There is currently no widely accepted definition of the term tourist destination. From the tourism industry supply perspective, a destination is usually defined by a geo-political boundary, given destination marketing is most commonly funded by governments. From the traveler’s perspective, a destination might be perceived quite differently.

A tourist destination is a city, town, or another area that is dependent to a significant extent on the revenues accruing from tourism, or “a country, state, region, city, or town which is marketed or markets itself as a place for tourists to visit”. It may contain one or more tourist attractions and possibly some “tourist traps.” Siem Reap town for example is a popular tourist destination in Cambodia, mainly owed to its proximity to Angkor temples.