"Tourist" redirects here; for the album by Athlete, see Tourist (album)

For the Roxette album, see Tourism (album)

see List of popular tourist regions

Tourism is the act of travel for the purpose of recreation and business, and the provision of services for this act. Tourists are people who are "travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited" (official UNWTO definition). The distance between these two places is of no significance.

A more comprehensive definition would be that tourism is a service industry, comprising a number of tangible and intangible components. The tangible elements include transport systems — air, rail, road, water and now, space; hospitality services — accommodation, foods and beverages, tours, souvenirs; and related services such as banking, insurance and safety and security. The intangible elements include: rest and relaxation, culture, escape, adventure, new and different experiences.

More on [ Tourism ]

NYT > U.S.

Baltimore Has Poe; Philadelphia Wants Him
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 10:05:09 -0000
An Edgar Allan Poe scholar is arguing that Poe’s remains belong in Philadelphia, where he wrote many of his most noteworthy works.
Paralympic Athletes Add Equality to Their Goals
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 07:38:02 -0000
Many Paralympians criticize the U.S. Olympic program for giving them fewer benefits than Olympians receive.
Highway Fund Shortfall May Halt Road Projects
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 08:29:41 -0000
An important account in the federal Highway Trust Fund will run out of money this month, which could hamper road and bridge projects, the transportation secretary said.

Christian Science Monitor | Top Stories

In dispirited Detroit, mayor pleads guilty
Plea deal ousts Kilpatrick after an eight-month scandal. Interim mayor inherits a city in a slump.
As Gustav evacuees return to New Orleans, a varied homecoming
Many find their houses are fairly intact. Power loss is still a problem.
France gives boost to Israeli-Syrian talks
French President Sarkozy, in Damascus this week, was also thought to be seeking Syria's help in dealing with Iran's nuclear program.

Subscribe to North_America RSS feed