Aspect of Tour Operations Management - Report

TOUR
OPERATIONS
MANAGEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 The recent development in tourism industry.........................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Determining the stages and time scale involved in designing the holiday packages.............5
2.2 Evaluating the suitability, destinations and attractions involved in developing holiday
packages.......................................................................................................................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
3.1 Evaluating the planning decisions taken for the design of a selected brochure ....................9
3.2 Assessing the suitability of alternatives to a traditional brochure for various kinds of tour
operators.....................................................................................................................................10
3.3 Evaluate the suitability of different methods of distribution used to sell holiday for
different types of tour operators.................................................................................................11
TASK 4.........................................................................................................................................12
4.1 Evaluating the strategic decisions made by various types of tour operators.......................12
4.2 Comparing the tactical decisions that could be taken by chosen tour operator in contrasting
situations....................................................................................................................................12
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14
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INTRODUCTION
Travel and tourism is among the most prospering sector at present that have many fruitful
opportunities. The sector contributes to 10% of the overall GDP of the global economy. In
addition to this aspect, travel and tourism sector provide job opportunities to approximately 300
million individual. In the context of UK, 1 out of 11 job is created within travel and tourism
sector. Travel and tourism sector is progressing at fast pace and work as economic booster.
From the different reports and statistics by ONS (Office for National Statistics) it has been
identified that UK is the globes 8th biggest holiday destination. The statistics reveals that in 2015,
around 36.115 million travellers visited the country. Further, the expenditure done by
international tourist accounted for US$22.072 billion. The famous city of UK, London welcomes
15 million international and domestic tourist (Economic impact of travel and tourism, 2015).
Therefore, it can be stated that travel and tourism sector presents large number of advantages for
economy as well as organizations operating in it. In this respect, tour operations management is
concept that is used by organization to boost tourism and avail various opportunities. It is
important concept that help managers of travel entities to administer the tour and travel
components in order to develop effective tour packages for different travellers. In this report,
clear understanding will be shown about different aspect of tour operations management. Here,
the recent developments in tourism industry will be studied. The strategic and tactical decisions
taken by tour operators will be explained.
TASK 1
1.1 The recent development in tourism industry
Since its inception that travel and tourism industry is among the highest growing sector
and important source of generating revenue for the economy. The tourism industry at
international level is witnessing 4 -5% growth on constant basis. On the other hand, the tourism
industry of UK is showing growth indication of 1-2%. Further, the industry rendered US$7.6
trillion to the international economy. Therefore, it can be clearly witnessed that there are large
number of opportunities available in the industry (Fesenmaier and Tang-Taye, 2011). Along
with this, there are various developments that must be considered by tourism organization to
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attain the vast amount of opportunities available in the sector. The description of which is as
follows:
 Concept of virtual tour: In order to induce maximum number of customers to avail the
tour packages offered by company virtual tour concept is used. It help in simulation of a
current tourism destination with the help of various videos, images and other multimedia
elements (Xiang, Magnini and Fesenmaier, 2015).
 Technology beacons: There is increase in the use of technology for facilitating tourism.
Considering this aspect, leading mobile brand, Apple is making essential additions and
upgradations to its iBeacon application which will modify the processes and improve the
convenience for tourism company and individual travelers (Assaker, Vinzi and O'Connor,
2011). Hence, resorts and lodging company, airlines and other travel company can adopt
iBeacon technique in iOS7 (Development in Tourism industry. 2016). This will help them
service company in sharing information about new tour packages, offers etc and interact
with potential customers. It will increase the suitability and comfort to consumers and
increase their satisfaction level (Brotherton, 2012).
 Millennial seeking adventure: Those persons that are born between 1985-2004 and
thus reaching young adulthood near the year 2000 are refereed as millennial. It has been
identified from market research that near 20% of the international tourist will consist of
millennial group. In addition to this aspect, it has been identified that millennial group
will be taking 50% or more overseas journey till year 2020 (Crysta, 2011).
 Removal of barriers: There is increase in connectivity between different countries as
result of improved air services, removal of barriers by government etc. In addition to this
aspect, airline companies are also offering affordable service and tourism organization
provide various discounts and offers to attract maximum customers (Damonte, 2013).
Further, there are different mobile applications that offer facility of translating language
therefore barrier in overseas tourism is removed. This is further increasing convenience
for customers to travel in different parts of world and boost tourism.
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