To define tourism is a tricky question. It is different for different people

To some it is

• To Explore
• To Observe
• To Get Away
• To Relax
• To enjoy Spa
• To Interact with new cultures
• To try Adventure
• To Unwind
• To Educate
• To Search for new Frontiers, new horizons
• To take a break.

Here are some academic definitions:

Tourism is the “sum of the phenomena and relationships arising from the interaction of tourists, business suppliers,host governments, and host communities in the process of attracting and hosting these tourists and other visitors“-Macintosh and Goeldner (1986)

‘the temporary movement of people to destinations outside their normal places of work and residence, the activities undertaken during their stay in those destinations and the facilities created to care to their need.’ (Mathieson & Wall, 1982)

defining tourism by what it isn’t – it is not home, it is not work; it is a change of scenery and lifestyle, an inversion of the normal

‘tourism includes all travel that involves a stay of at least one night, but less than one year, away from home’  (World Tourism Office)

Here is a schematic representation of modern tourism

To make it simple, a visit to qualify as a tourist visit should have three components

1. you have to travel someplace new, preferably a place where you normally do not go
2. You have to do things you normally do not do
3. it needs to be something enjoyable

An Interesting Video on defining Tourism:

Travel Vs Tourism

The main difference between travel and tourism is of the intention, the purpose of the travel on the outset of journey. It depends on Distance, Time and Purpose.