What does inbound international tourism refer to?

Inbound international tourism specifically refers to visits to a country by nonresidents. This means that international tourists traveling into a particular country from abroad fall under this category. When these tourists engage with the country's attractions, culture, and services, they contribute to the local economy through spending on hotels, restaurants, entertainment, and various activities.

Understanding the concept of inbound tourism is crucial for tourism professionals and policymakers because it impacts economic strategies and the development of tourism infrastructure. This form of tourism plays a significant role in generating revenue for the host country and promotes cultural exchange.

The other options focus on different aspects of tourism. For instance, tourism within a country refers to domestic travel, where residents are engaging with their own national attractions. Visits by residents to other countries fall under outbound tourism, which is concerned with how local citizens travel abroad. Lastly, tourism to regional destinations generally describes travel within a specific area or region, which does not specifically indicate an international context.