Legislation and Ethics in Travel and Tourism Sector

This report provides an overview of the legal and regulatory framework in the travel and tourism sector, including surface, sea, and air transport law. It also explores the impacts of health, safety, and security legislation, analyzes legislation related to equality, and discusses contract legislation and consumer protection. Additionally, it examines the ethical dilemmas faced by the industry and analyzes the corporate social responsibility policy of a selected travel and tourism business.

Legislation and Ethics in Travel
and Tourism Sector
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents.............................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 The legal and regulatory framework of the travel and tourism sector...................................3
1.2 Surface, sea and air transport law in relation to carriage of passengers................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
2.1 The impacts of the principles of health, safety and security legislation on the travel and
tourism sector...............................................................................................................................3
2.2 Analyse legislation that relates to equality with reference to a UK tour operator.................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
3.1 Contract legislation in relation to travel and tourism customers...........................................6
3.2 Consumer protection legislation............................................................................................7
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................7
4.1 Ethical dilemmas faced by the travel and tourism sector......................................................7
4.2 Analyse the corporate social responsibility policy of the selected travel and tourism
business........................................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSIOn.................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11
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INTRODUCTION
With the increasing living standard tourist mainly opt the different travelling option that
results in meting their leisure and luxurious need. Therefore, it results in developing and
enhancing the travel and tourism industry that directly contribute in growing the economy. There
are different legal and regulatory framework designed by the UK government that manage the
activities within the travel and tourism sector. The present report mainly focuses on gaining the
insight knowledge regarding the different legislation as well as regulation related with the travel
and tourism sector. In addition to this, it also focuses on evaluating the impact of different
principles of health, security and equality legislation within the travel and tourism sector. Along
with this, it also focuses on the contract legislation that are related with the customers within the
travel sector.
TASK 1
1.1 The legal and regulatory framework of the travel and tourism sector
In ppt.
1.2 Surface, sea and air transport law in relation to carriage of passengers
In ppt.
TASK 2
2.1 The impacts of the principles of health, safety and security legislation on the travel and
tourism sector
The tourists are traveling across the world to explore new places or to have experiences.
So they expect to have various rights in regard to any loss or accidents, caused during trip. So its
an obligation of the tourist company to provide indemnity in various situations (Buhalis and
Darcy 2011). Legislation regarding to health, safety and security means the laws which are
framed as to take care of consumers in these aspects. Health and safety are one of the important
factors in UK. In developed countries, health and safety is treated on priority. According to UK
government,There should be creation of safe and secure environment in tourism sector in UK.
For enhancing safety in tourism sector, health and safety act has been framed to provide a good
hygienic, safe and reliable work environment to the passengers. In travel and tourism sector the
health and of an individual is protected through Health and Safety Act 1974. in this act, employer
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is held responsible for the performance of act done by an employees (Cohen, 2014). TUI Group,
which the largest leisure, hospitality and tourism company, founded in 1923 with a aim to
provide best travel and tour services to the respective costumers. This group owns six European
airlines. It employees 76,000 employees and have 1800 travel agencies along with 6 airlines and
300 hotels and resorts. Health and safety issues impact business the most. TUI group always
focuses on to provide its services with safety and in a healthy manner. It has a positive impact on
the minds of passengers. TUI group desires to ensure safety and security to minimize risks,
enhance the value of customer concerns and to protect their interests. It always attract the
customers to join in this group (Dickinson and Lumsdon, 2010). It always motivate its
employees to have better interaction with consumers.
Health and Safety Act 1974: According to the health and safety act 1974, some measure steps
that has been opted by the management of TUI group are:
 Work place is safe and properly maintained.
 Employees are trained enough for safety and health.
 Safeguard measures should be ensured.
 Any trips organized by the company is guided with safety and hygienic measures.
 Hotels of TUI group ensures safety measures. Cleanliness is ensured in the hotel
premises.
 Company has framed different provisions for securing health of employees and workers
(Fenclova and Coles, 2011). Proper training has been provided.
Health and safety commission: It is regulated by health and safety executive. It aims to help
people understand the law and to comply with law. Employer of TUI group is encouraged to
provide toilet facilities , canteen etc. management also ensure to provide medical aid and proper
and clean space in its premises.
Data protection: its an important legislation related to the security level in travel and tourism.
This has been framed by government of UK so as to concentrate on protecting the data and
information of an individual. TUI group also functions according to this act by securing and
preserving the necessary information and data of the consumers so that they could maintain
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confidentiality. Further more, TUI makes sure that no body can access the information (Holden,
2016).
2.2 Analyse legislation that relates to equality with reference to a UK tour operator
Equality law has been framed to to treat all the individuals in a same and equal manner.
There should be no discrimination on the basis of caste, sex or gender. The travel and tourism
sector mainly aims at this point and treat each and every person equally. If any travel
organization deals different persons according to their caste, sex or gender, it would be illegal
offense and can be termed as basis of discrimination (Kastarlak and Barber, 2011). Along with
this legislation related with the equality mainly focuses on protecting the rights of all citizens,
employees and customers also. It aims to vanish discrimination among their customers as well as
among their staff those who are rendering services within the organization.
1. Racial Discretionary Act,1956- This act consists of regulations which ims at reducing
racial discrimination among people. It includes the discrimination on the basis of caste,
race , color etc. it is often, performed in employment sector also. TUI group does not
discriminates among its employees according to the ace and caste system. It provides
equal opportunities to all employees (McCabe, Joldersma and Li, 2010). Moreover, it
also treats its all passengers equally and fairly.
2. Sex Determination Act, 1975- It lays down the provisions relating to sex determination.
It includes harassment on the basis of sex. Government of UK has been laid down with
this act so as to eliminate discrimination on the basis of sex, in travel and tourism sector
also. TUI group treats all its employees and passengers in a equal manner despite of man
and woman (Musa and Thirumoorthi, 2016). Training is provided to all members in a
equal manner.
3. Employment Protection Consolidation Actm 1978- This act provides for the protection
of its employees during employment. TUI focuses on every aspect , for example , safety ,
health measures of employees and its customers.
4. Employment Protection Act ,1998- I n this act there are provisions relating to the
protection of the interests of employees and employers , too. It is applicable im both
private and public sector. Training is also provided to deal with challenges . This act
protects interests of consumers and employees.
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5. Disability discrimination act- disability discrimination act has been governed by uk
government, in education and employment sector (Richardson, 2010). It provides for
protection of the costumers and employees who are disable.
TASK 3
3.1 Contract legislation in relation to travel and tourism customers
From the given case scenario it has been stated that while working as travel consultant in
the UK based travel agency it was found that travel assistant sold tour package of Spain to a
customer. After coming back customer has compliant regarding the services that they were not
happy with the travel services provided by the tour operator (Roy, 2011). Along with this they
were also not happy with the services provided by resort at the time of booking the hotel room.
In order to overcome the complaint travel consultant has mailed to travel assistant regarding
explaining the different contract legislation in relation to the customers of travel and tourism.
The contract legislation mainly include- Contract for supply of goods: The foremost contract legislation that need to be focused
by travel assistant include engaging in formulating the contract related with supply of
travel products and services to customers (Smith, Behrmann Martin and Williams Jones,
2010). With the help of contract for supply of goods organisation those who are rendering
services within the travel package are required to deliver the service accordant with the
contract made by the travel company so that it may not lead to dissatisfaction among the
customers those who have purchase the travel package. Contracts for provisions of services: Another contract that need to be focused by the
travel assistant include agreement that mainly consists of different provisions of the travel
services that is provided to the customers within travel and tourism sector. With the help
of this contract travel assistant mainly enlist the range of travel services that would be
provided to the customers who chooses the travel package. In addition to this, travel
assistant must also define the range of services related with the food services, sightseeing
services, cab facilities etc. so that customers can easily satisfy with the chosen travel
package. Contracts related to package holidays: Contract legislation that must be framed by the
travel assistant must also focuses on imposing the activities that are included in the
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package (Whitfield and Dioko, 2012). The holiday package must clearly specify the costs
that are related with travel services that are provided to the customers. The holiday
contract must also describe the proper description regarding the hotel where they will
stay and the sightseeing places that will be visited by the them so that they may not face
issue at the time of moving to destination.
3.2 Consumer protection legislation
In Poster
TASK 4
4.1 Ethical dilemmas faced by the travel and tourism sector
In order to succeed in the travel and tourism industry tour operator faces different
dilemmas that directly impact their business activities. Ethics may de defined as principle that is
used by tour operator when they engage in delivering the moral duty. It mainly focuses on the
examining what is wrong and good practice within the travel and tourism business that results in
delivering ethical practice in the tourism industry (Kastarlak and Barber, 2011). Moreover, it has
been also assessed that ethical perspective within the travel business plays significant role in the
growth and development. There are different ethical issues that is been faced by the TUI group
that is mainly related with the setting the pricing of the holiday packages. With the pricing factor
within the travel and tourism sector plays significant role as TUI must assess the competitor
price before setting their own pricing. Along with this, company may also face issue related with
ethical dilemmas related with the travel services provided by them as they are accordant with the
requirement contractual agreement or not. The travel operator need to assure that they must
engage in delivering the effective services accordant with the commitment provided so that they
may easily create the positive attitude and image in the mind of customers. In addition to this, the
ethical issue that is faced by the company would results in building positive image among the
customer that engage in repeating purchasing of their services (McCabe, Joldersma and Li,
2010).
4.2 Analyse the corporate social responsibility policy of the selected travel and tourism business
Corporate social responsibility is the approach in which company is developed in a
sustainable manner by delivering social and economical benefits to the stakeholders and
shareholders of the company in order to maximize its wealth. The concept of corporate social
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responsibility has a marginal consideration in the economy. It mainly focuses on human rights,
corporate governance, health and safety along with working in environmental effects (Musa and
Thirumoorthi, 2016).
Corporate social responsibility is the concept in which companies are required to adhere by the
rules and regulations of the society in order to achieve profits . It is the role played by company
in the societal environment in which it operates. Corporate social responsibility is defined as
commitment by company in order to behave ethically and to contribute to economic
development along with improving the quality of work force. Although , companies by their
performance on CSR , also achieves good remarks. Corporate social responsibility is now the
most important tool for developing business, especially in hotel chains, tour operators etc. each
and every company is under the responsibility to work for the interests of the society. There is no
particular definition about the corporate social responsibility (Richardson, 2010).
It is generally considered that companies are required to have CSR measures and
strategies to be on priorities to enable cost savings and to protect human resources, which leads
to competitive advantage for the company. According to this concept, company should focus on
the the social responsibilities and ethical behavior, which they need to abide with. It increases ht
brand image of the company among its customers. CSR is consists of three parts, that is people,
planet and profits. Regarding people company should have a belief that by employment different
people in the work place in an organization, diversity will be increased. In this aspect TUI group,
which is the largest hospitality and travel company in UK, also followed the policies of corporate
social responsibilities (Roy, 2011). Various work strategies have been adopted by TUI group in
order to achieve remarkable achievements in respect of CSR policy:
 they have included all the issues related to the environment and society.
 It also has the planned strategies to have a close interaction between internal and external
factors.
 They welcomes their guests by heart.
 They are concerned about the values and beliefs of passengers.
 The management of the company focuses on to preserve the natural beauty of the planet
and its natural resources to make better communities.
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 It also follows all the ethical standards in the work, so that it can cope up with all the
ethical issues (Dickinson and Lumsdon, 2010).
 TUI group has organized many charitable events. It includes to protect child and human
trafficking. It aims that no child below the age of 14 should be employed by company.
 Company is also looking to open a chain of hotels which will be based on environment.
For example the will try to implant solar water heaters so as to protect electricity.
 The technology that is used by company in order to achieve success is based truly on
environmental aspects.
 Reasonable prices for the services of company to its customers have been asked by the
company, to accomplish its goals.
 Company has also invested in various educational activities .
 They have started a campaign which educates the stakeholders of the company.
 As , its a world largest tourism business company, it has a responsibility to understand,
improving and innovating the sustainable tourism (Buhalis and Darcy 2011).
 TUI always desires to attract customers, reduce costs and increase motivation among its
employees.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it has been concluded that legislation as well as regulation plays
significant role within the travel and tourism sector. As there are different legislations enforced
by the government that mainly assess the different transportation system so that it may easily
meet the requirement of customers. Along with this it also focuses on gaining insight knowledge
and understanding regarding the different legislation related with the health, safety and security
so that it may not negatively impact the travel and tourism sector. Moreover, it also focuses on
the analyzing the ethical dilemmas that is been faced by the organization in travel and tourism
businesses that positively build the image of organization among their customers. Lastly, it also
includes measuring the effective approach that is corporate social responsibility. It is the
approach in which company is developed in a sustainable manner by delivering social and
economical benefits to the stakeholders and shareholders of the company in order to maximize
its wealth.
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REFERENCES
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Cohen, I. G., 2014. Patients with passports: medical tourism, law, and ethics. Oxford University
Press.
Dickinson, J. E. and Lumsdon, L., 2010. Slow travel and tourism. Earthscan.
Fenclova, E. and Coles, T., 2011. Charitable Partnerships among Travel and Tourism
Businesses: Perspectives from Low‐Fares Airlines. International Journal of Tourism
ResearcDawson, J., Johnston, M.J.,
Holden, A., 2016. Environment and tourism. Routledge.
Kastarlak, B. I. and Barber, B., 2011. Fundamentals of planning and developing tourism.
Pearson Higher Ed.
McCabe, S., Joldersma, T. and Li, C., 2010. Understanding the benefits of social tourism:
Linking participation to subjective well‐being and quality of life. International Journal
of Tourism Research. 12(6). pp.761-773.
Musa, G. and Thirumoorthi, T., 2016. Tourism in Malaysia. The Routledge Handbook of
Tourism in Asia.
Richardson, R.B., 2010. The contribution of tourism to economic growth and food
security. Mali: Office of Economic Growth, USAID Mali—Accelarated economic
growth team.
Roy, S., 2011. Competitiveness in service sector: a case of hotel industry in India. Global
Business Review. 12(1). pp.51-69.
Smith, E., Behrmann, J., Martin, C. and WILLIAMS‐JONES, B.R.Y.N., 2010. Reproductive
tourism in Argentina: clinic accreditation and its implications for consumers, health
professionals and policy makers. Developing World Bioethics. 10(2). pp.59-69.
Whitfield, J. and Dioko, L.A., 2012. Measuring and examining the relevance of discretionary
corporate social responsibility in tourism: Some preliminary evidence from the UK
conference sector. Journal of Travel Research.51(3). pp.289-302.
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