E155 Disi Nsimba: Contemporary Issues in Travel & Tourism Report

This report provides an overview of the contemporary issues and trends influencing the travel and tourism industry. It begins by identifying key issues such as environmental factors, terrorism, and health-related concerns, and analyzes their impact using resources and methods like PESTLE and SWOT analysis, focusing on Whitbread PLC as a case study. The report further explores current trends including medical tourism, sports tourism, globalization, and inbound tourism, examining how these trends drive change within the sector. Strategies for travel and tourism businesses to respond to these changes are discussed, highlighting the potential consequences of failing to adapt to market shifts. The analysis emphasizes the importance of understanding and responding to these dynamic factors to ensure the sustained success and growth of businesses in the travel and tourism sector.

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN TRAVEL AND TOURISM

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................2
TASK 1..............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 ISSUES IN TRANEL AND TOURISM SECTOR THAT ARE CURRENTLY DRIVING CHANGE.........3
1.2 ANALYSIS OF MULTIPLE CURRENT ISSUES USING CORRECT RESOURCES AND METHODS...5
TASK 2..............................................................................................................................................6
2.1 CHANGES INFLUENCED BY THE CURRENT TRENDS IN TOURISM AND TRAVEL SECTOR.......6
2.2 ANALYSIS USING CORRECT TECHNIQUES AND RESOURCES OF A CURRENT TREND.............9
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................11
3.1 WHAT RESPONSE WILL THE CHANGE BRING TO TRAVEL AND TOURISM BUSINESS..........12
3.2 STRATEGIES ON HOW SELECTED TRAVEL AND TOURISM BUSINESSES COULD RESPOND TO
CHANGE.....................................................................................................................................15
3.3 STRATEGIES FOR HOW SELECTED TRAVEL AND TOURISM BUSINESSES COULD RESPOND
TO CHANGE................................................................................................................................17
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................20
4.1 IMPACTS OF ISSUES AND TRENDS THAT DRIVE CHANGE IN THE TRAVEL AND TOURISM
SECTOR.......................................................................................................................................20
4.2 CONSEQUENCES OF BUSINESSES FAILING TO RESPOND TO MARKET CHANGES................21
CONCLUSION.................................................................................................................................23
REFERENCES...................................................................................................................................24
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INTRODUCTION
Tours and travels industry makes a massive share of revenue for the country. It is also
responsible for providing employment to thousands of people of the country. Hence, tours and
travel industry is a gigantic industry which is increasing consistently. From small travel agents,
office to multinational tours and travels companies all are part of this sector. In this report,
travel and tourism industry have been explained in brief so that different aspects of this
industry can be understood (Vogel, 2016). Firstly, the trending issues and trends are discussed
that have influenced this industry completely. Moreover, some of the modern methods are
explained which are required to undertake small-scale projects and to understand the
functioning of this particular sector.
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TASK 1
TITLE- Current issues in travel and tourism sector
In recent time a number of changes took place in travel and tourism industry. The business and
operations of these tour companies have been influenced by these changes on an enormous
range. Some of these changes and major issues which are driving changes in travel and tourism
sector were discussed in the recent World Tourism Market event in London, 2017. However,
using this information an information pack has been prepared to support new trainees and to
boost their understanding of tours and travels industry.
1.1 ISSUES IN TRANEL AND TOURISM SECTOR THAT ARE CURRENTLY DRIVING
CHANGE
In recent time the travel and tourism in the UK have shown a gigantic growth. As the
government also plays a very important role in taking important actions according to the
demands of the tourist in order to grow the tourism industry. Some of the major issues which
are observed affect the tourism industry in recent times are discussed below:
 ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:
Most of the people now a day are so tired and exerted from their daily working life.
Hence, people choose their holiday destinations which are more inclined towards the
natural beauty and exposure of these places (Moutinho, 2011). Therefore, it is the
responsibility of the government to keep their holiday destinations clean, pollution free,
safe, etc. But the same time government also has to provide facilities like easy
transportation, good accommodation facilities in order to increase the tourism.
 TERRORISM:
The number of terrorist events which happens in a country is inversely proportional to
the growth of tourism industries and severely affects the tourist economy. Events like
mass killing, riots, shootouts, riots and many more reduce the visits of the tourists at a
holiday destination (Baker, 2014). This also makes a country unsafe for tourists and the
business law of tourism is also affected severely.
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Figure – Factors affecting the growth of Tourism
[Source - http://articles-junction.blogspot.in/2013/07/five-main-factors-influencing-growth-
of.html]
 HEALTH-RELATED ISSUES:
The other point which plays a very important role in developing tourist economy is
health and hygiene. The tourists like to visit the destinations which are healthy and free
from diseases and other health-related issues. It is clearly evident that the most famous
tourist destinations of the world are those places which are healthy and hygienic (Lee,
2010). It is the duty of government and local people to keep these destinations free
from communicable diseases and infections because tourists like to visit those
destinations where they can enjoy and feel the beauty of the place and most
importantly they avoid the places which are not healthy for them or their family.
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1.2 ANALYSIS OF MULTIPLE CURRENT ISSUES USING CORRECT RESOURCES
AND METHODS
There are many issues which affect the operations of the travel and tourism sector. If these
issues are not taken care of they can affect the tourist economy of any country very adversely.
On the other hand, if these issues are taken care of positively they can certainly contribute to
the tourist economy growth. These issues include international and national legislation, severe
weather, terrorism, political unrest, etc. A number of them are discussed below:
POLITICAL UNREST IN MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA:
For encouraging travel and tourism operations in countries like Egypt and Tunisia their
government has taken several actions in order to bring more tourists to their country. However,
regardless the actions of the government the condition of tourism and travel industry didn’t
change (Lagi, et al. 2011). Strategies like attractive tour destination packages, low airfare, low
food costs, etc. is adopted by the government of such destinations but still, tourists avoid
certain destinations where there are health and security issues.
TERRORISM:
Terrorist organizations conduct terrorist activities at different tourist destinations to grow
terror and apprehension among the society. Terrorist activities like bomb blasts, mass killing,
suicide bombing, shooting, etc. impact the tourism and travel business in the nation (Garg,
2015). The terrorist activities which took place in the European nations have vastly influenced
the tourism sector. The major concern of any tourist is of their wellbeing and safety during their
stay at any particular destination.
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TASK 2
TITLE- Current trends in the travel and tourism sector
The change in travel and tourism sector is mainly influenced by the current trends. A new
information pack has been recognized by Titan Travel which is a travel operator, for their teams
to recognize the trends efficiently.
2.1 CHANGES INFLUENCED BY THE CURRENT TRENDS IN TOURISM AND
TRAVEL SECTOR
The recent trends like sports tourism, medical tourism, inbound tourism, domestic tourism and
globalization have changed and influenced the tourism and travel industry in the UK to a
prodigious extent (Fleischer, et al. 2011). These trends attract a large number of people and
ultimately increase the tourist economy. Some of the trends are explained as follows:
MEDICAL TOURISM:
When citizens of one country travel to another country in order to receive the medical, dental
or surgical care it is known as Medical Tourism. They receive equal to or more care then their
own country and they travel for medical care so that they can afford the treatment (Hopkins, et
al. 2010). “Domestic Medical Tourism” is when people who live in one country travel to another
city, region or state of the same country to receive better health care.
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Figure – Reasons for medical tourism
[Source - http://puertoricodreams.com/medical-tourism/]
SPORTS TOURISM:
The rate of sports tourism in the UK has been increased swiftly due to sports museums like
Palace House: National Heritage Centre for Horseracing & Sporting Art, etc. Various sports
activities like football, tennis, cricket, soccer, basketball, etc. are conducted in the UK which
ultimately increases the number of tourists who visit the UK. A gigantic 230% of an increase in
tourism can be seen in the UK at the time of London Olympics.
Figure- Sports tourism growth
[Source- http://www.face-marketing.com/Blogs/October-2011/Sports-Tourism-gains-
momentum.aspx]
GLOBALIZATION:
Globalization has attracted a huge number of local as well as international tourists by
introducing new ideas, opinions, services, products, etc. this makes people curious about a
particular destination which results to the growth of tourism. Globalization has also bought
better communication facilities, better transportation, infrastructural development, etc. which
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have also contributed to the growth of tourism (Ivanov and Webster, 2012). In the UK,
advanced technologies like ICT are adopted by the government for the promotion of tourism.
Figure- Tourism and Globalization
[Source- https://fluffycapybaras.wordpress.com/2015/08/13/globalization-ethnoscapes/]
INBOUND TOURISM:
When the host country’s destination is visited by tourist from some other country it is known as
Inbound Tourism. In this tourism, people come to new country or destination to experience
beautiful sites, landscapes, beaches, weather, etc. Inbound Tourism is one of the major kinds of
tourism which supports the tourist economy of a country (Cortes-Jimenez and Pulina, 2010). It
also tells people that how beautiful and hygienic is the particular tourist destination.
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2.2 ANALYSIS USING CORRECT TECHNIQUES AND RESOURCES OF A CURRENT
TREND.
The subpart of the market that centres on the particular product are recognized as the niche
market. There are several diverse parts which are reflected in the niche market such as
production quality, demographics, price range, etc. In recent time a huge growth can be noticed
in the field of sports tourism at a substantial level. Sports activities like cricket, football,
basketball, tennis, etc. have attracted a large number of sports lovers to the UK from all over
the world.
The travel and tourism industry of UK has grown to a great extent due to multiple sports events
taking place there like 2012 London Olympics (Weed, 2000–2004). A huge amount of audience
is attracted by sports events like international cricket matches, Tennis tournament like
Wimbledon, Soccer tournaments like English Premier League, Snooker tournaments like World
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Snooker Championship, Scottish Open, UK Championship, etc. These sports are played and
watched by a huge portion of the population, hence there are many fans who come to watch
these events as well as there are also people who travel so that they can participate in these
events.
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TASK 3
TITLE – TRAVEL AND TOURISM SECTOR’S RESPONSE REGARDING THE CHANGES
INTRODUCTION
Recently, travel and tourism sector have shown enormous growth and all of this is achieved in
very less time. It has become essential for travel and tourism industries to raise their business
standards and upgrade their business operations and services in order to achieve effectiveness
(Gössling, et al. 2012). The changes have also influenced one of the largest hotel chains in the
UK i.e. The Whitbread PLC. The Whitbread PLC business is mainly segmented into Primer Inn
and Costa Coffee. In order to attain success in the market, these businesses have to respond
properly towards the changes.
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