Legislation and Ethics in Travel and Tourism Sector: A Report

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the legal and ethical considerations within the travel and tourism sector, using Thomas Cook as a primary example. The report begins with an introduction highlighting the importance of the UK's tourism industry and the role of companies like Thomas Cook. It examines various legal aspects including health and safety, occupier's liability, data protection, and the duty of care, emphasizing the need for businesses to comply with regulations to ensure success. The report also addresses discrimination laws and their impact on the workforce. Furthermore, it delves into contractual obligations, consumer protection legislation, and the importance of transparent business practices. Finally, the report explores ethical dilemmas faced by the tourism industry, such as terrorism, increasing costs, and political instability, offering insights into the complexities of operating ethically in a globalized environment. The report concludes by emphasizing the need for businesses to balance legal requirements with ethical considerations to ensure sustainable growth and customer satisfaction.

Legislation and ethics in travel
and tourism sector
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Task 1...............................................................................................................................................3
TASK 2 ...........................................................................................................................................3
2.1................................................................................................................................................3
2.2................................................................................................................................................5
Task 3...............................................................................................................................................6
3.1................................................................................................................................................6
3.2 ...............................................................................................................................................7
task 4................................................................................................................................................7
4.1 ...............................................................................................................................................7
4.2................................................................................................................................................9
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................11
References......................................................................................................................................13
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INTRODUCTION
Increasing competition in the external business environment also induces the level of
challenges for Travel and tourism industry. The country famous for royalty and status of luxury
is UK which counts among top rated the largest tourist destination in the whole world. The
strong economy is due the sales and revenue generated by the tourist destinations in the country
as it contributes the highest percentage towards the GDP of the nation. The flexibility of the
economic arrangements of the nation as it provides different services with ease such as variety of
tour packages in the budget of a person, visa services, public transport facilities and travel guide
to explore the beauty of the place. Thomas Cook has been selected for this project report to
describe the different aspects involved in attracting wide number of visitors towards the beauty
of the place. This project report is all about different legal complication's comes as a barrier in
the path of the business by defining various measures to remove that difficulties. It also lays
more emphasize on the CSR activities in travel and tourism sectors.
TASK 1
Enclosed in power point presentation
TASK 2
2.1
The efficient quality oriented services offered by Thomas Cook has created a good image
of its business in all across world that is the reason it counted among the largest companies In
UK. This business started with an aim to develop its business in all over the world whose motive
has completed as it spreads its business by opening various branches in terms of travel centres in
the whole nation. This big success's credit goes to the legal rules framed by the government
which helps a slot for an enterprise to meet the obligations of the society and the external
business environment without any trouble. There are various acts passed by the government
which in turn help an enterprise to be applied in the business to ensure its success which are
given as below: Health and safety act 1974- The enterprise should implement all the health and safety
principles art the workplace to meet the standard guidelines. Training sessions,
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workshops, awareness campaigns to be organised by the employer to inform all its
workforce to handle complex machines with proper technical knowledge to avoid on- the
job injuries. It also defines the responsibility of the employer to make compensation to th
employee who suffered during the work. Occupier’s liability act 1984- According to this law, The company is required to place
high security tools to ensure the safety of its client's life. The employer held responsible
in different contexts when the employee suffered from injury or accidents in the office
premises due to the negligence of the employer then the employer held liable. It also
mentions special corner for the innocent party to claim compensation from its owner. In
compliance with the above provisions of this act, Thomas Cook are required to make
observation of its internal environment to maintain a loyalty among its employees to stay
motivated in the company. Data protection act 1988- As per this law, the confidential information needs to be
maintain by keeping as a reserve in manual and electronic system for stipulated period in
the act. The restriction has imposed to confined to access of unauthorised users to access
the resources to deteriorate the company's performance and image in the market. Thomas
Cook will need to frame policy under which before sharing the information with the
employee, organisation will take prior permission from the top executive for disclosing it
with an unknown person.
 Duty of care and vicarious liability- The standard legislations needs to be followed by an
enterprise the compliance is the duty of the business. According to this law, it is the
responsibility of company to ensure that life of its employees and business clients is the
basic concern of an enterprise. It must make sure that clients do not face any problem
during their travel to any destination. Along with that, owner is liable for any accident
occurred with employees at the workplace.
It can be summarised from the above different legislations that Thomas Cook are
required to comply with various set of rules and regulations to operate its business proceedings
in positive ways. The existence of the business enterprise is possible after meeting all the
different methods to offer their services in unique ways and means.
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2.2
The serious crime committed by the business owner is the discrimination on different
basis such as caste, culture, race, religion and color of a person which is removed by using
legislation. Thomas Cook are required treat all its personnel equal in order to promote cultural
diversity and social equality. It can be inferred that by treating the workforce equally, company
will adopt relevant laws in order to utilize its manpower in the most efficient and effective
manner. Different laws related to discrimination are given as below: Sex discrimination act 1975- Thomas Cook should provide equal employment
opportunities to all genders whether they are male or female in its business. According to
this law, firms operating in any industry will not discriminate people in terms of
employment on the basis of sex, color and marital status. In such a situation, Thomas
Cook needs to follow this law in order to create a positive image of the firm among its
stockholders. Disability discrimination act 1995- This gives basic fright to all those suffered from
physical disability in terms of getting employment in terms of their talent not any other
terms. It has been observed that many firms do not give employment to those that are
crippled. Due to this reason, physically challenges gets mentally disturbed and doesn't
get chance to prove their capability. Thomas Cook should provide employment
opportunities to the individuals (Disable people) in its firm where they can easily work.
 Human rights' act 1998- It provides different powers to the employees of an
organization to make decisions on their own to support the organizational aims. It means
that employees working the firm must have adequate rights so that employer cannot
exploit them. The employees have a right to provide feedback to the management in
relation to the department in which they are working. Employment act- According to these rules, business firms need to implement pension
and gratuity provisions in its entity to attract their employees by giving monetary
motivation. This law also explains the right of employees as they can ask their employer
to adopt sufficient number of health and safety measures. Race discrimination Act - It is stated that no organization can get involved in
discrimination related acts as it is serious crimes under which an employer get
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imprisonment and liable for fines and punishment. Firms must try to prevent
discrimination on the basis of color such as black and white and must treat all employees
equally.
TASK 3
3.1
To,
The Travel Consultant
Subject: contractual obligations involved in travel and tourism sector beneficial for the
customers
There are different rules and regulations of contract legislation that is related to Travel and
tourism customers. The Unfair contract terms Act 1977 is related to the unfair terms in consumer
contract regulation. As per this law, businesses are required to ensure the compliance with all
legal and regulatory frameworks in the best possible manner (Eagle, Mahony and Dahl, 2015).
The primary aim of these acts is to safeguard the interest of the clients by providing services by
meeting all kinds of quality requirements. The quality is important as it protects an individual's
interest from their exploitation done by the vendors by taking high cost for tour packages and
other taxes. Other legislation is the sale of goods act 1979 which provides relief to all customers
related with unfair trade business practices involved by the travel agent. The restriction is for
sellers to offer quality oriented services in affordable pricing as it is prescribed in the act
guidelines which needs to be comply by the firm. Another is the holiday contract in which tour
operator and client decides the terms and conditions of contract mutually before entering into
contract. All legislation provided above needs to be taken into consideration in order to achieve
the customer satisfaction. One of the provision of hospitality sector that is travel sector is totally
depends on the expectations of its buyers as it deals in offering services to please their clients.
Thanking you
Yours affectionately
Travel adviser, UK
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3.2
The basic rationale behind imposition of some legislation for the customers to protect their
interest from the defaulters. This legislation are also applied in the business of Thomas Cook to
ensure the strong business conditions of the enterprise which are given as below:
 In accordance with this legislation, firm lays more emphasize on providing actual
information to the customers to clarify all their queries and doubts. It provides true
information about its tour packages and offers to the customers at the affordable pricing
ranges. The transparent information is provided to customers in order to gain their trust
and for maintaining long lasting relationship with them.
 Advertisement will reflect the true performance of the business which should be designed
and truth and fairness to attract loyal customers. Firm understands its responsibility as in
advertisement, it gives detailed information about its tour package to the prospective
customers by explaining all hidden costs included in the package clearly. Customer protection legislation prohibits unfair and illegal trade practices in organisation
to ensure the existing working conditions are as per the standard instructions. In this
regard, Thomas Cook is ensuring that the entire information is provided to the customers
is true and transparent. The advertisement material is prepared which has approved by the
managers of organisation.
TASK 4
4.1
Article title – “Ethical dilemma faced by tourism industry”
Magazine- “The Travel”
By Sustainable Manager (Thomas Cook)
Written on: 25th June 2016
In modern business era, the complexities has increased with the external pressure created
on an enterprise in terms of increasing competitors and new trends emerged in this sector.
Different precautions need to be taken by an enterprise to marked their foot on this industry by
earning huge amount of profit. It is a complex situation that involves mental conflict between
morals and ethics of the enterprise. The principled dilemmas are also known as ethical
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paradoxes. The situation of moral predicament created due to imbalance between travel industry
and legal obligations. There are unique dilemmas in form of challenges emerged as danger for an
enterprise which are given as below: Terrorism- The technology expansion will create a turbulence for the business enterprise
in terms of increasing political instability in many nations in the world. The country
recognised in all across the world due to the existence of wide number of tourist
destinations to boost up the nation's economy such as UK which is the eighth biggest
tourist destination in the world. The political instability of government could harbour
Thomas Cook's tourist’s activities (Deonandan, 2015). This instability will impose
serious threat for a firm in near future by declining its overall visitors counts from
previous years. Thomas cook needs to closely observe its impact on its business by taking
appropriate actions. For example countries like Russia and Syria are politically unstable
which reduces the number of customers of Thomas Cook. Russia and Syria are always
under riots and political warfare that doesn't create a positive image in the minds of
tourists and thus, they are unable to attract them.
 Increase in cost- Increase in the inflation rate posses immense in terms of inducing its
overall cost burden which is clear cut outcome of recession in the industry. The demand
and supply wars are created by increase in the amount of the price is another negative
effects of this recession. The cost of tour packages are depends on the cost involved in
arranging all the services, it is clear that minute increase or decrease in the cost will
definitely give impact on the cost determination of the tour packages. The cost of tour
packages will not attract wide number of visitors which directly impacts on the
profitability of the business as in this case the specific percentage decide by the firm will
be reduces to compensate the overall tour package price. Social and cultural factors- The products and services offered by the entity are of
different kinds such as tangible and intangible form to lure its clients towards the
transparent working conditions maintained by an enterprise. The social factors will help
an individual to understand the basic expectations of an individual towards the products
by dividing them into different categories such as age, income, cultural backgrounds.
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 Serious crimes- The primary sectors which helps a lot in creating turbulence for the
business concern such as corruption, bribery, gender inequality, racism, discrimination on
indifferent basis, selling illegal items, sexual harassment with female employees at the
workplace are the serious crimes takes place in an enterprise. The dilemma in this context
refers to that the employer should take reasonable steps in ethical ways.
 Child labor- There are various common practices followed by every other employer. It
includes employment given to child as helpers, cleaners and sales representative in the
developing countries. The unemployment and increasing level of poverty forced children
to earn their livelihood in the age of learning in schools.
 Legislation - Promotion of some legislation by country grabs the attentions of tourists.
The legislation includes woman's right to work in order to provide equal opportunities to
them. Different frameworks are designed in order to provide equal chances to both males
and females. Main motive of these legislation is to provide all basic rights of women in
today's male chauvinistic society (Cohen, 2016). The act such as Equal Treatment of Men
and Women Act (ETA) helps to remove other illegal actions which include child
trafficking, molestation, child labor and pornography which are the common aspects that
has been reported by the UN.
4.2
The society needs and expectations are meet by the enterprise by taking into
considerations all the stakeholders who are important part for an organisation are also refers to as
CSR activities. The main aim of this approach is to do social welfare activities along with their
business to earn a profit without affecting the needs of an individual in the society. It includes
various activities such as taking into considerations all the needs of the society, safeguarding the
overall environment, promoting ozone friendly products and services to meet the dynamic
demand of the external business environment. These CSR objectives will create a strong bond
among the society members with the hospitality industry to enjoy all the benefits. The primary
objective of the firm is to make their hard efforts in different business contexts such as ethic
factors, socio-cultural, demographics, political and legal by considering all the environmental
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key considerations. There are various key duties and responsibilities of the firm related to the this
subject are given below:
 Environment- Main motive of tourism industry to observe the overall environment in
order to avoid any uncertain situation (Kroløkke 2015). The natural point of tourist
destination is observed in terms of any complex situation to attract tourism. It includes
protecting endangered wildlife to advertise the tourist destination. It helps to promote
social and cultural values of the place. Philanthropy- It helps to promote the Brand of Thomas Cook by raising charity. So, it
adds value to company's publicity. Charity is the main preference of every business in
order to improve its public image. Education coupled with employment- The additional feature adopted by Thomas Cook is
to promote basic fundamental right of an individual by raising funds in order to provide
educational services. The ticketing and other hospitality streams educational facilities are
introduced by this enterprise in form providing diploma certificates to all those who
aspire to make their career with this firm. Thomas Cook is focusing on CSR activities and
under this, it is focusing on promoting education and employment in several nations of
the world. Firm is imparting education in diploma and degree courses that are related to
the travel and tourism sector (Pennings, 2015). By doing this, it is giving education to
people and increasing employment in nations and enhances the confidence of employees
by increasing their engagement in various activities. Sanitation facilities- In different parts of the society in the whole world, sanitation is that
basic requirement of an individual which needs to be fulfilled by the tourist destinations
to attract wide number of customers and visitors. Sanitation is another factors which
co0ntributes as CSR activities as the sustainable development attitude will be used by this
factor. It also promotes health of a people by cleaning the surrounding in all around the
tourists places.
 Emergency fund for needy peoples- In developing countries there special provisions
prepared in which the separate funds are kept in reserve to meet the future uncertainties
such as tsunami, Earthquakes, floods and the situations of drought in the country. The
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social obligation of an enterprise is to meet the needs and expectations of its society by
fulfilling CSR activities to improve the brand image of Thomas Cook.
It can be inferred from the above element involved in accomplishing goals and the
objectives of CSR obligations the participation of all the commercial enterprises are higher. The
performance of these activities may differ from one place to another with different society
demands. The reason behind contributing their hardest efforts by Thomas Cook by taking two
dimensions such as benefiting society and its internal business performance.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded from the above mentioned project report that hospitality sector has
broadened its cope by providing wide range of all its services. Due to this enhancement in the
scope the travel and tourism sector also emerged as growing sectors in the world. Legal
environment also helps an enterprise to operate successfully in this firm by complying with all
the rules and the regulations. These rules may affect an organization different context such as
roadways, airways and the waterways. Legal consequences can be avoided by strictly following
all the rules and the regulations by the venture. Operating in this kind of industry demands
strictness and quickness to meet all the external market. There are some strict laws applicable on
the firms under the tourism industry. Companies need to follow those laws in an appropriate
manner. Consumers have the right to receive correct information about all travel and tourism
services. Apart from that, report says that there is a need to develop the image of responsible
tourism within society.
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REFERENCES
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Cohen, I. G., 2015. Medical tourism for services illegal in patients’ home country. Handbook on
Medical Tourism and Patient Mobility. pp.350.
Deonandan, R., 2015. Recent trends in reproductive tourism and international surrogacy: ethical
considerations and challenges for policy. Risk management and healthcare policy. 8.
pp.111.
Dimitrova, M., 2015. The Ethics of Tourism. Critical and Applied Perspectives. European
Journal of Tourism Research.10. pp.150.
Eagle, L., Mahony, T. and Dahl, S., 2015. Tourism, Heritage, Cultural, Arts and Cause-related
Marketing. Marketing Ethics & Society. pp.208.
Edgell Sr, D. L., 2016. Managing sustainable tourism: a legacy for the future. Routledge.
Fiore, R. N., 2015. Ethical issues in transplant tourism and organ commercialism. Oxford
Textbook of Transplant Anaesthesia and Critical Care. pp.53.
He, A. J., 2015. 41. Transplantation tourism in Asia: snapshot, consequences and the imperative
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Higham, J. and et.al., 2016. Climate change, tourist air travel and radical emissions reduction.
Journal of Cleaner Production. 111. pp.336-347.
Jamal, T. and et.al., 2015. A micro-macro assessment of climate change and visitors to the Great
Barrier Reef, Australia. Tourism in the Green Economy. Routledge: New York. pp.271-
287.
Kroløkke, C., 2015. Have Eggs, Will Travel: The Experiences and Ethics of Global Egg
Donation. Somatechnics. 5(1). pp.12-31.
Lozanski, K., 2015. Transnational surrogacy: Canada's contradictions. Social science &
medicine. 124. pp.383-390.
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