Tour Operations Management Assignment : Trailfinder

TOUR OPERATIONS
MANAGEMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Effect of current and recent trend and development on tour operation industry (Covered in
leaflet).....................................................................................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
2.1 Assess the stages and timescale involved in developing holidays...................................3
2.2 Different methods of contracting for different components of the holiday and tour operator
................................................................................................................................................5
2.3 Calculate the selling price of a holiday from given information......................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
3.1 Evaluate the planning decisions taken for the design of a selected brochure..................7
3.2 Suitability of alternatives to traditional brochure for different types of tour operator.....8
3.3 Suitability of different methods of distribution used to sell holiday for different types of
tour operator...........................................................................................................................9
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................11
4.1 Evaluate the strategic decisions made by different types of tour operator.....................11
4.2 Tactical decisions that could be taken by a selected tour operator in different situation12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Touring means to visit some other place for the purpose of holidays, educational tour,
business purpose, etc. These days there are various reasons for which people are visiting various
places. So scope of tourism business is also increasing. It is important to work according to
demand of customers, so satisfaction can be provided. Through tourism business, there are many
other departments also which gets improved because of this sector such as foreign exchange
department, employment generation, etc. So it is important to work in appropriate way. This
report is based on Trailfinder which is travel company operates in UK and Ireland. This is the
largest travelling company of UK having around 29 travel business outlets (Allahyari, Salari and
Vigo, 2015). Trailfinder has head quarter in London, UK founded in 1970. In this report there is
discussion about this report is to know impact of current changes on tourist operators, stages for
developing holidays, various methods of contracting for holidays and types of tour operators,
selling price of holidays package. It also tells about planning for brochure, various types of tour
operator, different methods of distribution. There are some tactical decisions which has to be
taken by tour operators in different situations.
TASK 1
1.1 Effect of current and recent trend and development on tour operation industry (Covered in
leaflet)
TASK 2
2.1 Assess the stages and timescale involved in developing holidays
There is requirement of various policies which has to undertaken by managers of
Trailfinder. It is essential to work according to market trends and it helps to work according to
demand of customer. There are various types of demand which customer arises, so it is important
to work according to market requirement which help to perform business operations in effective
and significant way. Trailfinder has good name in tour operator company, so it is important to
know what is requirement of customer and then serve them with best (Bagan and et. al., 2013).
There is requirement of some steps which has to be considered by managers of Trailfinder are as
under-

Market research- Market research deals with analysing market components which are
required to be undertaken by managers of Trailfinder. There is requirement of various resources
to perform planning for tourism in appropriate way. It is important to select sources which are
effective for market growth. So market research is the first step which help to know what can be
done through which they can perform planning is proper way (Bhatia, 2012).
Negotiation with marketers- After analysing market, there are some sources which are
required to perform business operations in appropriate way. There must be use of medium which
provides best services and cost must be minimised. This can be done when managers of
Trailfinder negotiate wit external bodies.
Cost assessment of tourist business- After negotiation, cost analysis is done. There is
requirement to select approach through which cost can be minimised and at the same time, they
are able to perform business operations in appropriate way. Cost must be minimised so profits
can be raised. It is essential to work according to market trends and select source which has low
cost (Chaumont and Yor, 2012).
Planning and scheduling- After cost finalisation, planning is done what to perform, how
it can be performed, when has to be performed, etc. In this step there is proper scheduling of
activities which is significant for market growth. This step is essential as to helps to know about
future business actions.
Administrative staff- To perform business, there is need of some staff force. So in this
step staff planning is done which helps to know about use of techniques which are effective and
significant for market growth. Staff administration must be proper so business operations can be
performed inn proper way.
Evaluation of post package growth and development- This is the last step which
provides knowledge about checking plan whether activities are performed accordingly or not. It
is important because final outcomes can be known accordingly. In case of negative results,
reasons must be known and corrective actions must be taken (Dodds and Kuehnel, 2010).

2.2 Different methods of contracting for different components of the holiday and tour operator
Growth rate of tourism business is increasing with fast speed. It is important to select
policies through which they can satisfy demand of customers. These days people are visiting
various places for different purposes (Erdoğan, Laporte and Calvo, 2014). There are various

ways through which costing of package can be finalised. This are possibilities which are
essential for organisational growth. There is use of proper planing which help to satisfy customer
by modifying services. Trailfinder has following two contracts-
Fixed contract- This is the contract which in which fixed rate of money has to be taken.
This is important for people who serve customers who have regular needs. This is effective for
customers such as having business trips, college visit, educational, trips, etc. in such services
profits are good because managers adopt services from set sources so cost remains fix. In such
contract discounts are given to consumer in off- season (Fei and et. al., 2014).
Sales only contract- This contract is used when demand of consumer is different from
regular demand. This is effective for providing customised services and then use techniques
which is significant for earning huge profits. Family trips, friends outing, etc. comes under this
contracts. This cost usually more that fixed contracts.
2.3 Calculate the selling price of a holiday from given information
There is requirement of finalising selling price for tourist packages. There must be use of
policies which are essential for market growth and take actions which are essential for providing
satisfaction to customer. As per given case, there is summer vacation trip for students of group of
42. duration of tour is 5 nights. Summer vacation trip will start from London, UK to Belgium.
There are 42 students who are joining trip. So managers of Trailfinder is thinking to come with
approaches which are significant for providing satisfaction to customer. There is discussion
about budget for students of college are discussed as under-
There is discussion about luxury twin room which is served at 92 Euro per person with
breakfast. There is use of transportation cost of £7350. There is requirement of two drivers, tour
manager, fuel, taxes, etc. Ticket fare charges are € 52. Guide charges are € 1020. These are cost
now profit is 25% above it. Spot rate of £1 is €1.12.

Selling price of tour package
Total Amount (€)
Room cost 1932
Luxury coach 8232
visitor attraction 2184
Tour guide 1020
Total Cost 13368
Profit 4456
Selling price 17824
Conversion rate- € 17824/1.12= £15914.2857 is tourism package rate.
Selling price for per person
Amount (€)
Room cost 46
Luxury coach 196
visitor attraction 52
Tour guide 24.28
Total Cost 318.28
Profit 106.0933333
Selling price per person 424.3733333
Conversion rate- € 424.3733/1.12= £ 378.904 is price for per individual.
TASK 3
3.1 Evaluate the planning decisions taken for the design of a selected brochure
In travel and tourism business, there is need of some document through which managers
of Trail finder can convey about product and services to consumers. There are possibilities of
applying changes in roles and responsibility which is effective for market trends. Brochure is the
document which is used to display product to consumer (Figliozzi, 2010). There is requirement
of planning for preparing brochure. It is important to make changes in brochure as per change in
tourist plans. Some of the decisions which has to be taken while preparing brochure is as under-

Format of Brochure: Format of brochure is one of the essential component which has to
be considered by managers of Trail finder. It is important to come with innovative brochure
which attracts consumer. There must be proper description about rates, time duration, etc.
Brochure must be farmed according to market trends which help to make policies in effective
and efficient manner. It is essential to make brochure as per targeted consumer. As there is more
fascinating things associated with brochure for honey package as compared to pilgrimages.
Budget of tour package must be clear which helps to deliver appropriate information to
consumer. Managers of Trailfinder has to give emphasise on format of brochure as it gives first
impression to consumers. Managers must plan format so complete information can be displayed
to consumers. This helps in advertising of brand also.
Paper quality: Preparing brochure is cost as well as time consuming process. There
musty be use of techniques which is effective for growth of firm. This is effective for making
changes in roles and responsibilities of company. There must be use of good quality paper, so it
can be used for some specific time period. There are possibilities atht due to making changes in
plans and policies, so there must be changes in brochure too. So cost has to be considered by
managers of Trailfinder (Flores-Garza and et. al., 2017). Brochure is a document in paper form
hence managers of Trailfinder must use good quality paper. Brochure goes with different
consumers, so it must not get rifted. Managers of Trailfinder must keep in mind budget also.
Content: Content which is written in brochure has to be properly managed. There must
be use of content which is significant for delivering information. It is essential to come with
innovative language which attracts consumer. This is one of the important component which
impresses consumer and attract them. Manager of Trailfinder has to analyse competitors policies
through which consumer satisfaction is possible. In tourism sector, there is difference in demand
of consumers, hence it is essential that managers must provide information in brief but complete.
It must contain destination, price, tenure, etc.
Graphics and colours: Colour combination is also main component when panning for
brochure for tour packages (Frenzel and Blakeman, 2015). It is essential to come with various
policies which helps to get use of colours as per consumer demand. E.g. for old age people
simple and decent colour are required. While for young generation or family packages dark and
fancy graphics are required. Colour combination gives good or bad impact to consumers.

Trailfinder must use decent and light co,or of consumers. This looks decent and professional for
business purpose.
Budgeting and Selecting Target Market: Budget is one of the important component
while thinking to launch new brochure, there must be use of components which is specific for
targeted consumer (Dodds and Kuehnel, 2010).. The cost of brochure must not be more and it
must be according to targeted consumers. There is requirement of funds in order to present
budget, so this must be finalise by managers. Apart from budget target consumer has to be
consider. This helps managers of Trailfinder to form brochure more approachable for consumers.
As per age, desire, demand, etc. there is difference in services, so after finalising target
customers, it is easy to resolve query.
3.2 Suitability of alternatives to traditional brochure for different types of tour operator
Brochure is effective method to deliver knowledge about product and services. This is
effective but these days there are some concept which has to be used by tour operators. Brochure
issued when consumer prefers to visit outlet, but due to lack of time there is use of some online
sources through which they can perform business operations in effective and significant way.
Some of the ways apart from traditional brochure are as under-
 E- brochure
 Television
 Intranet
 Visual brochure
 Online sources
 Travel agents
 Mobile application
 Social media
These are some basis which are important to be performed and take actions in signifiant
and effective way (Gibson, 2012). There is requirement of factors which helps to increase sales.
Online brochure is one of the important component which is taking place in market. Thee are
easily accessible and information can be modified frequently. This helps to increase good image
in market. Trailfinder has good image in travel and tourism sector because they have mobile
application which helps to deliver appropriate information and query can be solved in
appropriate way. Television advertisement are the source which helps to tell society about

discounts and other offers which are essential increasing sales. These days social media also
plays very vital role in spreading information. Facebook, Instagram page, etc. are also source to
deliver information. Marketing through these sources are easy and less costly. Reachability to
consumers are say which helps to increase sales (Ha and et. al., 2013).
E- brochures are suitable for organisation as it helps to contact more consumer at single
point of time. These days there is more use of social networking sites, so with the help of
interest, Facebook managers are able to market services. This gives positive impact on sales.
Visual brochure are more effective as compared to traditional brochure. Mobile application,
online sources, etc. are less costly as compared to traditional sources. With the passage of time,
there is alteration in pricing structure, tour package, so it is easy to alter e- brochures. Hence
alternates to traditional brochure are suitable.
3.3 Suitability of different methods of distribution used to sell holiday for different types of tour
operator
There are some sources which help to increase sales. It is important to deal with changes
which is signifiant for increasing sales. It is not possible for managers of Trailfinder to come in
contact of each and every consumers. There are some methods through which they can interact
with customers and know about their queries. There is requirement of time as well as some cost,
so managers of Trailfinder has to work according to market trends and take actions which are
significant for organisational growth. This decision has to be taken by managers of Trailfinder,
so they can achieve targets on time.
Direct sell- Direct sales is one of the best method which creates direct contact of
consumer and managers of Trailer Finder. There is a representatives of company which delivers
knowledge about schemes and offers launch by Trailfinder. This is costly method because there
is one to one communication and schemes are conveyed according to demand of consumer
(Khairat and Maher, 2012). Direct selling is effective for Trailfinder because it helps to tell about
perception of consumers and hence to satisfy consumer negotiation is possible. This helps to
increase brand image and market trends can be evaluated.
Agencies- As scope of travel and tourism business is increasing, so there are some agents
which works as mediator between consumer and company. They charge some interest from
Trailfinder and delivers tourist packages to consumer. This is one of the best method to
knowledge feedback of consumers to managers of Trailfinder. Agency works as mediator

between actual customer and Trailfinder. They change commission on the basis of sales. This
method is not effective because there are possibilities that agencies do not market Trailfinder's
services. Sometimes revert from customers are not clear to customers. So modification can not
be done.
Call centres: This is expensive method under which there are some sales forces which
contact to people who want to visit some destinations or regularly make trips. This is effective
for making changes in working style and take decisions as per customer need. Trailfinder can use
this method to convey services but there are possibilities that consumer do not take interest in
listening about services. Target consumer can not recognised through this method. Hence for
Trailfinder this distribution channel is not effective.
Online sales through Internet: Online applications, social media, etc. are some sources
which is used by managers of Trailfinder. This is impersonal method of distribution. Change in
tourist packages can be made frequently. This is the sources which is 24*7 accessible. As role of
social media is increasing because it saves time and approachable to large number of people.
There are possibilities of hacking data hence Trailfinder must use various filters to save from
cyber crime.
Teletext and telephone- These days there is more use of telephones in day to day routine.
Hence there is use of text messages, which provides information about travel packages. There are
possibilities that consumer does not take interest in such messages. This is economical method
(Lee, Kim and Park, 2013). Telephone is suitable to convey information related to specific
service. There tare possibilities of positive or negative respond from public, but I order to market
services Trail finder can use this technique.
From all above options online sales and direct selling is best in order to uplift sales.
Managers of Trailfinder must create their website, ads on social media which helps to create
brand image in industry.
TASK 4
4.1 Evaluate the strategic decisions made by different types of tour operator
There are many decisions which has to be taken by managers of Trailfinder. It is essential
to adopt change and take actions which are significant for market growth and requirement. It is
essential to come with various changes which are effective for market growth. Manager has to

take decisions as per market and present situation. It is essential to comer with new and effective
techniques which are essential to perform business operations in significant way. In strategic
decisions following decisions has to be taken by managers of Trailfinder-
Volume- There is framing of policies which are important for performing business
operations in specific and significant way. It is essential to deliver products as per requirement of
customer. In tour business, changes are taking pace very frequently, so it is essential to plan
activities as per demand. This helps to reduce cost and increment in profits (Lopes, Souza and da
Cunha, 2013).
Pricing strategies- Pricing of services is one of the important factor which has to be
considered by managers. There must be use of resources which are readily available and cheap.
This is responsibility of managers of Trailfinder to set price according to market trends. Price
must be set according to purchasing power, demand, tenure of tour. In order to satisfy customer
demand, differentiation pricing strategy must be used by Trailfinder.
Positioning and branding- There is requirement of proper promotional events which
helps to promote brand in market. It is essential that company has to make policies through
which brand can promote in market. Branding is important to promote changes in business
operations which helps to make alteration in working style.
Preparation of customer portfolio- There are various types of customers which are
working to make strategies for dividing customers on various basis (Allahyari, Salari and Vigo,
2015). This helps to make strategies in effective and effective way. There are changes in demand
of customers, so managers of Trailfinder has to serve customers after analysing demand.
Distribution decision- There are many sources through which distribution of services
possible. In tour business there is use of techniques which is significant for satisfying demand of
customers. It is important to provide services up to the mark and at exact time. So this decision
has to be taken by managers of Trailfinder.
Capitalisation of funds- There is need of various sources such as Cruise, ship, aircraft,
etc. so it is essential to work according to select source which is appropriate for organisational
growth and provide optimal satisfaction to customers (Bagan and et. al., 20133).
There are different aspects associated with touring business such as accommodation, food
facility, transport facility, etc. It is essential that manager of Trailfinder must give emphasise on
improving services through proper synchronisation. Pricing, customer demand, distribution of

services, etc. are essential to b e considered by Trailfinder. This helps to ascertain profits and
cost of services.
4.2 Tactical decisions that could be taken by a selected tour operator in different situation
Tour business is one of the leading business which has changes in their roles and
responsibilities. There are possibilities that due to change in external factors, company has to
make changes in working styles. There is use of techniques which is significant for market and
changes has to be performed by managers. It is important to conduct changes in appropriate way.
Business can be run in optimal way through regular check in external market and then there must
be possibilities of analysing market and then deliver services. Some of the issues which has to be
considered by managers of Trailfinder under tactical decisions are as under-
Competition- Competition is one of the important component in tourism business. There
is requirement of changes in working style through which customer satisfaction is possible
(Bhatia, 2012). Policies of organisation related to competition are tactical decision so in order to
deal with it managers can implement differentiation pricing strategies. This helps to make satisfy
consumer's demand. This helps to increase customer base and personalised services can be
provided to consumers. While analysing market, there must be use of strategies which helps to
get use of techniques which are beneficial for growth of business organisation. To compete with
other firms managers has to select sources through which they can reduce cost and improve
quality of services.
Price wars- There is requirement of various resources through which they can serve
society such as transportation, hotel, etc. so it is essential to negotiate and minimise the cost. This
is responsibility of managers of Trailfinder to select source whose price is low and business
activities can be performed in appropriate way. Trailfinder has competitor's such as Thomas
Cook, so is is essential to frame economical tour packages. This tactical decisions helps
Trailfinder to remain long run in organisation. Manager can provide some complementtary
services such as free gift hampers, shopping vouchers, etc. Price must be reduced so profits can
be increased. There is on and off season in tourism sector, so there must be change in plans and
policies of Trailfinder. There are possibilities of difference in views of managers, so there are
possibilities of difference in views (Chaumont and Yor, 2012).
Discounting approaches- Discounts is one of the best techniques which makes consumer
to visit various tourist destination. In off season there are possibilities that people are not ready to

visit places, so in order to make them motivated manager has to frame discounting approaches
which is significant for increment in business activities. There are some consolidation services
too as per demand of customer. This helps to make good profits and sales of Trailfinder. There is
on and off season in tourism sector, hence managers of Trailfinder must use discounting
approach. There is difference in discount according to customer's purchasing power and demand
and requirement. This tactical decision is taken by top level managers of Trailfinder.
CONCLUSION
From the above discussion it is clear that there are many changes which are required to be
taken according to customer demand. There are many activities which are associated with
touring business, it is essential to work according to market trends, so association can make good
image in industry. There are some policies which are required to be followed in order to give
best satisfaction to consumers. There is requirement of proper planning through which they can
perform business operations in effective and significant way. Proper planning has to be
conducted by managers of tour operators so there will proper satisfaction of customers. There is
budget setting by managers so cost can be minimised and this helps to increase profits of
association. These days there are various methods which tourist operating company can convey
their plan to consumers.

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Online
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