The Impact of Social Media on Tourism Planning: A Trailfinders Study

This research proposal investigates the impact of social media on tourism planning, focusing on Trailfinders, a prominent travel company. The study aims to determine the effects of social media on tourism planning, evaluate the challenges, and explore the concept of tourism planning. The research employs a qualitative methodology, including descriptive research design and interpretivism, with a sample of 30 respondents. Data collection involves primary and secondary methods, and ethical considerations are addressed. The report includes a literature review, research methodology, and a research proposal form, providing a comprehensive analysis of social media's role in the tourism sector. The study aims to understand how social media influences tourism planning, potentially enhancing services and customer engagement. The proposal also outlines the research objectives, questions, and timeline, providing a structured approach to the investigation.

RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Table of Contents
CHAPTER: 1 INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................1
1.1 Research Overview...........................................................................................................1
1.2 Background of Research...................................................................................................1
1.4 Research Aim:..................................................................................................................1
1.5 Research Objectives:........................................................................................................2
1.6 Research Questions..........................................................................................................2
1.7 Time scale.........................................................................................................................2
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW.........................................................................................3
2.1 Concept of tourism planning............................................................................................3
2.2 Impact of social media on tourism planning on Trailfinders..........................................3
2.3 Challenges which can be faced by Trailfinders in tourism planning..............................3
CHAPTER 3: RESAERCH METHODOLOGY.............................................................................4
3.1 Types of investigation......................................................................................................4
3.2 Research design................................................................................................................4
3.3 Research philosophy.........................................................................................................4
3.4 Data sampling...................................................................................................................4
3.5 Data collection..................................................................................................................4
3.6 Ethical consideration........................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6
Research Proposal Form..................................................................................................................7
Research Ethics approval form......................................................................................................10
.......................................................................................................................................................12

TITLE: “To determine the impact of social media on tourism planning. A Case Study on
Trailfinders.”
CHAPTER: 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Research Overview
Social media is determined as a computer based technology that helps an individual or
organisation in sharing their ideas and information in an effective manner (Xiang, Magnini and
Fesenmaier, 2015). In the field of travel and tourism, it is playing a crucial role as companies
who are engaged in this can easily connect with their clients and provide them appropriate
information. Company which is taken in this assignment is Trailfinders which is one of the
renowned travel company in United Kingdom and independently working in different parts of
the world. With the help of this research, researcher will get to know about the impact of social
media on tourism planning. Therefore, social media is said to be an effective process of making
tourism planning.
1.2 Background of Research
With the change in course of time, process of planning has been changed as in earlier
time in order to make planning travellers usually used Television advertisements, radio etc., but
now social media is an effective tool which is being used by travellers so as to make appropriate
planning. Purpose of conducting this research is to analysis the impact of social media while
making plans for tourism such as what kind of services and facilities should be added so that
number of travellers can be increased which can ultimately generate more and more revenues
(Munar, 2012).
1.3 Rationale of Research
Tourism is an activity which requires lot of planning in order to operate their business
activities. It is necessary for a organisation to execute the plan in a effective manner as there are
many factors which can effects its entire process. Therefore, this research is being conducted in
order to know social media and its impact on tourism planning whether social media is assisting
company in providing better services and facilities or not.
1.4 Research Aim:
“To determine the impact of social media on tourism planning. A Case Study on Trailfinders.”
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1.5 Research Objectives:
 To investigate the concept of tourism planning.
 To evaluate the impact of social media on tourism planning on Trailfinders.
 To determine the challenges which can be faced by Trailfinders in tourism planning.
1.6 Research Questions
 What is the concept of tourism planning?
 How social media puts an impact on tourism planning for Trailfinders?
 What are the challenges which can be faced by Trailfinders in tourism planning?
1.7 Time scale
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CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Concept of tourism planning
According to the current market scenario, tourism is one of the sector that always remains
in boom. Travelling is not a recent act, earlier it was done for business purpose business but now
not only for business purpose people travel for spending their leisure time (Tham, Croy and
Mair, 2013). Therefore, for conducting the travelling activity in an effective manner it is
important to make proper planning. Tourism planning is a basic concept that includes certain
factors such as environmental factor, budget, places etc., Thus, it can be said that after
considering some of the factors an effective decisions can be made.
2.2 Impact of social media on tourism planning on Trailfinders
Social media is on trending these days as most of the people have their account in some
or the other social media websites. It is not only aiding people from connecting with one another
but business organisation can also use the same for marketing their products and services so that
large number of customers can be aware of new things implemented by the company. It can be
said that social media do have some role in tourism planning because with the help of the same
Trailfinders can get to know about the latest trends present so that better services and facilities
can be provided.
2.3 Challenges which can be faced by Trailfinders in tourism planning
While making any kind of planning, there are many challenges which can be faced by
Trailfinders in order to make their planning effective. Therefore, it is crucial for travelling
company to consider all the factors. Some of the challenges are mentioned below:
 Fluctuation monetary policies
 Change in trends
 Needs of customers
 Rise in competition
 Natural or man made calamity
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CHAPTER 3: RESAERCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Types of investigation
This is an important part of research methodology as with the help of this investigator
tend to gather information and data from different kinds of sources. Mainly there are two types
of methods qualitative and quantitative. Thus, in order do this research, investigator has used
qualitative methods so as to get detailed information for a specific topic (Smith, 2014).
3.2 Research design
This is a wider concept which includes descriptive and exploratory methods although
both the methods are very effective but do to accomplish this research, researcher has used
descriptive research design which will further assist investigator in collecting relevant data and
information.
3.3 Research philosophy
This work on a belief that how information and data are collected in order to analyse the
same. There are basically two types of philosophy and these are interprivitism and positivism.
While conducting this research, investigator has used interprivitism so that relevant data and
information can be gathered.
3.4 Data sampling
Data sampling is one of the important component of the research methodology and in this
information that are collected are subset representing large population. Basically, data sampling
is of two types probabilistic and non-probabilistic sampling. Thus, in order to do this research
researcher has taken 30 respondents and used probabilistic for collecting information in an
effective manner (Xiang, Magnini and Fesenmaier, 2015). Therefore, questionnaire will be used
in which 10 questions will be formulated.
3.5 Data collection
Entire proceeding of research is dependent on this as data that are collected helps
investigator in evaluating effective interpretation. There are generally two types of methods i.e.
primary and secondary. In order to do this research, investigator has used both these methods for
collecting appropriate information and data so as to evaluate valid conclusion.
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3.6 Ethical consideration
While conducting a research there are there are some norms which are to be followed in
order to make the research ethical in nature. Major issues which a research can face is regarding
time and cost thus, it is important that they investigator look for the same. Apart from this,
maintain data privacy is the major concern in this (Munar, 2012).
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Xiang, Z., Magnini, V. P. and Fesenmaier, D. R., 2015. Information technology and consumer
behavior in travel and tourism: Insights from travel planning using the internet. Journal
of Retailing and Consumer Services. 22. pp.244-249.
Munar, A. M., 2012. Social media strategies and destination management. Scandinavian Journal
of Hospitality and Tourism. 12(2). pp.101-120.
Tham, A., Croy, G. and Mair, J., 2013. Social media in destination choice: Distinctive electronic
word-of-mouth dimensions. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing. 30(1-2). pp.144-
155.
Smith, S. L., 2014. Tourism analysis: A handbook. Routledge.
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Research Proposal Form
Student Name: ______________________ Student ID:
______________________
Centre Name: _____________________
Tutor: ________________ Date:
___________________
Unit: ____________________
Proposed Title: “To determine the impact of social media on tourism
planning. A Case Study on Trailfinders.”
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a question, objective
or hypothesis)“To determine the impact of social media on tourism planning. A Case Study
on Trailfinders.”
Research objectives (e.g what is the question you want to answer? What do you
want to learn how to do? What do you want to find out?):
The essential research objectives of this particular exploration work are described as below:
 To investigate the concept of tourism planning.
 To evaluate the impact of social media on tourism planning on Trailfinders. To determine the challenges which can be faced by Trailfinders in tourism planning.
Research Questions
 What is the concept of tourism planning.
 How social media puts an impact on tourism planning for Trailfinders?
 What are the challenges which can be faced by Trailfinders in tourism planning.
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
Reasons for choosing the project (e.g links to other subjects you are studying,
personal interest, future plans, knowledge/skills you want to improve, why the
topic is important):
Reason for choosing this topic is to analyse the impact of social media on tourism planning
because of the involvement of social media in every aspect of life.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
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Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective or
hypothesis:
In the existing investigation report data and information was collected through books and
journals and other websites as well.
Section Four: Activities and timescales
Activities to be carried out during the research project (e.g
research, development and analysis of ideas, writing, data
collection, numerical analysis, tutor meetings, production of
final outcome, evaluation, writing the report):
While doing this research there was various kinds of activities which were
taken into consideration so as to evaluate effective outcomes. Some of the
activities that were used are mentioned below:
 Determining the research topic
 Formulation of aim and objectives
 Literature review
 Research methodology
 Preparation of Questionnaires
 Data Collection
 Data analysis
 Conclusion and recommendation
How long this will take:
3 Months
Milestone one: _________________
Target date (set by tutor): ____________________
Milestone two: _______________________
Target date (set by tutor): ______________________
Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
What type of research approach and methodologies are you likely to use and
why?
Qualitative methods was used by investigator in order to gain information for this specific
topic.
What your areas of research will cover:
Sector of tourism will be considered for doing this research
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Comments and agreement from tutor
Comments (optional):
I confirm that the project is not work which has been or will be submitted for
another qualification and is appropriate.
Agreed: ________________ (name)_______________ Date ______________
Comments and agreement form project proposal checker( IV sampling)
Comments (Optional):
I confirm that the project is appropriate.
Agreed /Disagree: (Name of the IV)
Date
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Research Ethics approval form
All students conducting research activity that involves human participants
or the use of data collected form human participants are required to gain
ethical approval before commencing their research. Please answer all
relevant questions and note that your form may be returned if incomplete.
For further support and guidance please see your respective Unit Tutor:
Before completing this form, we advise that you discuss your proposed
research fully with your unit tutor. Please complete this form in good time
before your research project is due to commence.
Section 1: Basic details:
Project title:
Student name:
Student ID number:
Programme:
College Name:
Intended research start date:
Intended research end date:
Section 2 Project summary
Please select all research methods that you plan to use as a part of your project:
 Interviews Yes No
 Questionnaires Yes No
 Observations Yes No
 Use of personal records Yes No
 Data Analysis Yes No
 Action Research Yes No
 Focus Groups Yes No
 Others (Please specify) :
Section 3: Participants
Please answer the following questions, giving full details where necessary.
Will your research involve human participants?
Who are the participants? Tick all that apply:
Ages 12-16: Young people aged: 17-18 Adults: More than 20
How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
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