Name: Dorothy N.

Santiago
Course & Year: BSTM-2

Different Typologies of Tourists

1. Cohen's Tourist Typology – Cohen (1972), a sociologist of tourism, divides tourists into four
types based on their desire for familiarity and novelty: the drifter, the explorer, the individual
mass tourist, and the organized mass tourist. The drifter is the tourist who seeks familiarity and
novelty to the greatest extent possible. Cohen distinguished between two sorts of tourists; non-
institutionalized tourists, and institutionalized tourists.

2. Smith's Tourist Typology

a. Explorer – They have a strong desire to travel and discover new places. They are
accustomed to the way of life of their hosts. They participate in their daily lives.
b. Elite tourists – They are quite rare to come across. They make use of the facilities that
have been reserved for them. They conform completely, but only for a short period of
time, to local conventions.
c. Offbeat tourists – Those who go above and beyond the norm. They are always looking
to get away from the crowds of tourists.
d. Unusual tourists – These are visitors who arrive only on rare occasions. They prefer to
travel with a tour group rather than independently. They choose for a one-day package
tour, which is an additional cost.
e. Incipient mass tourist – A continual stream of people seeking western conveniences and
comfort is the.
f. Mass tourist – There are two types of tourists: mass tourists and low-income tourists.
They prefer to travel in groups rather than individually.
g. Charter tourists – They have little or no interaction with the people and culture of the
nation they are visiting. They, too, are clamoring for modern conveniences.

3. Amex Tourist Typology

a. Adventurer – These are the tourists who are well-informed. They enjoy experimenting
with new things.
b. Worriers – These types of tourists are concerned about their lack of self-confidence.
They have apprehensions about flying. They prefer to spend their vacation time at
home.
 c. Dreamers – Aspiring travelers with high expectations of exotic destinations who are not
born in actual travel experiences, which tend to be pretty typical destinations.
d. Economizer – They believe that travel adds little value to their life and that it is
therefore unnecessary. They are always engaged in travel-related thinking. They do not
believe that it is worthwhile to pay extra for exceptional amenities.
e. Indulgers – These are travelers who have a lot of money. They make a monetary
contribution to cover the additional comfort. They want to stay in five-star hotels when
they can afford it.

4. Plogs Tourists Typology

a. Allocentric (The Wanderers) – A traveler who seeks out new experiences and adventure
in a wide range of activities is classified as an allocentric tourist. This individual is
outgoing and displays self-assurance in his or her actions. When it comes to travelling
and exploring new and unique regions, an Allocentric person loves to do it first and
before others.
b. Psycho Centric (also known as The Repeater) – A visitor that falls into this category is
typically not adventurous in nature. They prefer to return to well-known travel spots
where they can relax and are familiar with the types of cuisine and activities that will be
offered. Such tourists like to go by car to their destinations, stay in standard
accommodations, and dine at restaurants that cater to families.
c. Mid-centric (Combination) – This category of visitors includes those who fall somewhere
in the middle of the two types described above.

Reference:

E-Module_-II_MTTMC101.pdf (cukashmir.ac.in)