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tourism

n.
US //ˈtʊˌɹɪzəm// UK //tˈɔːɹɪzəm// tourism
  1. 1 travelling for pleasure (n.)
    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.

    Example

    The city relies on tourism to support its local shops and restaurants.

    Example

    Mass tourism has transformed the coastal village from a quiet fishing port into a bustling hub of international visitors.
  2. 2 the travel industry (n.)
    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.

    Example

    She decided to study tourism at university because she loves meeting people.

    Example

    The government is investing heavily in sustainable tourism to protect the environment while growing the economy.

    Usage

    Often functions as a noun adjunct in phrases like 'tourism industry' or 'tourism board'.
    • travel industry
    • hospitality sector
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  1. 3 visiting for a specific purpose (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    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.

    Example

    Medical tourism is becoming popular for people seeking cheaper dental work abroad.

    Example

    The rise of vaccine tourism highlighted the global disparities in healthcare access during the pandemic.

    Usage

    Typically appears in compound forms such as 'medical tourism' or 'birth tourism'.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is often used in political or social discussions regarding policy differences between regions.

Origin

From tour + -ism.

Word family

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