To elucidate some of the principles of tourism, the patterns and processes of tourist development at Mount Cook since 1884 are examined. The history of tourist development at Mount Cook falls into five distinct periods. Within each period the development of communications, accommodation, attractions and tourists is traced. These four factors are shown to be the four basic components of a tourist system and a tourist system model is formulated. The model outlines the composite nature of tourism and suggest a balanced and integrated approach to tourist development planning and research is necessary.