Impact of Current and Recent Trends on Tour Operator Industry

This report analyzes the impact of current and recent trends on the tour operator industry, focusing on the effects of competition, technological advancements, and changes in infrastructure. It examines various types of tour operators, including specialist, direct sell, outbound, and domestic operators, and discusses the role of legal bodies such as ABTA and AITO in regulating the industry. The report highlights the significance of understanding consumer preferences, pricing strategies, and the importance of adapting to technological changes for tour operators to remain competitive. It also touches upon the influence of the EU Package Travel Directive and the concept of Linked Travel Arrangement, emphasizing the need for tour operators to provide safe and secure environments for clients. Overall, the report provides insights into the evolving landscape of the tour operator industry and the key factors influencing its operations.

Specialist operators- Specialist operators are the operators who offers tour packages for some specialised places.
They have complete knowledge about such destinations and hence consumers prefer to avail services from them.
These operators include operators who plan travel package for pilgrimage.
Direct sell operators- there are some tour operators who serve consumers with the help of tour operators. But as per
mind-set of consumers that these agents are adding their commission. But in actual, they do not add any
commission and hence client can purchase tour packages at cheap rate from them.
There are some legal bodies which works to keep eyes on working style, terms and conditions of travel operators.
This helps to provide relevant information to clients and possibilities of betrayal is low. Some of the legal
organisations are discussed as under-
The Travel Association (ABTA)- This is association which is combination of travel agents and operators founded
in 1950. This association has membership of around 1200 companies and many number of tour operators and
agencies. ABTA has function to improve working style of companies and provide guidance in case of any issue,
providing financial helps under different schemes. This association works as union for different tour operators and
in case of any issue raise voice to government of UK.
Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO)- This association is British based travel industry in which there
is group of approx. 120 specialists and independent tour operators. This association was established in 1976 and to
become member of this association, it is essential to complete requirement of consumer protection. With the help
of this association, there is improvement in plans and policies of travel operators.
Tour operators are the organisations which works to plan tour packages for people. As per European
Union there are some norms which has to followed by tour operators for providing security to consumers.
These norms give impact on operations of tour operators because there is a new concept which is relevant
for “Linked travel Arrangement”. Under EU Package Travel Directive, there is information about Linked
Travel Arrangement, Package Holidays, Licensing, etc. Hence there are measures which are required to
be taken for the purpose of providing safe and secured environment to clients.
There are some changes which are taking place in current market in travel industry. It is essential for
Trailfinder to analyse these changes and then actions accordingly. This is relevant and significant for
Competition- In current market trends, there is more competition because many firms are working in the
same field. Hence in current market quality of service, safety and security are considered by consumers
which has to be considered by managers of Trailfinder. As compared to initial years there is more, there is
more competition, so pricing strategies are framed as per trends and by analysing competitor’s policies.
Technological changes- Technological changes is the major change which took place in current market.
As these days, there is more use of internet for promotion, marketing, communicating among consumers,
etc. Hence it is essential for managers of Trailfinder to plan strategies which helps to use more
technological aspects.
Changes in infrastructure- Infrastructure of destinations are changes with rapid speed. These days, there is
more emphasis on cleanliness at destinations, safety and security prospects, etc. Hence these days,
planning is done regarding innovating infrastructure.
There are different types of tour operators which plans and execute tour plan for consumers. These days
travelling is one of the important factor which arise in industry. There are many changes which are taking
leave in external environment such as more use of technical aspects, quick services, online bookings, etc.
Some tour operators are discussed as under-
Outbound operators- These tour operators visit one another country in order to collect information about
different destinations of some particular country. These operates are also known as international visitors
because these operators promote different international destinations and plan foreign trips for clients.
Domestic operators- These are the tour operators who plan tour packages for destinations in which they
are planning business. These are the residents who operates within specified geographical boundaries.
Tour Operations Management
(1.1 Effect of current and recent trends on tour operator industry)