Tourism

Transport:
Nature and
Types
WEEK 5
➢Tourist transport has certain special characteristics compared to other passenger transport sectors.

➢ Seasonality is one factor that influences tourism transport, particularly in respect of variation in transport
demand.

Destinations that are more affected by seasonality are prone to increased variations in transport demand
and supply. Price elasticity is another factor.

Some of the transport forms face elasticity of demand. As price increases demand may decrease. For
instance, the air transport sector is one in which price elasticity can be seen. Some of the transport sectors
are highly capital-intensive. Cruise tourism operation is possible only when the cruise ship is ready to
undertake service. Obtaining a ship is a costly affair. The same is true for air transport. Purchasing aircraft
necessitates huge investment. Another feature of tourism transport is the presence of too many
regulations. This is applicable to some of the transport forms, such as air transport. It makes the sector’s
“barriers of entry” quite high.
Also, “oligopoly” is a feature of a few transport sectors. Cruise tourism is dominated by a few
cruise liners. Airline sectors also feature oligopolies. Tourism transport in general possesses the
common service characteristics, including intangibility, perishability and inseparability. With
regard to tourism, the following types of transport can be identified:

1. General passenger transport

2. Dedicated tourist transport

3. Experiential tourist transport

4. Luxury tourist transport

5. Recreational transport

6. Multipurpose tourist transport (e.g. campervan)

Though not meant primarily for tourism, general passenger transport is a viable option for tourists in almost all
locations. Within the destinations, use of general transport services is very common among tourists, except package
tourists. International tourist travel also depends much on regular transport services. The majority of international
tourists use scheduled air services for accessing destinations.

Dedicated tourism transport services are also present. Charter tour operation is in vogue in many regions. Both long-
haul and short-haul tourism rely on charter services for tourist arrival and return. Coaches are also used intensively in
tourism in many locations. Dedicated transport is usually part of package tourism services.

Experiential tourist transport refers to those transport services that provide unique experience for tourists as part of
the tourism offering. Travelling on a vintage train along a hilly rail route can provide a mesmerizing experience. Luxury
tourist transport is common in tourism. This aims to offer better comfort and service.

Luxury tourist trains are the best examples for this category of transport services.

Recreational transport is widely used in tourism. Recreational transport includes, among others: bikes, bicycles, hop-
on, hop-off buses, safari vehicles, pleasure boats and dhows.

The use of multi-purpose vehicles, such as motor homes, campervans, travel trailers, RV trailers, etc. is on the
increase in tourism.
 Factors Influencing Tourist
Transport Selection
Tourist choice of transportation can have varied influencing factors. Usually a 6. Convenience
combination of different factors will come into play during the transport
selection process. Different types of tourists have different needs and 7. Speed
consequently transport selection determinants will also vary.
8. Price
Still, there are some common determinants/ factors in the selection of
9. Reliability
transport by tourists:
10. Safety and security
1. Distance
11. Quality of service
2. Availability
12. Type of tour
3. Schedule
13. Unique experience/ recreation
4. Frequency

5. Route
 Tourism Demand and Transport
Defining tourism demand is a difficult task as there are different approaches pertaining to it. A simple one is a geographers’ view. According to this view,

tourism demand is the “total number of persons who travel or wish to travel, to use tourist facilities and services at places away from their places of work and

residence” (Mathieson and Wall, 1982). The UNWTO’s 2017 Tourism Highlights reveals that there were around 1.2 billion international tourist arrivals in

2016 (UNWTO, 2017). Domestic tourist arrivals are much more than the international arrival figures. This shows the quantum of tourism demand as well.

These numbers are not the number of tourists, but rather the number of trips, which means that even if one individual makes more than one trip, it will be

counted separately. Hence the numbers given are certainly more than the actual number of tourists. According to Tourism Towards 2030, a forecast by

UNWTO, the number of international tourist arrivals worldwide is expected to increase by an average of 3.3 per cent per year between 2010 and 2030. By

2030, international tourist arrivals worldwide are expected to reach 1.8 billion (UNWTO, 2017). UNWTO also reports that air and land (road and rail) are the

most widely used means of transport by international tourist arrivals, the demand for tourism transport is also steadily increasing, which necessitates an

increase in transport supply. Indeed, transport supply in tourism has expanded and now destinations are competing on the basis of transport options to

enhance travel experience for tourists and to make tourism transport more attractive.
 Summary:
➢Transportation is a crucial sector of any country in the world and plays a critical role in economic development.
➢It is classified on the basis of the medium in which the travel takes place; as air transportation, water transportation
and surface transportation.
➢Various modes of transport are interlinked and interconnected.
➢Transport is a facilitator of tourism growth and it links the destination with its tourism markets.
➢Providing mobility and access within a destination and mobility within tourist attractions are some other functions
that transport plays in tourism. Transport also provides recreational options for tourists.
➢Indeed, transport supply in tourism has expanded and now destinations are competing on the basis of various
transport options to enhance the travel experience for tourists and to make tourism transport more attractive.
➢ Destinations are essentially enhancing their accessibility to compete internationally.