Tourism is a fickle business, what’s popular today can become unfashionable tomorrow, and those depending on the tourist industry always have to re-adjust to new trends, and changes in the Industry.

In the 1950’s Holiday Camps were popular, then came the package holidays of the late 1960’s, after that came the packaged “Adventure” holidays, until today most of us could afford to visit the most unusual, and more remote places in the World- even in a recession.

Now we have “Space Tourism,” or the start of a new Tourism business for those who can afford it, usually Millionaires, or Billionaires. And it looks like as the waiting list to visit the International Space Station as a Tourist, is ever growing- even in these times of financial restraint.

Space Tourism is a “win-win” situation for cash strapped Governments still needing to have a Space program, but needing to raise the funds to support it, as Governments cut back on Budgets.

The Russian Government already funds its Space program by offering a journey of a lifetime at a price, to the International Space station, and back. NASA who face cash restraints, may also start cashing in on the idea, whilst a commercial minded China- could be the next to develop a Space Tourism program.

Why is Space the New Frontier for Tourism?

In a World, were there are simply not that many places to visit anymore -if you have the time and the money. The dream of many to venture into Space, – which a few generations ago was reserved for only highly trained Astronauts, is now possible.

Virgin, the brainchild of Richard Branson, already have plans to start a commercial Space Tourism shuttle, that takes Tourists to Space, and back, and circles Earth. And evidence
shows there are plenty of people willing to pay for a trip of a lifetime.

However if we study how Tourism has evolved, in the last fifty years, the trend always starts with the wealthy, and as technology makes it cheaper to travel further distances- then more people start visiting these destinations, making it less exclusive.

China and Russia may beat the USA or Europe on providing Space Tourism to more people. Simply because pricing alone, and the commercialization of Space could lead
to visiting Space more affordable from these Countries.

India with its new Space program, has proved it is capable of launching a satellite to the Moon. And India’s government has ambitious ideas to explore Space, like the re-emerged China currently has.

Once a dream, now becomes a reality for some of us. The commercialization of Space is starting, with travelers like Guy Laliberte, heading for Space. But it may be the reality of the next generation, who could see inexpensive journeys into space, an option for a winter break, as many of us gaze into space, and still dream.
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