Training and Development Methods

This assignment delves into the realm of Training and Development, focusing on diverse methods employed to enhance employee skills and knowledge. It examines various techniques such as on-the-job training, e-learning, and mentoring, highlighting their effectiveness in different organizational contexts. The assignment also explores the importance of effective communication and its role in successful training initiatives.

Contemporary Issues in
Travel and Tourism
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................3
TASK 1.................................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Analysing issues currently driving change in travel and tourism sector for Middle East.........3
1.2 Analysing different current issues using appropriate methods and resources for Middle East and
North Africa.....................................................................................................................................4
TASK 2.................................................................................................................................................5
TASK 3.................................................................................................................................................5
3.1 Analyse how International Airlines Group businesses could respond to change......................5
3.2 Develop strategies on the selected travel and tourism businesses could respond to change.....6
3.3 Justify strategies for the selected International Airlines businesses could respond to change. .7
TASK 4.................................................................................................................................................7
4.1 Analyse the impacts of issues and trends that drive change in the travel and tourism sector....7
4.2 Discuss the likely consequences of businesses failing to respond to market change................8
CONCLUSION....................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES...................................................................................................................................10
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INTRODUCTION
Contemporary issues can be constituted in the part of the industry and sector. It is related to the
environment of travel and tourism industry in which it operates business. These current issues can be
termed as the forces which can affect the industry and it is the issue which can shape travel and tourism
sector (Cohen and et.al., 2014). Furthermore, this industry is considered as the volatile sector which is
mainly dependent on the leisure traveller but it also comprises of business travellers also. Some of the
issues confronting tourism can be taxed industry, global standardisation, dependent on the cost of fuel,
wireless communication, security, political stress, etc. Contemporary issues are those which are
happening in the modern world that presents the current issues which are related to day to day life. On
the other side, travel and tourism is the largest and fastest growing service industry. Moreover, there
are some issues which this sector is facing. There are several contemporary issues which are affecting
the business of travel and tourism sector that leads to decrease its profitability and company’s
reputation (Connell, 2013). For conducting the current research, Middle East and North Africa are
chosen as Travel destinations where Thomas Cook is chosen as the Tour operator. It is dealing with
businesses which include travel agency and postal services. In this report, different current issues with
its resources are to be discussed. Furthermore, the emerging trends are evaluated with their
effectiveness. In addition to this, responses of International Airlines Group will be evaluated to meet
the emerging demands. Moreover, impacts on travel and tourism performance will be evaluated with
the consequences of firms which not able to meet the changing needs.
TASK 1
1.1 Analysing issues currently driving change in travel and tourism sector for Middle East
There are many issues which are affecting travel and tourism sector. Among them, three are
given as below with their impacts industry: Tourism and security: It is one of the major issues in travel and tourism sector through which
industry are getting affected and many travellers are avoiding to travel these destination.
Through this, many tour operators are visiting less to Middle East and try avoiding visiting this
place with their families (Mariani and et.al., 2014). If there are terrorist attacks in country then
visitors will tend to visit less because of security reasons. As per the security reason, people are
focusing more on safety measures and through this aspect, business of Middle East is getting
affected. Health and safety concerns: If there is a natural disaster and accidents are happening then it
will surely affect the business of tourist destinations. Health and safety measures are to be
taken by the tour operators so that their customers would feel safe and try to visit the places.
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Moreover, there are safety issues which should be considered in travel and tourism sector.
These types of health issues can be pandemics which can easily cause the tourism panics.
Safety can be termed as the challenge which has been faced by the tourism industry (Sin,
Oakes and Mostafanezhad, 2015). This is because; current generation is taking keen interest in
the physical activities from skiing to diving in which the travellers should be needed safety
measures which should be provided by both the tour operators as well as by the chosen
destination. If there are no major safety measures then it will lead to the decrease in the
visitation to the Middle East as well as other aspects such as mouth to mouth
recommendations.
 Political conditions: This also plays a major role in travel and tourism sector through which
industry can get impacted. In the Middle East, government is very much strict about the rules
and legislations which have to be followed by the tour operators and visitors. Hence, political
condition will continue to be a challenge for the tourism industry (Law and et.al., 2015). Major
issues in this can be related to the visa restrictions which have become more complicated for
the travellers. This is affecting the Middle East where only on visa; tourists can get entry to the
destination.
1.2 Analysing different current issues using appropriate methods and resources for Middle East and
North Africa
There are different types of current issues which mainly focus on the impact of political unrest
in Middle East and North Africa. However, in these all issues, only two can be discussed and they are
as follows: Terrorism and counter terrorism measures: In this aspect, Middle East and North Africa are
the main focus for terrorist activities in which they are occupying the vast areas of Iraq and
Syria. In this, terrorists are attacking amidst the fragile and political climate across the region.
Through terrorist’s attacks, many visitors are avoiding to visit the places because it can harm
them and become the threat for their life. Various bomb attacks are also influencing tourists to
visit less at these places (Sharpley and Telfer, 2014). Terrorist attacks can be planned and done
at any time through which the government of both these destinations can't be able to protect the
visitors. In some of the countries, government has restricted their people to visit Iraq and Syria.
Through this, business of these two places as well as travel and tourism sector has been
affected. So, the government of Middle East and Syria should have to take the counter terrorism
measures against the terrorism through which their business can't get affected.
 Local and international laws: Middle East and North Africa has various countries in which
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there are several laws and regulations that they are following to enhance the scope of their
tourism industry. But these regulatory frameworks are influencing people to visit less to these
destinations because of the strict rules and regulations. In Middle East, some of the countries
are practising counter-terrorism laws and strict measures related to visa (Law, Buhalis and
Cobanoglu, 2014). In addition to this, there is less gender equality in both these places through
which many tourists are avoiding to visit these places. Laws of these two places are not that
much strict towards terrorism and other aspects such as protecting the tourist destination which
has been exploited by terrorist attacks. Through this, visitors are losing faith on these countries
and visiting less to these tourist destinations.
TASK 2
Enclosed in PPT.
TASK 3
3.1 Analyse how International Airlines Group businesses could respond to change
International Airlines Group (IAG) is the British Spanish multinational airline holding company
which is headquartered in London. This company is the merger of the British Airlines and Iberia which
are known as the flag carrier airlines. It is listed on London Stock Exchange and it is the constituent of
FTSE 100 Index (Thomas Cook, 2016). This airlines meeting the needs and requirements of their
customers by offering various services while travelling. Furthermore, as there are various trends and
changes in which International Airlines Group are responding to the business environment which are as
given below: Transportation: The chosen company is providing various types of facilities and comfort to
their customers while travelling so that they visit from this airline again and gain. The airline is
giving services to their guests according to their tastes, preferences and lifestyles so that able to
meet their expectations (Smith, 2014). These airlines provide their services to the European
Borders at very low prices so that more European gets attracted and try to travel from
International Airlines Group. While travelling, the organization is providing all types of safety
and leisure measures to their customers so that they gets satisfied and like to travel from this
airlines. Single brand Strategy: International Airlines Group are responding to the change which the
business environment are having as the emerging trends. This company is focussing on the
single brand strategy so that the organization can attract large numbers of customers to their
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airline company (Weidenfeld, 2013). The company is merger of the two big airlines of UK and
Spain but the company is operating their business through single brand name that is
International Airlines Group. However, Iberia, British Airways, Aer Lingus and Vueling are
operating under separate brand name but are considered as the subsidiaries of IAG. The
company is providing with various facilities in form of luxury to their customers on board so
that they don't gets unsatisfied and firm can deal with the emerging trends in a positive way.
 Promotional Tools: It is the biggest aviation company which constitutes many airlines such as
British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia and Vueling which are catering according to the needs of
the customers so that they able to meet their expectations. For these all airlines, the firm has
made the effective packages so that able to attract more customers to the business enterprise
(Hall and Page, 2014). The organization is providing the services according to the budget of the
customers and also as per the needs and requirements so that no customers should faced any
problems and issues while travelling. The company is doing this because they has to meet the
changes of the current trends and able to enhance their profitability and market share. For all
these aspects, IAG is doing effective promotions through advertising and social media etc.
(Duncan, Scott and Baum, 2013). Moreover, they are also offering various coupons and
vouchers to their customers for enhancing their sales.
3.2 Develop strategies on the selected travel and tourism businesses could respond to change
The selected travel and tourism businesses from International Airlines Group are British
Airways and Iberia and these are considered as the main airlines of the IAG. For these airlines, some
strategies will be developed so that they could respond to the change and they are as follows: Facilities: The company should provide with the various facilities to their customers so that
they have all comfortableness while travelling in these both airlines. The main purpose of the
company is provide the customers with good comfort and luxury so they don't get any
difficulties while travelling from one place to another in the airlines (Falk and et.al., 2012). The
companies are providing with all the essential facilities to their customers while travelling so
that they have a good experience with both the airlines. According to the tastes, preferences and
lifestyles, the services are to be designed so that customers should have all facilities. Destinations: The airlines should be connected to all the major and minor destinations so that
they can able to cater the large number of travellers and customers to their services. So the
company should chose the destinations according to the customers' needs and requirements and
try to give their services accordingly. The airlines should also considered that it doesn't affect
the culture and social aspects of any customers (Morga, Pritchard and Pride, 2011). If the
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airlines are providing their services with basic amenities then more customers will gets
attracted and try to choose British Airways and Iberia as its airways transportation.
 Safety and Securities: There many issues which are affecting the airline industry business such
hijacks, crashes etc. So for this, the company has to come up with the some of the safety and
security measures to safeguard their customers (Chuang and et.al., 2014). The safety measures
will help the customers in avoiding the accidents which takes place frequently. In addition to
this, it is considered as the significant aspect for the organization which assists in bringing the
effectiveness of the organization.
3.3 Justify strategies for the selected International Airlines businesses could respond to change
The strategies which has been developed above are for the British Airways and Iberia airways
to enhance their market share and profitability. So for that, the chosen strategies will be justified so that
able to respond to the change. The justification of the strategies are as follows: Facilities: The both airlines has to provide facilities to their customers to at their seats in which
it includes meals and drinks at their seats other facilities which is required by the customers.
British Airways and Iberia should provide with the other facilities such as electronic gadgets
like tablets and computers as well as television in the business class compartment of the airlines
(Sinclair-Maragh and Gursoy, 2015). Through these all positive impacts, the customers will try
to visit the airlines again and again because of their better quality of the services. These airlines
should cater with all the facilities which passengers need at the time of emergency such as
medical kit and other necessary things. Destinations: In this factor, the company should come up with the good places as well as
considered the other measures through which customers are not getting affected. Some of the
things the airlines should think is that to follow the aviation rules and regulations of the certain
destination airports which comprises of the strict laws and legislations (Carlisle and et.al.,
2013). In addition to this, the chosen both the airlines are offering the various aspects to their
passengers from its vast collections of products and services which includes the dining and
travelling experience.
 Safety and Security: To make an effective strategy, it is an important factor which are to be
considered in the organizations. British Airways and Iberia should have to take the safety
measures so that this aspect can't able to impact the companies' reputation and goodwill. The
safety measures should be taken by the airlines so that they able to safe guard their passengers
from all harms and problems (Bramwell, 2015). This is because customers visit less to
organizations which doesn't able to cater their needs and not able to full fill their expectations.
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TASK 4
4.1 Analyse the impacts of issues and trends that drive change in the travel and tourism sector
There are various issues and trends which drive change in the travel and tourism sector in
reference to the Myla Travel, Thomas Cook and The Travel Network group and they are as follows: Employment: This industry is gaining more popularity and respectability through which it is
attracting many qualified young people. In this, mobility is also increasing in online websites
which allows them to find work in different parts of the world (Prebežac, Schott and Sheldon,
2016). Linking to these above stated companies, they are providing very good improvisation by
recruiting skilled and talented people because many of then tourists are using theses
organization as their travel operators so they need more employees in the organizations to serve
better to their customers. Technology: It plays a major role in becoming the parts of the drive change which are affecting
the many travel and tourism organizations. It is one of the most important part of the ravel and
tourism by which tour operators and customers are connected to each other. It is directly
connected to the productivity for the supplier which assist in making the effective strategies.
This aspect helps these three tour operators in direct sales, frequent flyer data base corporate
suppliers etc. (21 Issues & Trends That Will Shape Travel and Tourism in the 21st Century,
2015). For example, as Myla Travel is associated with other two organization that are Thomas
Cook and The Travel Network Group which is happening because of the technology. For
example, many of the tourists are now booking their air tickets as well as planning destination
through internet only so for that the technology is providing a positive impact on the travel and
tourism sector but if it used unlawfully then it will provide negative impact.
 Holiday Trends: Due to the global economic change on employment and holiday taking
patterns, there should be various trends in the holidays for the customers. For example, the
chosen tour operators should make the small holidays packages as compared to the longer
holidays. This is because there are some of the tourists which only prefer to visit less and for
few days only (Rogerson, 2013). Moreover, through labour laws and its working conditions in
many countries, they are rapidly moving towards the providing more free time but for less time
period. Furthermore, the tourist are required short span of holidays which is in their budget but
have full comfortableness.
4.2 Discuss the likely consequences of businesses failing to respond to market change
There are various types of consequences of business which are failing to respond to market
change with reference to Myla Travel, Thomas Cook and The Travel Network Group. The likely
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consequences of business failing can be acquisitions, liquidations, horizontal and vertical merges etc.
are some of the impacts which are caused by the issues and trends in travel and tourism sector. These
three tour operators has to be adapt the changes which will able to survive them in the competitive
world. Hence, the consequences can be devastated if consequences are like reduce in sales and
profitability, fail in achieved profit margins, negative impact on the products and services image etc.
this all will cause in long term lack of accountability and responsibility. Moreover, sometimes it will
suffer from the quickly liquidation for lack of management in respond to the contemporary changes. If
the organization are not able to apply flexible approach to the current changing scenario then it may
possible will lead back in the technology advancement (Thomas Cook, 2016). This will results in the
companies will not able to progress and stay out of the marketing which leads to the recession or crisis.
For example, British Airways has fail to meet the changes in which they put the budget airline on sale
just after 2 years of its launch. The liquidation of the low coast airline was done in 2000 and as per the
reports, the British Airways was not able to apply effective business strategy. The liquidation has
occurred due to the rising of fuel cost, lack of relationship with customer and poor technology
advancement. In addition to this, the other likely consequences of business can be climate change
which can affect the within the global level. This is because every customers are becoming more eco
friendly within the travel and tourism industry (Jones, Hillier and Comfort, 2016). In this, the three
chosen tour operators has decided that to help the environment using the solar panel and even other
sources of electricity which further help in contributing by recycling and looking after the
environment. This can be done through by Euro Star which are used for the less carbon set off to set
energy.
CONCLUSION
In this report it has been concluded that travel and tourism industry is the most popular and
respected industry which are adapting the changes which is occurring in the contemporary world. The
report has discussed the various contemporary issues such as terrorism, healthy and safety concerns
and political conditions. The issues which Middle East and North Africa are facing are terrorism, and
counter terrorism measures as well as local and international laws where tourists are influencing the
people to visit less. In addition to this, International Airlines Group business has responded to the
change in a positive way and this happened due to the transportation, single brand strategy and various
promotional tools. Moreover, the company has developed the various strategies such as facilities,
destinations, safety and security measures which later on justified to respond to change. Last task is all
about the impacts of issues and trends which drive change in the travel and tourism with reference to
the Myla Travel, Thomas Cook and The Travel Network Group but it has to face consequences in
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terms of failing.
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REFERENCES
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Bramwell, B., 2015. Theoretical activity in sustainable tourism research. Annals of Tourism Research.
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Chuang, T. C. and et.al., 2014. The main paths of medical tourism: From transplantation to
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Cohen, S. A. and et.al., 2014. Understanding and governing sustainable tourism mobility:
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Connell, J., 2013. Contemporary medical tourism: Conceptualisation, culture and commodification.
Tourism Management. 34.pp.1-13.
Duncan, T., Scott, D. G. and Baum, T., 2013. The mobilities of hospitality work: an exploration of
issues and debates. Annals of Tourism Research. 41. pp.1-19.
Falk, J. H. and et.al., 2012. Travel and learning: A neglected tourism research area. Annals of Tourism
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Hall, C. M. and Page, S. J., 2014. The geography of tourism and recreation: Environment, place and
space. Routledge.
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reflections on corporate challenges and research agendas. International Journal of Contemporary
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Law, R., and et.al., 2015. Distribution channel in hospitality and tourism: revisiting disintermediation
from the perspectives of hotels and travel agencies. International Journal of Contemporary
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technologies in hospitality and tourism. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality
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Mariani, M. M., and et.al., 2014. Managing change in tourism destinations: Key issues and current
trends. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management. 2(4). pp.269-272.
Morgan, N., Pritchard, A. and Pride, R., 2011. Destination brands: Managing place reputation.
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Prebežac, D., Schott, C. and Sheldon, P. eds., 2016. The tourism education futures initiative: Activating
change in tourism education. Routledge.
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Rogerson, C. M., 2013. Tourism, small firm development and empowerment in post-apartheid South
Africa. Small firms in tourism. 13.
Sharpley, R. and Telfer, D. J. eds., 2014. Tourism and development: concepts and issues (Vol. 63).
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volunteer tourism and social justice. Tourist Studies. 15(2). pp.119-131.
Sinclair-Maragh, G. and Gursoy, D., 2015. Imperialism and tourism: The case of developing island
countries. Annals of Tourism Research. 50. pp.143-158.
Smith, S. L., 2014. Tourism analysis: A handbook. Routledge.
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Online
21 Issues & Trends That Will Shape Travel and Tourism in the 21st Century. 2015. [Online]. Available
through:
<https://www.hotel-online.com/News/PressReleases1999_1st/Feb99_PATABalance.html>.
[Accessed on 2nd July 2016].
Thomas Cook. 2016. [Online]. Available Through:
<http://www.thomascook.in/pages/indus/tcportal/aboutus.html>. [Accessed on 2nd July 2016].
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