What Is The Relationship Between Transport And Tourism?

Last updated: 9 October 2026

Transport and tourism are closely linked. Transport is one of the core components of tourism, and the relationship between the two is a key topic on many tourism management degrees. Put simply, without transport the tourism industry could not exist.

This article explains the relationship between transport and tourism, the role transport plays within the tourism industry and the impacts that transport has on tourist destinations.

The relationship between transport and tourism

Transport can be defined as the movement of people or goods from one place to another by means of a vehicle, aircraft or ship. Tourism involves people travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for leisure, business or other purposes. Every trip therefore depends on transport – to get from home to the destination, to move around while there and to return home again.

Diagram of the three roles of transport in tourism

In Leiper’s tourism system, transport links the tourist-generating region (where tourists come from) with the tourist-destination region (where they go), via the transit route region. Different types of transport – including air, rail, road and water transport – serve different types of journeys and tourists.

Transport is also a complex activity that affects everyone in their daily lives. In a sense, everyone is a transport stakeholder, whether commuting to work or flying abroad on holiday.

Transport as a tourist attraction

For some trips, transport is not just a means of getting to the destination – it is the main reason for travelling. Examples include cruise holidays, heritage railways, scenic train journeys such as the Glacier Express in Switzerland or the Rocky Mountaineer in Canada, river cruises, road trips and luxury trains such as the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

Transport within the tourism industry

A key task for the tourism sector is to demonstrate the importance of good transport links to destinations – recognising the appropriate modes of transport for different types of journeys – and to ensure that transport planners understand the value these links bring to local economies.

This requires close working between the tourism industry and the public bodies (governments, local authorities and relevant agencies) responsible for transport policy and planning, and for maintaining and developing transport infrastructure. This is essential for sustainable tourism management.

Likewise, the tourism sector must understand how the transport sector operates and to what extent it can influence decisions. This can be complex, as transport infrastructure, rules and regulations vary between countries. Some destinations rely heavily on rail, others can only be reached by boat, and some require private or charter transport for tourists to get around.

The scale of transport in tourism is huge. Airlines carry around 5 billion passengers a year, according to IATA, and international tourist arrivals have recovered to pre-pandemic levels of around 1.4 billion a year, according to UN Tourism.

The impacts of transport on tourism

Accessibility and destination development

Accessibility is one of the most important factors in the success of a destination. If tourists cannot easily reach a destination, it is unlikely to thrive. In England, for example, public transport outside London has historically been less integrated than in countries such as Switzerland, partly because bus services were deregulated in the 1980s. Some city regions, such as Greater Manchester with its Bee Network, have since moved back to franchised, integrated public transport.

The influence of transport is especially clear in air travel. When budget airlines launch new routes to destinations that previously received few tourists, visitor numbers often grow quickly and new businesses open. However, if the airline decides that a route is no longer profitable, it may withdraw it, which can have serious impacts on the local tourism economy. In 2025, for example, Ryanair announced major capacity cuts at several regional Spanish airports, blaming airport charges, raising concerns among local tourism businesses.

This is an area where destination organisations can take a lead by integrating transport into destination management planning. Attractions can also develop travel plans and provide options for visitors to reach them by public transport.

Tourism supports transport services

Tourism helps to support transport services and infrastructure. Without tourism, many areas would be likely to lose public transport services that benefit residents as well as visitors.

This particularly applies to remote and rural communities with low population thresholds, such as island ferry services or rural bus routes. Even in popular destinations such as seaside resorts, transport infrastructure built to serve visitors also benefits local residents.

Environmental impacts

Transport is responsible for the majority of tourism’s carbon emissions. UN Tourism and the International Transport Forum estimated that transport-related emissions from tourism accounted for around 5% of all human-made CO2 emissions in 2016, with aviation and car travel making up the largest share. Congestion, air pollution and noise are further environmental impacts of tourism, and transport can also contribute to overtourism when large numbers of visitors arrive at once, for example from cruise ships.

As a result, many destinations are encouraging lower-carbon travel, for example by investing in rail, promoting night trains in Europe and supporting sustainable aviation fuels.

The relationship between transport and tourism: To conclude

Transport and tourism are interdependent. Transport makes tourism possible, shapes which destinations people can visit and can even be an attraction in its own right, while tourism provides demand that helps to sustain transport services. Understanding this relationship is essential for anyone studying or working in travel and tourism.

Useful books on this topic include Transport and Tourism: Global Perspectives by Stephen Page and Tourism, Transport and Travel Management by M.R. Dileep.

Transport and tourism: FAQs

Below are answers to some of the most common questions about transport and tourism.

What is the relationship between transport and tourism?

Transport and tourism are interdependent. Transport enables tourists to reach and move around destinations, while tourism generates demand that supports transport services and infrastructure.

Why is transport important in tourism?

Without transport, tourists could not travel between their home and their destination. Good transport links improve accessibility, which is a key factor in the success of a destination.

What types of transport are used in tourism?

Tourism uses air, rail, road and water transport, including airlines, trains, coaches, cars, ferries and cruise ships.

Can transport be a tourist attraction?

Yes. Cruises, scenic railways, heritage trains, river cruises and road trips are all examples of transport being the main purpose of a trip.

What are the negative impacts of transport on tourism?

Negative impacts include carbon emissions, air and noise pollution, congestion and overcrowding at destinations, as well as economic vulnerability if transport routes are withdrawn.