2. R ead and translate the following text:

Tourism was earlier defined as an industry that arranges movement, comfort and enjoyment of people. The ‘movement’ in this definition is provided by the transportation sector.

Tourism is all about travel and the role of transportation in its operation is vital. It is largely due to the improvement of transportation that tourism has expanded - advanced vehicles plus low fares have made travel to all corners of the world possible. The advent of flight has shrunk the world, and the motor vehicle has increased accessibility of areas once considered off-the-beaten-path. Improvement in transportation and transport modes has brought tourism to a whole new level. Nowadays transportation links the various destinations, ferries people and goods and includes everything from direct, efficient air travel to luxury cruise ships.

Transportation in tourism is most often seen as just part of the tourism system which is in charge of bringing the tourists to the destinations, a means of getting around the place and leaving it once the duration of the trip is over. However, the transportation system of a destination plays a much bigger role. It does not only get people from here to there. Transportation experiences often set the tone for travel and leave impressions that can last a lifetime. Thus transportation is about making the journey pleasurable and efficient, with good service and comfortable surroundings.

Transportation modes are an essential component of transport systems since they are the means by which mobility is supported. According to the modes of transport the sector is divided into four categories: Air, Rail, Ground and Water. Each mode has its own requirements and features, and is adapted to serve the specific demands of freight and passenger traffic.

Among the different modes of transport, air transport has experienced the fastest growth. However, it must overcome the problem of its infrastructures becoming saturated. Every country is therefore committed to modernizing and adapting the infrastructure to increasing passenger flows, whilst also improving their rights and safety. As passenger traffic continues to increase, airports are undergoing major renovations, and are expanding retail operations and marketing efforts.

Rail transportation offers many advantages and is (for obvious reasons) used for domestic or inter-continental purposes. Via rail, every country’s national passenger rail service carries millions of passengers annually. There are international and smaller regional railways that employ staff for positions from selling tickets to operating the train. Rail travel is a relaxed, scenic way to travel, and is becoming increasingly popular as a vacation, rather than only as a way to get to a vacation spot.

Ground Transport The majority of travellers use private vehicles to travel within the country or abroad. There is a whole support industry for people and their cars. There are also other types of ground transportation businesses, including motor coach travel, taxicab operations and vehicle rental companies. Because many travellers arrive at their destinations by air, they often need rental cars or bus transport to get them from the airport to their accommodations or events. This constant demand supports a large number of national and international rental car companies as well as regular shuttle bus and taxicab trips.

W ater Transport Marine-based businesses include ferry companies, marinas, cruise lines, water taxis and other forms of water transportation. Large numbers of tourists take water cruises each year, cruising from one country to another. There are also ferries that link highways inside the country. Ferry travel can be on a vessel that holds one or two cars and travels for four or five minutes each way, or can be a huge super ferry that transports millions of people each year on journeys that take from half an hour to all-day treks. Sea freight is usually used by companies who ship a large amount of goods at once, with longer lead times. This mode of transport is the longest, yet is ideal for bulk shipments such as coal and minerals.