A Comprehensive Report on Legislation and Ethics in Travel & Tourism

This report delves into the critical aspects of legislation and ethics within the travel and tourism sector. It begins by analyzing the legal and regulatory frameworks, including the ABTA code of conduct and transport laws concerning surface, sea, and air travel. The report then examines the principles of health, safety, and security legislation, such as the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and analyzes legislation related to equality, including the Equality Act 2010 and the Equal Pay Act 1970. Furthermore, the report explores contract legislation in relation to travel and tourism customers, including the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 and the Consumer Rights Act 2015, as well as consumer protection legislation. Finally, the report discusses ethical dilemmas and the implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policies within the travel and tourism industry, providing a comprehensive overview of the legal and ethical considerations essential for the sector's responsible operation.

Legislation and Ethics
in the Travel and
Tourism Sector

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1 .......................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Legal and regulatory framework ...........................................................................................1
1.2 surface, sea and air transport law ..........................................................................................1
TASK 2 ...........................................................................................................................................2
2.1 Principles of health, safety & security legislation ................................................................2
2.2 Analyse legislation that relates to equality............................................................................3
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................4
3.1 Contract legislation in relation to travel & tourism customers..............................................4
3.2 Consumer protection legislation............................................................................................5
TASK 4 ...........................................................................................................................................6
4.1 Analyse ethical dilemma........................................................................................................6
4.2 CSR ......................................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Legislations are the laws which made by governing body of a nation and all people are
liable to follow it. As there are various legislations which are made in context to travel & tourism
sector and it is helpful to protect the rights of people. Ethics are emphasis towards moral
principles which includes systematizing, defending and recommending concepts of right and
wrong conduct. As the country like Britain is more emphasis towards the growth of hospitality
industry. The main aim of this report is to ensure legislation and ethics for the travel and tourism
industry.There are various topics are covered in this report such as: legal and regulatory
framework for hospitality sector, legislation related to equality and consumer protection
legislation. Apart from this, report also discuss about CSR policy for travel & tourism business.
TASK 1
1.1 Legal and regulatory framework
For the travel and tourism sector it is important to analyse the legal & regulatory
framework, ABTA code of conduct which emphasis towrads the problems related to tourism
such as: communication, booking & insurance notification. For that purpose it is require to
protect the rights of individuals. As per Carriage by Air and Road Act, 1979 the damages
through that passengers get injured than travel company is liable. As per International Carriage
by Sea Act, the company will be liable in context to the damages caused to tourist while sea
travelling. Carriage by Railway Act, 1972 has emphasis that travel company is obliged if a
passenger has got injured while travel through railway. As regulation no 1371/2007 is associated
to rail travel & emphasis to protect the passengers who got injured from disability, faded
mobility and gender discrimination in context to the commercial services from air. As the
workers are responsible to take care about safety measures so that consumers does not get
affected. The European legislation has focuses in context to the travelling for leisure within the
nation & the consumers will buy products that are duty free & bring to its own country. So it is
important to analyse the legal and regulatory framework (Whitfield and Dioko, 2012).
1.2 surface, sea and air transport law
Trainee will provide the information to its supervisor of local Law centre. The
information is related to the different types of transport laws and these are as mention below:
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Surface law: This law is govern by International Carriage of Passenger by Road Act,
1979. It introduce for the benefit of tourists & if they get injured and caused to damage than it
will be the liability of travel company to pay compensation. In case the luggage of passenger has
lost than corporation will be liable for it, according to the regulations of Carriage by Railway
Act, 1972. As the railway is responsible for the protection of passengers.
Sea law: It is introduced in order to protect the rights of passengers if they use sea
transportation for the travelling. As the travel company is responsible to take proper safety
measures so that passengers will not get injured. For the safety purpose, it is the duty of company
to provide training to their workers so that know about the uses of fire fighting equipments. As
Athens Convention, 1974 has emphasis that travel company is obliged to take care about the
safety of tourist. For that purpose it is compulsory to provide insurance so that financial
protection of passengers will be possible.
Air law: This law has introduced in order to protect the rights of consumers if they travel
through air. As per Warsaw Convention 1929, travel agency is responsible to make safety
measures and in case it is not possible & a passenger got injured or die than tourist company is
liable to pay compensation. If an organisation is emphasis towards the safety and protect the
rights of passengers than maximum tourist will attract towrads that company (Tse and Tse,
2015).
TASK 2
2.1 Principles of health, safety & security legislation
For an organisation it is necessary to emphasis about health, safety & security legislations
so that rights of individuals can be protected and consumers feel safe and secure. It is the duty of
safety officer of Elegant Hotel to ensure about that it is following the legislations which are
required to be follow. As the hotel is responsible to provide fresh and quality food products to
the consumers so that there needs can be fulfil. It is require for organisation to focuses about
better room services and cleanliness in order to protect the health of individuals. The legislations
related to health, safety and security are mention as below:
Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974: This particular legislation has been introduced
under the act of parliament of United Kingdom that emphasis about fundamental structure and
authority for the purpose of regulation and enforcement of workplace health, safety & welfare of
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people. There are specific instructions which are provided to the corporation in order to protect
health, safety and security of individuals. Health & safety commission looks the matters
associated to legislations. In case if law does not working than there are three options which are
as mention below:
Guidance: As Health and Safety Commission has emphasis to make aware to the people
in order to follow the compliances and provide technical guidance in context to the regulations
which are related to the legislations.
Approved code of practice: It is beneficial to develop structure as per the requirement of
legislation. The use of hazardous goods are confined so that health of consumers can protected
who visit Elegant Hotel.
Regulations: The regulations has been issued by HSC that it is the obligation of Elegant
Hotel to protect health and safety of individuals so that experience of consumers will be better. It
is also important to protect the health & safety and for that purpose it is necessary to provide
safety tools which are helpful for their security.
So it has been analysed that it is important for Elegant Hotel to follow the legislation
regarding health, safety & security so that consumers feel safe, secure and happy while visiting
the hotel. It make positive impact on the business of corporation because consumers will prefer
to visit the hotel. As a result sales and profits will maximize and it is helpful for the growth of
travel and tourism sector (Sigala, 2018).
2.2 Analyse legislation that relates to equality
As the term equality describes that all individuals who work in the corporation are require
to be treated equally. It has been found that there are various companies who does treat equal to
their employees and it involves in discrimination activities on the basis of gender, race,
background, caste etc. So it is important for Elegant Hotel to follow the legislation so that
employees can be equally treated. There are various legislations in this regard and these are as
mention below:
Equality Act, 2010 is introduced in order to spread awareness about the fair and equal
treatment. It is beneficial for the employees to protect their interest as a result they feel secure,
safe & comfortable at workplace. It emphasis to prevent the discrimination on the basis of caste,
gender, region etc. So it is responsibility of Elegant Hotel to treat equally while recruiting and
provide equal employment opportunities so that right of individuals can be protected.
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Equal Pay Act, 1970: According to this act, the management of Elegant Hotel is liable to
pay equal and fair remuneration to the employees. For that purpose it is require for the
corporation to pay equal salary to male and female and as per the terms & conditions of
employment contract.
Sex Discrimination Act, 1975: As per this legislation, it is the duty of Elegant Hotel to
provide equal opportunities to the individuals whether it is male or female. On the basis of
employment opportunities discrimination is not allowed.
If an employer deny to follow equality law and involves in discrimination activities than
fine has been imposed by the legal authorities. The labour law of United Kingdom provides the
guideline that it is obligatory to follow the legislations which are associated to the equality law.
So these are the various legislations which emphasis towrads the equality (Hall and
Scott, 2015).
TASK 3
3.1 Contract legislation in relation to travel & tourism customers
Contract: It is an agreement which take place among two or more persons and it is
enforceable by law. Before making a contract it is require to make offer by a party and the same
offer is require to be acceptable by the other party and after that an agreement has made which is
accepted by both parties. The terms and conditions which are associated with it is require to be
follow because it is enforceable by law and both parties can not deny to perform it. It is
important for travel company to make a valid contract with the tourist while booking and making
payments. The terms and conditions are require to be acceptable by tourist and company both.
In this contract is require that consideration should be involve and both parties are require
to be sound mine and ready to fulfil the objectives which are related to it (Meyer, 2013).
The Unfair Contract Terms Act, 1977: It emphasis to regulates the contracts by
hindering operations & legality of contract terms. As the main motive of it, any liability arising
from express or to take responsible care. So the negligence obligation does not acceptable in
context to tourist which are related to travel and tourism sector.
Supply of Goods and Services Act, 1982: As per this act it is the responsibility of
organisation to supply quality products & services so that desires of consumers can be fulfilled.
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In case company deny to provide better products and services than clients have right to file a
complain against them (Hall, 2014).
Unfair Terms in Consumer Contract Regulation, 1999: According to this regulation,
it is required for the travel company to precede the rules & regulations which are associated with
contract which creates with tourist (Guttentag, 2015).
The consumer right act, 2015: According to this act it is required for the consumers to
aware about the all information which is associated to the contract with travel company. The
tourist have right to have all information in the terms of cost, time, location, services and
facilities. In case company does not provide proper information than consumers can make
complain against the travel corporation.
3.2 Consumer protection legislation
For the consumer protection there are distinct legislation are made which are helpful to
protect the rights of consumers in context to the travel and tourism. According to the Trade
Description Act, 1968 it is necessary that advertised services are performed while execution
takes place. It is required for the organisation to provide same services which are promised by
the travel company to the tourist.
To protect the rights of consumers Consumer Protection Act, 1987 is introduced which
bind the organisation to deliver better services so that needs of individuals can be satisfy.
Package & Travel Regulation, 1992 denotes that a holiday package is consist of two or more
than two tourism services at the combined price. For that purpose it is require to buy the services
as per the suitability of consumers. It is really helpful for the consumers to get full package by
paying one time price. It is necessary for the corporations who provide the services that they
have to provide proper information to the tourist & as per the conditions which are mentioned in
contract note. As the consumers have right to take action in context to the unfair trade practices
and this right has given by Unfair Trade Practice Act, 2008. It is important for the travel
company to provide all information to the consumers related to the holiday package and
consumers have right to know all information because this right has given by the Consumer
Protection Act, 1987. The legislation associated with the consumer protection in context to the
tourist industry are focuses towrads: price for room facility, service charge, swimming pool, gym
etc (Font and McCabe, 2017).
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TASK 4
4.1 Analyse ethical dilemma
The ethical dilemma in context to the Caribbean Island are as mention in the below
points. As the role of ethics are very important in terms to the growth and success of business. It
emphasis towrads moral judgements that is helpful to know what is right & what is wrong. It is
helpful for the individuals to perform better as per the need of travel company. As the tourist
companies has face unethical rivalry in context to the low price for travelling package. As the
problems can be arise by following best code of conducts related to ethics that enable to act in
host nations & build capacity to gain competitive advantage. For that purpose it is required for
the corporation to give the information about the nations and ensure towrads the safety of
consumers in order to minimize the risk. For the tourist sector ethical dilemma can be, safeguard
the natural environment is the top most ethical practice of the corporation. To deliver relevant
information is important for the company to the consumers so that situation of ethical dilemma
can be resolve. To make collaboration towards local authority is required for the business reason
being it is helpful to provide proper information and health & safety facilities in order to
minimise the risk. Therefore, firm respect spiritual requirement of consumers and make allow
them to follow its religion in effective manner (Greenwood and Dwyer, 2015).
As it has been analysed that, the ethical dilemma can influence the travel and tourist
sector that includes: to harm natural environment, corruption, harassment & providing unhealthy
products etc. The misuse of authority generates corruption in personal level that encourage them
to involve in criminal activities. As per the legislation, it is proscribed which involves financial
misconduct, extortion and peculation. There are different nations which emphasis towrads
women's rights so that equal opportunities can be provided to them. In the workplace it has been
find that there is not equal treatment for the individuals. The other dilemma is related to the child
labour work which can be seen at distinct places like: helper and cleaner. As the children which
are unemployed does not have proper knowledge about law (De Grosbois, 2016).
4.2 CSR
For the travel and tourist industry it is require to analyse the CSR activities. It is required
for the organisation to engage in the corporate social responsibilities in context to the social
welfare of society. For that purpose it is require for the travel and tourism business to involves in
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CRS activities and contribute some percentage of its net profit towrads the CSR activities. As the
tourist industry operates its business in the social environment so it is require for it to make
something valuable for the benefit of different people who lives in the society. It is the duty of
company to protect the interest of various stakeholders which are directly or indirectly related to
the business of travel industry. For that purpose legal requirement is necessary to follow by the
organisation. As there are different stakeholders which are related to the travel business and it
involves: community, consumers, individuals and society etc. As there are different stakeholders
which are known as internal stakeholders and it involves owners, suppliers, staffs etc. As
organisation should emphasis towrads economical, social and environmental aspects for the
purpose of sustainable growth and development of the business by considering suitable code of
conduct.
In the Caribbean Islands, it is require for the management of company to fulfil the
expectations of its tourist, staff, supply chain and it is also important to ensure the health and
safety measures in order to protect the interest of consumers. As the corporation can contribute in
the terms of social development, infrastructure, hospital, child education and free health check up
program for those persons who can not afford the medical treatment. In this regard corporation
can provide educational program in which it motivates individuals in context to the culture of
nation, visiting places etc (Coccossis, 2017).
CONCLUSION
As from the above report, it has been concluded that it is required for the hospitality
industry to follow the legislations and ethics which are associated with it. For the travel company
it is require to follow the different laws such as: surface, sea & air transport law. To follow the
legislation related to health, safety & security are necessary to be consider. For the consumer
protection there are various legislations has been introduced which protect the rights of
consumers in relation to the travel & tourism. The situation of ethical dilemma is require to be
resolve and it is require to analyse about corporate social responsibility policy related to tourism
business.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Coccossis, H., 2017. Sustainable tourism and carrying capacity: a new context. In The Challenge
of Tourism Carrying Capacity Assessment (pp. 19-30). Routledge.
De Grosbois, D., 2016. Corporate social responsibility reporting in the cruise tourism industry: a
performance evaluation using a new institutional theory based model. Journal of
Sustainable Tourism.24(2). pp.245-269.
Font, X. and McCabe, S., 2017. Sustainability and marketing in tourism: Its contexts, paradoxes,
approaches, challenges and potential. Journal of Sustainable Tourism.25(7). pp.869-
883.
Greenwood, V. A. and Dwyer, L., 2015. Consumer protection legislation: A neglected
determinant of destination competitiveness?. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism
Management.24. pp.1-8.
Guttentag, D., 2015. Airbnb: disruptive innovation and the rise of an informal tourism
accommodation sector. Current issues in Tourism.18(12). pp.1192-1217.
Hall, C. M., 2014. Regulating the international trade in tourism services. In International
Business and Tourism (pp. 47-68). Routledge.
Hall, C. M., Gossling, S. and Scott, D. eds., 2015. The Routledge handbook of tourism and
sustainability. Routledge.
Hamarneh, I., 2013. Corporate Social Responsibility as a competitive advantage in Tourism
sector. Journal of Tourism & Services.4(7).
Meyer, D., 2013. Pro-poor tourism: From leakages to linkages. A conceptual framework for
creating linkages between the accommodation sector and ‘poor’neighbouring
communities. In Tourism and the Millennium Development Goals (pp. 131-156).
Routledge.
Sigala, M., 2018. New technologies in tourism: From multi-disciplinary to anti-disciplinary
advances and trajectories. Tourism management perspectives.25. pp.151-155.
Tse, T. S. and Tse, Q.K., 2015. The legal aspects of “zero-fare” tour in shopping tourism: A case
of Chinese visitors in Hong Kong. Journal of China Tourism Research.11(3). pp.297-
314.
Whitfield, J. and Dioko, L. A., 2012. Measuring and examining the relevance of discretionary
corporate social responsibility in tourism: Some preliminary evidence from the UK
conference sector. Journal of Travel Research.51(3). pp.289-302.
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