Legislation and Ethics in Travel and Tourism Sector

This report discusses the importance of legislation and ethics in the travel and tourism sector, focusing on the impacts of health, safety, and security legislation, analysis of equality legislation, contract legislation, and ethical dilemmas faced by the industry. It also highlights the role of corporate social responsibility in the sector. The report is based on the case of Thomas Cook and the UK travel industry.

Legislation and Ethics in
Travel and Tourism Sector

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................4
Covered in PPT...........................................................................................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
2.1 Evaluation of impacts of the principles of health, safety and security legislation on the
travel and tourism sector.............................................................................................................4
2.2 Analysis of legislation that relates to equality......................................................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
3.1 Email to the travel assistant explaining contract legislation in relation................................6
3.2 Explanation of the consumer protection legislation..............................................................7
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................9
4.1 Analysis of the ethical dilemmas faced by the travel and tourism sector.............................9
4.2 Analysis of the Corporate social responsibilities for the Thomas Cook.............................10
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Travel and tourism is a vital sector and it is having direct relation with the targeted
customers so it is essential for the organisation to manage legislation and business ethics in the
business activities (Serre and Chevalier, 2012). UK government is having focus to increase the
travel and tourism services by which the can increase their foreign funds. This report is based on
the Thomas Cook and tour and travel industry of the UK. This report is having involved different
topics like; legal and regulatory framework which can help to the tourist sector to increase the
satisfactory element for the targeted customers. Principles of health and safety are having huge
importance for the organisations which are working in the same sector so it is essential for the
travel agency to provide better safety according to the principle which are given under this
report. Contract legislation is essential for the organisations to provide a better services as per
their contract with the customers. Travel and tourism sector is directly connected with the
customers so it is essential for the government to make a guideline for the organisation to protect
the benefits of the customers. At the last of this report is having focus on the ethical dilemmas

which are impacting the whole travel industry and different CSR policies used by the travel
organisation.
TASK 1
Covered in PPT
TASK 2
2.1 Evaluation of impacts of the principles of health, safety and security legislation on the travel
and tourism sector
A person travelling to another country makes sure that everything is appropriate in the
country where they aim to travel. They should get the food of their taste, the safety and the
security to travel (Scott and et.al., 2008). Because when someone is going to travel somewhere
they aims at returning back safely to the home country. Everyone today want to visit country
which is safe and hygiene to travel. Health is a big issue today we can get some diseases from
other countries as well which are not in our country while we travel. So to ensure everything one
has some expectation of safety and security in the means of travelling. Some basic elements
related to health can be as follows -
 Water sold have a sign which says it is safe to drink
 Milk in UK is pasteurised
 The food sometimes is not cooked properly because of different culture of the country so
you need to take care of that as well as your stomach.
 The pharmacist is allowed to dispense only a few dose of drugs to the visitors body
 Pharmacy opens from Monday - Saturday from 9:30a.m.-5:30p.m. Of which there is a
one pharmacy which remains opens late.
The security elements are -
 Crime – precautions should be taken against some petty crimes (Pesonen, 2013). Like-
take care of your passport, there can be a violent crime as well so be ware of that.
 Road travel – the rules of the road travelling can vary from state to state. Make sure of
every document required for travelling by road. Like – the ticket, license etc.
 Air travels - the TSA(transport security administration) has a helpline number to protect
the right of the passengers travelling through the air.

 Overall government have made many associations and organisation which may help in
protecting and maintaining the safety of the customers.
The one who aims at travelling to UK should be ensured about all the above factors before
travelling there so as to have a safe and secured travel. By the way the country also gives a lot of
security to the visitor who is travelling one just need to be aware of all the right available then
they can have the benefit of all the factors. As a tourism company we make ensure that the
tourist travelling with us have a safe and secured travel so we tell them about each and every
rules and regulation available in the country the traveller (Murphy, 2013). And the impact of all
the security framework would help the country to retain the travellers so as to maintain a feeling
in them to travel again and again and this can also result in a good image of the country outside
the country.
2.2 Analysis of legislation that relates to equality
Equality means treating everyone equally. The term equality here it means how the
people in the country are treated before the law. The racism, discriminant and many more issues
are taken under this category. UK have worked upon this issue as well so as to maintain equality
among the people of the country as well as the people who are visiting the country. To protect
the interest of these many laws are made such as -
 Race relation act 1976
 Equality act 2010
 Disability discrimination act 1995
Everyone who wish to travel want to have a safe environment in the country in which
they are travelling (Moutinho, 2011). By equality the statement is that “everyone should be
treated equally”. The tourism industry makes sure that the goods and services are provided to the
tourists irrespective to sex, age, disability or race.
The discriminations that are recognized like – directly not treating the person equally,
indirectly on a group of people mistreating someone, harassment to the person, perceptive attack
on the person, disability inequality by the people. So, to protect the tourist from all of the above
threat the Equality act 2010 was made by the government of UK. Which was a very affirmative
and bold step against the people who do these activities of harming others which is not a good
sign for the image of the country globally as well domestically.

All the tourism operators should make sure while promoting their business that they
promote the act stated by the government so that the tourists who are interested can know the
action taken towards the threats (Moriarty, Jones and Rowley, 2008). And yet by this they can
make tourists feel more safe and more secured by which more and more client can be attracted
towards the country visit which will enhance the economic growth as well as the static growth of
country. The tourist agency also follows all the rules while generating business for themselves
and by this they have to treat the people equally and give same facilities to all the travellers and
ensures about everyone in the same and equal manner. Their should be no racism, as well as no
ill treatment of the people and safe and secured environment for the tourists who wish to travel
the country.
The agencies and operators are recommended to -
 Do business under the equality act 2010
 Should treat people equally
 Should maintain a safe and secure environment
 Do not work upon racism, caste in equality, sex in equality
If the agency or the operator do not follow any of the above rule will be punishes as stated by the
law if accused for any of the ill practises (McCabe, 2010). Rules are always made to follow so
the agencies and operators follows them to retain and have a good business under the countries
law.
TASK 3
3.1 Email to the travel assistant explaining contract legislation in relation
Email
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Travel and tourism contract of customers relates to the contract of tourism which states
all the details of tourists as well as the the tourism. It is a written document which have all the
details about the contract of the travel and tourism. The contract is a legal agreement which is
enforceable by law. It states all the rules and responsibilities of all the stakeholders and the
rights of the tourists. Here, when Thomas Cook gets a contract of travel and tourism of the
specified customers than we have to take care of all the travelling and tourism related aspects of
the customers. The contract includes a contractor and a contractee and an agent who are

involved in making the contracts. All the tourism laws are being followed while making such
contracts. It is to be taken care that the customers feels safe and secured as well as have a
positive feeling and opinion towards the company with whom they are travelling. This will not
only generate business for us but will also increase the goodwill of the agency and the customer
will fell to choose us again and again for travelling. Taking care of the customers should be the
main objective of Thomas Cook. And all the secured and safe measures which are stated by the
law and legislations are to be followed completely. A fair practise of the business should be
there so that the business can have a proper and a positive image in the eyes of the people.
Thomas cook works on principles and follow the rules and regulations as stated in the contract.
And before signing the contract it is ensured that all the terms and conditions are approriate and
can be fulfilled by the company. When a contract is agreed and signed than the work is done
properly as it is stated by the contract. All the things from booking to travelling is done within
the transparency of the company.
There are right of customers which should be stated to them by the company and they are -
 Visa regarding information
 health formalities if required
 The security details and money details
 obligation under the Package travel regulations.
The rules and regulations of the countries contract law is being followed while making a
contract of the company. So as to ensure no fraud or malpractices by any of the parties involved
in the contract.
3.2 Explanation of the consumer protection legislation
Some of the points are here which are related to the consumer protection legislation;
 Consumer Safety – This ensures that the consumer is safe and secure in terms of its
travelling and tourism time. Safe means safe from every threat whether it a crime or any
other miss- happening (Matzler and Siller, 2003). This a major and significant part of
travel because of this safety only the consumer feel to travel again to the country.
Everyone wants to back to their home country from the country they are travelling. So
everyone aims as getting secured and most reliable terms and conditions because it a term
of safety which is important in every situation for the person at any point of time. If any

crime happen in the country travelled than the consumer should get the compensation for
the crime happened.
 Consumer rights – The country have some rights which enables the consumer to access
them which is a very good and positive thing for the customers. The rights enables the
consumer to have access over the information and the other useful factors which the
person requires in terms of situation at any point of time. Some organisation and
associations are also their to work upon the rights of the customer who travel to the
country (Marshall and Villiers, 2015). Equality law, contract law, and all the other laws
which are made to protect the customers. A consumer can have access to all the rights
granted to them by the company so that there is more secure and safe environment.
 Consumer first aid – When a person travels to other country there are changes in culture
food and every other thing in a way everything is new. So how the country helps in
dealing with this problem how many measure they are providing to the customers. Like –
if someone is ill than immediately the aiding facilities to that person. These are also
included in the travel and tourism sector so that the one who is travelling to other country
need not to feel the aiding problem in the country. Any health issues are ascertained
under this factor which may occur while travelling.
 Right to get delivered – The consumer must be delivered all the terms and conditions
stated in the contract if the travel package is take by any agency or any other travel agent
in case of fraud they can take action against the culprit (Hudson, 2010). The money paid
is paid for the value which is to be delivered so the customer should get whole benefit of
that. The consumer should get deliver for the sum paid by them completely.
 Access to the information – The consumer can demand for a copy of the contract of travel
or can demand for the ticket and the receipt of payment for the travel. So that the agent,
agency or the operators cannot refuse the service which is to be rendered.
 Travelling right – A person should have the right to travel to the country of which the
visa is allotted. To all the destinations where they are willing to go and are permitted to
go. In case of any extra money demanded by some frauds in the country can be reported
by the travellers.

TASK 4
4.1 Analysis of the ethical dilemmas faced by the travel and tourism sector
There are certain business ethics that is to be maintained by every business ventures and so does
the travel and tourism sector. There are certain benefits of responsibility and business, ethics of
employment, ethics of finance and investment, advertising ethics, business issue like green issues
and issues of global or international ethics applicable in the sector of international travelling and
the consumers' ethics.
Ethical theories in the travel and tourism sector are those reason ethics, which creates an
overlap between ethics and laws. The law may involve the society's reflection of minimum
norms and conducts in context of business standards, that is, ethical and unethical. Utilitarian
and natural law are two perfect examples of ethical dilemmas in for the people in the travel and
tourism sector (Hall and et. al., 2012). Marketing in the tourism sector must be more responsible
towards supporting the local economies in the working environment of the organization. The
political regimes in the society they are working to promote tourism are also to be supported by
the travel and tourism sectors. The travel and tourism sector companies must be thankful to the
society for providing them with resources and work as while they are serving the society as well.
Reconciling the business life with more ethical values will bring in respect from the society for
the firms in the travel and tourism sector (Girard and Nijkamp, 2009). The travel and tourism
industry organizations could also create employment opportunities for the youth in the society
they work.
The companies in the travel and tourism sector can be more ethical towards the society
by responding in a ethical way of consumerism. The firms could bring in ways to promote
environment and be more environment such as they could organize plantation day. They can
motivate every tourist they are serving, to plant some trees and help the nature nurture. The
organizations may utilize the format of social auditing to help the society improve in a way that
they could enrich human resources within themselves. There can be introduction of certain
codes of practice development in the ways the employees working within the organization could
bring in some changes to the society (Edgell Sr, 2013). The role of Corporate Social
Responsibility also helps to show the gratitude to the society and acknowledge the respect
towards the society and nature for providing them the resources from which they could establish
their organization and the what is helping them in sustaining in the market. Sustainability,

accountability, business conduct, involvement of community, corporate governance,
environment, human rights, consumers in the marketplace and employees at the workplace are
the other factors that must be taken care if in order to clear the ethical dilemmas in the travel and
tourism industry.
4.2 Analysis of the Corporate social responsibilities for the Thomas Cook
CSR corporate social responsibility states that the rules and regulations which are
mandatory to be followed by the company in response to the society, economy and environment.
Here in tourism it aims at developing the tourism and travelling according to the norms and
condition that it should not violate the environment of the country and the practices related to the
tourism are performed very peacefully and in a friendly manner (Czinkota and et. al., 2009).
This obligatory is for both for the visitors as well as the citizens and all the transport related
department who are engaged in tourism activities. The pollution and health hazard activities
should be avoided and the people who are visiting that country should take care of all the rules
and do not violate so as not to hurt the interest of the countries environment. Using all those
measures which are stated in the law by the government like -
 Not polluting the country.
 Taking adequate measure to have less unethical practises
 Main focus should be on enhancing everyone to be environment friendly
 Telling the tourist not to populate the environment
 Following every rules and regulation without disturbing the people who are living in that
country.
Many more measures are to be taken into consideration. And every company in every sector
should follow that because environment is our and we need to protect it.
CONCLUSION
The above presented report is has been concluded about the travel and tourism sector of the UK,
they are having different types of the problems which has to be resolved by the government to
protect the customers benefits. Most of the organisations which are working in the travel and
tourism sector are following the guidelines of the government so it is essential for the travel
companies to make a proper analysis of the legislation. CSR is an essential part of the tour and

travel sector by which they can make a better services as well as they can make better business
and profits.

REFERENCES
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Marketing. Routledge.
Hudson, S., 2010. Wooing zoomers: marketing to the mature traveler. Marketing Intelligence &
Planning. 28(4). pp.444 - 461.
Marshall, R., and Villiers, R., 2015. Marketing tourists gazing into the tourism domain.
International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research. 9(4). pp.417 – 422.
Matzler, K. and Siller, J. H., 2003. Linking travel motivations with perceptions of destinations:
The case of youth travelers in Alpine summer and winter tourism. Tourism Review.
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