Tour Operations Management

This report discusses the effects of recent and current trends on the tour operational industry. It also evaluates the stages and timescales involved in developing holidays and the suitability of various approaches of contracting for various elements of the holiday. Additionally, it calculates the selling price of a holiday and evaluates the planning decisions taken for the design of a selected brochure.

TOUR OPERATIONS
MANAGEMENT

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Effects of recent and current trends and development on tour operational industry.............3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
2.1 Assessing the stages and timescales involved in developing holidays..................................4
2.2 Suitability of various approaches of contracting for various elements of the holiday..........6
2.3 Calculate the selling price of a holiday for given information..............................................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
3.1 Evaluate the planning Decisions taken for the Design of selected Brochure........................7
3.2 Stability of alternatives to a traditional brochure..................................................................9
3.3 Suitability of various tools of distribution...........................................................................10
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................11
4.1 Strategic decision made by various kinds of tour operators................................................11
4.2 Compare the tactical judgement..........................................................................................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
In current scenario, tour operation is one of the important process in which certain plan and
procedures are used by an organization to make more effective as well as attractive package. By
this they easily invite large number of customers. Basically, it become a trend for every person
and traveller in which they visit various places with different reasons (Barratt, Choi and Li,
2011). In today’s market, travel and tourism sector growing in fast speed because they use more
innovative and new technologies in their process to attract more and more customers towards its
packages. With the help of this company attain competitive advantage in market place. Present
report is based on Trailfinders, which is one of the popular travel organization which prove
effective and attractive services to their customers. This organization established in 1970 and
approx. 1000 staff work over there. In this project various stages and time scale of holiday
package development mentioned. Along with this, different tools and techniques is also
discussed which helps in comparing between modern and traditional tools as well. Further, some
effective strategic judgement is also included which is made by tour operator at the time of
effective trip in order to satisfy customer’s needs.
TASK 1
1.1 Effects of recent and current trends and development on tour operational industry
In today’s era, travel and tourism industry developed in fast speed and it is determining by
various survey and research. In this Trailfinders is a business organization which is one of the
popular firm in which they provide attractive services as well as package to its customers in
order to make their trip is more effective. One of the main aim of this company is to increase
their performance level by making appropriate strategies which aid in providing them various
benefits. In this context there are some current and recent trends in travel industry are as follows:
Flexible booking option: Because of new and innovative technologies, number of people
book their tickets of hotels, buses by using technology. It helps in saving both time and cost as

well. It directly impacts on business organization in positive manner. By effective technology
visitors easily book their tickets and also get knowledge about the vacant seats.
Increase spending power of consumers: In today’s modern era, customer’s income level is
increased due to better economic condition. So that various people spend their money in tour and
travelling. Along with this, for improving the travel and tourism sectors they provide better
opportunities to unemployed people. In context of Trailfinders, they provide better services to
their customers in order to get their higher satisfaction.
Tour package: In current marketing environment various tour company define their
attractive package for customers as per their demands. With the help of this company enhance
their flexibility and also set their package price is affordable.
Marketing in travel: It is also important which cab states as merchandising. Basically
marketing is more effective tool which helps in attracting large number of customers by
promoting itself. In context of Trailfinders also give their updates in front of customers towards
the new destination.
Sustainable tourism development: It is one of the important key aspect which helps in
determine the healthy as well as ethical tourism which directly contribute in increasing the
growth of the company at market place in ethical way. Along with this sustainable tourism
development set by various methods such as giving better employment opportunities to local
people and another one is preserving heritage and culture.
PESTLE factors: In this micro factors are directly affect the tour operator company due too
social, government, environmental, technological and many more factors. So that it is important
for organization to considered in their process.
TASK 2
2.1 Assessing the stages and timescales involved in developing holidays
Holidays are important aspect for every individual which made up better relaxation in
order to get stress free schedule (Tour Operations Management, 2014). For this effective
activities starts with attractive process as well as elements in order to create attractive framework
to make better decision process. In this aspect various stages and factors are available which aid
in developing performance level and also enhance overall efficiency of the company for make

holidays package in appropriate manner. In below some stages and package development are as
follows:
 Research for destinations: It is one of the important stage which define the main motive
which is related with making occasions and also evaluated the aims which is made only
for just better travelling and exploration of the trip. In this certain locations and
destination which is planned as per customers’ requirements and their request. Along
with this, investigation is also done to assess the actual aim of brochure by using
PESTLE (Cook, Hsu and Marqua, 2014). Basically this stage takes few months to attain
positive results in appropriate manner.
 Developing tour itinerary: It is also an effective stage which define outline of visit
program in order to attain its desirable goals. Basically it is methodical process in order to
finish occasion to get better results. This stage can be done within two months
effectively.
 Negotiation: In this stage various type of seller as well as vendors are responsible for
managing whole administration of visits in order to make an effective trip for their
customers. In this both work on effectively control the overall cost of the brochures to
make an attractive holidays package. In this various situation and condition are defined
which aid in providing better satisfaction to their customers. It includes transport
facilities with satisfactory accommodation, aircraft travel and many more that aid in
providing better services to visitors. These type of stage can be attained within three
months and improve performance level of the company.
 Determine the price: This stage is also more important for company which helps in
evaluating of brochures by defining all the important elements. In this various impacts of
this factors are there which define the actual value of brochure such as fuel cost, cost of
trade, taxation and so on. For attaining positive outcomes evaluation of this is done as per
the occasion dates. Along with this there are some effective verities that define the
brochure value in which company easily fulfil customer’s desires in more effective
manner and get their higher satisfaction level by them. In this, various plan and strategies
are help in making more attractive brochure which take approx. one month to complete
the process.

 Marketing of packages made: It is more essential tool for every travel organization
which helps in creating awareness of the customers towards the products and services
which were offer by the company to them (Dietz, 2011). In this main aim of marketing
activities is to increase customer’s awareness which leads in increasing the profitability
level of the company at market place. In context of Trailfinders, marketing defines an
effective process with some specific reason which helps in adding number of customers
towards company products and services (Evans, Stonehouse and Campbell, 2012). This
stage can be attaining through four and five steps. Both helps in effectively determining
their stage in most effective manner.
 Execution of tour: It is last stage in which all the estimations and preparations are
convert into reality (Grant, Wong and Trautrims, 2017). With the help of this Trailfinders
easily evaluate their effective structure and their policies in order to monitor and control
their overall activities of holiday process. By this organization easily attain higher
profitability level by providing better services to their target customers.
2.2 Suitability of various approaches of contracting for various elements of the holiday
In today’s market environment, various types of package are defined by company in which
they include attractive features and methods to make more attractive rip for visitors. In this two
type of methods are used one is fixed contract and another one is sale only contract. With the
help of these methodologies utilized by tour operator to improve their performance level. In this
aspect Trailfindres use these methods to choose the best one to evaluate their positive outcomes.
Which are as follows:
 Fixed contracts: This is more effective contract which helps in making up an agreement
which deal by group of people. In this certain skills and abilities are amplified by
appropriate volume of deals in order to improve overall performance of the company at
market place. The main purpose of this contract is to take best advantage of trip in off
season. With the help of this company easily attain positive results and benefits which
leads in achieving competitive advantage in market place.
 Sale only contract: It is also effective contract in which high in nature with more settled
contract. These type of contract related with occasional nature which is required with
customer’s request. It also includes market capabilities which leads in attaining better

advantage. In this risk factors are very low and no obligations are existing which leads in
attaining positive results in market place.
Both elements are more effective which define that taking high risk helps in increasing the
chances of earning more revenue which leads in enhancing the productivity of the company at
market place (Guo and He, 2012). In this fixed contract define high risk and provide more
discount and profit ratios. On the other side sale only contract define less risk which directly
impact on overall price of the company and make high prices at market.
2.3 Calculate the selling price of a holiday for given information
As per case, tour is essential for every individual which planned by certain students in UK to
France. In this all the person as well as couple are considered which helps in making estimations
to maintain their performance level. In context of Trailfinderd has their process which helps in
evaluating the performance level by negotiation with prices and also set all the trips activities
which is not more than 6 days (Hoyos, Morales and Akhavan-Tabatabaei, 2015). In this hotel
provide their pricing structure to get higher satisfaction level by delivering quality services to its
customers. In this context computation for various cost are as follows in order to evaluate the
entire cost of the trip in more effective manner which leads in determine the profitability level of
the company.
Calculation of Accommodation Cost: In this Twin room is given to its customers in 96
Euros. In this two people are stay and share the room during the trip. As per this per person cost
is 85.71 Pound. On the other side for luxury coach than the per person cost is 233.33 Pound.
Calculation of Transportation Cost: It include transportation cost is 11200 Euros which
included two drivers, road, ferry taxes, fuel and many more which make a successful trip.
Per person room cost: 85.71
Cost of luxury coach per seat: 233.33
Allocation of local guide cost as per person: 472.5
Total cost of trip before margin: 791.54761905
261.192380952
Add: Profit margin 4
Selling price per person of tour after margin: 1052.74
Hence, it can be evaluated that total selling price of overall package is 1052.74 British Pounds.

TASK 3
3.1 Evaluate the planning Decisions taken for the Design of selected Brochure
In current scenario, travel and tourism sector is one of the popular in which each and every
individual to make their holidays to reduce their stress and enjoy their time. In this effective
communication play important role with customers because it helps in determining information
about products and services of the company (Kerzner, 2013). In this context, brochure is an
important document which define relative data which leads in increasing customers demand and
needs. This term can be used by company as an effective methodology of marketing. It includes
low cost for customers to provide them better satisfaction. Along with this there are two ways
which help organization to distribute their services like online and offline as well (Khairat and
Maher, 2017). Digitalization and advanced technologies is also important for company to
enhance their productivity and profitability as well. With the help of this improving performance
of the company at market place.
Determination of issue for developing brochure: It is one of the effective step which
recognized before improvement of any handout in order to evaluate the better decision in
appropriate manner. In this problem should be bought through advertise division, selecting
marketing objective and also effectively organization of the handout. Along with this data also
examined and time carry out for pamphlet. By this firm easily determine the man cause and
improve their performance level in effective manner.
Format of Brochure: It is one of the important aspect for tour operator in order to
determine their overall information to their customers. It is related with data of project which
helps in evaluating the overall performance if the company in customer mind. Along with this,
various areas and segments are included to make attractive brochure which aid in classified
entire data in front of market to attain better results (Lenahan, 2011). It is important that brochure
must be made with outlined of the overall marketing objectives. In this context, data of
organization is given below which aid in making attractive brochure are as follows:
Tour operator company name
 Style of transportation
 Destination of travel and travel agenda path
 Meal as well as food facilities
 Tour price with appropriate and justified arrangement

 Entire terms and charges effectively applicative
 Overall legal needs must be determined and considered.
Budgeting and selecting target market: It is more important that financial plan and its
objectives effectively determine before issuing the Brochure in market place. In this market
division in determine with the help of examining the customers’ requirements and their request
(Luis, Dolinskaya and Smilowitz, 2012). Along with this market objective is also important for
visit organization to make more attractive trip for their clients. In this financial plan play
important role in which clients easily determine their budget for spending their energy. With the
help of financial plan buyer objectives can be easily determine which leads in attaining better
results and also attain better place in competitive place in market place (Martinez, Stapleton and
Van Wassenhove, 2011).
Time scale for completion of stages: In this, brochure should be including days of
endorsement and basic record age which helps in promoting selected organization in market
place. For better leadership it defines in effective procedure which assist in improving the
performance level of the company and also increase customers base towards the company
services.
3.2 Stability of alternatives to a traditional brochure
Traditional brochure: It is one of the important for every tour industry which helps in
determine all the data information for their clients. Traditional brochures are more appropriate
for marketing is can be considered as a classical approach. In this all the important data
determine through physical brochure but still it is not appropriate for improving the customer’s
request towards the holiday and its goods and services. Along with this, various innovative
alternatives are defined after the growth of new technologies. All these are used by Tailfinders at
the time of designing their brochure. It is highly important because it reduce the chances of
arising errors and helps in presenting attractive brochures which leads in attaining better results.
In this context there are some alternatives are there which also helps in determining data
information of the company are as follows:
E-Brochures: It is also an effective element which considered in attractive brochures in
order to gather all the important data as well as information about customers. With the help of
organization easily determine their request towards the trip. With the help of this firm easily
attain all the plan steps to make an attractive brochures and attain better success at market place.

Visual: It is also an effective as well as attractive elements for Trailfinders manager by
which they easily influence their customers and maintain positive image in their mind. With the
help of this company easily provide better satisfaction level.
Social Media: In this elements all the essential data can be provided to the customers in
order to attain their positive feedbacks (Moutinho, 2011). Basically it is an effective tool for
those people who interested in visiting different places. It includes various elements such as
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google and many more which helps in inviting large number of
customer and also increase their awareness towards the destination to get higher satisfaction by
them.
Internet Websites: Number of websites are there which is used by tour company to
determine their overall activities and places where more and more customers’ visits. With the
help of this kind of tool clients easily get more knowledge regarding the particular destinations.
It leads in enhancing the customers demand which helps in increasing profitability of the
company.
Hence, all these elements can be defining as an effective online brochure which is more
effective for organization to determine important data for specific tour destination to their clients.
With the help of these company easily increase their customers base and enhance their overall
sale in market place which leads in increasing profitability of the firm in appropriate manner.
3.3 Suitability of various tools of distribution
Number of choices are available which helps in manufacturing quality goods and services
in appropriate way. In context of Trailfinders, they provide various as well as effective facilities
to their customers in order to attain better results in market. Some tools are as follows:
Direct sale: It is one of the important phase which directly contribute in making a
successful business. In this direct scale is important as an included vital element to attain positive
outcomes. It can be defining as a direct process in which all the facilities are sole directly
because it does not include any type of intermediary tools such as mail order and many more.
With the help of this company sell their products and services to direct buyer and attain their
positive response (Naji-Azimi and et. al., 2012). By this clear comments and evaluation aid in
enhancing the overall performance of the company at market place.
Hiring agents: It define as a people who has best capability as well as ability to effectively
understand the visiting destination which determine by the agent to its clients. In they take

agreements form both clients and companies to provide them better facilities which leads in
attaining positive outcomes form them. In this context there are certain situation which define
ineffective as well as direct transmission among parties to get their better satisfaction.
Furthermore, all these type of services provide by Trailfinders to their customers so that they
easily enhance their customers base and attain better success at market place.
Partner: The define as two or more than two individuals with non-company in order to
attain better results. In this stage, the tour operator includes favourite destinations as well as
locations, hotels of visiting which aid in providing more attractive and effective facilities to their
customers in order to get their satisfaction and also enhance their productivity level.
Online sales services: It define as a process which define certain services and products
which is offer by Trailfinders through online sites in order to sell their products at online
platform (Robinson, Heitmann and Dieke, 2011). In this context various aspects are there such as
booking of tickets, hotel and places which aid to company to increase their performance level at
market place and also represent their services in front of customers.
Opaque Distribution: It is also an effective process in which company serve their services
in order to maximize profitability level by providing minimum pricing services. In this real
vendor of the services does not realise but the clients are more valuable for company in which
they attain better profitability by them. So that it is important for tour company to define their
portion of dispersion of trip.
All these tools are effective for attaining better outcomes and also improve positive brand
image at marketplace. With the help of this company get higher satisfaction for their clients by
providing them better services.
TASK 4
4.1 Strategic decision made by various kinds of tour operators
Strategic decision is one of the important element which is used by the company to
enhance their productivity level by attaining overall goals in appropriate manner. In this process,
all the option and alternatives can be analysed in order to select the most appropriate and suitable
option (Hoyos, Morales and Akhavan-Tabatabaei, 2015). With the help of this tour operator
company attain their target an also maximize their profitability level at market place by making

better strategic decision. In this context there are some key strategic decision are define which
aid in improving performance of the firm. Which are as follows:
 Demand forecasting: This type of strategy defines first strategic decision which take by
Trailfinders to improve their performance level. It is related with futuristic approach in
which company determine their future activities as per customers demand for the trip
services. All these are related with future demands of customers.
 Market segmentation, targeting and positioning: Customers are the important aspect for
company in which their demand is considered as a priority to make them satisfied with
quality services. In this outlines of package are specified for the clients. Along with this
target customer also select for provide them better visiting services. With the help of this
company easily attain their target customers and also make strong position at market
place. By this they enhance their overall performance level.
 Discount pricing strategy: It is more important which play vital role in tourism sector
which leads in determining the package price under discount level. Along with tis various
discounts related with fixed contract in order to generate low discounts from customers. It
is more essential for company to make these kind of decisions for attaining high level of
profitability and productivity as well (Lenahan, 2011). By this company easily take
strong place in competitive market place.
All these key strategic decisions are more effective to provide various opportunities to the
company in which firm easily attain competitive advantage and also enhance their productivity
level in market place. With the help of this tour operator company capture larger market share
and increase customers base.
4.2 Compare the tactical judgement
Tactical judgement: It is important for travel and tourism company to select effective
techniques which helps in accomplishing its goals and objectives in order to attain better success.
In this manager should be keep their workers updates by providing them information about all
the policies so that they effectively attain their target and make them better structure of the
company at market place. With the help of this company maximize their profitability level by
effectively formulate their strategies and also provide better guidance to their workforce so that
they easily carryout their task in most effective manner.

 In a tour operator company short term policies and procedures helps in attaining all the
target and also invite number of customers. In context of Trailfinders, they had
effectively implement their policies to improve their positive brand image at market place
by providing them attractive and appropriate trip packages.
 Tour operator company also provide extra facilities during the holidays which helps in
attracting more and more customers in which company easily attain competitive
advantage (Martinez, Stapleton and Van Wassenhove, 2011).
 Trailfinders adopt effective strategies in which they keep their customers for long time
period by communicate with them towards the offer and other packages. With the help of
this they also take feedback for customers about goods and services. By this company
maintain string relationship with their clients.
 Firm also promote their services by giving advertisements in order to provide better
information to people about their services which helps in attaining better results from the
customers.
CONCLUSION
From the above mentioned, it can be concluded that tour operation management is more
important for every travel company to enhance their productivity level by providing best services
to their clients. In this various tour sectors are there which helps in making successful tor
operation in most effective manner. In this organization provide various package to its customers
in order to make more interesting trip. Along with this, effective tools and techniques is also used
by company to increase their customers base and attain competitive advantage in appropriate
way. In this various kind of packages are available which is made for family and individuals in
which they satisfy their needs at the time of their overall tour. Furthermore, various attractive as
well as natural destination is also introduce by company at the time of visiting their visitors in
which they easily increase their profitability level and attain their desirable goals and objectives.
Which the help of this company attain competitive advantage in appropriate way.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Barratt, M., Choi, T.Y. and Li, M., 2011. Qualitative case studies in operations management:
Trends, research outcomes, and future research implications. Journal of Operations
Management. 29(4). pp.329-342.
Cook, R. A., Hsu, C. H. and Marqua, J. J., 2014. Tourism: the business of hospitality and travel.
USA: Pearson.
Dietz, D. C., 2011. Practical scheduling for call center operations. Omega. 39(5). pp.550-557.
Evans, N., Stonehouse, G. and Campbell, D., 2012. Strategic management for travel and
tourism. Taylor & Francis.
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.
Guo, X. and He, L., 2012. Tourism supply-chain coordination: The cooperation between tourism
hotel and tour operator. Tourism Economics. 18(6). pp.1361-1376.
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.
Kerzner, H., 2013. Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and
controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Khairat, G. and Maher, A., 2017. Integrating sustainability into tour operator business: An
innovative approach in sustainable tourism. ARA: Revista de Investigación en Turismo.
2(2).
Lenahan, T., 2011. Turnaround, shutdown and outage management: Effective planning and step-
by-step execution of planned maintenance operations. Butterworth-Heinemann.
Luis, E., Dolinskaya, I. S. and Smilowitz, K. R., 2012. Disaster relief routing: Integrating
research and practice. Socio-economic planning sciences. 46(1). pp.88-97.
Martinez, A. J. P., Stapleton, O. and Van Wassenhove, L. N., 2011. Field vehicle fleet
management in humanitarian operations: a case-based approach. Journal of Operations
Management. 29(5). pp.404-421.
Moutinho, L. ed., 2011. Strategic management in tourism. Cabi.

Naji-Azimi, Z. and et. al., 2012. A covering tour approach to the location of satellite distribution
centers to supply humanitarian aid. European Journal of Operational Research.
222(3).pp.596-605.
Robinson, P., Heitmann, S. and Dieke, P. U. eds., 2011. Research themes for tourism. CABI.
Online
Tour Operations Management. 2014. [Online]. Available Through: <http://somo.co.ke/bachelor-
of-travel-and-tour-operations-management-at-moi-university-sm2-493.html