tourism
- 01 A2 Elementary
the activity of travelling to a place for a holiday or to see interesting things.
the practice of travelling for recreation or leisure. Uncountable in this general sense.
Simple“The city relies on tourism to support its local shops and restaurants.”
In context“Mass tourism has transformed the coastal village from a quiet fishing port into a bustling hub of international visitors.”
Synonyms - 02 B1 Intermediate
the business of providing hotels, transport, and activities for people on holiday.
the commercial sector responsible for organising and supporting travel and sightseeing.
Simple“She decided to study tourism at university because she loves meeting people.”
In context“The government is investing heavily in sustainable tourism to protect the environment while growing the economy.”
UsageOften functions as a noun adjunct in phrases like 'tourism industry' or 'tourism board'.
Synonymstravel industryhospitality sector - 03 C1 Advanced
travelling to a different place to get a specific service or result, like medical care.
the act of visiting another region or jurisdiction to obtain a specific benefit or service. Often used with a qualifying noun.
Simple“Medical tourism is becoming popular for people seeking cheaper dental work abroad.”
In context“The rise of vaccine tourism highlighted the global disparities in healthcare access during the pandemic.”
UsageTypically appears in compound forms such as 'medical tourism' or 'birth tourism'.
Teacher's tipThis sense is often used in political or social discussions regarding policy differences between regions.
From tour + -ism.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.