Tour Operation Management: A Comprehensive Guide to Planning, Marketing, and Strategic Decisions

TOUR OPERATION MANAGEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................2
1.1 Analyse the effects of current and recent trends and developments on the tour operator
industry........................................................................................................................................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
2.1 Assess the stages and timescales involved in developing holidays.......................................4
2.2 Evaluate the suitability of different methods of contracting for different components of the
holiday and different types of tour operator................................................................................6
2.3 Calculate the selling price of a holiday from given information above................................8
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
3.1 Evaluate the planning decisions taken for the design of a selected brochure........................9
3.2 Assess the suitability of alternatives to a traditional brochure for different types of tour
operators and recommend the most appropriate for your tour package....................................11
3.3 Evaluate the suitability of different methods of distribution used to sell a holiday for
different types of tour operator and recommend the most appropriate for a luxury tour
package......................................................................................................................................13
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................15
4.1 Evaluate the strategic decisions made by different types of tour operator..........................15
4.2 Compare the tactical decisions that could be taken by a selected tour operator in different
situations....................................................................................................................................17
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................19
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................20

LIST OF TABLES
Table 3: Different Strategic Decision............................................................................................15
Table 4: Tactical Decisions..........................................................................................................17

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Steps involved in developing Tour Package....................................................................4
Figure 2: Steps for Designing a Brochure.......................................................................................9
Figure 3: Trailfinders Online Boucher..........................................................................................12
Figure 4: Boucher containing Information....................................................................................12
Figure 5: Various distribution methods used by tour operators....................................................13
Figure 6: Strategic Decisions of Tour Operator............................................................................15
Figure 7: Tactical Decisions taken by the Tour Operator..............................................................17

INTRODUCTION
The sector of travel and tourism is emerging efficiently around the world; however this has also
resulted in rising of a competitive market. In this present report, studies are made regarding
various features of a organisation in this sector. The report discusses about various procedures
that are undertaken while organising a package for holiday including marketing, promotion and
advertisement. Different decisions are taken by the tour operator and the organisation for
appropriate functionality so that maximum customer satisfaction can be achieved. In this report,
discussion is made for the preparation and designing a brochure. For designing a brochure
planning is very necessary for promoting the holiday package so that more customers get
attracted towards the organisational service. The report discussed about various alternative
techniques that the organisation can follow and implement replacing the traditional method of
brochure. Lastly, in this report discussion are made regarding numerous strategically and tactical
decisions that are taken in organisation so that customers are offered with best services.
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TASK 1
1.1 Analyse the effects of current and recent trends and developments on the tour operator
industry.
Trailfinders is a travel organisation located in Ireland and United Kingdom; it offers different
services associated with holiday package. Trailfinders is considered as one of the most famous
and largest travel organisation which is owned independently. It has around 29 travel centre in
UK itself and three in Ireland. This organisation has almost 1000 employees and has successfully
made arrangements of travel for more than 15 million of customers. Due to its satisfactory
services and implementation of advance technologies Trailfinders is has won many prestigious
awards in 2016 and 2017.Some of the trends and technologies applied in the organisation for
offering maximum services to the customers opting to travel with the organisation is mentioned
below:
Development in Technology: With the advancing technology, the industry of travel and
tourism is evolving at a fast rate. Internet and smart phones are some of such examples, where
customers and organisation remain available all the time irrespective of the place they are located
(Vavulet al 2005). Organisation has developed a website through which customers from all over
the world is capable of making enquiries, pre-booking facilities and payments can be made from
all over the world even being physically absent in that place. Internet can also be used for
marketing and promotional purposes using different strategies and social sites that is capable of
attracting more customers toward the organisational services and products.
Focus on Customer satisfaction: The success of the Trailfinders includes appropriate services
to the customers; this can be done by as more attention is provided to the need and demands of
the customers through both online and offline feedbacks regarding their experience and level of
satisfaction from the offered services. These feedbacks are helpful in knowing and understanding
the customers so that accordingly improvements can be made and additional services can be
provided if found necessary. This technique effectively helps in impressing customers and
building their trust. Hence, Trailfinders is working quiet hardly for maximising the customer
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