Which is the most popular form of tourism and why?
Which is the most popular form of tourism and why?
Leisure tourism is the most popular form of tourism, accounting for 42% of all travel — the highest share among all the categories mentioned in the passage. It is popular because people undertake such trips mainly for relaxation, rest and enjoyment, often in the company of family and friends.
Marking Scheme
- 11 mark for identifying Leisure tourism with the statistic (42%).
- 21 mark for explaining the reason (relaxation, rest, enjoyment with loved ones).
Hint
Compare all the percentage figures in the passage -- the highest number tells you the most popular type. Then find why people choose it.
Quick Oral Answer
Leisure tourism is the most popular form of tourism, accounting for 42% of all travel. It is popular because its main purpose is relaxation, rest, and spending quality time with family and loved ones.
Analysis & Explanation
This 2-mark question combines data interpretation (finding the highest percentage) with comprehension (explaining the reason).
Data given in the passage
- Leisure — 42%
- Business — 35%
- Health — 10%
- Others — 5%
- Sports — 3%
- Educational — 3%
- Spiritual — 2%
Concept
- Comparing all figures shows Leisure tourism (42%) as the highest; the passage explains it is popular because people travel mainly for relaxation, rest and enjoyment with family and friends.
Common mistakes
- Naming Business tourism (35%) instead, since the passage discusses it at greater length in the final paragraph.
- Giving reasons not found in the passage, such as 'it is cheaper' or 'everyone gets holidays'.
Exam tip
- For 2-mark questions with a split marking scheme, always answer in two distinct parts — the statistic first, then the reason.
Common Mistakes
- 1Naming business tourism (35%) instead of leisure tourism (42%) because the passage discusses business tourism in more detail in the final paragraph, misleading students into thinking it is the most popular.
- 2Providing only the name of the tourism type without the percentage or the reason, which earns only partial marks in a 2-mark question that expects both identification and explanation.
- 3Adding reasons from general knowledge (like 'holidays are longer' or 'it is affordable') instead of using the passage's specific reasons: relaxation, rest, and enjoyment with loved ones.
Interesting Facts
According to the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization), international tourist arrivals reached 1.3 billion in 2023, with leisure travel accounting for over half of all international trips worldwide.
France has been the world's most visited country for leisure tourism since the 1990s, attracting approximately 90 million international visitors annually, followed by Spain and the United States.
The concept of leisure tourism began in the 18th century with the European 'Grand Tour', where wealthy young British men traveled across Europe for cultural education and recreation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I identify the most popular tourism type from the passage?
Look at the percentage statistics provided in the passage. The tourism type with the highest percentage (42% for leisure tourism) is the most popular. Always cite the exact figure in your answer.
Is it enough to just name the tourism type for a 2-mark question?
No. For 2 marks, you need two components: identify the type with its statistic AND explain why it is popular. Each part earns 1 mark, so missing either will cost you half the marks.
What if the passage gives multiple reasons for leisure tourism's popularity?
Include the main reasons mentioned in the passage such as relaxation, rest, and spending time with loved ones. Mentioning two or three reasons from the text strengthens your answer.