Legislation & Ethics in Travel Tourism

This report comprehensively examines the legal and ethical frameworks governing the UK travel and tourism sector. It details relevant legislation concerning transport (air, sea, land), health and safety, equality, and consumer protection. Key acts and regulations are analyzed, including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Equality Act 2010, the Package Travel Regulations 1992, and consumer protection laws. The report also delves into ethical dilemmas faced by travel and tourism businesses, emphasizing the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its impact on brand image and sustainability. Specific examples and case studies are used to illustrate the practical application of these legal and ethical principles. The report concludes by highlighting the crucial role of ethical conduct and compliance in ensuring the success and sustainability of businesses within the travel and tourism industry.

Legislation and Ethics in the Travel and Tourism
Sector

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1 UNDERSTAND THE LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK IN THE
TRAVEL AND TOURISM SECTOR..............................................................................................3
1.1 Legal and regulatory framework for travel and tourism sector.............................................3
1.2 Surface, air and sea related transport law in terms of carriage of passengers within legal
and regulatory framework............................................................................................................4
Task 2 Understand legislation and regulation relating to health, safety and security in the travel
and tourism sector............................................................................................................................5
2.1 Impact of principles of health and safety on travel and tourism sector.................................5
2.2 Legislation that relates to equality.........................................................................................6
Task 3 Understand consumer protection legislation in relation to the travel and tourism sector....7
3.1 Explaining contract legislation in relation to travel and tourism customers..........................7
3.2 Explaining consumer protection legislation in relation to travel and tourism customers......8
TASK 4 understanding the role of business ethics in the travel and tourism sector .......................9
4.1 Analysis of ethical dilemmas experienced by travel and tourism sector...............................9
4.2 Analysing the corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy of particular travel and tourism
organization................................................................................................................................10
Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................11
References......................................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Travel and tourism industry is one of largest business domains in the UK and has largest
share in the UK GDP. There is a large regulatory framework related to this industry whether
mode of transportation is sea, air or land. In this report, rules and regulations are discussed in
detail. Along with this, legislation related to equality is explained briefly. In middle part of the
report, contract legislation in relation to travel and tourism customers is discussed in detail. In
end part of the report, types of ethical dilemma faced by firms operating in travel and tourism
sector are discussed in detail. Along with this, CSR policies of the firm are also described briefly.
TASK 1 UNDERSTAND THE LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
IN THE TRAVEL AND TOURISM SECTOR
1.1 Legal and regulatory framework for travel and tourism sector
Thomas cook requires to strictly follow all the relevant rules and regulations that are
related to travel and tourism industry. If same will not be strictly followed then regulatory
authorities have a right to file a case against the firm. Hence, in order to run business smoothly
without any problem, it is very important for Thomas cook to follow all the relevant rules and
regulations of the business. It has been observed that in UK, there are strong rules which are
applied strictly by the relevant authorities. This is because mentioned industry has highest share
in the UK GDP and if there will be strict rules then same will be operated in a proper manner in
the UK. Travel and tourism industry is serving people whether they are foreigner or domestic and
it is very important to ensure their safety and wellbeing in UK (Erkuş-Öztürk and Eraydın,
2010). Hence, with passage of time, many new amendments are made in current law.
Travel agencies strictly need to follow these rules and regulations very tightly. There are
different modes of transportation like air, water and land as well as rules and regulations are
prepared separately for these models of transportation. If we look at transportation act 2002 of
UK then it can be seen that there are strict provisions related to trains. In other words, it can be
said that in railway, there are provisions which are related to people safety and cleanness in the
railway compartments. As per the law, it is the liability of railway administration to make sure
that all the services will be available on time to the passengers (Lew, 2011). In UK, there is a
health and safety commission which prepares rules and regulations related to hygiene in trains.
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This commission also prepares rules related to services that are delivered to the
customers on train. It is the liability of UK government to make sure that good quality of services
are provided and rules as well as regulations are strictly followed on all modes of transport
whether they are water, air or land. In UK, there are many rules related to safety of passengers on
all modes of transportation. However, government can prepare some more rules related to safety
of employees. This will help government in ensuring that life of people will remain safe while
visiting on any mode of transportation. Some of the rules with which firms are operating in travel
and tourism sector are as follows. Healthy and safety executive- This is the regulation that is related to both the employer
and employees. In same, rights and obligation related to both entities are determined by
the law. It is responsibility of the firm to make available all the safety related equipment
to the employees (Yang, 2010). In case of any misfortune event, they can protect their
life. Similarly, it is liability of the employees to adopt all safety related equipment. If
employer does not provide any equipment and any misfortune event takes place then
employer will be liable to pay compensation amount. Health and safety commission- It is a law in which health and safety issues that are
related to travel and tourism industry are covered. Under this law, employer and
employees have to operate within determined rules and regulations. Failure to comply
with law may invite penalty from regulatory authorities. International air transport association: It is an institute that was developed at
international level. It governs operation of airlines companies across the world. It
prepare rules that make air transport easy and flexible among the nations.
 Strategic rail authority: It is an authority which regulate rail industry of the nation to
large extent. In past years many amendments are made in railway act in relation to issue
of license to the firms. Apart from this, many changes are bring in law in order to protect
interest of people in railway.
1.2 Surface, air and sea related transport law in terms of carriage of passengers within legal and
regulatory framework
In UK, all modes of transportation whether it is air or land are used at large scale. Rules
and regulations that are related to different modes of transportation are as follows.
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 Sea transport- As per this law, it is very important for the firms that are involved in
sea transport to make sure that adequate safety and health related measures are
undertaken to make sure that people that are traveling through ship life will be safe
and they will be provided good working conditions on ship. This reduces chances of
accidents and ensures good help of passengers while they are traveling on ship
(Bornhorst, Ritchie and Sheehan, 2010). Firms that are in travel and tourism industry
must follow carriage of goods act 1992 and territorial act 1987. Failure to comply
with these laws may create problems for the firm.
 Air transport- In UK, civil aviation authority is responsible to look after effective
implementation of rules and regulations. Firms that are in aviation industry need to
follow air and road act 1979. In this law, there are provisions related to safety of
passengers. Hence, aviation firms must strictly follow these rules.
 Surface transport- Firms operating in this industry need to follow all the rules and
regulations related to service quality and safety of passengers. Active enforcement of
rules is looked after by British tourism department. As per the surface transport, if any
one accident happens then he can demand compensation from tour operator if that
event happens due to mistake of employee of latter entity.
TASK 2 UNDERSTAND LEGISLATION AND REGULATION RELATING
TO HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY IN THE TRAVEL AND
TOURISM SECTOR
2.1 Impact of principles of health and safety on travel and tourism sector
There are varied health and safety rules and regulations that companies operating in
travel and tourism have to adhere to manage the activities in an appropriate way. The main
purpose behind abiding principles is to minimize the risks and uncertainties associated with
health and safety of employees and employers (Denicolai, Cioccarelli and Zucchella, 2010).
Following are the principles that Bell hotel’s health and safety manager has to abide:
 Occupier’s Liability Act 1984: The provisions derived in this act are associated with the
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 which indicates that employer has the responsibility
of looking at the activities carried out by the employees so that their health and safety
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measures can be maintained (Wu, 2011). Through this, services offered by employees
can be enhanced as well in Bell Hotel.
 Health and Safety at Work Act 1974: According to this act, management of Bell Hotel
has to maintain the working environment so that employees and visitors can have safe
and secure environment. For this, smart and effective steps need to be taken into
consideration i.e. training to staff members, maintenance of different areas so that risks
and uncertainties can be reduced (Scott, 2011).
 Data Protection Act 1998: On the basis of this act, management of Bell Hotel has the
duty to maintain the confidentiality of information related to customers. Further, data or
information of the hotel should be managed in a proper manner with a format which
authorized personnel can only access.
 Vicarious Liability: This act illustrates that for the actions of employees, employers are
responsible and they have to compensate for it (Buckley, 2012). In this regard,
management of Bell Hotel has to make sure that their employees carry out operations in
an ethical and reliable manner so that vicarious liability cannot be raised.
 Unfair Contract Terms 1977: This legislation is associated with the exclusion clause
which is imposed by the company to minimize the obligations in condition of non-
satisfactory performance (Lejárraga and Walkenhorst, 2010). Therefore, it is important
for the management of Bell Hotel to undertake unfair contract terms to make sure that
operations are carried out effectively.
2.2 Legislation that relates to equality
Looking at corporate environment of hotel industry, it is important for the firms like Bell
View Hotel to maintain equality and diversity among the staff members so that conflicts and
issues at workplace can be minimized (Scott and Becken, 2010). Promoting equality within the
hotel helps the course of managers to maintain the decorum of working environment as people
treat each other appropriately and fairly which indeed assists in enhancing the retention rate of
Bell View Hotel. Thus, Mr Jones needs to understand equality and encourage employees to treat
each other equally so that with such friendly environment, they can deliver prominent services to
the customers. In context to strategic level, equality should be among the managerial level people
so that they can provide equal opportunities to each employee for the growth and success in near
future. By the means of equality, employees and employer must provide equal treatment to each
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other regardless to their caste, race and religion (Magnini, Crotts and Zehrer, 2011). It will also
help Mr Jones in avoiding discrimination at each level of Bell View Hotel and lead to develop
growing and smart working environment. In regards to ensure the equality, it is important for Mr
Jones to abide certain acts and legislations: Human Right Act 1998: As per this act, employees and staff members of Bell View Hotel
possess right to speak on each matter. However, directly in contact with customers, it is
important for the management to provide adequate platform to the workers so that they
can provide their views as well as thoughts and help in decision making process. By the
means of this, employees will feel like their verdict counts and encourage them to
become more loyal towards the functioning of Bell View Hotel (UK travel laws and
regulations, 2016). Further, employees from this act can be secured from situations like
harassment and molestation. Sex Discrimination Act 1974: It is important for Bell View Hotel to follow the principles
of this act so as to provide equal importance to both the males and females employed.
Herein, individual should be treated fairly on the basis of age, sexual orientation.
 Disability discrimination act 1995: This act confronts the disable as well as needy people
that they should be given proper support and equal rights as well as responsibility.
Therefore, Mr Jones should undertake this act and provide equal job authority and
responsibility to the disable people at the workplace (Paget, Dimanche and Mounet,
2010).
TASK 3 UNDERSTAND CONSUMER PROTECTION LEGISLATION IN
RELATION TO THE TRAVEL AND TOURISM SECTOR
3.1 Explaining contract legislation in relation to travel and tourism customers
Contract legislation in relation to travel and tourism are provided below as:
LEGISLATION DESCRIPTION
The Unfair contract terms Act 1977 and the
unfair terms in consumer contract regulation
1999
According to this legislation, it is required by
businesses to make sure that all the legal and
regulatory requirements are addressed in the
best possible manner (Heung, Kucukust and
Song, 2011). Further, parties which have
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formed an agreement are required to take care
of objectives and interest of each other in the
best possible manner. On the other side of this,
unfair terms in consumer contract regulation
have been developed in the year 1999. Its
objective is to ensure that customers are served
with the best quality of products and services
which are mentioned in contact. Another
purpose of legislation is to make sure that
customer are not exploited by ineffective sales
of services and goods.
Sale of Goods Act 1979 and the supply of
Goods and Services Act 1982
The Sale of Goods Act was developed in the
year 1979 with an objective of promoting sales
practices which are fair. Further, people and
parties are required to take this act into
consideration at the time of exchanging good
against money (Magnini, Crotts and Zehrer,
2011). Along with this, goods are being
considered as sold only in situation when their
ownership has been transferred from one party
to another. On the other side of this, seller is
also required to make sure that the best and
appropriate quality of products and services are
provided to the customers.
The package travel, the package holidays and
package regulation act 1992
In these laws rules and regulations related to
the holiday packages are prepared. Travel and
tour operators have to follow this law and
accordingly then can formulate there tour
package.
CAA and ATOL regulations Those tour operators who wish to sell flights
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need to comply with the civil aviation authority
and air traffic organisers license regulation. In
case of failure to comply with these laws
penalty can be imposed on tour operator.
3.2 Explaining consumer protection legislation in relation to travel and tourism customers
At the time of carrying out its operations and activities, Bell View hotel needs to take care
of the fact that all legislation are well taken care of. Along with this, the hotel is required to take
care of consumer protection Act in order to make sure that interests of consumers are protected in
the best possible manner. The Act also plays an important role in protecting customers from
getting exploited or cheated. All business activities and operations should be carried out by Bell
View hotel by considering legal and regulatory aspects (Paget, Dimanche and Mounet, 2010).
One of the major acts which needs to be followed by the business is Trade Description Act of
1968. Further, it can be stated that the Act will force Bell View hotel to not get indulged in
practices related to misleading or false indicators of prices. This will support in developing brand
image of hotel and will also result in attracting more customers. On the other side of this,
government of UK has formed Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations in the year
2008 (Vanhove, 2011). The objective behind formulation of this regulation was to discourage
businesses to charge prices which are not fair and completely irrelevant. At the time of taking
care of consumer protection legislation, there are some requirements which need to be followed
by businesses. Furthermore, requirements are mentioned below as:
 The prices charged by businesses in travel and tourism sector need to be authentic.
 When payments are made by using cards, surcharge will be applicable on the same.
 When a room is rented, hotels are required to include services in the same.
 At the time of serving in bar, prices are required to be disclosed by the hotels.
 There will be extra money charged for minibars.
Other than this, it can be stated that travel and tourism businesses are also required to
consider the Package Travel regulation which was developed in the year 1992. This act
highlights that businesses are required to take care of several requirements at the time of offering
different types of services. All services regarding travel and tourism are also required to be
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provided by businesses. Furthermore, Aviation Travel Organizer's License needs to be considered
by enterprises which are providing services such as air travel.
In order to protect interest of customers in travel and tourism industry some of
regulations such as European union package are prepared. In this law procedure is prepared that
will ensure that money that is spend by the people on tour packages will be protected. Apart from
this there is other provision ABTA which is prepared under law . As per this provision in case
tour operator failed financially bank will provide fund which will be used to reimburse
customers. Hence, it can be said that by preparing these regulations interest of customers are
protected in travel and tourism industry of UK.
TASK 4 UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF BUSINESS ETHICS IN THE
TRAVEL AND TOURISM SECTOR
4.1 Analysis of ethical dilemmas experienced by travel and tourism sector
Firms that are carrying out operations in Travel and tourism sector possess the
responsibility to take into consideration the ethical aspects with an aim to manage the operations
of business in an effective manner. Ethics is referred to as the branch of knowledge that is
dealing with the moral principles which possess the responsibility to govern the behavior of
individual during the course of managing practice of the organization. In case of ethical aspects,
it is essential that promotion of appropriate and authentic advertisement is done. This is in order
to make customers to gain the adequate services (Kayar and Kozak, 2010). As the business
possesses several divisions for travel and tourism services so all the packages need to be
developed in accordance with the needs of customers. Reduction can be done in the ethical issues
when the firm lays emphasis on the social responsibilities. In addition to this, it can be
minimized when entire tourism related activities are managed in an effective and legal way.
Activities of tourism needs to take into account social as well as cultural aspects so that services
can be encouraged among the customers to a greater extent. Strict norms and regulation need to
be complied with so that management of activities related with tourism can be done with greater
effectiveness (Reddy, York and Brannon, 2010). Tourism possesses several provisions that are
related with the activities of corruption. Thus, it is essential for the concerned business to ensure
that personnel as well as associated parties are keeping management of their roles as well as
responsibilities in an appropriate manner. The issues that relate with funding can also be
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resolved. Thus, the firm is required to adopt legal as well as authentic ways while making
delivery of services.
The role of ethics is significant in travel and tourism in order to develop confidence
within the organization. With the assistance of ethical practices it is easier to offer effective
services to the customers by taking into account their needs as well as expectations. Advertising
ethics is regarded as essential wherein the moral responsibility of the executive within tourism
sector is to publish right information while making promotion of the services.
4.2 Analysing the corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy of particular travel and tourism
organization
Under the aspect that relates with the ethical behavior, the role of corporate social
responsibility is very critical. Thus, businesses that are carrying out operations in Travel and
tourism sector need to devise strategies of CSR. These strategies work on behalf of the firm with
an aim to payback their shares to the society. Various activities are involved under this that
include protection of environment, equal opportunity as well as practice of sustainable
development (Mishra, Rout and Mohapatra, 2011). Travel and tourism sector needs to carry out
corporate social responsibility wherein requirements of the local people need to be fulfilled in an
effective manner. CSR strategies need to take into account social, cultural as well as
environmental aspects in order to conserve and prevent the biodiversity and cultural heritage. It
is important for the tourism business to carry out its corporate social responsibility as it is the
essential part of tourism (Lin, 2010). Various things are required to be taken into account under
such aspect. These have been enumerated in the manner stated as under: Environment: The main motive of firm needs to be for the purpose of managing all the
functions in accordance with the environmental aspects. Thus, all the activities need to be
carried out accordingly (Martin-Cejas and Sánchez, 2010). Every organization needs to
devise various strategies for preservation of the environmental resources. Internal business activities: It is important for the corporation to make management of all
the personnel in an appropriate way in order to assist the firm in raising the level of
service standards. Moreover, employees require to carry out all the practices in an
ethical manner so that they can make contribution towards the economy (Magnini, Crotts
and Zehrer, 2011).
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 Philanthropy: Travel and tourism business needs to give funds to other business for the
purpose of charity as well as social welfare. This is in order to make promotion of the
business services to a greater extent. Each year such type of activity needs to be carried
out.
The firm is taking initiative for the purpose of offering every type of support to the needy
ones. This can be carried out through charity functions. Further the firm is having partnership
with several clubs and charitable organizations so that it can give contribution towards
sustainable environment. Therefore it can be stated that each and every activity that contributes
in development of society has positive impact on the image of brand.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that legislation and ethics are required to be
followed by businesses in travel and tourism industry. Along with this, it can be inferred that in
order to lower down the issues and challenges of business, Bell View hotel needs to make sure
that diversity and equality among workers are encouraged and appreciated.
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Online
UK travel laws and regulations. 2016. [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.protectedtravelservices.com/company/uk-travel-laws-and-regulations>.
[Accessed on 1st June 2016].
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