Tour Operations Management: A Comprehensive Guide to Strategic and Tactical Decisions

Tour Operations Management
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Table of Contents
Introduction:...............................................................................................................................3
Task 1.........................................................................................................................................4
1.1 Analyse the effects of current and recent trends and developments on the tour
operators industry...................................................................................................................4
Task 2:........................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Assess the stages and timescales involved in developing holidays.................................6
2.2: Evaluate the suitability of for different components of the holiday and different types
of tour operator.......................................................................................................................7
2.3 Calculate the selling price of a holiday from the given information below.....................9
Task 3:......................................................................................................................................10
3.1 Evaluate the planning decisions taken for the design of a selected brochure................10
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...............................12
3.3: Evaluate the suitability of different methods of distribution used to sell a holiday......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:..............................................................................................................................18
References:...............................................................................................................................19
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Introduction:
Present elucidation is based on the sector of tourism and related with process and aspects of
Tour Operation management. The elucidation is going to be made for the understanding of
different stages which are followed for the development of holiday packages. The type of
contracts that are significantly made by the different tour operators like Trailfinders Limited,
with different service providers to conduct the tour services will also be explained in this
elucidation. Steps to prepare a brochure inclusive of new ways of marketing will be defined
in this elucidation. Various strategic and tactic decisions are taken by the Trailfinders Limited
in a different situation and an overview of these decisions are going to be given in proposed
elucidation.
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Task 1
1.1 Analyse the effects of current and recent trends and developments on the tour
operators industry.
The operator of the tour is
expanding with product
and service demand. The
operator of the tour
covers both tour and
travel business for
providing the packages
for holiday. A Holiday
package is the results of
the business, the tourism
industry is growing in the
retail industry where the
agents do the tour
industry marketing and
sell the holiday packages
similar to other sectors or
areas (Mowforth and
Munt, 2015). There are
numerous trends that have
affected the development
of the business.
 Technology
Development:
Another purpose behind
the development of the
travel business is through
the improvement and
innovation of
technologies as every one
of the exchanges is
executed by the web
which is a new
technology. The operator
of the tour industry has
moved toward becoming
digitalized that has
expanded the services and
products quality and
reach to tour operations
becomes easy (Sharpley
and Telfer, 2015).
 Increase in the
extra cash of
economy:
Expanding nation
economy has the
significant effect in the
development of some of
the business. Expanding
the discretionary cash
flow builds the ways of
life of the general
population of the nation.
The visit administrator
industry makes the open
door for the business and
expands the income of the
nation.
 Consumer
loyalty level:
The client’s satisfaction is
vital for an industry that
measures the
effectiveness and
adequacy of the business.
This shows the
development of the
association by holding the
clients and their
satisfaction and
expanding the interest for
the result of the business
(Eid, 2015). The operator
of the tour industry is
taking the great
satisfaction and fulfilment
of the clients as they
enhanced the quality of
the services.
 Customized
items:
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The service has been
given by the operator of
the tour because the
packages and services are
modified at the tour
package designing time
and all the requests and
the prerequisite of the
clients are also measured
(Morris & Kazi, 2014).
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Task 2:
Introduction:
Holidays are most seasonal time for the tourism industry in which demand for tourist packages
enhanced significantly. The current report is based on those steps which should be followed to
generate customer oriented packages so that Trailfinders Limited can attract maximum
customers. Different types of contracts which are made by the tour operators to provide services
to customers will also be discussed in this report.
2.1 Assess the stages and timescales involved in developing holidays
Trailfinders Limited is a leading company which is providing tourism services. to create
attractive and profitable holiday packages following steps can be followed by the company:
 Market research: market research is one of the most essential factors during the creation of
holiday packages. Market research involves research about customer needs and current
desires, policies and prices of competitors and, research about high demanded attractions to
prepare appropriate package so that Trailfinders can attract a high number of customers and
gain high profits (Hotta, 2014).
 Planning: Planning is the second step which is related to the identification of routes,
destination, different charges and need of staff to conduct the offered services. Proper
Planning before deciding the package is must to complete the offer services effectively.
 Cost determination: after discussing all the steps of planning and research, cost of the tour
will be identified by the Trailfinders which will include the cost of travelling, food services,
charges for the offered attractions and others (Jokela, 2013). By identifying the costs of
different services, Trailfinders can offer holiday packages at competitive prices.
 Promotion: marketing is the next step which presents the designed package to customers to
motivate them to purchase. Proper and market suitable promotional process and practices
should be adopted by the Trailfinders to attract customers so that company can gain high
profits (Hotta, 2014).
During the creation of holiday packages, Trailfinders should apply proper pricing strategies
including discounting and demand-based pricing to attract more customers.
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