Tour Operations Management

TOUR OPERATIONS
MANAGEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Effects of current and recent trends and developments on the tour operators industry.........3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
2.1 Stages and time scales involved in creating holidays from London, UK to Paris, France....4
2.2 Evaluation of suitability of different methods of contracting................................................6
2.3 Calculation of selling price of a holiday from given information.........................................8
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
3.1 Evaluation of planning decision taken for the design of a selected brochure.......................8
3.2 Access the suitability of alternatives to a traditional brochure for different types of tour
operators......................................................................................................................................9
3.3 Evaluation the suitability of different methods of distribution used to sell a holiday for
different types of tour operator..................................................................................................11
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................12
4.1 Evaluation of strategic decisions made by different types for tour operators.....................12
4.2 Compare the tactical decisions that could be taken for selected tour operator in different
situations....................................................................................................................................13
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Tour operation management can be regarded as a most important process which helps in
arranging and offering various types of services in the form of complete tour packages. It is the
most effective way on the basis of which organizations can create healthy package holidays for
their clients (Dezdar, 2012). There are various tour operators which mainly look for better
advertisement of their various tour operations. Within this same concern, these operators take
charge from audience and provide them quality travelling services in an affordable price. The
present report is based on the 4 different case scenarios (Barrett, 2012). In thus, Thomas Cook is
taken into consideration for first task which is British Travel Company which is also listed
company and registered on London Stock Exchange. Company deals with various travel services
related to the scheduled passengers airlines, package holidays, booking of hotels, resorts etc. In
this concern, first task presents the current and recent trends and development on tour operator
industry.
Second task is based on the creation of a sightseeing tour for Chinese students from
London, UK to Paris, France. It gives appropriate description about the stages and timescales
involved in developing holidays and also to be able to calculate the selling price of a holiday
(Smith and Waterton, 2013) . In addition to this, third task is based on the scenario of working
with marketing department of the company and evaluation of the planning decisions for
developing a new brochure for adventure holidays. Further, the last task presents the strategic
decisions made by the different type of tour operators.
TASK 1
1.1 Effects of current and recent trends and developments on the tour operators industry
Thomas Cook is one of the leading travels and tourism agency based in London, UK and
serves various tourism services. Tour operation industry is one of the fastest growing and leading
industries. In order to maintain their competitive position it is becoming highly important for
Thomas Cook to scan their environment effectively so that better tour packages can be planned
for all their customers (Smith and Waterton, 2013). There are various recent trends and
developments take place within tourism sector which totally affects their business operations. In
this same concern, tourism industry is considered as one of the fastest growing industries which
also help in increasing economy and revenue of country (Cooper and et al., 2008). Due to this,
3 | P a g e

there are several developments have been seen by the nation among which some of them are as
follows:
1. Technological development: Within any tour operator industry technological
advancement plays a most crucial role. By the way of adopting latest technologies,
Thomas cook can easily enhance their worldwide consumer base (Mehmetoglu and
Normann, 2013). It is regarded as a best platform for this company as they can attract
majority of target customers over the internet. With the help of this, customers nowadays
can easily book and cancel their tickets online (Damonte, 2013).
2. Increase in spending power: Majority of customers these days are shifting towards the
changing and current trends. The recent developments have affected the perception of
individuals. Their spending power gets increased day by day and the same is influenced
with the increase in post and designation (Mehmetoglu and Normann, 2013). It clearly
states that, due to the increasing level of income tour operator industries are able to
expand their business. With the same, Thomas Cook can attract huge base of customers
and generate more of the revenues with the increasing profitability as well. Further, in
this concern, it can be stated that due to the increasing spending power of customers
towards the tourism sector all tour operators can attain higher competitive advantage
(Gray, Matear, and Matheson, 2016).
3. Satisfaction of customers:
Tour operator industries such as Thomas cook is highly affected due to the recent trends
and developments. Due to the increasing needs and desires of customers they are
developing several tour packages for their customers and enhance their level of
satisfaction (Barker, 2014). It helps in increasing their consumer base ad various tour
packages for different destinations will give clients a new way to explore different venue.
In this concern, due to the increase level of customer satisfaction company can easily
promote organization products and services with the help of word of mouth.
TASK 2
2.1 Stages and time scales involved in creating holidays from London, UK to Paris, France
In order to create sightseeing tour for Chinese students from London, UK to Paris, France a
new tour plan will be developed (Krogerus, 2011). For the same, tour operator needs to expand
4 | P a g e