As a further categorization approach, Smith (1989) proposes seven tourist typologies with distinct characteristics, being explorer, elite, off-beat, unusual, incipient mass, mass and charter, in which the explorer typology has features in common with Cohen's (1972) explorers and drifters, while charter and mass ...

Valene Smith’s 1977 landmark study identified seven types of tourists based on their impact on the host culture and their need for western amenities. 1. Explorer: Travels in very small numbers, seeks out-of-the-way places, and easily accepts local norms. 2. Elite: Experienced travelers who can afford to pay for custom, unusual trips but still expect high-quality service. 3. Off-Beat: Seeks to get away from the crowds and identifies with the "authentic" but usually returns to standard comforts for lodging. 4. Unusual: Occasionally takes "daring" trips to see "exotic" cultures but typically travels in organized groups for part of the trip. 5. Incipient Mass: A steady flow of people traveling to a destination where tourism is becoming a dominant industry. 6. Mass: The "standard" tourist who relies on a massive tourism infrastructure (hotels, diversions) and travels in large numbers. 7. Charter: Large groups that arrive en masse, demanding standardized "home-away-from-home" environments with little to no interest in the local culture.