Tourism as an industry is becoming one of the most popular and profitable industry the world over which no country, state or localities (especially those endowed with tourism potentials) can afford to neglect. Its economic power is an indispensable promotion to the development of any nation.

Being a service industry, tourism can be subjected to empirical studies just like any industry. Its social and economic impacts on surrounding areas or periphery can therefore be measured.

Tourism is no longer an obscure industry all over the world. Its status in international trade is such that no serious-minded country can afford to ignore it. Many researchers, international, national regional as well as individual researchers have been conducted on the subject. Many authors, therefore, have one thing or the other to say on tourism.

According to Femi Olokesusi (2009), tourism is a form of recreation that requires leaving home for some other places, whether near or far. When such movements are confirmed within the country of the origin, it is referred to as “domestic Tourism”. On the other hand, when people travel from their countries of origin to another for recreation-related activities, such tourism is referred to as international; tourism.

In the words of Sangari Abdulmunin (1991), tourism, by the simple definition could mean the movement of a person from his abode to another of leisure.

The Oxford English Dictionary, Second Edition, Volume 18 defines tourism as the theory and practice of touring; travelling for pleasure. Also, the business of attracting tourists and providing for their accommodation and entertainment, the business of operating tours.

The definition of both “tourism” and “recreation” is needed at the onset because as claimed by Olekesui (1989), people often misconstrue recreation for tourism. Tourism in its simplest form can be defined as recreation that involves travelling while the contemporary, recreation is an activity performed during leisure that does not involve travelling.

Recreation is therefore defined as a refreshment or comfort produced by something affecting the senses or body. It is further defined as the action of recreating (oneself or another), or fact of being recreated by some pleasant occupation, pastime or amusement or a means of recreating oneself by a pleasurable exercise or employment. A recreationist is therefore seen as one who pursues a recreation.

According to Randle, tourism can either be domestic, intermediate or international. By domestic, he meant national citizens who wish to spend their holiday in the country while by intermediate, he refers to intra-continental tourism. Olokosusi (1989) also agreed with him on the classification of tourism. He however identified only two, viz: domestic and international tourism. Tourism thus classified is based on the origin and/or destination of the travelling recreationist.

Bryden (1972) defined tourism as the sum of the phenomenon and relationships arising from the travel and stay of non-residents, in so far as they do not lead to permanent residency and are not connected with any earning activity.

source: tycomputer research projects