MODES OF TRAVEL

Characteristics of Tourism Transportation

Tourism transportation has special characteristics that make it different when compared to general public
transportation. Its nature is described through several factors, which are the following:
• Seasonality – Tourism transportation is influenced by tourism demand and supply.
• Price elasticity – In relation to seasonality, the price of transport services may increase or decrease as
well, depending on the level of demand and supply.
• Regulations – Certain regulations are imposed on several transportation sectors as the government
tries to control market entry in favor of its local transport providers.
• Oligopoly – Some tourism transportation sectors are controlled by a single dominant provider, such
as in airlines and cruise lines.
• Basic service features – Tourism transportation also contains very basic service characteristics such as
intangibility, perishability, and inseparability.
These characteristics can serve as a guide for identifying the different modes of travel concerning tourism.
Classifications of Tourism Transportation
Tourism transportation can be classified into the following types:
• General passenger transport – This is the most common type among tourists except for tourists who
availed package tours. This is composed of general public transportation, which is not primarily meant
for tourism, such as trains, buses, taxis, etc.
• Dedicated tourist transport – This type is usually part of a tour package where the purpose is to
facilitate tourist arrival to departure and return. A coach is a good example of this type.
• Experiential tourist transport – This type has a certain uniqueness to it that it is a part of the entire
tourist experience. Examples may include riding cable cars, gondola, kalesa, among others.
• Luxury tourist transport – This is a common type of transportation in tourism that provides a higher
level of comfort and service. Examples may include limousine services, first-class airline and train
seats, among others.
• Recreational transport – This is a type that has two (2) purposes: for mobility and as a recreational
activity. Examples under this type are biking, off-road trucks, kayak, banana boat, among others.
• Multipurpose tourist transport – This type serves not only as a means for mobility but for other
purposes as well, such as lodging and accommodation. Examples under this type are recreational
vehicles, camper vans, and the like.
TOURIST TRANSPORT DEMAND
Tourism Demand and Transport
Tourism demand, according to Mathieson and Wall (as cited in Dileep, 2019), can be simply described as the
total number of persons who travel or wish to travel to use tourist facilities and services at places away from
their workplace or residence.
Transportation services, in a tourism sense, maybe part of a package or as a separate service that fulfills a
specific need (mobility). Hence, transportation helps fulfill the need to travel. Some determinants shape an
individual’s need and ability to travel as follows:
• Economy – Transportation providers help stimulate the demand for travel by having a more
competitive price in accordance with an individual’s disposable income. The transportation sector
capitalized on the globalization of tourism as an international industry through foreign investments,
 strategic alliances, and mergers. This helped the international tourism market to have wide access to
a diverse set of transportation services.
• Psychological – These are composed of the personal reasons why an individual travel which may
include:
o The desire to escape from the usual environment
o The need for relaxation and recovery
o Strengthening family bonds
o Prestige
o Social interaction
o Educational opportunities
o Self-fulfillment
According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), air and land are the most common
means of transportation that is being used by international tourists. In the 2019 edition of UNWTO’s
International Tourism Highlights, it was reported that for the past eight (8) years, there’s an increase in air
travel. From 46 percent, the report showed that 58 percent of international tourists used air transportation,
39 percent used land transportation, and the remaining 3* percent used water transportation.
Factors Influencing Selection of Transportation
The international tourism market has different types and needs. This also includes different requirements with
regard to transportation. This is further elaborated by Lubbe (as cited in Dileep, 2019), as he pointed out:
The independent traveler requires greater flexibility and movement, while the group
traveler generally prefers packaged tours where travel is restricted to the group’s
activity. Independent business travelers require flexible mobility with the assurance of
quick and reliable modes of transportation. Transport fare will also be determined
depending on the type of tourist who made the purchase of the said service.
The above statement explains the general difference in the selection of transportation. The common
determinants of transport selection are classified as follows:
• Distance – The distance between the point of origin and destination is one of the primary concerns
when choosing which mode of transportation an individual will take.
• Availability – A tourist may only select a specific mode of transportation if the service is available.
• Schedule – This refers to the time of departure and time of arrival of a specific mode of transportation.
• Frequency – In relation to schedule, the frequency of service may also determine the selection of
transportation. Tourists may find it easier to choose if the transport service is more frequent.
• Route – Depending on the distance of the journey, some routes may have stopovers and flight
transfers. Direct routes are preferred by some travelers as well.
• Convenience – This also makes choosing which transportation service to avail of that is easier for
tourists. Different convenience-related factors determine transportation selection, such as boarding
location, terminal location, check-in procedures, among others.
• Speed – Most transportation, especially modern ones, offers speed and comfort. This is the reason
why international tourists often choose air transportation than water transportation.
• Price – Transport is a sector that is affected by price elasticity where price affects tourism demand
and vice versa.
• Reliability – As transportation is a service, it should be reliable. Punctuality and comfort of
transportation is an important factor that is considered by tourists.
• Safety and security – Tourists are also concerned with the feeling of being safe and secured when
using a specific mode of transportation.
 • Quality of service – The transportation sector ought to provide quality service to its customers.
Transportation services are often differentiated through the quality of their service.
• Type of tour – The selection of transport services may also vary depending on the type of tour. A group
tour may opt to avail of non-scheduled service to fit their need, while a luxury tour may opt to avail
of a more luxurious type of transportation and the like.
• Uniqueness – Tourists may also consider the unique travel experience transportation may offer.
TOURIST TRANSPORT SUPPLY
Tourism and Transport Supply
It is already established that tourism is a very complex industry, including the product it offers. The supply of
tourism is described by Sinclair and Stabler (as cited in Page 2016) as something that has a complex nature in
terms of product and process of delivery. Tourism supply is composed of many components such as the
attractions, accommodation, and transportation.
As the demand for tourism continues to grow, it prompts an increase in tourism supply as well (including
transportation supply). Destinations are now positioning themselves as viable options for an enhanced travel
experience through the capacity of their transportation systems. This is evident with the emergence and
improvements of several transportation systems such as:
• Low-Cost Carriers (LCC) – This helped with the growth of air transportation in developing countries by
providing low-cost airfares, which improved the accessibility in many destinations.
• Better rail networks – Luxury tourist trains and rail tour packages have been options for tourists to
avail of.
• Tourist rail passes – These are train passes usually availed by tourists that enable them to use the
destination’s train system (and bus system for some) for days.
• Recreational transport options – Some destinations offer transportation services that serve two (2)
purposes, which are mobility and recreation.
• Coach/Hop-on hop-off bus tours – The coach tours are now common in destinations targeting tourists
who opt to have more convenient tours around the city.
• Car rentals – While coaches have been in demand recently, automobiles are still the primary mode of
transportation within the destination of tourists. Car rentals have been expanding to newer regions
to offer their services.
• Cruise – Large vessels are now a trend in the cruise industry to meet tourist demands. Cruise ships
now provide a wider onboard entertainment as well as various recreational and food and beverage
options for guests.
• Ferries and other water transportation forms – Many locations that have significant bodies of water
are utilizing water transportation as viable options for tourists visiting several attractions.
Air transport is still at the forefront of tourism transport supply with the presence of full-service carriers and
low-cost carriers. However, various modes of transportation are being offered by destinations to ensure that
tourists are given seamless travel arrangements.
*The reference showed 4%. This was deducted with 1% to have a total of 100%, instead of 101%. The details though just represent the transport sector as the basis on which
ones are availed the most.

References:
Dileep, M.R. (2019). Tourism, transport, and travel management. Routledge.
Page, S. (2016). Transport and tourism: Global perspectives. Pearson Education Limited.
UNWTO (2019). International tourism highlights: 2019 edition. Retrieved from https://www.e
unwto.org/doi/pdf/10.18111/9789284421152 on November 11, 2020.