Travel is the transport of individuals between far away historical locations. Travel can be undertaken by foot, bike, car, train, plane, boat, bus or other means, and is either one way to a destination, or a round trip traveling. It can also mean travel as a whole, such as across countries or continents, from one country to another, or in a continuous way over a period of time. Traveling can take place on land, sea, or in air. Many people have stories of experiencing a variety of travel induced conditions, from sunburn, sore throat, diarrhea, upset stomach or insomnia.
Tourism has been growing rapidly over the past several years, due to a variety of factors, including the onset of the Internet, which allowed individuals and families to communicate and share information about traveling quickly and cheaply. As more people began to rely on tourism to create income, developed countries began to take a decreasing share of tourism revenue, due to the cost of fuel, which often required higher amounts of transportation, and lower salaries for many rural residents. Some developing countries began to experience a short-term increase in tourism revenues as a result of the cost of imported goods, but this trend began to subside as tourism became more affordable. In some cases, tourism may have contributed to political stability in countries, as certain areas received tourism in periods of conflict or political unrest.
In modern times, travel can take place through a variety of ways, including airplane travel, car travel, rail travel, truck travel, courier services, air tours, tourism, and even telecommunication technology, which allows voice calls to be placed and received over networks like T1 or some other wireless network. In recent years, an increasing number of people are taking advantage of online travel services, such as those offered by hotels, airlines, and other hotels. The growth of the online travel industry is currently estimated at over $65 billion dollars per year, and it continues to increase at a steady rate. In addition to providing tourists with a chance to explore distant geographical locations via the Internet, these services also provide assistance with accommodations, travel insurances, and travel related information. Online travel information and advice are often a more reliable source of information than that provided by hotel staff, airlines, or car rental companies. Many people also choose to book travel plans using the Internet, in order to save money, because they can usually find discounts, which may not be available using other methods.