Population

Faqar Saadoun Hassan
Asst. Lect. Haider Diaa Salman

It means the number of consumers in the market. The increase in the population has a positive impact on the tourism movement, as tourism demand depends on the population and the relationship between them is direct. The larger the population, the greater the tourism demand and vice versa, while other factors remain constant. To establish the validity of this relationship, we say that if there were two countries that were similar in all specifications (financial capabilities, cultural level, free time, etc.) except for the difference in population size, it is certain that the country with the largest population has a greater demand for tourism. (Kafi, 102:2008)

This rule may not apply to countries with a high population density in reality, such as India and China. Despite the high population density of these two countries, the tourism demand of their residents is low. This is due to the strong influence of other factors, most notably the income factor. Despite the high population density in them, tourism demand is low as long as the population suffers from low income and standard of living. There are other population specifications besides population size that play a role in tourism demand, including (Al-Hawri and Al-Dabbagh, 2000: 27).

The tourist’s decision to deal with a specific tourism program and not deal with another tourism program is affected by the age group he lives in, as youth tourism differs from adult tourism and mature tourism differs from pioneer tourism. Each specific age group has its own tourism interests that differ and change with the change and difference in the age group (Al-Khadiri 31:1997). Studies have shown that societies with youth groups (18-36) have an increased demand for Tourism (Farhan, 60:2004), as the more the youth category in society increases compared to the categories of children and the elderly, the demand for tourism increases and vice versa, while other factors remain constant. This indicates the existence of a direct relationship between the youth category and the demand for tourism, and this is due to the fact that young people enjoy high physical strength and a great drive towards change, renewal and knowledge, which prompts them to practice tourism (Kafi, 104, 2008). There are other factors that fall within the population factor and at the same time fall within the social factor, such as (marital status, number of children, profession), and we will cover them completely in the following characteristics within the social factors.