related purpose. There are also some people who would travel to visit their friends and relatives. Facilities like education, healthcare are some other reasons that prompt people to travel to another location. We sometimes travel to places for none of the above-discussed reasons. This is when we simply want to spend our days in leisure and enjoy a new place. This is called tourism – a person who is traveling for pleasure is called a tourist.
Tourism – Meaning and Usage
As discussed above, tourists are people who travel for pleasure. All tourists are travelers, but not all travelers are tourists. Tourism refers to the activity of traveling to a place for leisure. So, a tourist may stay at a place for several days and enjoy the attractions of the place or spend few days in leisure.
Tourism is the commercial organization and operation of holidays and visits to places of interest. Tourists usually visit places of interest and attraction such as beaches, national parks, museums, famous historical sites, etc. This involves infrastructure (restaurants, hotels, etc.) and services (transport, security, etc.)
Difference Between Travel and Tourism
Meaning
Travel: Travel means to go on a journey, especially a long one.
Tourism: Tourism is the activity of traveling to a place for pleasure.
Purpose
Travel: People travel for many reasons such as business, pleasure, education, visiting family, and friends, etc.
Tourism: Tourism mainly refers to the activity of traveling for pleasure.
Time
Travel: Travelers may stay at a place for a long period depending on their purpose.
Tourism: Tourists don’t stay in one place for a long period.
Usage
Travel: Travel is a generic term that is commonly used in day to day life.
Tourism: Tourism is a commercial organization and operation of holidays and visits to places of interest.
Image Courtesy:
“Traveler” by abnederveld (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
“Tourism” (CCo) via Pexel
