Which is the most popular form of tourism and why?
Leisure tourism is the most popular form, making up 42% of travel. It is popular because its main purpose is relaxation, rest, and enjoyment with loved ones.
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 tests two distinct skills: data interpretation (identifying the highest percentage) and comprehension (explaining the reason). The passage provides statistics for different tourism types: Leisure (42%), Business (35%), Health (10%), Sports (3%), Educational (3%), Spiritual (2%), and others (5%). Students must compare these figures and identify 42% as the highest, corresponding to leisure tourism. The second part requires extracting the reason from the passage -- leisure tourism is popular because people seek relaxation, rest, and enjoyment with family and friends. The marking scheme is split evenly: 1 mark for identifying leisure tourism with its 42% figure, and 1 mark for the reason. A frequent mistake is naming business tourism (35%) instead, perhaps because the passage discusses it in greater detail in the final paragraph. Another error is providing reasons not found in the passage, such as 'it is cheaper' or 'everyone gets holidays'. Always structure your answer in two clear parts for 2-mark questions. This question also develops analytical skills that are transferable to data interpretation questions in other subjects.
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.
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.