Barriers of Communication in Travel Industry during Covid-19 Pandemic

This report reflects on the barriers of communication which are imposed by situations existing because of the covid 19 pandemic. It states various organizational theories, evaluation of barriers impacting the behaviour of consumers and recommendation of strategies for overcoming the barriers.

BUSINESS
COMMUNICATION
1

Table of Contents
Assessment 2 ..................................................................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
General theories of organizational communication....................................................................3
Examining the barriers which prevent people from booking holidays abroad...........................4
Examine the different strategies which the travel agency has implemented to overcome these
barriers. ......................................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION...............................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7
2

Assessment 2
INTRODUCTION
The motive of this report is to reflect on the barriers of communication which are imposed by
situations existing because of the covid 19 pandemic. Covid pandemic emergence has resulted in
different issues in business operations of Barrhead Travel Holidays leading to decline in
confidence of customers for availing the facilities and services of the company. The business
organization is facing many barriers which are disrupting the communication flow and implying
ambiguity which is affecting the decision making ability of the company and the consumers as
well(Bannier, Pauls and Walter, 2019). The report states various organizational
theories,evaluation of barriers impacting the behaviour of consumers and recommendation of
strategies for overcoming the barriers.
General theories of organizational communication
For managing the communication in business organization , communication plays a crucial role
as communication is needed to be followed by different firms. So it can be said that
communication is essential for attaining the success. In the past few years business
communication has become very popular and its significance has also enhanced over the period
of time. In addition it has become very crucial for management and the organization for defining
the structure and activities which allows in facilitating the communication flow in appropriate
manner. There are different theories which are suggested by management professionals aiming
of improving the communication level in the business(Blewitt, Parsons and Shane, 2018). Here
are some of the organizational communication theories mentioned below :
Webers Classic Organizational Theory of Fixed Structures
The theory of Webers Classic Organizational states that there must be proper clarity in
responsibilities and roles so the clear focus can be made to the hierarchical patterns for ensuring
the clear structure. In addition to this the theory also pays attention to the major roles as per the
hierarchy. The work assigned must be according to the level, capacities and potential of all the
employees. The main aim of the theory is to ensure the proper communication flow, which must
be maintained as the hierarchical patterns and employees positions(Bolten, 2020).
3

Theory of Tompkins and Cheneys Organizational Control
The theory is known as the detailed and prolonged version of Webers Classic Organizational
theory of fixed structures. It states that there are 4 different types of control which explains that
whether the company's structure is easy or not, functional ,conventional and specialized. In the
company the power of control is measured by use of simple structure to complete bureaucratic
modes to specialized ones. It also evaluates the model in which all employees and management
understands and knows their respective duties,roles and domain clearly for accomplishing the
personal and organizational goals and objectives.
Theory of Deetzs managerialism
The theory suggests that organizations are needed to acknowledge the suggestions in which the
economical and political interests are also impacted. Theory of Deetzs managerialism focuses on
different aspects of the people and power centres in the company. It can be seen that the theory
mainly focuses on suggestions and perceptions rather than words(Cavanagh, Leeds and Peters,
2019). The main highlights of this theory is that it goes beyond the fixed notions of organizations
and presents a view of company taken into consideration the democratic aspirations of
individuals in the firm. The theory is arose by the need of recognizing the pre-eminence of the
managers as the force to align within the company.
Examining the barriers which prevent people from booking holidays abroad
The Covid-19 pandemic has created various restrictions which are influencing the
development and growth of the company. The Barrhead travel holidays has to take into
consideration all these restrictions in their decision making process. The barriers which are
stopping people from planning their holidays abroad are discussed below :
 Physical barriers: These barriers restrict the people with some physical issues. The
company faces physical barriers because of the infrastructure and other related issues. In
context to the Barrhead travel holidays, physical barriers are creating interruption in the
operations due to the restrictions and uncertainties of the pandemic. The performance of
the company is also hampered due to the social distancing norms. This is the reason the
people are not able to travel freely from one place to another in their holidays(Chen,
Davison and Ou, 2020).
4

 Emotional barriers: The emotional feelings and aspects which ascertain the preference
and behaviour of consumers are creating emotional barriers to the company. In the
current situation of pandemic, the people do not want to risk their lives and do not want
to travel abroad since the pandemic has created a sense of fear in the minds of
individuals. The people have stopped all their activities and are residing in their homes in
the covid-19 pandemic.
 Organisational structure barriers: The government has imposed certain restrictions in
the tourism sector. This has impacted the organisation structure of the company which
has caused certain barriers in the operations. This has created a doubt in the minds of
customers regarding their travel bookings(Men and Sung, 2022). The covid- 19 pandemic
has created uncertain conditions which are causing fluctuations in the policies of the
Barrhead travel holidays. Various countries have been put to different categories of lists
like red, green, orange. All these restrictions and fluctuations are influencing the decision
making of the company. This has resulted in decreasing revenues of the company.
 Information barriers: The information barriers are very crucial in impacting the
policies the company. These barriers includes problems that are caused by lack of proper
guidance and clarity in the information. Barrhead travel holidays has been facing the
issue that people are getting misinformed and mislead in their decision making process.
There are various rumours which are spread in the market due to the pandemic. The
people are not being able to decide whether to plan their holidays abroad or stay safe at
home because of the rumours which are circulating in the market. This has impacted the
performance of the company since its sales has decreased continuously(Palmieri, Perrin
and Whitehouse, 2018). Another important issue which people are facing is various
restrictions like quarantine, RT-PCR test or vaccine status.
 Culture barriers: These barriers include the cultural differences which prevail in
different countries. Each country has its own restrictions which are to be followed by
every tourist coming in that country. The people are not sure whether to travel in another
country with all these covid rules and regulations. The people are fearing about the
protocols and quarantine they have to follow.
5

Examine the different strategies which the travel agency has implemented to overcome
these barriers.
The pandemic has impacted the tourism industry in a significant manner. The overall
performance of the industry has decreased largely in the situation of the pandemic. The
companies have seen sixty to eighty percent downfall in their business. Barrhead travel holidays
has analysed the current situation of the market and has adopted different strategies which will
help the company in overcoming these barriers. The strategies adopted by the company is
discussed below :
 The company has focused on making decisions based on proper and accurate
information. This will help the company in formulating effective strategies for the
business and also help in achievement of predetermined goals and objectives. The
company has diversified its communication channel and made the process of booking
very easy for the customers(Sapkota and VanderPutten, 2018).
 Barrhead travel holidays has adopted various channels which will be helpful for the
customers in gaining more knowledge about the packages offered by the company. The
company is also focusing on providing quick and proper response to the queries of the
customers. This improves the image of the company in the market.
 The company is required to provide all the necessary information to the customers so that
customers stay updated with respect to latest company policies.
CONCLUSION
The preceding reports concludes that sudden emergence of Covid 19 pandemic has
affected the financial activities of the travel organization and has impacted the business
operation of the firm to a great extent. The customers behaviour towards availing the facilities
and services of the business organization has been changed very much because of different
barriers of communication as mentioned above. By developing and making clear policies
regarding the services and facilities provided by the company, they can overcome all the barriers.
6

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bannier, C., Pauls, T. and Walter, A., 2019. Content analysis of business communication:
introducing a German dictionary. Journal of Business Economics, 89(1), pp.79-123.
Blewitt, J.M., Parsons, A. and Shane, J.M., 2018. Service learning as a high-impact practice:
Integrating business communication skills to benefit others. Journal of Education for
Business, 93(8), pp.412-419.
Bolten, J., 2020. Intercultural business communication: An interactive approach. In Exploring
the rhetoric of international professional communication (pp. 139-155). Routledge.
Cavanagh, T.M., Leeds, C. and Peters, J.M., 2019. Increasing oral communication self-efficacy
improves oral communication and general academic performance. Business and
Professional Communication Quarterly, 82(4), pp.440-457.
Chen, R.R., Davison, R.M. and Ou, C.X., 2020. A symbolic interactionism perspective of using
social media for personal and business communication. International Journal of
Information Management, 51, p.102022.
Men, L.R. and Sung, Y., 2022. Shaping corporate character through symmetrical
communication: The effects on employee-organization relationships. International
journal of business communication, 59(3), pp.427-449.
Palmieri, R., Perrin, D. and Whitehouse, M., 2018. The pragmatics of financial communication.
Part 1: From sources to the public sphere. International Journal of Business
Communication, 55(2), pp.127-134.
Sapkota, K.N. and Vander Putten, J., 2018. Social media acceptance and usage by business
communication faculty. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly, 81(3),
pp.328-350.
7