noun

tourism

Travel for pleasure and the services supporting it.

Tourism supports many local jobs in hotels, restaurants, and shops.

Etymology

Tour names a journey making a circuit. Tourism turns that activity into the name for pleasure travel and the organized services supporting it.

More examples

  • The island depends on tourism for much of its income.
  • Winter tourism brings skiers to the mountain towns.
  • Responsible tourism helps protect the places people come to enjoy.

Forms

tourist noun — A person who travels for pleasure.

Similar words

travel
Includes journeys for work or necessity, not just pleasure.
sightseeing
Focuses on visiting attractions rather than the broader travel industry.