Legislation and Ethics in Travel and Tourism Sector: A Report

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TRAVEL AND TOURISM MANAGEMENT
(Legislation and Ethics in Travel and Tourism
Sector)
Name of the student
Name of the University
Author’s notes

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
1. Task 1 (LO1, AC1.1, 1.2, M1, M2, M3, D1, D2, D3).................................................................4
1.1 Legal standpoint and regulatory framework in UK travel and tourism business..................4
1.2 Transportation laws in carrying passengers and luggage......................................................5
Surface Legislations.................................................................................................................5
Sea legislations........................................................................................................................5
Air legislations.........................................................................................................................6
Surface Legislations.................................................................................................................7
Sea legislations........................................................................................................................7
Air legislations.........................................................................................................................7
2. Task 2 (LO2, AC2.1, 2.2, M1, M2, M3, D1, D2, D3).................................................................8
Introduction..................................................................................................................................8
2.1 Healthy and safety regulations in the tourism sector.............................................................8
2.2 Equality laws.........................................................................................................................9
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................10
3. Task 3 (LO3, AC3.1, 3.2, M1, M2, M3, D1, D2, D3)...............................................................12
3.1 Contract legislations............................................................................................................12
3.2 Consumer protection legislation..........................................................................................12
3.2 Consumer protection legislation..........................................................................................15
3.1 Contract legislations............................................................................................................15
4. Task 4 (LO4, AC4.1, 4.2, M1, M2, M3, D1, D2, D3)...............................................................16
Introduction................................................................................................................................16
4.1 Ethical dilemmas.................................................................................................................16
4.2 Whitbread PLC CSR policy.................................................................................................17
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Conclusion.................................................................................................................................18
Overall Conclusion........................................................................................................................19
References......................................................................................................................................20
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Introduction
Industry such as travel and tourism is one of the most dominant sectors in UK that have been
increasing since the year 2010. It is seen that this sector is a significant contributor to
strengthening the economy of the UK It is observed that in the year 2013, the annual G.D.P. of
the travel and tourism sector had contributed about 126.9 billion pounds that had strengthened
the economy of the UK (Visit Britain, 2019). This had been possible due to the rise in the
employment opportunities that had been increased by about 173000 jobs. It is recognized that
about 9.6% of the overall jobs in the UK market come from the tourism sector due to which, this
industry is vital for the sustainable future. It is even predicted that the industry would be growing
at a rate of 3.8% up to the year 2025.
Figure 1: Contribution of travel tourism sector towards the G.D.P. of the UK
(Source: Visit Britain, 2019)
This assignment would be used to highlight the critical frameworks that fall under the legal as
well as regulatory structures in the tourism sector of the UK. In addition, legislations and
relevant regulations leading to the health, safety and security in the UK tourism sector would be
discussed herein. Different law required in the contracts and consumer protection would be
defined throughout the current assignment properly. Moreover, required ethical responsibilities
relevant to travel and tourism business in UK would be discussed in this assignment. This would
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help the learners to be knowledgeable about the importance of ethical responsibilities in UK
tourism business.
1. Task 1 (LO1, AC1.1, 1.2, M1, M2, M3, D1, D2, D3)
1.1 Legal standpoint and regulatory framework in UK travel and tourism business
The travel and tourism industry in UK is a massive industry in the UK, and that is why a legal
framework is required to operate under specific regulations. The tourism industry has several
agents, contractors and suppliers where better cooperation is needed to run a business properly
(Dias et al. 2018). One of the major works involved in UK tourism sector is the booking
functionality, which had to operate under the code of conduct given by the ABTA. The processes
involved in the UK tourism sector should be done in such a manner so that the rights of the
consumers remain protected.
In terms of the legal processes operated in the UK, the countries of England and Wales hold a
common system. It was originated during the period of Henry II. The most important elements
that could be found in the legal processes in the UK are the Magna Carta of 1215, Acts of Union,
Human Rights Acts of 1998 and many more. As per the court structure in the UK is concerned,
the Supreme Court is the main body involved in it (Baum et al. 2016). Apart from that, the High
Court and its subsidiary the Court of Appeal are the central bodies that are present in the
countries of England and Wales. There are other courts in it like the Family Court, Magistrate
Court and many more. Whenever a trial takes place, the parties that are involved in the case had
to be fought by the help of barristers, especially those involved in civil matters (Thomson
Reuters, 2019). In the case of civil cases, the solicitors could also be appointed so that they could
hold a passive role in listening to the problems that the two parties are fighting against each
other.
ABTA short for Association of British Travel Agents plays a significant role in offering security
facilities to the travellers through the tour operators so that the journey could be made easily.
This organization provides safety to the travellers that do not traverse by the flights. Such an
organization is ready to refund the money if the trip is cancelled for some reasons. The
organization has its code of conduct where it protects the travellers along with that preach the
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fair trading practices. As a result, the complaints of the customers are adequately heard so that
they could travel without any hassles.
ATOL, short for Air Traveller Organiser licensing, was started by the UK government, so that
the cancelled trips could be refunded. As a result, the travellers do not face any problem when by
chance the flights are cancelled. It was started by the Civil Aviation Authority, which tries to
offer protection to the consumers who often face challenges while travelling through flights. In
addition, there is a body called the International Air Transport Association that tries to offer
affordable airlines so that the passengers could enjoy a safe and secure experience.
Strategic Rail Authority (S.R.A.) that had been set up under the Transport Act of 2000, so that,
the railway services becomes better and could offer better facilities to the passengers. It is seen
that Section 205 of the Transport Act of 2000 displayed the fact that the railway network
becomes better so that the services are less painful to the passengers. Preston (2016) argued that
the railway networks in the UK were not performing as per the standards. Therefore privatization
is required in this sector. The S.R.A. is also entitled to protect the passengers travelling through
the railways so that their health remains at an optimized level.
1.2 Transportation laws in carrying passengers and luggage
Surface Legislations
The Carriage of Passengers runs the entire legislation present in the UK by Road Act of 1974. It
states that the transportation of the luggage, as well as the passengers, should be done in such a
way so that there are minimum chances of injuries. There should be a carrier that could safely
transport the passengers from one place to another (Papatheodorou, 2016). The location of visits
should have an active taxi service so that the tourists could enjoy travelling in a better way. As
per the railway services are concerned, appropriate privatization could be done so that the
facilities are enhances leading to better transportation.
Sea legislations
The safety and security features involved in the shipping activities should be strengthened as per
the Maritime Organizations set up by the United Nations. It is seen that the passengers involved
in the tourism activities often face problem from the fire services, which should be strengthened
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as per the Athens Convention of 1974 (de Gonzalo, 2017). It is observed that the protocols'
accepted in the year 2002 would enhance the safety of the passengers so that the travelling time
of the ships is minimized to some extent. In addition, the London Convention poses restrictions
to the passengers in dumping the waste materials to the oceans so that the travelling does not
affect the environment (Soyer and Leloudas, 2017).
Air legislations
In order to tighten the legislation in the air, the Warsaw Convention in 1929 took some stringent
steps so that the passengers get the right to claim any damage that had been done by the
airfreight services (Fletcher et al. 2017). In addition, the Five Freedoms Agreement in 1944
offers some fast rules so that the landing could be done effectively. This could enhance the safety
of the passengers as well as the cargo placed on these flights. Hong (2018) found that
international aviation laws created enormous problems for passengers. Therefore, the impact of
the legislation could play a significant part in improving the UK tourism sector in the UK.
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Explanation of the regulatory and legal
framework of UK travel and tourism sector
Travel and tourism sector of UK is a massive
industry in this country, and that is why a legal
framework is required to operate under specific
regulations. The tourism industry has several
agents, contractors and suppliers where better
cooperation is needed to run a business
properly (Dias et al. 2018). One of the major
works involved in the travel and tourism sector
is the booking functionality, which had to
operate under the code of conduct given by the
ABTA. The processes involved in the travel
and tourism business should be done in such a
manner so that the rights o the consumers
remain protected.
In terms of the legal processes operated in the
UK, the countries of England and Wales hold a
common system. It was originated during the
period of Henry II. The most important
elements that could be found in the legal
processes in the UK are the Magna Carta of
1215, Acts of Union, Human Rights Acts of
1998 and many more. As per the court structure
in the UK is concerned, the Supreme Court is
the main body involved in it (Baum et al.
2016). Apart from that, the High Court along
with the Court of Appeal are the central bodies
that are present in the countries of England and
Wales.
There are other courts in it like the Family
Court, Magistrate Court and many more.
Whenever a trial takes place, the parties
that are involved in the case had to be
fought by the help of barristers, especially
those involved in civil matters (Thomson
Reuters 2019). In the case of civil cases, the
solicitors could also be appointed so that
they could hold a passive role in listening
to the problems that the two parties are
fighting against each other.
Discussion on the surface, air transport and
sea law in relation to the carriage of
passengers within the legal and regulatory
framework
Surface Legislations
In UK, the Carriage of Passengers runs the
entire legislation present by Road Act of
1974. It states that the transportation of the
luggage, as well as the passengers, should
be done in such a way so that there are
minimum chances of injuries. There should
be a carrier that could safely transport the
passengers from one place to another
(Papatheodorou 2016). The location of
visits should have an active taxi service so
that the tourists could enjoy travelling in a
better way. As per the railway services are
concerned, appropriate privatization could
be done so that the facilities are enhances
leading to better transportation.
Task 1 ((LO1, AC1.1, 1.2, M1, M2, M3, D1, D2, D3)
Sea legislations
The safety and security features involved
in the shipping activities should be
strengthened as per the Maritime
Organizations set up by the United
Nations. It is seen that the passengers
involved in the tourism activities often
face problem from the fire services, which
should be strengthened as per the Athens
Convention of 1974 (de Gonzalo 2017).
Air legislations
In order to tighten the legislation in the
air, the Warsaw Convention in 1929 took
some stringent steps so that the passengers
get the right to claim any damage that had
been done by the airfreight services
(Fletcher et al. 2017).

2. Task 2 (LO2, AC2.1, 2.2, M1, M2, M3, D1, D2, D3)
Introduction
Health and safety of employees in UK travel and tourism industry are one of the prime concerns
for hospitality services. This would help in building an excellent reputation for the company. In
addition, the importance of equality on the travel and tourism practices would be discussed in
this report. This report would highlight the implication of health and safety legislation in UK
tourism sector. Moreover, the law related to bringing equality in the workplace would be
discussed in this report. Furthermore, the impact of law and regulations in the tourism sector had
been addressed in this report.
2.1 Healthy and safety regulations in the tourism sector
Yirik et al. (2015) found that the stress levels in the tourism sector are massive, and that is why
the health of the people working there often deteriorates. In order to offer a better healthy
environment to those employees who are working in this business sector, the Health and Safety
at Work Act was introduced in 1974 where the working environment should be maintained in
such a manner so that the employees do not have to face any hazards (Wintemute 2016). Any
hazardous or flammable materials should be kept at one arm’s reach so that they do not have to
face the harmful effects of it. It states that it is the responsibility of the hotels to provide the
essential features so that they could remain safe in their workplace (Shapiro and Tracy 2018).
Another act that tightens the safety requirements of those employees who are working in this
hospitable sectors which had been introduced in the year 1984 by the name of Occupiers
Liability Act in countries like England and Wales (Vila et al. 2018). This law was introduced in
the UK so that the employees could know the problems when they had to remain cautious about
their surroundings. This enhances the safety features for the employees as well as the customers
present in the hotels.
It is seen that the employees working in this sector should possess a vicarious liability towards
the consumers so that they can maintain the working standards in the company and this enhances
the customer trust levels (Spindler 2017). The consequence is that the business operations are
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enhanced. In addition, the data protection should be encrypted in such a manner so that the
sensitive information could be shared between the two parties without the interference of a third
party. It is seen that the employees should be given an original copy of handbook so that they
could understand the situations when to act as per required. In addition, specialized training like
fire and evacuation drills should be given to the employees so that they could help the customers
during times of emergency.
2.2 Equality laws
The equality laws are fundamental in the UK tourism industry where everyone should be treated
as equal irrespective of the gender, age or race. In order to foster a better work culture, there
should be a similar atmosphere. Therefore, one of the acts that could be implemented is the Sex
Discrimination Act, which was passed by the UK parliament in the year 1975 so that the sexual
discrimination is not present in the working environment. This enhances the morale of the
employees leading to better productivity in the hospitality sector. Another act like the Race
Discrimination Act in the year 1976 tried to reduce the racial tensions that have been higher in
number in countries like the UK (Crenshaw 2018). Through this act, a diverse climate is created
in the workplace and due to which, there is equality in the working environment.
Figure 2: Sexual discrimination in the workplace
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(Source: Schultz 2018)
In order to foster equality in the workplace, the UK government had decided to bring the
Employment Act in July of 2002, where a family-friendly environment is created for the
employees (Countouris 2016). This had improved the working attitude of the employees, thereby
enhancing the engagement of the workers so that a climate of equality remains maintained in the
workplace. Some of the main features of this act are that it tried to reduce the disputes occurring
in the workplace and foster a climate of equal pay to the people irrespective of sex, age or
disability. It is observed that the UK government had tried to improve the conditions of the
disabled people by introducing the Disability Discrimination Act in the year 1995 to improve the
hiring opportunities and work culture in the tourism industry of this country. Moreover, the
Human Rights Act of 1998 had played a significant role in imparting fundamental rights to the
citizens of the UK so that a better work culture remains in the workplace.
Figure 3: Workplace discrimination
(Source: Crenshaw 2018)
Conclusion
It could be concluded that the health and safety laws enhanced the health conditions of the
employees. The legislation likewise Health and Safety at Work Act and Occupiers Liability Act
trained the employees working in the UK tourism industry to improve their health and safety
issues so that they do not face any problems in their working environment. In addition, the
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equality laws adopted in the travel and tourism industry could justify human nature by following
Human Rights and several discrimination acts. The result would be that the work climate could
be diverse and foster equality giving a better scope for the employees to grow to lead to an
enhancement in business opportunities.
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