Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1 / SSS 1)
Term: 1st Term
Week: 6
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Tourism
Curriculum Theme: Trade
Previous Lesson: Climate Change: Definition of Climate Change, Levels, Causes And Environmental Hazards.
Topic: Tourism
Subject Matter: Tourism definition, History of tourism in the world, Early travel and trade routes, Development of transport, Growth of travel services, Modern tourism growth
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain:
- Define tourism in simple terms.
- Describe the general history of tourism from ancient times to modern days.
- List key developments in transport that supported tourism growth.
Affective Domain:
- Appreciate the importance of tourism as an economic and cultural activity.
- Show interest in the historical evolution of travel and its impact on society.
Psychomotor Domain:
- Write down the definition of tourism.
- Identify and record major milestones in the history of tourism.
Social Domain:
- Participate actively in class discussions about tourism.
- Share their understanding of how tourism impacts communities.
Reference Materials
The following resources were used in planning this lesson:
- 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Senior Secondary Schools.
- State Unified Scheme of Work for Tourism, SSS 1.
- Akanbi, A.A. (2018). Fundamentals of Tourism for Senior Secondary Schools. Lagos: Learnwell Publishers.
Instructional Materials
The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:
- Charts showing pictures of tourist attraction sites.
- Illustrations of different types of accommodation facilities.
- Images depicting various modes of transport used in tourism.
Rationale for the Lesson
Understanding tourism helps pupils know how people travel for leisure and business, and how this activity has evolved over time. This knowledge enables them to appreciate different cultures, economies, and the role of travel in connecting people globally.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils have some general understanding of travel, holidays, and different modes of transport from their everyday experiences and previous studies.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
Tourism: Definition and History
Definition of Tourism
Tourism is the activity of traveling to a place for pleasure, business, or other purposes, typically for a period of time away from one’s usual home environment.
It involves the movement of people from their usual place of residence to another place for various reasons, including leisure, recreation, holiday, health, study, religion, or sport.
History of Tourism in the World
The history of tourism can be traced back to ancient times, evolving from simple travel to a complex industry.
Key periods in the history of tourism include:
- Early Travel (Ancient Times): People travelled for trade, religious pilgrimages, military purposes, and sometimes for pleasure among the wealthy. Examples include ancient Greeks visiting Olympic Games and Romans traveling to spas.
- Early Trade Routes: Routes like the Silk Road facilitated travel and exchange of goods and cultures, indirectly promoting travel.
- Medieval Period: Travel was limited, mostly for religious pilgrimages or trade. Basic inns and taverns developed along routes to cater to travellers.
- Grand Tour (17th-19th Centuries): Young European aristocrats undertook extensive travels across Europe for education and cultural exposure.
- Industrial Revolution (18th-19th Centuries): This period led to improved transportation technologies and increased leisure time for some people, laying the groundwork for mass tourism.
Development of Transport
Improvements in transport were central to the growth of tourism by making travel faster, safer, and more accessible.
Major developments include:
- Roads: Ancient Roman roads, followed by the development of stagecoaches and better road networks.
- Railways: In the 19th century, railways made travel faster and more accessible for the masses, connecting cities and regions.
- Steamships: Enabled transatlantic travel and sea cruises, opening up distant destinations.
- Automobiles: Early 20th century, gave people more freedom to travel independently to various destinations.
- Aircraft: Mid-20th century, revolutionized long-distance travel, making international tourism widely accessible and affordable.
Growth of Travel Services
As travel increased, specialized services developed to support tourists and make their journeys easier.
These services include:
- Accommodation: Evolution from simple inns to hotels, resorts, and various lodging options.
- Tour Operators: Individuals or companies that organize package tours, such as Thomas Cook who pioneered package tours in the mid-19th century.
- Travel Agencies: Businesses that facilitate booking and planning of trips for individuals and groups.
- Guide Services: Provided information and assistance to travelers at their destinations.
Modern Tourism Growth
The period after World War II saw a significant boom in modern tourism, leading to its current global scale.
Factors contributing to modern tourism growth include:
- Increased disposable income and leisure time for a wider population.
- Cheaper and faster transport, especially the expansion of commercial air travel.
- Development of mass tourism packages, making holidays more affordable.
- Advancements in communication and information technology, making travel planning easier.
- Globalization and increased international understanding, encouraging cross-border travel.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to mention places they have visited for holidays or to see relatives. The teacher then links these experiences to the concept of tourism.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by mentioning places they have visited.
Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the topic and relate it to their personal experiences.
Step 2: Definition of Tourism
Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines tourism, explaining that it involves travel for pleasure, business, or other purposes away from home. The teacher writes the definition on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, ask questions for clarity, and write down the definition in their notebooks.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the core meaning of tourism.
Step 3: History of Tourism in the World
Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Narration/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the general history of tourism, starting from early travel for trade and pilgrimages, through the Grand Tour, to the impact of the Industrial Revolution. The teacher uses examples to illustrate each period.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and take notes on the key historical periods and reasons for travel.
Learning Point: Pupils gain knowledge of the historical evolution of tourism.
Step 4: Development of Transport
Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explaining Cause and Effect
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains how improvements in transport, such as roads, railways, steamships, automobiles, and aircraft, significantly contributed to the growth of tourism. The teacher uses charts or pictures of various transport modes.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the charts, listen to the explanations, and note down the key transport developments.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the link between transport innovation and tourism growth.
Step 5: Growth of Travel Services
Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Listing/Categorization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses how various travel services, including accommodation (inns, hotels), tour operators (like Thomas Cook), and travel agencies, developed to support the increasing number of travellers. The teacher may show pictures of different accommodation types.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify and list the different types of travel services mentioned.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about the infrastructure that supports the tourism industry.
Step 6: Modern Tourism Growth
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Analysis
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the factors that led to the boom in modern tourism after World War II, such as increased leisure time, cheaper air travel, and mass tourism packages. The teacher encourages pupils to share their observations on modern travel.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute to the discussion and note down the factors contributing to modern tourism.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the reasons for the widespread nature of tourism today.
Step 7: Evaluation/Review
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:
- Define tourism in your own words.
- Mention two reasons why people travelled in ancient times.
- List three key developments in transport that helped tourism grow.
- State two examples of travel services that developed over time.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.
Step 8: Conclusion
Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the main points of the lesson, reiterating the definition of tourism and its historical development. The teacher then gives pupils homework to research a famous tourist destination in Nigeria.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and are encouraged to continue exploring the topic.
Lesson Keywords
- Tourism – The activity of travelling for pleasure, business, or other purposes.
- Travel – The act of moving from one place to another.
- Pilgrimage – A journey to a sacred place for religious reasons.
- Grand Tour – An extended trip across Europe taken by wealthy young men from the 17th to 19th centuries.
- Thomas Cook – A pioneer of modern tourism, known for organizing the first package tours.
- Package Tour – A holiday organized by a travel agent or tour operator, with transport, accommodation, etc., included in the price.
- Transport – Methods of carrying people or goods from one place to another.
- Accommodation – A place where someone can stay, such as a hotel or inn.
Differentiation
For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can ask them to explain the economic benefits of modern tourism. For those needing more support, the teacher can provide simplified notes or focus on identifying key terms and definitions.
Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Teachers should encourage pupils to share their personal travel experiences to make the lesson more engaging. Visual aids are important for illustrating historical periods and different aspects of tourism. Ensure that the board summary is clear and concise for pupils to copy.





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