International Travel and Tourism: Sustainable Practices at TUI Group

This research project proposal investigates the significance of sustainable practices in the management of travel and tourism operations, focusing on a case study of TUI Group. The project aims to determine the concept of sustainable practices, identify their importance, evaluate challenges TUI faces in implementation, and assess strategies to overcome these challenges. The research employs a positivism philosophy, deductive approach, and a questionnaire strategy for data collection, utilizing both primary and secondary sources. The proposal outlines the research methodology, including data collection, sampling (probabilistic with 50 respondents), and a Gantt chart for project management. The literature review explores the definition of sustainability in tourism, its importance, and the challenges faced by organizations like TUI Group, along with potential strategies for mitigation. The project's ethical considerations are addressed, and the proposal includes references to relevant academic sources. The research aims to provide insights into how TUI Group can enhance its sustainable practices and contribute to the long-term viability of the tourism sector.

International Travel and Tourism Management
Unit 18 and Unit 19 Research Project (RQF) L5
Project Proposal Form
Research Theme: Sustainability in Tourism and Hospitality
Research Topic:
Section One: Title, aims, objectives
Aim and Objectives
Aim
“ To determine the importance of sustainable practices in the management of travel and
tourism operations”. A case study of TUI Group
Research Objectives
Research objectives are stated below:
 To determine the concept of sustainable practices in context with travel and tourism
industry.
 To identify the importance of sustainable practices in travel and tourism operations.
 To evaluate the challenges that TUI Group can face in implementing sustainable practices in
the management of travel and tourism operations.
 To assess the strategies through which TUI Group can overcome the challenges in
implementing sustainable practices in the management of travel and tourism operations
Research Questions
 What is the concept of sustainable practices in context with travel and tourism industry?
 What is the importance of sustainable practices in travel and tourism operations?
 What are the challenges that TUI Group can face in implementing sustainable practices in
the management of travel and tourism operations?
 What are the strategies through which TUI Group can overcome the challenges in
implementing sustainable practices in the management of travel and tourism operations?
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
The topic selected for conducting research is related to sustainable management practices in
travel and tourism sector. The primary reason behind selecting this topic is to effectively fulfil dual
perspective personal and professional. In context with personal this research helps determination of
activities which are effective in nature towards development of talent in candidates. Furthermore, it
also help in building characteristics in own personality. The other, personal benefit related to the
research is that it helps enhancing the importance of sustainable practices for travel and tourism
with the help of which both personal and professional interest can be fulfilled. In terms with
professional perspective the maintain effect of this is to enhance the knowledge on the selected

topics through which effective handling of activities can be undertaken this helps in developing
sound professional career.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Concept of sustainable practices in context with travel and tourism industry
As per the view point of Agyeiwaah and et. al., 2021, sustainable practices in travel and
tourism aim towards implementing environmental friendly practices in order to protect cultural as
well as natural heritage. Environmental, economic and social culture is three pillars of sustainability
through which goal of sustainable tourism can be accomplished. Sustainable tourism can be
promoted by travel and tourism industry with the help of including sustainable tourism alternative,
reducing carbon footprints and more. It is essential for organisation engaged in travel and tourism
industry to use resources sustainably and reduce over consumption as well as wastage. They are
also require to support local economy with the consultants of stakeholders and public.
Importance of sustainable practices in travel and tourism operations
As per the view point of Farmaki, 2021, sustainable practices play important role in travel and
tourism corporation as it helps business organisation to ensure its long-term competitiveness and
sustainability. It not only helps in reducing over consumption as well as wastage but also allow
organisation to reduce long-term environmental damage. With the help of emphasizing up on
sustainable practices companies in travel and tourism sector can effectively contribute towards
quality of tourism. Furthermore, it has been underlined that sustainable tourism help in minimising
negative impact on society through which human welfare nature preservation animal welfare can be
assured.
Challenges that TUI Group can face in implementing sustainable practices in the management of
travel and tourism operations
According to the view point of Hou and Wu, 2021, there are number of challenges that can be faced
by organisation in implementing sustainable practices in travel and tourism sector. It has been
identified that travel and tourism is highly complex system which involve restricted adaptive
capacity. There are number of challenges that can be faced by TUI in context with implementing
sustainable practices in management of travel and tourism operations. In this waste management,
code of conduct for sustainable and honourable tourism is some of the challenges that can be faced.
However the challenges can be effectively overcome with the help of implementing significant
strategies.
Strategies through which TUI Group can overcome the challenges in implementing sustainable
practices in the management of travel and tourism operations
As per the view point of Panasiuk, 2021, there are number of strategies through which challenges
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can be mitigate that further helps in promoting sustainable practices. In context with TUI it has been
identified that with the help of taking advantage of effective strategies organisation can overcome
challenges in implementing sustainable practices in the management of travel and tourism
operation. In this with the help of consulting with each and every stakeholders such as local
individuals company can encourage sustainability. Along with this with the help of emphasizing
upon government plans and action to reduce carbon footprint and challenging organisation to step
outside their comfort zone allowed overcoming the challenges in effective manner. Furthermore,
with the help of providing training to employees associated to the sustainable practices importance
travel and tourism operation company can overcome challenges of sustainable practices.
References
Galeazzo, A and et. al., 2021. Green procurement and financial performance in the tourism industry: the
moderating role of tourists’ green purchasing behaviour. Current Issues in Tourism, 24(5), pp.700-
716.
Uyar, A., Karaman, A.S. and Kilic, M., 2021. Institutional drivers of sustainability reporting in the
global tourism industry. Tourism Economics, 27(1), pp.105-128.
Agyeiwaah, E and et. al., 2021. Understanding backpacker sustainable behavior using the tri-component
attitude model. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, pp.1-33.
Farmaki, A., 2021. Memory and forgetfulness in tourism crisis research. Tourism management, 83,
p.104210.
Hou, H. and Wu, H., 2021. Tourists’ perceptions of green building design and their intention of
staying in green hotel. Tourism and Hospitality Research, 21(1), pp.115-128.
Panasiuk, A., 2021. Contemporary Threats to the Development of Sustainable Urban Tourism.
In Handbook of Sustainable Development and Leisure Services (pp. 141-156). Springer, Cham.
Section Four: Activities and timescales
Identification of the topic
Developing aim and objectives
Overview of the study
Literature review
Research methodology
Submission of proposal
Supervisor feedback of the proposal
How long this will take:
Days
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4
3
4
6
6
5
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Approval on the proposal
Introduction
Literature review
Research methodology
Data analysis and findings
Conclusion
Recommendation
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Milestone one: ____Literature review ____________
Target date (set by tutor): _21-02-2021___________________
Milestone two: ___Research methodology ____________________
Target date (set by tutor): ___13-03-2021___________________
Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
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Research Methodology
Research methodology is defined as a tool or technique that an investigator undertakes in order to
accumulate reliable information and data associated to the topic. Research methodology plays
essential role through which effectiveness of research can be done in effective manner.
Research philosophies-
Research philosophy is defined as believe associated to the manner in which data about
phenomena are required to be collected, evaluated and utilised. There are mainly two forms of
research philosophies that are positivism and interpretivism. In terms with present research
investigator will undertake advantage of positivism research philosophy in order to conduct
research in effective manner. The main aim of selecting this methodology is to gain result with the
help of accurate steps on the basis of real time situation.
Research Approaches –
Research approach is defined as a plan or process that facilitate investigator to conduct
research in proper manner. Inductive and deductive are two form of research approaches out of
which investigator will undertake advantage of deductive approach. The main reason behind
selecting this approach is to have better testing of information and data. With the help of this
research findings can be generalized in effective manner through which investigator can undertake
decisions appropriately.
Research strategies-
Research strategy is defined as an overall plan to conduct research in effective manner. It
provides guidance to investigator in proper planning, execution and monitoring of the study. In
order to conduct present research report in effective manner investigator will undertake advantage
of questionnaire method in order to collect and analyse information and data associated to the topic.
The primary reason to select questionnaire as research strategy is to acquire first hand and
appropriate data from respondents by evaluating their perception on the selected research topic.
Research Choice –
Research choice is defined as a form of information and data on which investigator want to
base their project so to assure desired objectives and goals. It is essential for an investigator to select
best research choice as this will aid in accomplishing research aims in direct and indirect manner.
Quantitative and qualitative are two form of research choice out of which investigator to conduct
present research will undertake use of quantitative data. With the help of this method, investigator
aim to accomplish objectives of research with more accurate results by gathering reliable and
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effective data. Quantitative method helps in presenting collected data in systematic manner with the
help of tables and chart.
Data collection –
Data Collection is an effective aspect of research methodology. It is essential for investigator
to undertake advantage of effective data collection source to acquire, confirm and identify
appropriate source of data collection. In order to conduct present research investigator will
undertake primary and secondary sources of data collection method in order to acquire information.
In terms with primary method investigator selecting 50 respondents (employees) out of the total
workforce population. While on the other hand if it is talked about secondary research, in this
investigator will take advantage of books, journal, articles and other sources. Primary reason to
undertake advantage of both of the method is to acquire first hand information accurate and
unbiased manner. While in terms with secondary research, investigator aim to conduct in-depth
analysis on research topics with multiple sources of information.
Sampling:
In this investigator select small sample from the whole population. Probabilistic and non-
probabilistic are two form of sampling method out of which to conduct recent research investigator
will undertake probabilistic sampling method. In this sample size of 50 respondents will be
undertaken to collect information. The main reason behind choosing employees as respondents is
that they are having diversifying knowledge on the selected research topic.
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 from project checker (if applicable)
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Gantt Chart:
Milestone Projective
Activities
W1 W3 W4 W7 W8 W11 W12 W16 W17 W20 W21 W23 W24
M1 Project
formulation
and Project
Planning
M2 Literature
Review
M3 Methodology
M4 Data
Collection
and Analysis
M5 Discussion
of the
results,
including
reflection
M6 Report
writing
M7 Presentation
of the
management
Achievement based on Gantt chart (Part of formative assessment)
Week Milestones and Activities to be Carried Out Tutor’s feedback and date
W3 Problem formulation and Project Planning
Research Problem/issues identification and research rationale
Research Topic and title
Research aims and objectives
W7 Literature Review
Identify and collect relevant literature
Review of key
W11 Methodology
Identification and selection of methodologies
Evaluation and choice of methodology
Select data collection methods and sampling
Choice of data analytical techniques
W16 Data Collection and Data Analysis
Data collection
Data Analysis
Data presentation and Interpretation
W20 Analysis and Discussion
Analysis and discussion of the findings
Reflection on the outcomes and methods used
Recommendations for improvement
W23 Report writing
Writing-up the report in appropriate format
Presentation in right media
W24 Presentation of the project outcomes to the intended audience
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Research Ethics Approval Form
All students conducting research activity that involves human participants or the use of data
collected from 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 competing 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: Sustainable management practices in travel and tourism industry
Student ID Number:
Programme:
College:
Intended research start date:
Intended research end date:
Section 2 Project Summary
Please select all research methods that you plan to use as part of your project:
(Copy and paste the tick where applicable)
Interviews:
Questionnaires:
Observations:
Use of Personal Records:
Data Analysis:
Action Research:
Focus Group:
Other (Please specify):
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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 years’ old
How will participants be recruited (identified and approached)?
With the help of simple random sampling method participants will be recruited
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are doing:
Meeting, E mail and notice board will be undertaken in order to provide information to
respondents.
How will you obtain consent from participants? Will this be written? How will it be made clear
to participants that they may withdraw consent to participate at any time?
Information is in written and in guideline all the information is included in respect of how
participants may withdraw consent to participate at any time
Studies involving questionnaires: Will participants be given the option of omitting questions they
do not wish to answer?
Yes:  No: 
If No please explain why below and ensure that you cover any ethical issues arising from this
Studies involving observation: Confirm whether participants will be asked for their informed
consent to be observed.
Yes:  No: 
Will you debrief participants at the end of their participation (i.e. give them a brief explanation of
the study)?
Yes:  No:
Will participants be given information about the findings of your study? (This could be a brief
summary of your findings in general)
Yes: No: 

Section 4: Data Storage and Security
Confirm that all personal data will be stored and processed in compliance with the Data Protection Act
(1998) Yes:  No: 
Who will have access to the data and personal information?
Senior authority and researcher will have access of personal information and data.
During the research:
Where will the data be stored?
Data will be stored in personal computer
Will mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops be
used? Yes:  No: 
If yes, please provide further details:
After the research:
Where will the data be stored?
Data ill be stored in personal computer.
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
Will data be kept for use by other researchers?
Yes:  No: 
If yes, please provide further details:
Section 5: Ethical Issues
Are there any particular features of your proposed work which may raise ethical concerns?
Yes:  No: 
If so, please outline how you will deal with these:
It is important that you demonstrate your awareness of potential risks that may arise as a result of your
research. Please consider/address all issues that may apply. Ethical concerns may include, but are not
limited to the following:
• Informed consent.
• Potentially vulnerable participants.
• Sensitive topics.
• Risks to participants and/or researchers.
• Confidentiality/anonymity.
• Disclosures/limits to confidentiality.
• Data storage and security, both during and after the research
(including transfer, sharing, encryption, protection).
• Reporting.
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• Dissemination and use of your findings.
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Section 6: Declaration
I have read, understood and will abide by the institution’s Research and Ethics
Policy: Yes:  No:
I have discussed the ethical issues relating to my research with my Unit Tutor:
Yes:  No: 
I confirm that to the best of my knowledge:
The above information is correct and that this is a full description of the ethics issues that may arise in the
course of my research.
Name: .....................................................................................................................................................................
Date: ...................................................................................
Please submit your completed form to ......................................................................................................................................................................
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