Introduction
This unit allows learners to develop research skills within the context of a travel and tourism topic of personal interest which may not be covered elsewhere on the qualification programme.
The unit introduces learners to current issues and trends in the travel and tourism sector. Throughout the research and investigation of current issues and trends in the travel and tourism sector learners will develop understanding of how the sector responds to change and the impacts of change on the travel and tourism sector.
The unit has a practical focus that enables learners to develop the skills required before undertaking small-scale projects. Learners should be able to justify their choice of issue prior to exploring the issue in some depth. Throughout the research and investigation learners will develop knowledge and understanding of particular key issues within the sector.
Aim:
The aim of this unit is to enable learners to gain understanding of current issues and trends. and the impacts of and responses to change in travel and tourism.
Learning Outcomes and assessment criteria:
1. Understand current issues in the travel and tourism sector
1.1 Analyse issues currently driving change in the travel and tourism sector
1.2 Analyse different current issues using appropriate methods and resources
2. Understand current trends in the travel and tourism sector
2.1 Evaluate current trends influencing change in the travel and tourism sector
2.2 Analyse a current trend using appropriate techniques and resources
3. Understand how the travel and tourism sector responds to change
3.1 Analyse how travel and tourism businesses could respond to change
3.2 Develop strategies on how selected travel and tourism businesses could respond to change
3.3 Justify strategies for how selected travel and tourism businesses could respond to change
4. Understand the impacts of change on the travel and tourism sector
4.1 Analyse the impacts of issues and trends that drive change in the travel and tourism sector
4.2 discuss the likely consequences of businesses failing to respond to market changes
Unit content:
LO1 Understand current issues in the travel and tourism sector
Issue currently driving change: issues/factors as current at time of delivery; need for increased security; advancements in technology (security and anti-terrorism measure); state of the economy; rise and fall of inflation; emergence of new markets; impact of the Eurozone; low cost cruise/airlines; increased environmental awareness; responsible tourism; health issues; appropriate research methods; current national and international legislation
LO2 Understand current trends in the travel and tourism sector
Key trends: in domestic and inbound tourism; in UK outbound tourism; causes; specialist/niche markets eg adventure tourism, extreme/sports tourism, rural/agro tourism, gastro tourism, dark tourism, medical tourism, green tourism, grey tourism, with tourism; growth industries; reasons for growth; types of tourism that are iriciieaving in popularity; reasons for increase in popularity technique for analysing trends: analysing and evaluating data (quantitative, qualitative, primary and secondary); drawing conclusions; potential impacts of trends; trend data sources
LO3 Understand how the travel and tourism sector responds to change
Response preparation: current situation; past examples; internal and external business environments; PEST/SWOT; macro and micro environments; argument based on use of data interpretation and analysis; potential ways forward; improvements
Response to change: adapting and creating new products and services; marketing plan (short or long term, mission statement, aims and objectives); marketing strategy; marketjnc mix (product, price, promotion, place); product life cycle; brand d'av-Amment; changes to business practices
LO4 Understand the impacts of change on the travel and tourism sector
Impacts of change: on sector structure (mergers, acquisitions, liquidations, formation of consortia); on businesses; on products and services; on employment levels Consequences of failing to respond to change: reduced sales and profitability; profit margins; change in attitudes (customers, suppliers, competitors); negative impact on image of product/service and/or business
Purpose of this assignment
This assignment gives a learner the opportunity to gain understanding of current issues and trends, and the impacts of and responses to change in travel and tourism.
TASK 1 to TASK 4: You are required to follow the instructions as specified towards each task and support with a research by using supportive materials like books, websites, etc., and give a feedback on the findings by relating your arguments to the re:aw,rit case studies/scenarios as specified towards each task.
TASK 1 (L01, AC1.1, 1.2, Ml, M2, M3, D2, D3)
You work as an assistant manager for a UK based tour operator focusing on UK inbound and outbound tourism markets. Different issues drive change in the travel and tourism sector and you will need current, accurate, and relevant information to make appropriate decisions. Your line manager has asked you to prepare an information pack to support training of new employees joining the business strategy team on current issues driving change in travel and tourism.
1.1- Analyse issues currently driving change in the travel and tourism sector. You have to include at least three issues and give a detailed explanation of the issue and its impact on the travel and tourism sector.
1.2- Analyse different current issues using appropriate methods and resources. You should analyse at least two different current issues using appropriate methods and resources in depth. You can, for example, analyse the impact of political unrest in the Middle East and North Africa, terrorism and counter-terrorism measures, responsible tourism, severe weather, BREXIT, local and international laws.
TASK 2 (L02, AC2.1, 2.2, Ml, M2, M3, D2, D3)
You work as an assistant product development manager for a UK based tour operator. Your team's brief includes developing new profitable tour packages. Your manager has asked you to write an information pack to share with new employees who recently joined the product development team on current trends influencing change in travel and tourism. You will need to prepare an information pack addressing 2.1 and 2.2 below:
2.1 You should evaluate current trends influencing change in the travel and tourism sector. Your information pack should include latest available statistics regarding the number of tourists and main tourism markets. You need to make use of charts, data and text tables.
2.2 Your company wants to expand into the niche tourist market. You should analyse a current trend using appropriate techniques and resources and produce a poster to be included in your information pack. You need to analyse one niche tourism market and provide detailed description about it, including reasons for its increasing popularity, and most recent travel statistics. You should include data and text tables, and charts.
TASK 3 (L03, AC3.1, 3.2 3.3, Ml, M2, M3, D1, D2, D3)
You recently joined the strategy development team at International Airlines Group. Your brief includes analysing the travel and tourism business environment and developing new strategies for the group businesses. You should produce a management report summary addressing the following:
3.1 Analyse how International Airlines Group businesses could respond to change. 3.2- Develop strategies on how International Airlines Group businesses such as British Airways, Iberia, Vueling and Aer Lingus could respond to change. You need to select Prld develop strategies for at least two businesses. Provide a detailed explanation of your strategies.
3.3 Justify strategies for how selected International Airlines businesses could respond to change. Your strategies in 3.2 need to be clearly justified with supporting arguments.
TASK 4 (L04, AC 4.1, 4.2, Ml, M2, M3, D1, D2, D3)
Scenario
You work for Myla Travel an independent travel agency specialising in luxury travel with 10 offices in the UK. The success of the company has attracted the attention of a travel agency Thomas Cook interested in expanding in this market segment.
He directors of the company have also received an invitation to join The Travel Network Group currently the largest UK travel consortia with over 800 Members. One directors likes the idea of joining consortia. A second director supports the acquisition by Thomas Cook arguing that "the number of ABTA agencies has decreased by 100 every year since 1991 and that you either grow big or you perish". However, the third director is concerned does not support being acquired by Thomas Cook arguing that "this will lead to job losses and change in business practices" and has referred to the article from the Daily Mail to support his arguments.
Thomas Cook and the Co-op merged their high street businesses in 2011. UK chief executive Peter Fankhauser said yesterday: We firmly believe these proposals will Thomas Cook to axe 2,500 jobs in the UK and shut 195 high street travel agents as cash-strapped families shun package holidays By RUPERT STEINER FOR THE DAILY MAIL
Your line manager has asked you to write a management report summary that will be presented to the directors of Myla Travel addressing the following issues: 4.1 Analyse the impacts of issues and trends that drive change in the travel and tourism sector with reference to Myla Travel, Thomas Cook and The Travel Network Group.
4.2 Discuss the likely consequences of businesses failing to respond to market change with reference to Myla Travel, Thomas Cook and The Travel Network Group.
Assignment Guidelines:
Produce evidence for each task as specified. Use a standard report structure where requested, Word-process the report and use a Normal script of a proper font size 12. Complete the title page.
It should be uploaded on ULearn platform before the deadline.
Assignments submitted after the deadline will not be accepted unless mitigating circumstances supported with valid evidence.
Collusion and Plagiarism must be avoided.
Start each answer on a new page and pages should be numbered. Highlight each question clearly.
Include a Bibliography at the end of the assignment and use the Harvard referencing system. All work should be comprehensively referenced and all sources must be fully acknowledged, such as books and journals, websites (include the date of visit), etc.
Try to give the page numbers, publishers' details and the year of publication p In order to pass you need to address all the LO
In order to get a merit you need to first pass and then address the characteristics of M1, M2, M3