Glossary of Tourism & Tours Industry Terms: A Practical Guide

The tourism and tours industry uses a wide range of terms that can be confusing for travelers, partners, and even professionals. This glossary explains commonly used tourism terms in clear, simple language, with real-world examples where helpful. It is designed for travelers, tour operators, agents, and anyone interested in understanding how the travel industry works.

A – C: Foundational Tourism Terms

Accommodation
Any place where travelers stay overnight, such as hotels, lodges, resorts, camps, guesthouses, or serviced apartments.
Example: A safari lodge in Amboseli or a beach resort in Diani.

Adventure Tourism
Travel that involves physical activity, exploration, or interaction with nature, often with an element of excitement or challenge.
Examples include mountain hiking, white-water rafting, or off-road safari experiences.

All-Inclusive Package
A travel package where most costs are covered upfront, typically accommodation, meals, activities, and sometimes drinks and transfers.
Example: A beach holiday where meals, excursions, and airport transfers are included in one price.

Attraction
A natural, cultural, or man-made place that draws visitors.
Examples include national parks, historical sites, museums, waterfalls, or cultural villages.

Booking Confirmation
An official document or email that verifies a reservation and outlines services booked, dates, and payment details.

Cancellation Policy
The rules that explain how and when a booking can be canceled, and whether refunds or penalties apply.

Custom Tour
A trip designed specifically around a traveler’s preferences, schedule, and interests rather than a fixed itinerary.

D – F: Planning, Destinations & Experiences

Day Tour
A tour that starts and ends on the same day without an overnight stay.
Example: A Nairobi city tour or a one-day safari excursion.

Destination
The place a traveler visits, which could be a city, region, country, or specific attraction.
Example: Maasai Mara as a wildlife destination.

Destination Management Company (DMC)
A local expert company that organizes ground services such as transport, guides, activities, and accommodation within a destination.

Domestic Tourism
Travel by residents within their own country.
Example: Kenyans traveling to the coast or national parks.

Eco-Tourism
Tourism focused on conserving nature, respecting wildlife, and supporting local communities while minimizing environmental impact.

Experience-Based Travel
Travel that prioritizes meaningful activities and memories rather than just accommodation or sightseeing.
Example: Spending a day with a local community or learning traditional cooking.

FIT (Free Independent Traveler)
A traveler who plans trips independently rather than joining a group tour.

G – I: Guests, Guides & Itineraries

Group Tour
A tour designed for multiple travelers who share the same itinerary and services. Groups can be private or joined with others.

Guide / Tour Guide
A trained professional who leads tours, provides information, manages logistics, and enhances the guest experience.

High Season (Peak Season)
The busiest travel period when demand is highest, often due to favorable weather or holidays. Prices are usually higher during this time.

Inbound Tourism
Travel by international visitors coming into a country.
Example: Tourists visiting Kenya from Europe or Asia.

Itinerary
A detailed plan of a trip showing daily activities, accommodation, transport, and timing.

J – L: Logistics & Travel Components

Land Arrangement
All travel services provided on the ground, excluding international flights.
Includes accommodation, transport, guides, meals, and activities.

Lead Time
The period between when a booking is made and when travel begins. Longer lead times often allow for better availability and pricing.

Local Experience
An activity or interaction that reflects local culture, lifestyle, or traditions.
Example: Visiting a local market with a guide.

Low Season
A quieter travel period with fewer visitors, often offering lower prices and more availability.

Lodge
A type of accommodation, often located in natural settings such as parks or reserves, offering comfort while blending with the environment.

M – P: Management, Pricing & Products

Meet & Greet
A service where a representative welcomes guests at the airport or arrival point and assists with transfers or check-in.

No-Show
When a guest fails to arrive for a booked service without prior notice.

Outbound Tourism
Travel by residents leaving their country to visit another destination.

Package Tour
A bundled travel product sold at a single price, usually including accommodation, transport, and activities.

Private Tour
A tour designed for a single individual, couple, family, or group without other participants joining.

Rate Parity
The practice of keeping prices consistent across different booking platforms and sales channels.

R – T: Revenue, Transport & Travel Types

Responsible Tourism
Tourism that seeks to reduce negative impacts while maximizing benefits for local communities and environments.

Safari
A journey or tour focused on observing wildlife in natural habitats, often in national parks or reserves.

Seasonality
The variation in travel demand depending on time of year, weather, or events.

Shoulder Season
The period between high and low season, often offering good weather, moderate prices, and fewer crowds.

Sustainable Tourism
Tourism that balances environmental protection, social responsibility, and economic viability for long-term benefit.

Tour Operator
A company that designs, organizes, and sells tours by combining various travel components into a complete experience.

Transfer
Transportation provided between locations, such as airport-to-hotel or hotel-to-park transfers.

U – Z: Understanding Visitors & Trends

Upselling
Encouraging travelers to add upgrades or additional services to enhance their experience.
Example: Upgrading to a luxury tent or adding a scenic flight.

Visitor
Anyone traveling outside their usual environment for leisure, business, or other purposes.

Wellness Tourism
Travel focused on health, relaxation, and wellbeing, including spa retreats, yoga escapes, and nature-based relaxation.

Wildlife Tourism
Travel centered around observing animals in their natural environment, often linked with conservation.

Yield Management
Pricing strategies used to maximize revenue based on demand, season, and availability.