Contemporary Issues in Tourism

This assignment explores contemporary issues facing the tourism industry. It examines topics such as ethical considerations in tourism, the influence of the internet and social media on travel and marketing, sustainability challenges, and the changing motivations of travelers. The student is expected to analyze various research articles and perspectives to understand these complex issues.

Contemporary Issues in
Travel and Tourism

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
Task 1...............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Issues driving change in travel and tourism sector-..............................................................1
1.2 Analysis the current trends using appropriate Methods and Resources-..............................2
Task 2...............................................................................................................................................3
2.1 Current trends influencing change in the travel and tourism sector......................................3
2.2 Current trend with techniques and resources-.......................................................................4
Task 3...............................................................................................................................................5
3.1 Analysis of travel and tourism businesses could respond to change....................................5
3.2 Strategies on how travel and tourism businesses could respond to change-.........................5
3.3 Justifying strategies for travel and tourism businesses-........................................................6
Task 4...............................................................................................................................................6
4.1 the impact of issues and trends that drive changes in the travel and tourism sector-............6
4.2 Consequences of businesses failing to respond to market-...................................................7
References........................................................................................................................................9
Books and Journals.....................................................................................................................9

Introduction
Travel and tourism is considered one of the most important activity for the country. Every
country has attractive places which an individual or the group of people loves to visit. When
person visits any other country to see the beauty of the place shall be considered as travel
activity( Wachowiak, 2016.). A travel and tourism activity is considered as very important part
as it generates economy for the country and whenever an activity generates economy for the
country, it will make the financial background strong. In order to protect travel and tourism, even
the government has initiated many regulations so that the interest and the rights of a tourist shall
be protected, but it has been seen that from some times there are many contemporary issues
arising out of travel and tourism activity. There are many places which are facing issues
regarding the same, and these issues are resulting into diminishing the activity sometimes. The
following project shall cover all the important aspect of travel and tourism. The project shall try
to cover contemporary issues arising out of travel and tourism( Becker, 2016. ).
Task 1
1.1 Issues driving change in travel and tourism sector-
Costa Rica is considered as one of the famous places to visit. Annually there are a lot of people
who are plaining to visit that place because of the beauty enhancing day by day. It is awarded as
one of the most popular destination all over the world. The major point of attraction in Costa
Rica is their beaches(Evans, and et.al 2012). There are people who look for peace and beauty of
nature which is why Costa Rica is a popular destination among the mind of people. People have
a different purpose for travelling into different stated, but there are certain issues driving changes
in travel and tourism. Sometimes these issues will lead towards positive change, or sometimes
this issue may lead to negative change depending upon the issues arising from travel and tourism
activity. The various kinds of aspects which are enabling changes are:-
Technological development: - technology has become the need of society. With the application
of technology a communication can be established between a tourist and the companies who are
dealing with travel activity. Technology development helps in making innovation for the sector
which will help in fulfilling the basic need of tourist(Telfer, Sharpley, 2015.). Because of
innovations in technology, all the agency are able to tom portrait their scheme online by which
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tourist can easily approach to following. A technology shall always help in increasing the
connection and connectivity between different sources to travel and tourism.
Increase in Income: - due to a hike in income of an individual or a group, it became possible for
them to spend on certain travel and tourist activity that is when the income shall be the increase,
capacity to spend on travel and tourism shall be increased(Cohen, and et.al. 2014. ). People will
be able to spend on acts which are carried out in a particular area. For example, Costa Rica is
famous for the beach, so it is obvious several beach sports will be carried out and if the income
of the person is increased then, he will be able to spend on such activities also.
Qualification- if the person is having information regarding the activity then it will be easy for
them to travel. In other to gather information education and qualification plays an important role.
When the person is fully qualified, then he shall be able to access all the information(Connell,
2013).
1.2 Analysis the current trends using appropriate Methods and Resources-
Costa Rica one of the most famous travailing destination in the world. Many tourists travels
largely to this place for its nature beauty of beaches and biodiversities. These factors of the
country attract the travellers most and business too(Lyons, and et.al. 2012). The current trends
analysis for the tourism industry of the country with the help of assessments on different factors
which affect the industry most-
Assessment of tourism- Costa Rica is as famous for its natural landscape and biodiversity.
Tourist are drawn to this place for it's natural beauty(Benckendorff, Zehrer. 2013). The diverse
landscape with the oceans attracts the tourists more, and this aspect grows the tourism business
more and more. The country is the place of four famous world heritage destinations which is
selected by UNESCO, and this gives more advantages to the tourism business. According to a
survey of the tourism department, Costa Rica is one of the destinations which is followed by the
people(Cohen, Cohen, 2012).
Financial assessment- according to this assessment this place is not only the beautiful place but
also affordable to many of people. Tourism is one of the popular source of income in the country
now. There are many factors which attract the people for travelling in Costa Rica; there are many
hotels of big brand and other which gives the tourists many offers regarding stay, food and tours.
The tourism business of the country also helps in economic growth; they can grow more in the
economy at a very certain step(Falk, and et.al 2012).
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Assessment of political influence- this factor also plays an important role in the tourism business.
This has huge impact on the country. Political issues matter in many cases. This is a fact that
Costa Rica does not have a standing army, this also attracts the people mind(Law, and et.al
2014).
Task 2
2.1 Current trends influencing change in the travel and tourism sector
Travel and truism industry were currently influencing by some changes now these days, as
globalisation take place in the whole world. This thing made the businesses more competitive.
Travel become more and more necessary day by day, travailing for work, travelling for business,
or travelling for entertain are most common in this time. There are many destinations in the
world where everyone wants to make a plan to go there(Hartmann, 2014). In the present report
Costa Rica the American country. It is rain forested country enriched with natural beauty. It is
also known for the beaches, volcanoes and biodiversity, with unlimited tourist potential. There
are many factors that influence this industry in this era such as-
 Internet
 More convenient reachable destinations
 Independent travellers
 Natural disasters
 Cost factors
 Epidemics
Internet- this word is more common and familiar in the world of change, somehow it is a reason
of many changes(Hannam, and et.al. 2014). The Internet also influenced the travel business and
made the things more convenient to the customers. The best thing which is possible on the
internet that is information about all the things, where to go, how the place it is, how much the
expenses will come, ticket booking, transport selection and many more. The Internet made the
things in the hand of people.
Reachable Destinations- now these days where the connectivity is all there, make the thing more
convenient to the customers. The expansions of transport option like airports and others make the
destination approachable(Kang, and et.al. 2012). That is good for the tourism industry.
Connectivity from railways and airports have attracted the travellers most. There are many
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destinations which are more beautiful than others but because of connectivity they can not
develop their tourism factor more.
Independent Traveller- there is another trend that is come in fashion form the time, is
independence, in most of the thing and this factor also adding the value in the tourism business.
Specially the youth who are found of travailing wants to go anywhere for the entertainment or
relaxation(McGehee, Wearing, 2013.).
Natural Disasters- this factor influence the business trends not only for the tourism industry but
all, there are preventions but no solutions till the date. So its affect the industry. Costa Rica is the
country of Val canoes and Beaches, so the chances are more for the natural disaster.
Cost factors- money matter a lot for everyone, they plan their trip according to the budgets. As
this country is in the America that trip may become more expensive to the other continents
people. Travailing is the thing for a place to overcome with recession periods(Pearce, and et.al.
2013).
Epidemics- the other factor which influences the most to the tourism industry is epidemics if the
country nearly faced disasters than the chances of epidemics grows more.
2.2 Current trend with techniques and resources-
There are various kinds of techniques and resources which is to be used by travelling and
tourism sector. It is very important to apply techniques and resources in travel and tourism sector
so that marketing value of such sector shall get increased. There are various kinds of techniques
top be used by travel and tourism sector and those are:-
Market Research- it is considered as one of the most effective kinds of research. Market research
will include gathering of information available in the market so it is very important for the
organisation to carry out marketing process so that the consumer shall be able to aware of
different kinds of policies and schemes available by travel and tourism sector this resource will
help people in finding the better place for travelling(Fennell, 2015).
Industry analysis- another technique which is used by travel and tourism sector is analysing the
industry. This technique shall help the people to choose their destination for travelling. It will
also help people to choose a different kind of destination for travelling and for conducting
business trips. When a person is planning to travel it is very important to analysis the industry of
the area where he wants to travel.
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Hence, there are many techniques and resources to be used in travel and tourism industry to
analysis the environment and destination for people to access easily.
Task 3
3.1 Analysis of travel and tourism businesses could respond to change
The travel and tourism business have that power that can change the economic conditions
of the place or country; there are many examples at present that shows how this industry effect
the economy most. 'Thomson' is a travel operator which has been planed so many tours for the
customers according to the place or according to the budgets. There are some trends that
responded this industry in this era. So that Thomson's marketing team plan for a strategy making
to full fill the customers requirements(Yüksel, 2017). This strategy can be understood with the
help of SWOT analysis-
Strengths- the important strength of the Thomson company is, it is an international company, has
a strong grip of business in many countries. It has the world's best leisure airline for tours. They
provide that holiday's packages which are not provided by the competitors. The most important
attraction factor of the company is an offer that is 'pay and forget' tourist packages and flights
packages around the world. It is the world largest charter airline with about hundred destinations.
Weaknesses- when there is a strength there is a weakness also, some flexibility in packages some
time dissatisfied the customers. Sometimes the pricing factor forced to customer switch to
another option. The revenues which depends on the economy(Benson, Tilbury, Wickens, 2012).
Opportunities- as Thomson is world largest charter airline across the hundred countries that this
factor allow them an integration for higher travellers load factor. They can contract with the
private corporation for the mutual benefits, and international tourism can be tie up with many
ventures.
Threats- this factor is for every business, threat of competitors, environmental threats that is
disaster or epidemic or terrorist attack, increasing of cost for any reason. For the tourism
industry, nature might play as a threat because disasters comes without information, they can
prevent this but don't have permanent solutions to overcome this threat.
3.2 Strategies on how travel and tourism businesses could respond to change-
Thomson can respond to the change which are comes in the tour and travelling businesses with
the developed strategies. They can use marketing strategies that can attract the people
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more(Tang-Taye, Standing, 2014). These marketing strategies will be to develop long-term
relationships with customers; they can make plan for business expansion. Different packages and
different destination's tour are its major strength and by doing more offers interest of the people
towards them can be increased. The personalisation of different attractions can offer a wide
range of the options to the tourists for travelling. To manage a tour for that destination which
have organised some international events or some thing that attract the travellers. This thing will
give them a reason of travelling around(Hall, 2013).
3.3 Justifying strategies for travel and tourism businesses-
Tourism businesses need to be occupied in marketing activity. Strategic planning is an essential
process to identify resources and existing opportunities in the tourism business. It works as a
reality check, where the company stands and what the position which is desired for the future.
The new strategies can work as a booster if effectively apply, is likely to make its position more
stronger than other brands. The strategies is expected to views of travellers about the
destinations(Knollenberg,and et.al 2014). The strategy of personalisation of different destinations
and offers attractions can provide a range of options for the travellers. The availability of
packages and other attractions can attract the people who have different preferences. Thomson
can make a strategy to plan a trip that must be affordable to limited income groups and it consists
of many offers like they can provide cheapest airline tickets, stay facilities and other attractions,
it might be gain less profit but can promote the business in many way.
Task 4
4.1 the impact of issues and trends that drive changes in the travel and tourism sector-
Thomson, the tour orator, has the band name in the tourism world. It has connectivity with the
hundred numbers of countries which has tourists attractions. There some issues with the tourism
business which affect the business in any way, these are-
Technology- this taken an important place in every business, technology improves the way of
working and save the cost for the company(Chuang, Liu, 2014). More technologies make more
possibilities for the businesses. As Thomson announcing the new strategy for the travelling
lovers that are related. The Internet plays an important role in travailing and tourisms business.
Now every company provide an application access to the customers which make this easier like
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booking of hotels, booking of tickets, information about the destinations. The Internet made the
complex things more easy to everyone; they can take any information from the internet, and it is
also useful for the companies that they can advertise their services on social sites and other
websites to promote their businesses.
Holiday trends – the world tourism organisation within the impact of globalisation that changes
the trends. Every country's tourism department has an attraction for the tourists; they provide
visa easily and other things which are important for the travelling to other country's people to
increase their tourism business(Lundberg, and et.al., 2014). Thomson can plan different trips
according to the visitors for gain their attraction. The trends are changing in travelling sectors
like in the old days everyone planned their vacations once in a while in a year but now these days
everyone are financially sound so they can plan more often their trip. The another trend which is
in trends that individual travailing is more in trends now these days.
Cost factor- it affects the most in every business stream. When a country face recession or other
financial issues than tourism business can give a strong boost to the economy, if the strategies
effectively apply or implemented. Travel companies must plan a cost effective tours for the
limited income groups, to seek their attraction.
4.2 Consequences of businesses failing to respond to market-
Consequences of business in consideration of that situations when business does not respond to
the changes, because it would risk the reduce of sales and no gains. If travel and tourism business
fails to respond to market change then they will start losing their customers because they do not
come on the parameters of customers they do not fulfil their needs, only consider on their profits
only. They have to know that there is more options in the market that could entertain the
customers and drop them out to the streamline(Lundberg, and et.al., 2014).
Thomson is a brand name in tourism sector but they have to work on that strategy which can
connect them to the limited income group customers. It is prices that can attract the customer
more and more; every second person wants to utilise what they paid for the trip, what deals they
are got and what the attraction provided by the company to make their trip more comfortable and
happy. In the peak season, Thomson can plan an affordable trip for the tourists as per the
economic scenario and change in demands(Mariani, and et.al., 2014). If Thomson does not adopt
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the change, then they will lose a big amount of customers. If their services are not appropriate
and updated then they will lose their customers.
conclusion
The observation of the above report which is on The tourist destination Costa Rica and
the tour operator Thomson group has clear perceptive about the current trends in travel and
tourism businesses. The tourism industry analysis and research help in achieving the
understanding of growth and development in tour and tourism businesses. The making of
marketing strategies and implementation of those in required conditions to grow more
profitability in the business. This report is about the growth of tourism industry and the factors
which affect the industry most. The trends which has become more popular and services which is
according to the customers desire. Thomson the brand tour operator who wants to grow more in
the tourism sector must have a plan about that affordable trips which are near to limited income
group, the company has charted airline in near about hundred countries and can expand their
business more in the world. Today connectivity forms the world gave a boost to the tourism and
promoted this business in another way sometime it could be free of cost.
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References
Books and Journals
Wachowiak, H. ed., 2016. Tourism and borders: contemporary issues, policies and international
research. Routledge.
Becker, E., 2016. Overbooked: the exploding business of travel and tourism. Simon and
Schuster.
Evans, N., Stonehouse, G. and Campbell, D., 2012. Strategic management for travel and
tourism. Taylor & Francis.
Telfer, D.J. and Sharpley, R., 2015. Tourism and development in the developing world.
Routledge.
Cohen, S.A., Higham, J.E., Stefan, G. and Peeters, P., 2014. Understanding and governing
sustainable tourism mobility: Psychological and behavioural approaches (Vol. 43). Routledge.
Connell, J., 2013. Contemporary medical tourism: Conceptualisation, culture and
commodification. Tourism Management. 34. pp.1-13.
Lyons, K., Hanley, J., Wearing, S. and Neil, J., 2012. Gap year volunteer tourism: Myths of
global citizenship?. Annals of tourism research. 39(1). pp.361-378.
Benckendorff, P. and Zehrer, A., 2013. A network analysis of tourism research. Annals of
Tourism Research. 43. pp.121-149.
Cohen, E. and Cohen, S.A., 2012. Current sociological theories and issues in tourism. Annals of
Tourism Research. 39(4). pp.2177-2202.
Falk, J.H., Ballantyne, R., Packer, J. and Benckendorff, P., 2012. Travel and learning: A
neglected tourism research area. Annals of Tourism Research. 39(2). pp.908-927.
Law, R., Buhalis, D. and Cobanoglu, C., 2014. Progress on information and communication
technologies in hospitality and tourism. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality
Management. 26(5). pp.727-750.
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Hartmann, R., 2014. Dark tourism, thanatourism, and dissonance in heritage tourism
management: new directions in contemporary tourism research. Journal of Heritage Tourism.
9(2). pp.166-182.
Hannam, K., Butler, G. and Paris, C.M., 2014. Developments and key issues in tourism
mobilities. Annals of Tourism Research. 44. pp.171-185.
Kang, E.J., Scott, N., Lee, T.J. and Ballantyne, R., 2012. Benefits of visiting a ‘dark tourism’site:
The case of the Jeju April 3rd Peace Park, Korea. Tourism Management. 33(2). pp.257-265.
Wearing, S. and McGehee, N.G., 2013. Volunteer tourism: A review. Tourism Management. 38.
pp.120-130.
Pearce, P.L., Wu, M.Y., De Carlo, M. and Rossi, A., 2013. Contemporary experiences of
Chinese tourists in Italy: An on-site analysis in Milan. Tourism Management Perspectives. 7.
pp.34-37.
Fennell, D.A., 2015. Ethics in Tourism. In Education for Sustainability in Tourism (pp. 45-57).
Springer Berlin Heidelberg.
Yüksel, A., 2017. A critique of “Response Bias” in the tourism, travel and hospitality research.
Tourism Management. 59. pp.376-384
Benson, A.M., Tilbury, J. and Wickens, E., 2012. Editorial. Journal of Hospitality Marketing &
Management. 21(7). pp.703-709.
Standing, C., Tang-Taye, J.P. and Boyer, M., 2014. The impact of the Internet in travel and
tourism: A research review 2001–2010. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing. 31(1). pp.82-
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Hall, C.M., 2013. Framing tourism geography: Notes from the underground. Annals of Tourism
Research. 43. pp.601-623.
Knollenberg, W., McGehee, N.G., Boley, B.B. and Clemmons, D., 2014. Motivation-based
transformative learning and potential volunteer tourists: Facilitating more sustainable outcomes.
Journal of Sustainable Tourism. 22(6). pp.922-941.
Chuang, T.C., Liu, J.S., Lu, L.Y. and Lee, Y., 2014. The main paths of medical tourism: From
transplantation to beautification. Tourism Management. 45. pp.49-58.
Lundberg, C., Fredman, P. and Wall-Reinius, S., 2014. Going for the green? The role of money
among nature-based tourism entrepreneurs. Current Issues in Tourism. 17(4). pp.373-380.
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Mariani, M.M., Buhalis, D., Longhi, C. and Vitouladiti, O., 2014. Managing change in tourism
destinations: Key issues and current trends. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management.
2(4). pp.269-272.
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