Operations Management in Various Industries

This document presents a collection of research papers and articles focusing on operations management within different sectors. Topics covered include disaster response transportation, certified management systems adoption in the hotel industry, sustainable supply chain management, order-picking operations in warehouses, and airline delay management. The papers delve into various aspects of operations management, highlighting its significance in diverse industries.

TOUR
OPERATIONS
MANAGEMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1 ..........................................................................................................................................1
1.1 The effects of current and recent trends and developments on the tour operators industry..1
TASK 2 ...........................................................................................................................................2
2.1 Timescale and stages involved in developing holidays........................................................2
2.2 Different types of tour operator and methods of contracting components of Holiday.........4
2.3 Calculate the selling price of a holiday.................................................................................5
TASK 3 ...........................................................................................................................................6
3.1 Evaluate the Planning Decision that are related with designing of selected brochure..........6
3.2 Suitability of alternatives to a traditional brochure...............................................................7
3.3 Different methods of distribution that are applied by firm in order to sell tour package.....8
TASK 4 ...........................................................................................................................................9
4.1 The strategic decision which is made by various tour operators..........................................9
4.2 Compare the Tactical Decision which are taken by the tour operator in different situations
...................................................................................................................................................10
CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................10
REFRENCES...................................................................................................................................1
..................................................................................................................2

INTRODUCTION
Tour operator firm can be considered as an integrated approach towards travel and
tourism industry. In this competitive era, tourism industry is one of the largest growing sectors
across globe (Afshar and Haghani, 2012). Tour operations involve various plans and procedures
that help in providing effective and good quality of tour and travel packages to their significant
customers. Trail-finders Ltd is the chosen company for this particular report that basically deals
in travelling products and services in United Kingdom and Ireland. The company was established
in the year of 1970 and covers more than 29 centres in United Kingdom. The major focused area
of firm is to serving qualitative goods and services as to attaining high competitive edge at
market place. There will be study on the effect of current and recent trends and developments on
the tour operators industry, different stages and timescale that are involved in developing
holidays, the suitability of various methods of contracting for different components of the
holiday and type of tour operators as well as suitability of different methods of distribution that
are applied to sell a holiday for different types of tour operators.
TASK 1
1.1 The effects of current and recent trends and developments on the tour operators industry
In today's scenario, travel and tourism can be considered as the most developing industry
which helps in contributing a huge amount in enhancing economic condition of country or its
people. Tour operators such as Trail-finders widely concern on expanding their business
operations all over the world and execute holidays for people who are willing to visit different
famous places as per their interest. The needs and wants of customers are changes as per the
change arises in market trend and increasing demand of products and services are valuable for
maximising the operations of tour operator industry. Different tour packages and facilities are
treated as the essential products and services of tourism industry. In this competitive market, a
large number of people and businesses are emerged in tourism sector to attain high profitability
and growth in the market through serving them variety of goods and services as per the changing
needs and wants of customers. In this industry, various recent trends are involved that have a
huge impact on its growth and development. Some essential trends and developments are
evaluated as below:
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 Developed technology: In the world full of digitalisation technologies plays vast role in
developing organisational performance and productivity. Tourism industry is increased
through development in technology. The organisations in tourism sector like Trail-finders
are widely concerned on executing various new and innovative tools and technologies for
making transactions easier and comfortable. Digital tools and technologies are helpful in
improving the organisational performance and productivity through implementing right
tools at right place. Globalisation: This can be considered as an essential element that has a huge impact on
developing organisational as well as countries position. It is associated as an effective
procedure of communication among people, society, states and countries with the flow of
enhance of money, culture and ideas. Globalisation has necessitate the boundaries of the
country and has a huge influence on expanding business and its operations at wide area in
order to attaining high growth and profitability. Foreign direct investment provides
support to increase the access of countries in the overseas market. This helps in rendering
various opportunities for the nation or its people and has a huge influence of developing
countries economic condition.
 Customized products: In travel and tourism sector, organisations are concerned on
identifying the needs and wants of customers for fulfilling them in an effective and
efficient manner because it is valuable in attaining the growth in market. Trail-finders
Ltd. is focused on customising products and services as per the changing needs and wants
of customers in market place to sustain them for a long time.
TASK 2
2.1 Timescale and stages involved in developing holidays
Different people are having their own set of interests and needs and in the recent era,
people are widely concerned on making some trips and tours to spend some time with their
family, friends and colleges and wants to make their trip memorable (Anderson and et. al.,
2013). Holidays are needed to be predetermined as these are planned for enjoyment and fun these
are also effective in realising stress and tension. Planning is the fundamental stage for each and
every task that is involved in decision making for establishing a trip for fun or enjoyment. Cost,
entertainment, tour packages and negotiation can be considered as essential elements that are
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needed to be taken into proper consideration while planning for holiday. These are important to
be considered for making trip more comfortable and effective. Manager of an organisation plays
a vast role in attracting customers through preparing pamphlets and brochures in which all details
about tour packages are mentioned in a detailed manner. Large number of customers create value
in achieving high profit and revenue for the firm. The holiday planning involves various stages
which are evaluated as below: Research for Destination: This is the primary stage of planning a holiday. It is required
for people to search for destinations as per their own interest so that they can explore
their trip in an effective manner (Berkoune and et. al., 2012). PESTLE analysis is
effective in research the destination for package tour, the process of research can be done
within the duration of three and four month. The basic purpose of each business
organisation is to analyse the best and effective places to the visitors as to attract them
towards their business firm. Further more it is the major responsibility of manager or
higher authority of firm is to emphasis on analysing different climates, social, political
and economic forces in respect to select mos attractive place where the level of tourist
attraction is high and they visit happily. Developing Tour Itinerary: This comes after choosing the destination for trip or holiday.
Tour itinerary can be considered as a summarized form of tour operation that involves all
details about the tour such as various destinations, accommodation, travel routes,
transportation and famous places to be visited. This process helps in completing a trip
without facing any kind of issue and complexity. This comes after conducting an
effective market research. In this managers and higher authorities of organisations are
concern on choosing most popular, clean and healthy place for attracting visitors. Tour
operator firms such as Trail-finder's are focused on selecting various destination that is
advantageous for both firm or individual as to enhance their awareness towards tourism
destination. Price Determination: This is the most important stage as this considers all the elements
and set the price for a holiday package. There are various factors that have a huge
influence on the pricing of packages such as cost of fuel, foreign exchange rates, tax and
tariff that are implemented by country’s government. Travel organisations like Trail-
finders apply various methods for setting up the prices of tour packages. The prices are
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based on cost and market oriented analysis. Pricing took more than one month after
completion of the effective process of negotiation. In this modern era people wants high
quality products and services in low prices and for this business organisations are concern
on providing low pricing polices as to gaining attention of large number of people
towards offered products and services of firm. It is the basic objective of tour operator
manager is to analysis all expanses as to design an effective and attractive tour package
for customers. Marketing of the Tour Packages: This is essential for each business firm to create
awareness among people so as to attract them for taking benefits of offered products and
services of firm. This is valuable in generating high profit through satisfying the needs
and wants of customers through offering them variety of facilities and products. Trail-
finders promote their tour packages through pamphleteers and posters as to providing
proper information in detailed manner (del Mar Alonso-Almeida and Rodríguez-Antón,
2011). In this, various activities that are related with promotion are involved as to
creating awareness among people. Trail-finder's operates its business activities at wide
area and concern on promoting their brand and tour packages as to gaining more profit
and revenue at market place.
 Execution of Tour: This is the final stage of planning for tour. In this, all plans,
estimation and preparations are implemented into proper action. Essentially, at this stage,
Trail-finders screens and controls all exercises that are connected with the procedure and
guarantees to fulfil the necessities and wants of their potential clients in the most ideal
manner.
Tour operator manager are concern on preparing an efficient time frame as to design a
comfortable holiday trip for visitors.
Activities 1 to 7
Day
8 to 14
Day
15 to
21 Day
22 to
28 Day
29 to
35Day
36 to
42 Day
43 to
49 Day
50 to 56
Day
Research for Destination
Developing Tour
Itinerary
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Price Determination
Marketing of the Tour
Packages
Execution of Tour
\
2.2 Different types of tour operator and methods of contracting components of Holiday
In the recent scenario tour operators are widely concern on design and prepare different
packages through two methods such as fixed contract and sale only contract. Such type of
contracts are significantly applied through airline industries as to establishing collaboration with
tour operators and enters into contract with various suppliers and vendors who offers various
suitable prices through that they positively meet the requirements of tourists (Dhiman, 2012). An
effective explantation about the contracts that are applied by Trail-finder's are described as
under: Fixed Contract: This contract is significantly based on qualitative and collective
approach towards the sales figures. As a popular tour operator industry Trail-finder's are
concern on applying this contract as to attaining high profit and growth through gaining
attention of large number of customers. This type of contracts are effective in providing
various benefits in off seasons to their regular and potential customers. Trail-finder's are
usually taking risk in rendering possible beneficial products and services and also focused
on paying significant amount to the contractors who are valuable in satisfying the needs
and wants of people.
 Sales only Contract: This is complex method as comparison of fixed cost contrast
because in this prices are high that fixed contract. These type of contracts are prepared as
to considering the essential demand and need of potential customers. In this the level of
risk is less as compared to fixed contractors. In this companies are widely offered a huge
amount of discount as to sustaining them for long run of business activities.
Therefore,Trail-finders can utilize the two contracts while getting ready occasion bundle,
however before this, they have to distinguish its benefits and negative marks too (Gibson, 2012).
These two methods are effective in order to attaining high benefits and profit for company
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through rendering suitable and effective products and services packages to their significant
buyers. From that point forward, assurance of best or proper contract will be chosen; it help in
procuring more profit for the organization. It can likewise guarantee the development and
survival of the firm. At that point arranging begins for chose strategy which ought to be
imaginative and creative. Finally, execution of the arrangement in a successful way; all choices
will be checked frequently (Yeoman, I., and et. al., 2012).
This method is effective in minimising the chance of failure or loss and conducting
various business operations in most efficient way. Tour operators adopt various effective
methods as to increasing the economic level of united kingdom, different type of tour operators
are described as below:
Inbound Tour operators: These type of tour operators are more effective in nature and deals in
foreign tourist and providing them attractive services as to gaining high amount of profit and
revenue. They are basically provide transportation, food, accommodation and many other
facilities to their significant customers.
Outbound Tour Operators: Such type of organisations are concern on promoting their
5travelling products and services in the foreign countries in which people are very much
attracted towards tour packages and willing to visit various places. They are proficient in selling
packages of the home country to the host country.
Domestic Tour operators: These kind of tour operators are focused on develops their own
market and controlled or managed by domestic payers of tour operators. They are providing
small tour packages to their potential customers as to sustain them for long time.
2.3 Calculate the selling price of a holiday
According the the given information in the report is has been evaluated that the next
project of Trail-finders is to generate an effective luxury and coach educational tour for students
who are 18 or more than 18 year old. The starting point of this educational tour is London, UK
and the final destination is Brussels Brugge, Belgium. It is required to Trail-finders to set cost for
each individual who are involved in this particular trip as to managing whole work in systematic
and appropriate manner. A proper estimation about the entire budget and their package are given
by Grand Casselbergh in Bruges. They basically give data in the context of cost of per individual
for twin accommodation in which breakfast is included. They also provide a proper discription
about the luxury package and coach in which road taxes, ferry, fuel cost and driver cost are
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involved (Grant and et. al., 2017). The estimation of this package is about £11, 200 in which all
the given elements are involved. Extra Data is as cost of neighbourhood visit manage is £945 and
conversion scale €1.12 per £1. Along these lines the activity of Trail discoverers is to get ready
whole visit bundle of 5 evenings for 42 understudies for every gathering by considering gave
data. Calculation of Accommodation Cost: The cost of twin room is around 96 euros which is
shared by two people. The hotel is charging for additional cost for providing extra bed
services, 42 people divided among 8 groups and remaining two people can be adjusted
through paying extra charges for bed as per the policy of hotel. So 40 people can be
benefited by twin sharing room which cost 96 euro to one individual.
 Calculation of Transportation cost: In this the cost of luxury coach in which cost of two
drivers, road tax, ferry tax, fuel cost are involved. The estimated cost is around to £11,
200.
cost of rooms per person 85.71
cost of luxury coach per seat 233.33
Allocation of local guide cost per person 472.5
Total cost of tour before margin 791.54761905
Add: Profit margin 261.1923809524
Selling price per person of tour after margin 1052.74
TASK 3
3.1 Evaluate the Planning Decision that are related with designing of selected brochure
In this recent era each individual is more concern about the total information about the
products and services that are offered by the firm in order to satisfying the needs and wants of
customers. People are very much concern on gaining appropriate data and information about the
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products and services of firm as the products are the representatives of firm. In the travel and
tourism sector people are very much focused on evaluating the products and packages that are
offered by the company to their potential buyers (Kerzner, 2013). Brochures can b considered as
an essential document which helps in describing the appropriate detail about the packages of
company in detailed manner. Brochure is valuable in gaining attention of large number of people
towards the firm as a popular business organisation Trail-finder's is focused on creating an
effective Boucher as to providing proper information about the offered products and services
packages of firm. This can be distributed through online and offline media. With the help of
unique tool in digitalisation the scope of brochures is increased, some essential factors are there
which are needs to be taken into consideration while creating a brochure:
Issue Identification for developing Brochure: It is required for people or organisation to
identify the issue before creating a brochure. In the sector of travel and tourism the major issues
arises that are related with target market, market segmentation, formate of brochure, proper
information and data for expanding business operation, suitable promotional tools, time frame
etc. marketing manager of Trail-finder's plays a vast role in comparing all the issues and select
the effective one for forecasting the brochure (Klassen and Vachon, 2012).
Formate of Brochure: it can be considered as a systematic document that is widely applied by
the business organisations in respect to promoting their goods and services as to gaining attention
of customers. It involves sections and sub section and provide data among different segments
which create it more understandable and effective in nature. Some appropriate information need
to be mentioned in the brochure which are described as under:
Name of the Visit Organization or Administrator.
 Transportation Mode
 Travel Goal
 Given Agenda
 Feast and Settlement offices
 Assessed Cost with nutty gritty circulation data
 Recognize different charges and condition material Satisfy all legitimate necessity
Budgeting and selecting Target Market: Cost can be considered as the primary need of each
business organisation and it is required for firm to manage proper flow of funds and capital
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before publishing brochure at their target market. An effective budge helps in fulfilling the needs
and wants of customers as to producing more appropriate goods and services as per the
preference of customers (Kogg and Mont, 2012).
Time Scale for completion of stage: It is necessary for firm to keep the time constrains in mind
as it is required for firm to implement all business operations in given duration of time. It is the
major responsibility of Kuoni manager is to publish the brochure in desired period of time.
3.2 Suitability of alternatives to a traditional brochure.
The most essential approach for advertising goods and services in the market area where
as the earlier timing it can be considered in the form of traditional printed brochure. This can be
divided among various sections and sub sections that helps in providing all relevant data and
information about the offered products and services of firm in detailed form (Lam and et . al.,
2014). This valuable in gaining attention of large number of people towards the firm and cause
high benefit for organisation. Digital tools and techniques plays a vast role in implementing more
effective and innovative brochure as to attracting more customers. Digital tools are helpful in
bridge the gap between various alternatives of traditional brochures. Some essential elements are
described as below:
 Call Centres
 Websites
 Travel agents and retailers
 Social media
 Mobile Application
 Direct sell
 E- brochures
 Visual brochures
Electronic Brochure can be considered as an essential part of online business and also
helps in exploring business or its activities online. This is also called as online brochure, this is
more effective as compared to the traditional brochure. The cost incurred in the electronic
brochure is comparatively less than the traditional brochure (Xu and Gursoy, 2015). E- brochure
is effective in attracting large number of people towards the products and services of firm Kuoni
is widely concern on applying E-Brochure as to sustaining customers for long time. The
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company is significantly concern on adopting innovative tools and techniques as to attaining
high position at market place through gaining attention of large number of customers.
3.3 Different methods of distribution that are applied by firm in order to sell tour package
The basic purpose of each business organisation is to explore their business operations as
to distributing high quality goods and services in wide area of market. This also helps in bridging
the gap between supply and demand. In the modern scenario mainly organisations are concern on
adopting more suitable and innovative tools and technologies as to attracting customers through
implementing effective broacher in which all relevant details about company are mentioned. In
the previous timing traditional brochures are applied by organisations as to attracting customers
towards the products and services which are beneficial for customers (Lifset and Boons, 2011).
Digital technologies such as online marketing, website, electronic brochure, social media etc. are
more effective in exploring distribution channels at various areas. These all are having direct or
indirect impact on distribution channel. The marketing manager of Kuoni enhance its
profitability and efficiency in satisfying the needs and wants of people at market place. There are
various strategies that re implemented by manager of Kuoni as to influencing distribution
channel of firm in which some are described as below:
Hiring Agents: This is an effective process for selling products and services at market place in
this some people are hired by company who are having significant skills to attract customers and
sell products on the behalf of company. They are considered as a representative of firm.
Direct Sales: In this method firm are focused on recruiting well educated people at work place as
to attracting customers through providing variety of products and services. In this produced
goods and services are directly sell to the final customer's (Pohl, 2014).
TASK 4
4.1 The strategic decision which is made by various tour operators.
The most important factor of tour operators of trail finder in strategic decision making is
to achieving goals effectively by increasing the certainty in company. It increase the
productivity of the company and proper management to increase the productivity and cope up
with future change. It also help in choosing the best alternative for decision making strategically
(Robinson and et. al., 2011).
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There are following keys to make strategic decision for the tour operator company which are as
follows:
Demand forecasting:
It is the first step of strategic decision making made by the tour operator of tails finder.
This approach has been done to calculate the future demand of the travel holiday product and
their services. All decision have been made with respect to the demand made by the customer in
future which fills the gaps between demand and supply.
Segmentation of market, Target and positioning of product
This is the second approach which is done by the tour operator in respect to
diversification of customers featuring their demand. Designing of package were made according
to the requirement of customers. Different target are selected analysing all kind factors which
involve in tour package and were positioned according to the customer spending capacity
(Rousseau, 2012).
Strategic discount pricing
In tails finder company the tour operator give discount for certain period which plays an
important role in dragging customer attraction. It also determine the price of the travelling
package on the basis of discount. Huge discount account on the fixed contract.
Building product strength
This decision taken by the tails finder company operator to increase the strength of brand
by building large extent of corporate product according to taste of customer.
4.2 Compare the Tactical Decision which are taken by the tour operator in different situations
In every company tactical decisions are very important for management to taking
decision to achieve company goals and objectives (Söderlund, 2011). In firm environment many
types of problem are arise on daily basis, Company solve daily problem by using tactical
decision. Many types of problem are covered in this decision method like arrange transportation ,
give food, provide accommodation and other services. These decision are provide help to
company for Cary out all activities effectively. Factors influence decisions of tactical. Factors are
crucial on their decisions. Factors influencing tactical decisions are as follows:
communication and information technology which influence tactical decisions as communication
should be effective in a every activity. In a case there is a lack of effective communication and
through that decisions making are not so effective.
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Regulatory explains all the regulations and law which should followed while taking a
tactical decisions. If rules and regulations are not followed by a company then it will liable for
relative prosecution. Exchange rates are based on a trade of international. Issues of environment
give impact on a tactical decisions of a tour operators (Wu, 2012).
CONCLUSION
As per the above mentioned discussion it has been concluded that in today's world people
are very much willing to visit various places as per their own interest and make their trip
memorable and entertaining. This sector has various industry such as beverage, food, retail,
tourism lodgings and transportation, which all are contributing their vast efforts in developing
tourist sector as to enhancing economic condition of country. In this modern era, the basic
purpose of each business organisation is to satisfy the needs and wants of customers to render
them high quality goods and services as per their choices and preferences.
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REFRENCES
Books and journals
Afshar, A. and Haghani, A., 2012. Modeling integrated supply chain logistics in real-time large-
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Anderson, M. A., and et. al., 2013. Operations management for dummies. John Wiley & Sons.
Berkoune, D., and et. al., ., 2012. Transportation in disaster response operations. Socio-Economic
Planning Sciences. 46(1). pp.23-32.
del Mar Alonso-Almeida, M. and Rodríguez-Antón, J.M., 2011. Organisational behaviour and
strategies in the adoption of certified management systems: an analysis of the Spanish
hotel industry. Journal of Cleaner Production. 19(13). pp.1455-1463.
Dhiman, M. C., 2012. Employers' perceptions about tourism management employability skills.
Anatolia. 23(3), pp.359-372.
Gibson, P., 2012. Cruise operations management: Hospitality perspectives. Routledge.
Grant, D .B., and et. Al ., 2017. Sustainable logistics and supply chain management: principles
and practices for sustainable operations and management. Kogan Page Publishers.
Kerzner, H., 2013. Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and
controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Klassen, R. D. and Vachon, S., 2012. Greener supply chain management. In The Oxford
Handbook of Business and the Natural Environment.
Kogg, B. and Mont, O., 2012. Environmental and social responsibility in supply chains: The
practise of choice and inter-organisational management. Ecological Economics. 83.
pp.154-163.
Lam, C.H., and et . al., 2014. An order-picking operations system for managing the batching
activities in a warehouse. International Journal of Systems Science. 45(6). pp.1283-
1295.
Lifset, R. and Boons, F., 2011. Industrial ecology: Business management in a material world.
Pohl, B., 2014. EU foreign policy and crisis management operations: power, purpose and
domestic politics. Routledge.
Robinson, P., and et. al., 2011. Research themes for tourism. CABI.
Rousseau, D.M., 2012. Envisioning evidence-based management.

Söderlund, J., 2011. Theoretical foundations of project management.
Wu, C. L., 2012. Airline operations and delay management: insights from airline economics,
networks and strategic schedule planning. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd..
Xu, X. and Gursoy, D., 2015. A conceptual framework of sustainable hospitality supply chain
management. Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management. 24(3) pp.229-259.
Yeoman, I., Robertson, M., Ali-Knight, J., Drummond, S. and McMahon-Beattie, U. eds., 2012.
Festival and events management. Routledge.
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