Optimizing Hotel Sector Operations Management

This assignment, based on the articles 'The Structural and Infrastructural Decisions...' (M., 2015) and others, requires an in-depth analysis of operations management in the hotel sector. Students must evaluate how specific decisions influence organizational performance and suggest improvements for sustainable logistics and supply chain management.

Tour Operation Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Covered in Leaflet............................................................................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................1
2.1 Assess the stages and timescale involved in developing holidays...................................1
2.2 Different methods of contracting for different components of the holiday and tour operator
................................................................................................................................................2
2.3 Calculate the selling price of a holiday from given information......................................3
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................4
3.1 Evaluate the planning decisions taken for the design of a selected brochure..................4
3.2 Suitability of alternatives to a traditional brochure for different types of tour operator. .5
3.3 Suitability of different methods of distribution used to sell a holiday for different types of
tour operator...........................................................................................................................6
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................7
4.1 Evaluate the strategic decisions made by different types of tour operator.......................7
4.2 Compare the tactical decisions that could be taken by a selected tour operator in different
situation..................................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Tourism industry is one of the major sector whom directly contribute in economic growth
by delivering quality service to their customers. In this number of tour operator provide as well
as deliver unique services to their visitors as per their demand. Basically, the tour operator are
those people whom have best qualities and abilities to make as well as create attractive holiday
package in front of customers to invite them towards the products. With the help of this,
company enhance their profitability level. Present report is based on Trail-finders, is famous
tourism service provider in UK. They also create as well as design effective holiday package to
their clients in order to provide them better services. This report discussed about various tour
operator whom offer better services to its customers. Along with this, various stages are also
discussed in this project which may helps in creating attractive holiday package.
TASK 1
1.1 Covered in Leaflet
TASK 2
2.1 Assess the stages and timescale involved in developing holidays
This is fundamental for tour operator to identify and manage package in an appropriate
manner. They will conduct market research as this helps to find out requirements of people.
There are various steps as well as phases which will comprise into this which aids to deal with
customers properly (Robinson and et. al., 2016). In recent time, it is required for Trailfinders to
develop education and luxurious tours for students. This trip will begin from London to Brussels
and Brugge, Belgium. Almost 42 students are there in group and they stay for approximately 5
nights for summer vacation in July 2018. there are some requisite things which need to be follow
by company and these are described as beneath:
Market research: This is considered as foremost step as manager has to identify market.
It is fundamental for customers and tour operator as well. Through this, company will be able to
accomplish needs and wants of people as per their requirements. Hence, they will be able to fulfil
desires of users effectually. It assists them to maintain their reputation at marketplace properly
(Hoyos, Morales and Akhavan-Tabatabaei, 2015).
Planning and scheduling: It is must for an organisation to plan each things appropriately
as this works as a guidelines for staff members. Through this, each employee will much familiar
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about their roles and responsibilities. By scheduling, each things will maintain in a significant
manner.
Forecasting: Tour operator needs to forecast unwanted elements which will provide
impact to overall business. There will be some condition which are present at place and their
recovery is required. Hence, It is must to forecast things appropriate because things will get alter
in upcoming period of time. This will assist to manage overall business in a proficient way
(Redjem and Marcon, 2016).
Negotiation: If package price is high then company will organise significant negotiation
for bulk individual package. For instance: if any hotel is charging high prices from operator then
they will negotiate for every items and services in an effective manner.
Henceforth, it is required for Trailfinders to manage entire things in a proper manner;
thus, they will be able to render significant services to students. It is must for them to formulate 5
days package for students in a proficient way (Espino-Rodríguez and Gil-Padilla, 2015).
2.2 Different methods of contracting for different components of the holiday and tour operator
Each visitor has unmistakable wish for their tourism which need to better comprehend by
visit administrators appropriately. There are different sorts of visit administrators get assessed
which need to comprehend their customers needs and requests legitimately with the goal that
fitting and powerful administrations get render. In this way, client more often than not give
contract to visit administrators so as to convey quality based administrations.
Understudies gathering of a school needs to visit a few spots of Europe for which they
give contract to Trail-discoverers whom are inbound visit administrator (Medlik, 2016). They are
giving administrations inside a nation. Albeit, every such place are a piece of Europe which
effectively get configuration by organization.
Gathering give contract based on quality administrations convey by administrator to
every one of their clients. This agreement provides for Trail-discoverers by such gathering in
which organization focus on their clients that they will increase better and viable quality
administrations. Their motivation is indicated in which they have an outing reason and invested
some energy with companions. The time length for every one of these spots is of 5 evenings
barring time spent on voyaging (Allahyari, Salari and Vigo, 2015). There are different sorts of
agreement get assessed which need to comprehend by supplier and administration client
expressed as take after:
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 Fixed Contracts: This term expressed that all the time same and same affiliation picking
up contract for visit. Despite the fact that, they depend on settled appraisal and in this
manner odds of progress are less in nature. A large number of the time, clients settled
their specialist co-op whom plan each voyaging bundle for customers. Trail-discoverers
need to give quality based administrations to such gathering with the goal that they get
contract from them on normal premise (Byrnes and et. al., 2016).
 Sale only Contract: These suppliers more often than not charge high costs and their cost
of volume is additionally high in nature. Accordingly, deal just contract is those whom
begins with extreme timings and also begin with offering of administrations. Trail-
discoverers don't have to end up deal just contract supplier as they need to augment
benefit and convey best quality administrations at fitting rate keeping in mind the end
goal to draw in huge scope of customers (Vongsaroj, 2018).
2.3 Calculate the selling price of a holiday from given information
Each visit administrator has diverse cost for bundles which more often than not gave by
them. It is critical for an organization to decide the cost of bundle legitimately and give it on best
rate to their definitive client. Offering cost of a bundle get decide through investigating per head
cost and in addition add up to consumption on all assents. Along these lines, it is imperative to
decide the offering cost of an occasion bundle by Trail-discoverers (Grant, Wong and Trautrims,
2017). A legitimate gauge for this assent is Grand Casselbergh in Bruges of 96 euros for every
individual for a twin room (2 grown-ups sharing) with breakfast. The cost 48-seater extravagance
mentor is £11,200 and that incorporates two drivers, a visit chief, fuel and all street and ship
charges. The cost of a neighbourhood visit direct is £945. In every one of these things, directors
include an increase of 33% with swapping scale of €1.12 per £1. Based on this data, reasonable
estimation of offering value need to show signs of improvement production of bundle and
convey it to best rate to extreme customers.
Table 1: Presenting total cost including in package
PARTICUALRS TOTAL COST IN POUNDS
Room cost 7825
Luxury coach 7400
Local tour guide 800
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Total costs 16025
Profits@30% 6867
Total tour package cost 22892
Local Cost
PARTICUAR COST PER PERSON
Room cost 195
Luxury Coach 185
Local tour guide 20
TOTAL COST 400
add: Profits @30% 171
TOTAL PACKAGE COST 571
This is an offering cost for every individual of a visit which gave by an organization to
their customer. This empowers them to increase best offers and extraordinary administrations to
clients. Alongside this, markdown related systems bolster business to pick up and pull in more
number of clients with the goal that administration client gets improve. In this valuing idea, a
few factors or cost which consider by an organization expressed as:
Fixed and variable cost: There are for the most part two sorts of cost out of which one if
settled cost which don't get changed and cause on each task without its beginning too. Alongside
this, another if variable cost which get vacillate and change with a course of time (Sahin and
Matta, 2015).
Profits margin: Along with estimation of cost, administration need to decide net revenue
also. It is essential to comprehend net revenue of a venture appropriately which prompt
incorporate into offering value.
Every one of these things need to incorporate by administration of an organization in
their bundle plan for an occasion. This empowers them with a specific end goal to increase better
outcomes and in addition bolster in improve client base viably (Anderson and Marcus, 2015).
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TASK 3
3.1 Evaluate the planning decisions taken for the design of a selected brochure
Brochure of an organization require reasonable arranging choice which need to consider
by an affiliation appropriately based on these assents:
Planning issue: Initially affiliation need to decide the issue which is related with an
organization appropriately (Felicen, Ylagan and Buted, 2014). This issue likewise worries with
configuration, style and substance. Based on gave segment, it unmistakably gets confirm that real
issue for an organization related with leaflet is to give fitting data related extravagance occasion
bundle to their clients. Along these lines, it is fundamental to give related substance this warmth
with the goal that better and reasonable pick up get determine. Alongside these variables, size
and quality likewise assume a crucial part. Business supervisors need to decide the measure of
leaflet so important substance get included into it.
Target market: Issue distinguishing proof isn't a restricted degree however conveyance
of such data to target advertise is likewise essential. Without focusing on showcase business
handout planning not give worth. Extravagance occasion bundle data need to give just high
discretionary cash flow amass individuals just with the goal that Kuoni wind up celebrated in
such individual and increase extreme client base (Wu, 2016). Showcasing group need to decide
the market which they need to focus for a particular reason. In handout, organization likewise
need to incorporate detail related with spending plan or cost of a bundle.
Attractive brief: Content ought to must be pertinent in nature and also should be
particular in residency too. Appealing brief with determined area to visit with alluring pictures
and hues make it fascinating and numerous clients begin imagining to visit such area. Hence, it is
a general work of an organization in which they begin finish longs for some individuals who
wish to have an extravagance occasion.
All these are basic which need to consider by Kuoni in their working for picking up and
select best come about by planning alluring leaflet with the goal that an ever increasing number
of clients begin drawing in to an organization keeping in mind the end goal to increase better
outcomes (Jabbour and de Sousa Jabbour, 2016).
Furthermore, there is some points which helps in making an effective planning decision
for brochure design as it helps in inviting larger number of customers towards its tour packages.
These can be understood by following steps are as follows:
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 Determine the brochure's place in purchasing process
 Evaluate the design of brochure's
 Understand target customers
 Set selling points in marketplace
 Make accurate thoughts towards the brochure's design
 Set it stand out
All these step can be taken by tour operator at the time of preparing an effective planning
for brochure's design. This will aid in enhancing the customer base and profitability level as well.
3.2 Suitability of alternatives to a traditional brochure for different types of tour operator
Brochure is an effective source which helps in delivering information to the target
customers with the aim of capturing customers attention towards the company products and
services. In this, the traditional brochure is define in a proper formate which show the relevant
data towards the company services but at the same time, it is much expensive. So that, it is vital
for tour operator to determine as well as evaluate brochure in effective way to transfer their
holiday package in front of customers. As per the change, number of business use modern
methods for providing better information to the clients which may leads in attaining positive
outcomes. In this, there are some alternatives which used by the firm are as follows: Video: It is one of the important way of modern brochure in which company provide
their information and brochure on YouTube and another sites which helps in attain better
results by outbound and inbound tour operator (Medlik, 2016). Basically this type of
method is costly so that it is important for manager to effectively understand in order to
attain positive outcomes.
 Internet: It is also an important method which used by the firm for delivering as well as
transferring information (Espino-Rodríguez and Gil-Padilla, 2015). As per today's time
number of people use internet, so that company easily provide their information to their
customers by using internet services. By using this method firm enhance their
profitability level at market place.
Thus, by using those methods company easily deliver quality information of holiday package to
their customers. This will aid in attaining appropriate results in most effective manner.
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3.3 Suitability of different methods of distribution used to sell a holiday for different types of
tour operator
It is important for business organization to use effective methods for distribute their
brochure to their customers which may leads in attaining better results and also established their
positive image in front of customers. Along with this appropriate use of methods and tools helps
in inviting as well as attracting larger number of customers towards the company packages and
services also. In this context there are some distribution methods which used by the firm at the
time of selling their holiday packages to its customers. All these are as follows: Direct sell: It is one of the important method which help at he time of selling the
broacher to their customers. Basically the main advantage of using this method is to make
as well as create better relationship with their customers by providing them quality
services. This will aid in attaining positive outcomes. Call centres: It is also an important method for delivering information in which firm
provide contract to various call centre with the purpose of promoting their package
services in front of customers. By using this techniques firm also reduce the chances of
arising any king of issues and problems in customers mind. Along with this, for
encouraging customers, firm provide discount and and various aspects which may leads
in increasing the profitability level of the company at market place.
 Internet: It is one of the important method in which company use various sources such as
emails, social media and many more to increase customers awareness by creating
attractive brochures. By this they deliver appropriate data and information to their
customers towards the holiday packages in order to enhance their profitability level
(Redjem and Marcon, 2016).
Hence, all these methods are used by the company to attain set target and also provide
quality services to their target customers with the purpose of attaining better success at market
place.
TASK 4
4.1 Evaluate the strategic decisions made by different types of tour operator
Strategies are the important element for every business organization to attain positive
outcomes. Basically it is prepare by the top level management in order to an appropriate decision
which may leads in increasing the profitability level (Hoyos, Morales and Akhavan-Tabatabaei,
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2015). Along with this, strategic decision is long term judgement in which manager effectively
manage as well as understand all the activities. By this senior management easily take right
decision in order to improve the performance level of the company at market place. This type of
decision are important for business and its operations which contribute in enhancing the chances
of attaining better success at market. In this context there are various tour operator who operate
their business in across the world as they also perform their activities at local and domestic level
of the nation. In this they take effective and appropriate strategic decision which is enable for
longer period of time and also promote their activities in effective manner.
Inbound tour operator: These type of tour operator serve their services in same country
in which they have scope to attain appropriate growth level at market place. In this they also tries
to take effective decision by determine customers needs and wants effectively. Along with this,
demand forecasting is easy in which tour operator improve their service quality. In this they also
frame an effective and suitable price strategy which is used at national level. For attaining better
success, it is also important for tour operator to provide various offers and discount to their
customers who belong to same nation. With the help of this company attain long term
sustainability for longer period of time.
Outbound tour operator: These are those operator who provide quality services to their
customers to visit another countries. In this they promote as well as support tour services which
leads in developing the economic growth by increasing the number of visitors. This will aid in
enhancing economic growth of the nation is mots effective manner. Along with this outbound
tour operator serve high quality of services to their customers as compare to inbound operators.
In addition of this, they operate their activities at vast level in which management should
determine as well as understand customers needs and wants. In this demand forecasting is not a
easy task for tour operator as they should effectively evaluate which helps in taking suitable and
right decision (Robinson and et. al., 2016). This will aid in promoting as well as delivering
quality products and services to their visitors. If they take wrong judgement then it negatively
impact on the overall performance of the company at market place.
Along with this, tour operator also evaluate the strategic decision as per using various
pricing strategies within their activities. As tour operator use pricing at premium, Market
penetration, Bundle Pricing. All these will help company to increase their productivity level at
market place by grabbing customers attention. In addition of this, surcharge policy is also used
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by them as per season basis. For example, if visitors demand is high then tour operator change
extra on their packages as it helps in increasing profitability level of the company at market
place. All these can be used by tour operators with the purpose of evaluating strategic decision
and at the same time also make strong customers base. It directly contribute in establishing
positive and competitive image of the company as compare to its rivals.
4.2 Compare the tactical decisions that could be taken by a selected tour operator in different
situation
Every business organization follow hierarchy for working their activities in effective
manner. It include top level, middle level and operational level. In this top management of the
company easily take right strategic decision and on the other side middle level manager also take
tactical decision which is not much easy. In context of travel and tourism sector, middle level
manager determine the customers needs and wants to take right decision which may leads in
providing them better satisfaction.
In addition of this, middle level manager also formulate appropriate policies and
procedures in order to perform their activities in most effective manner. Along with this for
improving the performance level, tour operator also take decision by evaluating as well as
assessing entire situation to reduce he chances of arising any kind of issues and risk factors. On
the other side, determination of external factors is also important for manager in which they
easily control all the activities by understand towards the new and innovative technologies
(Wang and et. al., 2016). Apart from this, manager also responsible for following all the laws
and legislation to enhance their ethical performance which directly contribute in attaining batter
success.
Along with this there are some tactical decision which take by the company are as
follows: Discounting: It is one of the important tactical decision which take by the firm at the
time of delivering quality products and services to its visitors. In context of Trail-
finders, they also use various offer with discount to invite larger number of customers.
This will helps in increasing profitability level of the company at market place as
compare to its rivals. External factors: Number of external factors are directly affect the business activities in
positive and negative manner. As it is important for travel company to make policies with
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the purpose of reducing negative impact and at the same time also increase the
productivity level. Government: Legal authorities of country play important role in developing as well as
implementing various rules and regulation with the purpose of enhancing economic
growth. This will increase employment which directly contribute in improving living
standard of people. Along with this, legal bodies also set policies for travel with the
purpose of improving their performance level at market place.
 Tactical marketing: It is important aspect through which manager of the company
implement strategies to attain set goals and objectives in appropriate time frame. This
will helps in enhancing the sales and revenue as well by delivering quality products and
services at appropriate cost.
CONCLUSION
From the above mentioned report, it can be concluded that tour operation management
play vital role in developing the tour sector which directly contribute in enhancing the economic
growth of the nation. Along with this, tour operator to effective design best package for their
workers as per their needs and wants. With the help of this firm enhance their profitability level.
In addition of this, firm use various tools and techniques for attracting number of customers in
relation of services. Apart from this, there are packages also design by the company to family
and individual tour as well. This will aid in increasing the profitability level of the company at
market place. It directly contribute in capturing larger market share.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Allahyari, S., Salari, M. and Vigo, D., 2015. A hybrid metaheuristic algorithm for the multi-
depot covering tour vehicle routing problem. European Journal of Operational
Research. 242(3). pp.756-768.
Anderson, C. K. and Marcus, B., 2015. Tour operator revenue management–Competitive supply
chain contracting. Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management. 14(4). pp.245-261.
Byrnes, T. and et. al., 2016. Environmental management of boating related impacts by
commercial fishing, sailing and diving tour boat operators in Australia. Journal of
Cleaner Production. 111. pp.383-398.
Espino-Rodríguez, T. F. and Gil-Padilla, A. M., 2015. The structural and infrastructural
decisions of operations management in the hotel sector and their impact on
organizational performance. Tourism and Hospitality Research. 15(1). pp.3-18.
Felicen, S. S., Ylagan, A. P. and Buted, D. R., 2014. A Correlation Study between Student
Performance on Travel and Tour Operations Course with CRS and Internship
Performance on Travel Agency. International Journal of Academic Research in
Progressive Education and Development. 3(2). pp.74-86.
Grant, D. B., Wong, C. Y. and Trautrims, A., 2017. Sustainable logistics and supply chain
management: principles and practices for sustainable operations and management.
Kogan Page Publishers.
Hoyos, M. C., Morales, R. S. and Akhavan-Tabatabaei, R., 2015. OR models with stochastic
components in disaster operations management: A literature survey. Computers &
Industrial Engineering. 82. pp.183-197.
Jabbour, C. J. C. and de Sousa Jabbour, A. B. L., 2016. Green human resource management and
green supply chain management: Linking two emerging agendas. Journal of Cleaner
Production. 112. pp.1824-1833.
Medlik, S. ed., 2016. Managing tourism. Elsevier.
Redjem, R. and Marcon, E., 2016. Operations management in the home care services: a heuristic
for the caregivers’ routing problem. Flexible Services and Manufacturing Journal. 28(1-
2). pp.280-303.
Robinson, P. and et. al., 2016. Operations management in the travel industry. CABI.
Sahin, E. and Matta, A., 2015. A contribution to operations management-related issues and
models for home care structures. International Journal of Logistics Research and
Applications. 18(4). pp.355-385.
Vongsaroj, R., 2018. Business ethics of tour operators for supporting sustainable tourism
development and its determinants. AU Journal of Management. 11(1). pp.28-35.
Wang, G. and et. al., 2016. Big data analytics in logistics and supply chain management: Certain
investigations for research and applications. International Journal of Production
Economics. 176. pp.98-110.
Wu, C. L., 2016. Airline operations and delay management: insights from airline economics,
networks and strategic schedule planning. Routledge.
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