Travel and Tourism Sector: Contemporary Issues and Analysis Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of contemporary issues and trends within the travel and tourism sector, focusing on challenges faced by companies like Thomas Cook. The report is structured into four tasks, examining issues such as technological advancements, ecotourism, and urbanization, as well as post-Brexit impacts and the rise of terrorism. It evaluates current market trends, including adventure, sports, and eco-tourism, using primary, secondary, quantitative, and qualitative research methods. The analysis explores the impact of these issues and trends on the business context and discusses strategies for adaptation and mitigation. The report covers various aspects of the tourism industry and the responses of businesses in the face of change.

Contemporary Issue in
Travel and Tourism
Sector

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Different current issues by using proper approaches and resources.....................................1
1.2 Analysing various issues by using appropriate methods and techniques..............................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
2.1 Evaluating current trends influencing the tourism sector.....................................................3
2.2 Analysis of current trends using appropriate methods..........................................................4
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
3.1 Analyse response towards change in travel and tourism sector............................................6
3.2 Strategies development in relation to response to changes by selected business entity.......7
3.3 Justify the strategies which are using in response to modification.......................................8
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................9
4.1 Impact of issues and trends on driven business context........................................................9
4.2 Results when the change are not dealt properly..................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Tourism is the sector who in modern scenario is growing fast with attaining rapid speed
within economy. In early times, this concept was limited but now it is unlimited in nature for
various kind of purposes. Numerous elements are present in current situation which has made
impact upon the changing trends on regular kind of basis (Becker, 2016). There are mainly the
tour operators within travelling companies which has various kind of issues while innovating
methods and techniques. Thomas Cook is one of the famous travelling company which was
established in 1841 and thus has been dealing in travel and tourism sector. There are number of
factors which are being highlighted in this report like various issues and trends within this kind
of sector along with responding on various kind of changes within trends. Apart from this, there
are various kind of impacts which will be discussed as well.
TASK 1
1.1 Different current issues by using proper approaches and resources
This is one of the dominant for the country for number of factors and other kind of issues
within this kind of sector which can be restrained. Destination on which research can be done is
Birmingham. There are various kind of issues which are being faced by this place due to the
emerging growth of within tourism sector and thus they are highly linked with the other kind of
issues and tour agencies with other body states (Campbell, Ryley and Thring, 2012). Along with
this, activities are being conducted for resolving the issues by mainly carrying out below:
Technological Advancement & Disintermediation: There has been mainly increment
within the annual income for the country by the modifications and changes within the
technologies. There are various kind of issues which are being faced by the issues of company.
This in turn has lead to making impact upon the process of company. This has lead the company
to attain the growth within national terms and thus their area of operations within national terms.
Several issues which are being faced by Thomas Cook which in turn can mainly make an impact
in negative manner. Technological advancement has some negative influence on the tourist
destinations like Birmingham museum and art gallery. Due to advancement in technology people
are very much relay on the digital tools and technologies and these technologies like mobile
phone, internet, tab etc. are effective in providing information in regards to the destinations, so
the chance of visiting museum or other tourist destinations are affected.
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Ecotourism: There are different sorts of terms which are being completed in voyaging
and tourism part and this can give assistance to the separate nation in organizing exercises in like
manner (Cohen and Cohen, 2015). Another real concern is contamination in condition however
Birmingham has executed numerous difficulties by ecotourism in their structure including the
data administration alongside development of organization which has frustrated computerized
advancements inside organization (Cohen and et. al., 2014). By the assistance of online gateway
administration, assignments and exercises can turn out to be simple like online tickets, lodgings
and some more. With the help of ecotourism, tourists can easily get the information regarding the
destination and visit as their own, thus this has direct influence on the operations of the tour
operators. Due to high level of environmental issues like pollutions has a huge influence on the
tourism industry as the environmental factors affect the culture, wildlife etc.
Urbanisation or Urban Tourism: This can be expressed as the term which can clarify
the different sorts of numerous vacation-er practices which has the nation fundamental intrigue
or goal. There are number of issues which are being looked by organization due the general
population who are additionally moving towards the urban tourism which thusly can decay the
other kind of goal alongside spots of tourism (Dickinson and et. al., 2014). Thomas Cook has
concocted the issues of which arrangement is very basic and in this manner, it can be fathomed
with creating and modernizing less urbanized spots. By advancing and viable promoting, this can
be settled in a superior and compelling way. The impact of urban tourism is ascertained from the
point that results in increase of pollution. Along with that negative impact, urbanisation has
positive impact which can be assessed through that it generates of large number of employment
opportunities. This will aid in removal of poverty and improving the lining standard of people.
1.2 Analysing various issues by using appropriate methods and techniques
As per fast few decades, there has been rapid increment within the travel and tourism
sector as now people are mainly preferring the trip and travelling and thus having adventures for
better life. Numerous kind of issues are being mainly observed by the reports of manager where
there are issues and changes which are happening within the company which can be removed by
giving out various suggestions. Multiple destinations are present which has the potential of
drawing the attention of customers and thus have attracting features which can be much more
satisfied and thus less costly (Hall and Page, 2014). There are numerous issues which has been
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determined within the UK after the incident of Brexit which has the lessen up the growth of
Thomas Cook and some of them are described below:
Post-Brexit Issues: In modern scenario, as per the situations there is no proper
conclusion which has been drawn by which the Brexit will make impact upon the UK. There are
certain estimations which are made upon the long term impact and short term issues which can
thus mainly from customer behaviour along with having confidence like immigration and law
employment, purchasing power issues and directive of working time and many more (Hannam,
Butler and Paris, 2014). Influence case issues currently driving change in the travel and tourism
sectorn be made upon the uncertainty over the movements for the foreign exchange rate and
input cost changes like commercial consideration like workers, lease cost, workers and many
more. It Is highly required by the company for selling out on other platform where there is high
criteria.
Terrorism: Multiple kind of threats which are increasing by now-er days and thus most
concerning one if Terrorism which in turn has mainly creating impact upon the tourism sector
where there are number of safety issues which can come for stake of visitors. Instance can be
taken up of Bombing incident of Manchester and many other Terrorist attacks.
TASK 2
2.1 Evaluating current trends influencing the tourism sector
There are multiple kind of market trends which in turn has become much more flexible
and dynamic in nature for certain tenure. There were limited reason for visiting foreign places in
earlier times but after the evolution of digital technology and minds set of people with better kind
of marketing and numerous kind of travellers which are increasing day by day (Hartmann,
2014). Therefore, it is very necessary for the Thomas Cook which in turn can evaluate along with
having modifications which can create certain kind of issues along with having better and
effectual appealing packages for the customers.
Adventure Tourism
In present scenario, there are number of modern tourists trends which are highly different
from one another when comparing to the earlier era or travelling trends. There are various kind
of places for tourism which in turn has been mainly included by many of the places within the
productivity for an individual and thus it will mainly create the innovation and strength within
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team (Kim and Ritchie, 2014). There are various packages designed by the Thomas Cook and
thus they deal by formulating the appealing offers.
Sports Tourism
This kind of factor is mainly very famous for one of the effective reason for high level of
tourism which in turn has lead the company to gain high number of travellers. Multiple kind of
ventures and branches which is being operated by this company for generating the huge amount
of revenue. Suitable instance which can be taken is up of Olympics and Paralympics which were
organised by various kind of visitors which were mainly increased within nation. There are
number of tourism activities due to which there was increment in 36.7 million in 2017.
Eco tourism: This considered as the most effective trend, which has a huge influence on the in
travel and tourism industry. With change in time and active participation of an individual
towards environment, eco tourism trend to rise with each and every single fall. This resultant
need to understand by travel agents like Thomas Cook, so that they could support such tourism
as well as number of visit could be rise. This influencing trend brings down positive attribute
towards tourism industry so that effective and efficient gain could be promoted better.
2.2 Analysis of current trends using appropriate methods
Within the ongoing trend, issues currently driving change in the travel and tourism sector
there is high need of making the development even in the marketplace. There are various kind of
places across the globe in which major steps which can be taken along with conflicts in effectual
way. There are various issues along with major conflicts which are mainly solved by the
management of Thomas Cook after the evaluation of issues and conflicts. This in turn will
mainly help out in resolving the issues and make the operations conduction much more better
(Luh Sin, Oakes and Mostafanezhad, 2015).
There are various kind of places for the Thomas Cook which is being utilised in various
marketplaces which in turn can help out in trading with number of market segments. This type
process is highly effective and essential for the company to mainly analyse the trends along with
formulating number of strategies within marketing. There are numerous methods which are used
by company for determining trend in market and those methods are described below:
 Primary
 Secondary
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 Quantitative
 Qualitative
Niche tourism can be stated as the sector where there is the market along with having tourism
stream due to which visitors are mainly increasing. There are a portion of the said tourism
advertise speciality according to verification or the gathered research over which Thomas Cook
will give different sort of administrations and items as visit bundles:
 Journey
 Enterprise
 Golf
 Medicinal
 Health
 Eco-tourism
 Polo
 Religious tourism Film Tourism
Adventure Niche: One of the huge claim to fame of market is encounter tourism. Most of United
Kingdom associations are hoping to this strength as people are more plausible contributing in
resources and find new segments (Mariani and et. al., 2014). This is a champion among the most
important parts that is creating favourable position to a regularly expanding degree. Sail round
England, cycle rise the country and many more are produced using this journey including the
Exhibition lobby, unsettled areas, mountain climbing etc. In this way, visit plan should be teach
upon the parameters of objective.
Eco tourism: One of a recent and current trend evaluated as eco-tourism which have to assess
properly through better inspection. This assessment of analysis of trend get done by identifying
needs and wants of each and every single individual at the time of crafting their package. The
tool of eco tourism is widely applied by countries as to keep their natural resources and tourist
attraction safe and secure. Birmingham is famous for its multiple industrial revolution era. As a
manufacturing country it is essential for Birmingham to apply the method of eco tourism in
respect to gaining the attention of various visitors. Eco tourism helps in increasing the offerings
of tourism and also provides effective and natural accommodation facilities to their visitors.
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Sports Tourism: This is also a major aspect of tourism which has direct or indirect influence on
the growth and development of tourism industry. The implementation of such kind of tourism
helps the country in developing facilities for tourists as to attracting them towards their
destination to develop their economic conditions.
TASK 3
3.1 Analyse response towards change in travel and tourism sector
Multiple kind of business operations which are being operated and they are highly
dependent upon the functioning up of business environment which in turn can help out in
determining the growth and changes. Numerous kind of modifications which are being done after
applying the digital technology by traditional methods along with techniques. Thomas cook is
the major brand which mainly deals upon the travel and tourism sector (McKercher, 2016). It is
highly needed to have PEST Analysis so that various modifications can be done and below
described is the analysis of company:
THOMAS COOK PEST ANALYSIS
Political Factor Company mainly operates various kind of functions and they create long
term impact upon the profit ratios. Chances are high that the Brexit will
mainly bring out the political instability within the country which in turn
can also create impact upon industrial sector (Oviedo-García, 2016). This
in turn has mainly bought out the various kind of political risk along with
the level of bringing out political risk and protection of intellectual
property and many more. Along with this, there is the tax rate along with
many of the incentives which are one of the political risk which can make
company grow.
Economic Factor Mainly, there are two types of economical factors which has certain
abilities of making impact upon the company and factors are like interest
rate, saving rat, inflation rate, economical cycle and so on. On the other
hand, numerous kind of factors are present which in turn can mainly
provide help in gaining competitive advantage.
Social Factor There are various kind of changes which are done within the modern era
due to lifestyle and society culture for having better kind of living
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standard with various modifications (Reisinger, 2015). Company look out
for the response of customers along with generating revenue in order to
attain the objectives in better and effectual manner. It is highly essential
for examining the leisure, educational level along with population and
culture.
Technology Factor Numerous kind of modifications which are being made are done with
motive of advancing within life. Using the digital technology,
improvisation can be bought within the market position of company and
thus it has made impact upon the service area within the process chain
along with structure of Thomas Cook.
3.2 Strategies development in relation to response to changes by selected business entity
Numerous kind of changes are being implemented within the business operations and
those kind of modifications are highly related to the technology and trend which in turn can
impact the conduction of operations. Business of Thomas Cook mainly affects the modifications
within tourism sector (Standing, Tang-Taye and Boyer, 2014). There are various areas where
expansion of operations can be done and thus for that adoption of fundamentalism nature can be
adopted. Several kind of services and packages are being provided by Thomas Cook along with
strategic explanation which is described below:
Thomas Cook: This can be stated as one of the most effectual chain which mainly deals
in travel and tourism sector. Main focus of this company is on having the platform where
opportunities can be given for attaining growth. This is very essential for the company for
utilising the strategies for attaining vision.
WhiteBread Plc: This can be stated as one of the effectual UK company and it is the
largest hotel chain which in turn has been mainly expanding whole world. Multiple tools of
marketing are mainly opted out by the company for business expansion and attracting customers.
MARKETING MIX OF THOMAS COOK
Price  There are various kind of expensive packages which are mainly
compared to the competitors which mainly comes under the
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budget of client.
 Formulating the transparent structure without any terms and
other charges.
 There is the flexible costing framework for certain kind of
services.
Product  There are other services which company can mainly provide
like hotel services or the cab facility and many more.
 There are complementary services which are mainly provided.
 Guidance given out for entire tour.
Place  There are certain feedbacks which is being taken after trip and
making the access ease in nature.
 Hotel location should be prime and facilities should be airport,
parking facilities and many more.
 Reach should be there to every city and state even including the
small places .
Promotion  There are various kind of discounts and offers for online
booking.
 Media can be utilised in effectual manner by promoting the
social media and many more.
 There is the promotional mix strategy which in turn can be
utilised in various kind of events.
 There are tools and techniques which can be utilised like
newspaper, radio poster and many more.
3.3 Justify the strategies which are using in response to modification
There are various kind of conflicts along with various issues which are observed and for
bringing improvisation, certain plans are needed to be formulated. Company adopts Certain tools
and techniques in order to promote the consumer retention and accomplish the objectives in
better way.
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Thomas Cook: There is the high need of company to bring development and thus
modifying services along with business of creating high number of users. This is very essential
for the company like Thomas Cook for objectives arrangement and thus formulating the
strategies and plans. This company needs to apply swot analysis so that they can know what
areas can be improved. Hence, it can mainly help out in completing the objectives.
WhiteBread Plc: There are certain marketing mix which can be opt out by the company
so that demands and needs can be fulfilled in much more better manner. By this, entire process
can be evolute in effective manner.
TASK 4
4.1 Impact of issues and trends on driven business context
Multiple ways are present which in turn has mainly put an impact upon the travel and tourism
sector in both direct and indirect ways. Thomas Cook company mainly deals in United Kingdom
and in other countries as well (Visit Britain reports increase in volume and value of inbound
tourism. 2017). Company has the goodwill within the market which in turn can mainly put an
impact upon the services and costs which are rendered. Main focus of the company expansion of
operations along with adopting the flexible nature as well and this is highly essential for various
kind of changes which are mentioned below:
Employment level: In this kind of factor, there is affect upon the working behaviour of
the company. Numerous amount of changes which are mainly done for the structure of Thomas
Cook which in turn can bring influence factors.
Technology: This company is one of the effectual tour operator which in turn can give
clients services by taking out the advanced technology which can mainly enhance the customers
experience with quality of services.
Service and Products Impact: There are numerous kind of services which are mainly
provided by the company to its clients. Moreover, there are cost effectual services for certain
customers. Below are the factors by which company can expand the area of operations:
 Liquidation
 Consortia Forming
 Acquisition
 Merger
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4.2 Results when the change are not dealt properly
There are multiple kind of changes which are being made and thus it can mainly lead to
number of consequences and not only that but also it can mainly lead to margin minimising
along with company which in turn can mainly deal in various kind of activities by decreasing
management of services. Hence, this will make company to face the downfall. Effective and
essential decisions can be made in better way and the results are mainly described below: Decreased services: There are number of services which are mainly provided by the
company Thomas Cook and thus it has to be made sure that the there will be highest
level of satisfaction which a customer will get. Destructive Brand Image: This is one of the effectual part which is being utilised which
can make impact upon the demands along with needs of consumers in negative manner
(Timothy, 2014).
 Lack of consumer satisfaction: There are number of clients along with many of the
buyers which in turn not can attain various kind of demands and needs if the failure is in
change attempt. This in turn can mainly lead to business downfall.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that there are various types of contemporary
issues which company in travel and tourism sector due to the market along with changing trends
as well. Apart from this, there are various kind of issues along with process of managing within
the company which needs to be followed with the aim of attaining the objectives in better and
effectual manner.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Becker, E., 2016. Overbooked: the exploding business of travel and tourism. Simon and
Schuster.
Cohen, E. and Cohen, S. A., 2015. A mobilities approach to tourism from emerging world
regions. Current Issues in Tourism. 18(1). pp.11-43.
Cohen, S. A. and et. al., 2014. Understanding and governing sustainable tourism mobility:
Psychological and behavioural approaches (Vol. 43). Routledge.
Connell, J., 2013. Contemporary medical tourism: Conceptualisation, culture and
commodification. Tourism Management. 34. pp.1-13.
Dickinson, J. E. and et. al., 2014. Tourism and the smartphone app: Capabilities, emerging
practice and scope in the travel domain. Current Issues in Tourism. 17(1). pp.84-101.
Hall, C. M. and Page, S. J., 2014. The geography of tourism and recreation: Environment, place
and space. Routledge.
Hannam, K., Butler, G. and Paris, C. M., 2014. Developments and key issues in tourism
mobilities. Annals of Tourism Research. 44. pp.171-185.
Hartmann, R., 2014. Dark tourism, thanatourism, and dissonance in heritage tourism
management: new directions in contemporary tourism research. Journal of Heritage
Tourism. 9(2). pp.166-182.
Kim, J. H. and Ritchie, J. B., 2014. Cross-cultural validation of a memorable tourism experience
scale (MTES). Journal of Travel Research. 53(3). pp.323-335.
Luh Sin, H., Oakes, T. and Mostafanezhad, M., 2015. Traveling for a cause: Critical
examinations of volunteer tourism and social justice. Tourist studies. 15(2). pp.119-131.
Mariani, M. M. and et. al., 2014. Managing change in tourism destinations: Key issues and
current trends. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management. 2(4). pp.269-272.
McKercher, B., 2016. Towards a taxonomy of tourism products. Tourism Management. 54.
pp.196-208.
Baker, D. M. A., 2014. The effects of terrorism on the travel and tourism industry.
International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage. 2(1). p.9.
Oviedo-García, M. Á., 2016. Tourism research quality: Reviewing and assessing
interdisciplinarity. Tourism Management. 52. pp.586-592.
Reisinger, Y., 2015. Transformational tourism: Host perspectives. CABI.
Standing, C., Tang-Taye, J. P. and Boyer, M., 2014. The impact of the Internet in travel and
tourism: A research review 2001–2010. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing. 31(1).
pp.82-113.
Timothy, D. J., 2014. Contemporary cultural heritage and tourism: Development issues and
emerging trends. Public Archaeology. 13(1-3). pp.30-47.
Campbell, A. R., Ryley, T. and Thring, R., 2012. Identifying the early adopters of alternative
fuel vehicles: A case study of Birmingham, United Kingdom. Transportation Research
Part A: Policy and Practice. 46(8). pp.1318-1327.
Online
Visit Britain reports increase in volume and value of inbound tourism . 2017. [Online]. Available
through: <https://www.hospitality-interiors.net/news/articles/2016/01/457364505-
visitbritain-reports-increase-volume-and-value-inbound-tourism-2015>.
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