Current Happenings in the Tourism Industry

Introduction

Tourism has become better understood as a "clean" industry that attracts revenues and a wide range of jobs without major effects on the environment. Tourism' is defined broadly in the international standards to include visitors whose primary travel purpose includes business, convention/conference travel, are on government business, as well as the more familiar tourism for leisure/holiday and to visit friends and relatives. Major industries that benefit from tourism expenditure include: domestic/international air transport, accommodation, food services and drinking places, automotive rental and travel arrangers.

This paper discusses the current trends and happenings of hospitality and tourism industry in United States of America.

Articles Summary

Article 1

Buckley (2007) in the article “The decline of tourism in Northern Ireland: The causes” emphasized the US is a very important tourism market for Northern Ireland. It is an ideal destination for American holidaymakers as it offers people a wealth of undiscovered places, breathtaking scenery, unique attractions and great value for money. I want to encourage Americans to visit somewhere that is new to them and rediscover their ancestral heritage. Tourism Ireland is working closely with its industry partners, at home and here in the US, to deliver growth in visitors this year. A comprehensive promotional program is in place in the US, with a range of extensive campaigns providing compelling reasons to visit Northern Ireland (Buckley, pp. 27-39).

Article 2

DE Lundberg (2008) in the article “The tourist business” focuses on the success in tourism requires adapting to the changes in tourism demand and the realities of the market. The understanding of important trends is an essential pre- prerequisite for successful product development and supply activities. Trends as gel- opments that have persisted over a period of several years, through- from fluctuations have, however, does not change suddenly. Trends shape the thinking and actions of large population groups and therefore have high economic relevance. (Lundberg, pp. 125).

Article 3

Buhalis (2008) in the article “Progress in information technology and tourism management: 20 years on and 10 years after the Internet--The state of eTourism research” emphasized that tourism has been one of the most prominent and high-profile industry o exist on the face of the earth. Travelling, leisure, recreation, all have been greatly associated with tourism since people visits different places, exploring all sites and sounds to satisfy their innate need for adventure and peace at the same time. This article covers the core concepts of marketing, the impact of marketing and management and the overall impact of the discipline of marketing upon the functioning and running of the tourism industry in today's modern world (Buhalis, pp. 34-37)

Article 4

Jenner (2007) in the article “The tourism industry and the environment” defined tourism as travel to a place outside the usual residential environment, involving a stay of at least one night but no more than 1 year, with varying motivations, such as business, pleasure, visits to friends and relatives (VFR), and education. It is one of the world's largest industries. Tourism has long been of interest to geographers, given its ...