Tourism product, Features of tourism product, Types of tourism product (TOPs, ROPs, BTEs)
Tourism Product
A tourism product refers to a combination of tangible and intangible elements that are offered to tourists for consumption. It includes everything a tourist experiences from the moment they plan their trip to the point of return. These products can range from destinations and attractions to services like transportation, accommodation, and entertainment.
Tourism products are designed to satisfy the needs, wants, and expectations of tourists while delivering value and memorable experiences.
Features of a Tourism Product
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Intangibility
Tourism products are mostly experiences and services which cannot be touched or stored. -
Inseparability
The production and consumption of tourism products happen simultaneously. A hotel stay or a guided tour must be consumed as it is delivered. -
Perishability
Tourism products cannot be stored for future use. For example, an unsold airline seat or hotel room for a day is a lost opportunity. -
Heterogeneity/Variability
The quality and nature of the service may vary from provider to provider, and even from one tourist to another. -
Composite Nature
A tourism product is a blend of various components like travel, accommodation, food, attractions, and hospitality services. -
Seasonality
Demand for tourism products can be highly seasonal, affected by holidays, climate, and cultural events. -
Ownership is not transferred
The tourist buys the right to enjoy a service or experience, not to own it permanently.
Types of Tourism Products
Tourism products are broadly classified into the following three categories:
1. TOPs – Tourist Oriented Products
These are designed specifically for tourists and have little relevance to the local population.
Examples:
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Guided city tours
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Theme parks
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Heritage walks
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Safari packages
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Cruise trips
Key Characteristics:
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Customized for tourist needs
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High service standards
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Often priced higher than local offerings
2. ROPs – Resident Oriented Products
These are primarily meant for local residents but are also used by tourists incidentally.
Examples:
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Local transportation systems
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Shopping malls
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Local markets
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Daily restaurants
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Public parks
Key Characteristics:
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Not designed specifically for tourists
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May lack tourist-specific amenities or services
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Affordable and used by both locals and tourists
3. BTEs – Basic Tourism Elements
These are the fundamental components necessary to form a complete tourism experience.
Examples:
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Attractions: Natural (beaches, mountains) and Man-made (museums, monuments)
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Accessibility: Transportation modes like flights, trains, buses
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Amenities: Hotels, restaurants, sanitation, internet
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Ancillary Services: Tour guides, information centers, travel agencies
Key Characteristics:
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Form the core of any tourism destination
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Necessary for the functioning of tourism
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Interdependent and collectively create tourist satisfaction
