Types of tourism that exist

types of tourism

Traveling is an effective way to see the world, experience new cultures, and meet new people at the same time. However, for many tourists, Traveling serves many other purposes that have nothing to do with the joy of visiting a new place.  There are different types of tourism that you should know.

That is why there are many different types of tourism that explain why tourists choose a particular destination and the things they hope to do when they are there.

Common types of tourism

Next we are going to explain some types of tourism, which are usually the most common.

Recreational tourism

Perhaps the most common type of tourism is what most people associate with travel: recreational tourism. This is when people go to a place that is very different from their daily life to relax and have fun. Beaches, theme parks, and campgrounds are often the most common places frequented by recreational tourists.

cultural tourism

If the objective of visiting a particular place is to know its history and culture, this type of tourism is known as cultural tourism. Tourists can visit different landmarks of a particular country or they can simply choose to focus on a single area. They can also attend festivals and ceremonies to gain a better understanding of the people, their beliefs, and their practices.

types of tourism

nature tourism

For tourists who want to see wildlife or enjoy the joy of being in the middle of nature, nature tourism is the answer. Ecotourism and nature walks are part of this type of tourism. Bird watching, for example, is an activity that nature tourists like to do. What marks this type of tourism is that it is environmentally responsible, has little impact and is advantageous for the local community.

Pleasure tourism

Many people today are stressed out in the corporate rat race and need rejuvenation. Therefore, they go on journeys that refresh their souls and spirits. This is called pleasure tourism and generally includes yoga workshops and detox vacations, among others.

Sports tourism

Others, however, de-stress by participating in a particular sport. Called sports tourism, travelers here point to places that are known for a particular sports facility. Skiing, for example, is a type of sports tourism. Also included in this category are those who are going to a destination to experience a sporting spectacle such as the Olympic Games, the FIFA World Cup and others.

Religious tourism

Religious tourism is another type of tourism where people go to a religious place or places to follow in the footsteps of its founder or to attend a religious ceremony. Catholics, for example, they make pilgrimages in the Holy Land to experience the roads where Jesus walked.

types of tourism

Medical or health tourism

Medical or health tourism is a relatively new type of tourist activity where the main objective of the trip is to improve health, physical appearance or fitness. For example, certain countries promote the expertise of their doctors and surgeons in the field of cosmetic surgery and invite foreigners to have their liposuction, facelift, nose lift, and other forms of cosmetic procedures performed. Medical tourism also incorporates aspects of recreational tourism where the patient takes a relaxing getaway to recover from the procedure.

Adventure tourism

Adventure tourism is another type of tourism that caters to those who want to do more than just visit regular tourist sites. These types of trips involve challenging activities such as rock climbing, mountaineering, and rafting.

It should be noted that there are no strict delimitations when tourists make their trips. These types of tourism often overlap, so it is not unusual for travelers to experience more than one type of tourism on a vacation.

5 types of tourism that you did not know

There are new places and sights, new foods, arts and civilizations that the tourists of the world can be exposed to. However, at the same time, tourism rises to another level and offers options that are outside the ordinary realm of tourism. Take a look at the following types of tourism that are sure to stimulate your curiosity and interest.

Atomic tourism

This is a type of tourism that arose after the beginning of the atomic age. Inquisitive tourists fascinated with the Atomic Age visit museums that specialize in atomic weapons, and the two most popular sites for these types of tourists are Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Interestingly, there is a specialized nuclear museum in Kiev, the Chernobyl Museum, which is another hotspot for atomic tourists.

types of tourism

Dark tourism

The dark tourism agenda revolves around the concepts of death, tragedy, disaster, and sometimes the afterlife. Among the most popular places for lovers of this type of tourism are the sites where multiple deaths or mass suicides occurred. Dracula's Poenari Castle in Romania tops the tourist charts.

Ghetto tourism

This type of tourism is fairly new - the term was initially used in the mid-2000s. With hip-hop becoming more popular in the last fifteen years, people were interested in learning about the places where this musical genre and lifestyle came from.

The American ghettos of Detroit, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago were populated by young people who were curious to know specific aspects of the hip-hop lifestyle. Real bus trips around the Bronx They used to be the highlight of ghetto tourism that has recently been discontinued.

Shark tourism

This type of tourism falls under the umbrella of ecotourism, and attracts fans of shark species, etc. Well apparently this is one of the riskiest types of tourism, and no matter how professional and excellent the shark tour is. It is dangerous since accidents and even deaths have happened in the past.

War tourism

Also known as 'suicide tourism', this type of tourism involves tourists visiting active war zones to experience what life is like on the battlefield. War tourists are usually people who love sports, adventure and adrenaline. Of course, there are also fewer danger-seeking war tourists visiting active war zones.


Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

  1. Responsible for the data: Miguel Ángel Gatón
  2. Purpose of the data: Control SPAM, comment management.
  3. Legitimation: Your consent
  4. Communication of the data: The data will not be communicated to third parties except by legal obligation.
  5. Data storage: Database hosted by Occentus Networks (EU)
  6. Rights: At any time you can limit, recover and delete your information.