Page 28 - Introduction to Tourism

being outdoors. An allied related desire for

closeness to nature has given rise to the

phenomenon of ecotourism, an ill-defined and

often abused term for any type of travel activity in

a natural setting .

At the other end of the “natural-manufactured”

spectrum is the equally fast growing component

of entertainment. Certain destinations, most

notably Las Vegas, Nashville, and Branson,

Missouri, have grown up on a heavy diet of

world-famous entertainers. More traditionally,

New York/Broadway and Los Angeles/Hollywood

have used various aspects of the entertainment

industry to consolidate their worldwide

reputations as “must see” destinations.

Less glamorous, but still essential to the success

and well-being of the tourism

industry, are the travel trade sector and tourism

services. The travel trade is composed of the

retail travel agent and the wholesale tour
operator. Both of these entities are critical to

linking “experience suppliers” and the tourist. The

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