Tourist Arrested for 'Spying' in Iran: A Case Study

The provided assignment content is a collection of academic articles and online resources related to culture, tourism, and hospitality research. The articles cover topics such as global alliances in tourism management, segmenting tourists by direct tourism expenditures, and environmental practices in the hospitality industry. Additionally, there are online sources from reputable publications like the Financial Times and Thomas Cook Group plc Annual Report and Accounts.

Tour Operations
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
Analyzing the effects of current trends and developments on the tour operator’s industry........3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
Assessing the stages and timescale in developing holidays.........................................................4
Evaluating suitability of different methods of contracting and types of tour operator................6
Calculating the selling price of a holiday....................................................................................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
Evaluating the planning decisions for designing brochures........................................................7
Assessing the suitability of types of tour operators.....................................................................8
Evaluating suitability of distribution methods for different types of tour operators...................9
TASK 4 .........................................................................................................................................10
Strategic decisions by different types of tour operators.............................................................10
Comparing tactical decisions by tour operators for different situations....................................11
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13
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INTRODUCTION
Tour operations have become the forefront of travel and tourism industry. There are
various organizations that are providing the variety of holiday packages where visitors are
privileged with the travel plan and also the firms are selling effectively as per the demand of
clients. The function of tour operators is to seek the new traveling destinations and provide
experience of holidays to customers to meet their changing demand and expectations (Guzzo and
do Nascimento, 2013). Service providers have tie-ups with the hoteliers, taxi-hires, airlines etc.
to add with their traveling packages. In this report, the investigation has been made by
underpinning different types of tour operators of UK namely, Thomas Cook, TUI Plc, Thomson,
Red Sea Holidays, Olympic Holidays etc. who are majorly catering the needs of travelers by
working as the most famous and well known tour operator in UK. With the help of stages of
creating holidays and skills for determining the selling price, use of relevant information has
been made. The role played by brochure is reviewed with the new methods of promoting
holidays.
TASK 1
Analyzing the effects of current trends and developments on the tour operator’s industry
According to the World Trade Organization (WTO), tourism is considered as one of the
major sources for fostering nation's economy. It has been analyzed that the travel and tourism
sector in UK contribute 4% of the standard growth rate. It has been so effective because of major
tour operator’s organizations that are playing the role of providing best packages for facilitating
travelers with the comfortable and cost effective traveling (Yilmaz and Bititci, 2006). As
suggested by European Union Package Travel Regulation (PTR), a tour package is inclusive of
two or more travel constituents such as, a hotel and car hire or a flight and a hotel.
In this dynamic environment of tourism industry, various operators of UK have been
attributed as the best suitable players who play safe in intense competition with the mergers and
acquisitions. Recently, with the rising supply of 'no-frills' flights, development in advanced
technology, use of internet and satisfying the traveler’s experience leads to successful travel.
Following are the types of tour operators which are stated as follows:
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 Outbound Operators: The visiting of travelers from one nation to another in international
boundaries is refers to as outbound traveling. It is advantageous for UK as with high
exchange rate for pound, the UK is advantageous with this mode of operators.
 Inbound Operators: This is an incoming source of tour operators where visitors came
from another nation to visit home nation. UK earns money from the inbound operators
(Mehmetoglu, 2004).
 Domestic Operators: It is when resident of home country visit places in their own
country for tourism. It has been revealed that, in UK very small share is acquired from
this type of operations.
UK Trends of Tour operator industry (In integration of Thomas Cook)
Recent trends Explanation Impact of recent trends in
integration with Thomas Cook
Development of
travel and tour
market
There are ample of customers who have
started travelling through different
transport systems. With this recent trend,
various services and developments have
shown a remarkable profitability to tour
operating organization.
The impact of this have been
noticed when Thomas Cook
expand its activities with respect
to introduction of new services
in line of its products and
services.
Environmental
awareness of
tour operators:
There has been evidences greater impact
of carbon footprints in the surrounding.
This is of major concern to the travellers.
Hence, development of trend has shown a
growth of eco-tourism measures for
providing better services to travellers.
This remarkable development in
the tour sector is privileged by
Thomas Cook. The integration
of this tour operating firm with
sustainable movements have
helped in driving a great
awareness of environment which
thereby sustain people to attract
towards this firm and its
services.
Emergence of
E-commerce
The recent trends and development has
shown a good development of growth of
e-commerce. The travellers with the
Thomas Cook has been able to
influence mass people towards
its services with the emergence
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development of e-commerce have brought
to enjoy various benefits such as direct
booking; online services have shown a
remarkable increase towards using
services of tour operations.
of trend of e-commerce.
However, this may also leads to
impact the people in adverse
ways as well due to security and
protection issues.
TASK 2
Assessing the stages and timescale in developing holidays
The term 'package holidays' is defined as the combination two or more segments of a
holiday. This is inclusive of accommodation, transport and other additional services such as
providing sight visit etc. With the growth and development in online services provided, the role
of intermediaries has been greatly reduced. Websites such as lastminiutes.com, expedia.com etc.
offer services directly. Following stages have been assessed with the time scale in creating
holidays:
 Market research: According to the given scenario, educational tour for the students to
Europe has to be planned. This is the first stage where the researcher is required to
undertake the evaluation of current market trends. The existing products and services
selection as per the package and demand of students and the family members who will
come with them has to be determined (Kunkel, 2010). Europe and its visiting locations
need to be examined in terms of whether, cost, recent trends etc.
 Planning and scheduling: In this next stage, preparation of creation of several things such
as holiday package is planned. As per the given scenario, 7 days summer vacation
holidays have been planned and accordingly, the scheduling has to be made. Therefore,
areas such as capacity planning where the number of travelers, aircraft seats to be
booked, accommodation in hotel of Europe has to be made by keeping in mind the
financial planning of cost which as per scenario is £350 per student and 40% extra for
family member has to be provided.
 Forecasting: The vital stage where arrangement in respect of administration feasibility
has to be determine. There is need to plan in advance the reservation system, resort based
booking and initial booking as well.
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 Contracting: This is the stage which is inclusive of allocation, commitment, ad hoc, time
series charters, split charters, ad hoc catering schedule services using air brokers, etc. It is
significant to ensure the safety of travelers (Hall and Page, 2006).
 Costing the holidays is primarily taken care. At the time of full season, a variety of
activities occur which are inclusive of holiday management, customer care etc. The cost
needs to be evaluated on certain basis such as fixed and variable, direct and indirect, load
factors, mark ups, profit margins, seasonal flexing, competitive pricing, skimming,
special offers, discounting strategies, currency exchange.
 Timescales: In this last stage, the planning for tour days to Europe has to be made. As per
scenario, it is given that it will be 7 days educational trip. And therefore, planning from
moving till the visit to Europe and its final back to pavilion would be planned and
executed.
Evaluating suitability of different methods of contracting and types of tour operator
The evaluation of the various methods of contracting has been made to analyze the
suitability of the package which has been planned for the students and their family members.
Europe has been chosen as a place of visit for them and accordingly the planning of time,
distance and cost is made (Farmaki, 2013). Following are the methods stated which the college
conducting educational trip Europe can select: Fixed Contract: This is a type of contracting where the companies give an assurance of
volume based utilization to maximize the revenue collection. All the specification are
made by the tour operators as per the demand of the customer. Here, the college
management can give the specification to them about their short trip with all the demands
for traveling and stay at Europe.
 Sale only contract: This is another type of contract where the niche consumer segment is
designed as a highly expensive tour plan. Such plans are made at the time of lean session
in an order to reduce the risk that arises from the response for package designed by them.
The holiday packages are designed and structured by the tour operators with an intention
to reduce the work of visitor in engaging in planning (Aktas, Aksu and çizel, 2003). The central
idea behind providing the complete package lies in serving the facility to consumers for
depending on all the things at one single place. Based on the four types of Tour operators
discussed above namely, outbound, Inbound, And Domestic and Direct Sell Operators, the
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selection is made by following two options which would be beneficial for better tour plan
selection by College. Internet: With the advance technology, the selection can be made using tour operation
from the websites. It is effective as it is the direct deal which the college management can
make with the tour operators. However, there are certain ways such as ineffective
information, lack of Prince which may affect the traveling.
 Holiday packages: There are various types of holiday packages available in the UK. It is
based on the type of tour operators such as domestic, inbound, outbound, direct sell etc.
In an order to make the traveling for 7 days more relaxing and effective, College can
make use of anyone from among four big traveling organizations of UK namely,
Thomson, First Choice, MyTravel, and Thomas cook (Damonte, Collins and Megehee,
2013). They are responsible for all the functions and arrangements of the traveling. It
would be better from the side of college and students in respect of overall management of
making trip successful.
Calculating the selling price of a holiday
Description of the proposed tour
The tour has been planned to the Portuguese city of Lisbon which is selected for the
students as is the largest city of Portugal. Being the oldest city in the world, it has been chosen
for knowing various facts from history of the nation. The visit to Belem Tower, Museum of
Ancient Arts, Lisbon’s Opera House, Monument to Christ the King, Anthony of Lisbon etc is
some famous places which are planned for this proposed tour in seven days. Tour has been
planned in table below:
Day Planning
First, second and third day  From the airport to the hotel, students will be taken by
taxi.
 After getting ready from there, the trip will continue to
Belem Tower, Museum of Ancient Arts, Lisbon's Opera
House and Monument to Christ the King in these three
days.
 The planning will be inclusive of all three times meal at
hotel carried with refreshment while traveling to the
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planned places.
Fourth and Fifth day  The visit to Anthony of Lisbon and Eduardo VII park,
Lisbon Gay and Film festival will be planned.
 The party at night has been arranged in the hotel for all
the students and the other member.
 All three meals and refreshments are also included.
Sixth day  The last day of the tour will be visit to sight seeing of
nearby places as to timely reach for the airport.
 After lunch, the tour members will pack their bags and
move to airport for back to pavilion at their home city.
Services Cost(in £)
Accommodation in hotel of Europe 50
Transport (Plan tickets, bus from college to airport, bus from airport of Europe
to hotel)
90
Breakfast and Dinner in the hotel of Europe 40
Transportation in the decided locations of Europe 100
Entry tickets for key tourist attraction places (Jeronimos monastery
(Architectural place with entry ticket €13.00.), Belem tower (fortified tower
tiny river island with roof top Terrace offering estuary views with entry
ticket€12), St. George's castle (The historic center of the Portuguese city of
Lisbon and Tagus River with entry ticket of 5.00 EUR.), Calouste Gulbenkian
museum (Museum in Lisbon, containing a collection of ancient, and some
modern, art with free entrance, etc)
70
TOTAL 350
Selling prices per package = £ 500/ person
Profits per package = 500-350= £ 150.
In the case of if the student is not from the UCKC than it will be treated as a guest they
will be charged an additional 40% of the price. So the tour package cost for non UCKC student
will be
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350*0.40= 140
140+350= 490 pounds
Children who are above 6 months to 10 years will be treated as a guest and they will be
charged at half the price of the guest. So the price of the package for the 6 months to 10 year
children will be
490/2 = 245 pounds
Henceforth, 490 pounds is a price for the guest which is already calculating above.
TASK 3
Evaluating the planning decisions for designing brochures
The evaluation of the planning decision for the brochures has been made with respect to
the traveling trip which is based on educational trip to Europe. As per travel and tourism
industry, brochure is defined as a method which carries information and is inclusive of selling of
goods and services for holiday packages. As per this trip, the selection of own package has been
made. It is an educational tour package for the students to Europe. It is planned for seven days
and maximum charge for each student is £350. The design which is planned for current package
is inclusive of proper planning, research, implementation and organizing the things properly for
the overall tourism process (Voxted, 2011). The plan is inclusive of several facilities such as
accommodation, transport, breakfast and dinner. In addition, any family members is brought
about, 40% additional price will be charged. Children below 6 months will have free travel.
Following are the steps made for designing the brochure of the current trip to Europe stated as
follows:
 Identification of planning issue: While making the plan for designing the project, various
issues have been identified. They are related to aim of brochure, its target ares, timescale
which are required to make the design attractive (Hjalager, 2001).
 Format: In this step, the work is made upon, enhancing the attractiveness and visibility of
the brochure (Buda and McIntosh, 2013). UKCBC is working for providing best of trip
and tours with the large segments to design the format of tour.
 Target market and Budget: There is need to consider the area in niche market where the
mass dimension is selected by tour operators (Mehmetoglu, 2004). Budget is the most
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important factor which is required to be properly planned. UKCBC is putting an effort to
employ various market research activities to assess about the spending power of clients.
 Timescale and the stages involved in the brochure design: There is requirement of
designing the complete brochure as per direction to be executed (Barron, Leask and
Fyall, 2014). It is essential to underpin all the stages which are required to be taken
making effective planning decision. The central ideas behind the same are to make the
design of brochure attractive and purposeful.
Kind of brochure preferable for UKCBC Tour Operator
In an order to serve the best of experience to the visitors of UKCBC, E-brochure is the
most preferable kind of tour operator system. In this method, video cassette is played which
provide the information regarding the trip and visitors. The emphasis has been given on the
design of the brochure in order to attract the customers. More and more number of photographs
was added to it so that people were appealed in the best way possible. The quality, design and
color have been given highly preference. The significance of brochure was enriched through the
layout and contents provided in it. It covers the information regarding all the places subscribed
under it. The contents have been included to provide the best of the possible use for the visitors.
It has been made with effective consideration of all the UK laws and legislation. The distribution
of the brochure was made at all the significant places of the UK such as airport, restaurants, etc.
The factor such as timing distribution should be effectively mentioned in the brochure. The focus
has been given on providing the best of information more through pictures than the content. It
should be more appealing rather content based aspects.
Assessing the suitability of types of tour operators
Different types of tour operators followed different traditional methods for their
brochures planning. Similar is the case with the major tour operators such as Thomas Cook and
TUI Plc etc who since their foundation uses traditional brochures methods. With the advance
technology and change in market trends, it has been analyzed that selection of tour operators for
making the trip successful by the customers also takes brochure into consideration. It is very
important to undertake several new, innovative and creative ways to switch for brochure
(Nickson, 2008). The central idea behind the same is that the improved and latest quality of
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brochure is useful and is an important medium for conveying information with respect to the
products and services of the respective tour operators.
Traditionally, the brochures are handled manually and are in the form of hard copy. With
the modernization, an efficient method has been developed and now in this present age, an
alternative works in place of traditional brochure. It is E-brochure which is a latest mean for
customers. This is an online brochure design which is more effective and efficient than manual
or physical brochure. Thomas Cook would be more beneficial if the E-brochure method can be
utilized for serving its clients or visitors. The advantage for using this online method would
support cost effective way. Another advantage of developing this E-brochure method is that the
process of its design includes less cost and in contrary gives major benefit and impact widely to
the large mass of people. This is also the way to work in support to enhance the sales of the
various products and services offerings of the tour operators company. In similar fashion, there is
video brochure available where the user friendly or social sites such as Facebook, YouTube are
used to meet the purpose of promotion. This is a way by which customers can themselves have a
short trip on their own by visiting the tour operator’s websites.
It is recommendable to the Tour Operators such as Thomas Cook to understand the
advantage of E-brochure in an order to ripen the benefit of more customer’s attraction and ways
to enhance their sales. It is suggestible that Thomas Cook makes use of integrated approach
where the all there sources namely, E-brochure, video and online marketing can be combined to
design its E-brochure (Mehmetoglu, 2004). These are small acts or actions which act as an
effective tools to support customers in utilizing resources for promotion a with proper resources
utilization.
Evaluating suitability of distribution methods for different types of tour operators
The evaluation of suitability of different distribution methods for different types of tour
operators has been provided. As per current recommended E-brochure design for the proposed
package will be available for the students and their family members a well. It carries a
background to evaluate that these are the ways where the alternatives for the consumers with the
growing market trends has been analyzed. This is a method which would be more effective in
terms of cost and benefits than the various tour operators organizations.
Tour operations management has been very significant as carrying out the effective
distribution method helps to define proper way for growth of organization. Since the foundation
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of these tour and travel organization such as Thomas Cook, TUI Plc etc brochure proved to be
effective method for selling the packages. With its growing advantage and benefit, understanding
has been developed that design of these brochures are significant as in this advance world, high
technology use should be more better for organizations. However, to facilitate the trip to Europe,
own package would be more beneficial as it is cost effective for the students. The advantage of
taking the family member of friends is also there. Moreover, it is inclusive of all the services that
are equivalent to the other tour operators exist in UK. There is an advantage of this package that
as is effective in many ways.
TASK 4
Strategic decisions by different types of tour operators
In order to gain market opportunity and better compete with other tour operators in UK in the
marketplace, it is essential to develop strategic plans and applied them in their day to day
activities. New plan can be developed through considering different activities including
competitive strategy, adopting of price efficiency and selection of specific consumer segment to
promote products in a significant manner. These activities can be explored in a following
manner.
 Segmentation, targeting and positioning: By using segmentation approach, tour
operator’s organisations such as Thomas Cook, TUI plc etc of UK would be able to
classify its market on the basis of the demographic profiles like income, age, gender and
life styles of visitors (Annual Report and Accounts, 2010). After analysing competitors
core strengths, tour operate will be able to capture their consumer segment. For example,
Thomas Cook is developed their strategies by considering pricing, promotion, and place
factors so large amount of customers can be attracted and existing customers can be
retained with the firm for long time period in an appropriate manner. Promotion strategy: Tour operators can promote their products by creating lucrative tour
packages. In this regards, proper allocation of organizational resources such as human
capital, finance and other resources are required to enhance the profitability of the
organization. For example, Thomas Cook is providing various discount offers in booking
in different occasions like seasonal and festivals, booking in different occasions like
seasonal and festival to attract visitors. This strategy helps tour operator to retain its
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current position and better perform as compared to other business rivals present in the
marketplace. In this regards, tour operator can use attractive website and use non -
traditional marketing methods so that awareness among customers can be increased
(Yilmaz and Bititci, 2006). Pricing strategy: By implementing discounting pricing strategy, tour operators of UK can
attract customers through providing high discount to the customers within stipulated time
so that they will retain with them for long time period. In addition, this strategy will be
helpful for the company to take competitive advantage in the market effectively.
 Other strategies: Apart from the above strategies, tour operators like Thomas Cook can
develop and implement strategic policies such as joint tender for in-flight catering and
balancing between quality and cost so that quality of services will be offered to their
customers at reasonable price.
Comparing tactical decisions by tour operators for different situations
In order to handle day to day business activities relating to the designing and sales
activities, it is essential for tour operator to take strategic decision at right time. For proper
functioning of their business such as offering services to the customers regarding travel package
and discount on seasonal packages, operator would be able to enhance its customer base
(Farmaki, 2013). In cut throat competitive market, it is essential for the tour operators to adopt
the personal and corporate selling tools to promote sales and awareness among customer.
However, tour operators like Thomas cook mainly relay on traditional promotion technologies
which is costly as compared and time consuming. By using modern media marketing channels,
company would be able to reduce marketing cost and reach coverage in a significant manner.
There are various ranges of tactical decisions which are taken by the tour operators.
Another in similar respect is inclusive of relationship with the stakeholder’s negation of the
decision of the service providers, expansion of business, developing new and innovative
packages, distribution methods etc. The organization has to care of the relationships to be
maintained with the customers, stakeholder’s suppliers and most importantly with the
organisations with whom the tie ups are maintained. The central idea behind the dealing with the
tactical decisions is the making use of both personal and professional promotional tools that
helps in giving the customers with the best of travelling experiences (Kunkel, 2010). In similar
fashion, efforts can be made by the tour operator’s organisations to conduct or participate in the
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meeting with an objective to create and develop long term relationships. These are the
classification of decision which is made to enhance the profits and maximize sales. This is also
to ripen the benefit of consumer's trust and loyalty. Furthermore, the tactical decision is inclusive
of undertaking tour operators companies who takes customer expectations and experience as a
priority. They are useful in providing the best of services to the tour operators to gain the lifelong
good experience
CONCLUSION
Travel and tourism has been the most important sector which is inclusive of various work
and responsibilities. The current project provides an insight into the various aspects of the
travels and tourism industry. It has been made in special context by underpinning four major tour
operators of UK. The Thomas Cook which is the most lead and major tour operator has been
presented as a part of the study. The efforts are made to reflect the clear understanding of recent
trends in the UK travel and tourism industry. It has been presented with the various new, creative
and innovative ways of handling the tourism successful. Various stages of designing an effective
holiday package have been presented with the suitability of the provided resources. With the
special consideration of scenario, the efforts are made by defining the different methods and
components of the holidays and tour operators. It has been made with the proper calculation of
the selling price as well. Brochures have been the most significant part of the overall tour
package. From the entire study, it has been found that, reviewing of the brochures and its
comparison with the traditional one has been highlighted. In a nutshell, it has been analyzed that
appropriate activities are helpful and are benefit for finding out most suitable methods to attract
visitors.
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REFERENCES
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Tourism Review. 58(1). pp. 34 – 40.
Barron, P., Leask, A. and Fyall, A., 2014. Engaging the multi-generational workforce in tourism
and hospitality. Tourism Review. 69(4). pp. 245-263.
Buda, M. D. and McIntosh, J. A., 2013. Dark tourism and voyeurism: tourist arrested for
“spying” in Iran". International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research.
7(3). pp. 214 – 226.
Buhalis, D. and Crotts, J., 2013. Global alliances in tourism and hospitality management.
Routledge.
Damonte, T. L., Collins, D. M. and Megehee, M. C., 2013. Segmenting tourists by direct tourism
expenditures at new festivals. International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality
Research. 7(1). pp. 51 – 57.
Farmaki, A., 2013. Tourism revisited: a supply/demand conceptualization. International Journal
of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research. 7(3). pp. 281-292.
Guzzo, R. F. and do Nascimento, L. F. M., 2013. Environmental practices and organizational
performance in the hospitality industry: a study of this relation in the city of Porto
Alegre, Brazil. Estudios y Perspectivas en Turismo. 22(2). pp. 294-313
Hall, C. M. and Gossling, S., 2012. Sustainable culinary systems: local foods, innovation,
tourism and hospitality. Routledge.
Hall, M. C. and Page. S., 2006. The Geography of Tourism and Recreation: Environment, Place
and Space. Psychology Press.
Hjalager, A., 2001. Quality in tourism through the empowerment of tourists. Managing Service
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Kunkel, M. L., 2010. International Tourism Policy and the Role of Governments in Tourism in
the Context of Sustainability. GRIN Verlag.
Mehmetoglu, M., 2004. Tourist or traveller? A typological approach. Tourism Review. 59 (3).
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Mehmetoglu, M., 2004. Tourist or traveller? A typological approach. Tourism Review. 59(3). pp.
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Voxted, S., 2011. Traditional and non‐traditional employees in production teams. Team
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