Responsible Tourism – P2
The travel & tourism industry is always changing and developing to meet the changing
needs and perceptions of customers. The industry is dominated by the private sector and is
made up of small and medium sized sector companies. It is dependent on new technologies
and can be vulnerable to external pressures such as down turns in the economy. The British
Tourist Authority (Visit Britain) estimated that there were at least 200,000 T&T businesses
in the UK with most small to medium in size. The industry is still dominated by a small
number of national and multinational companies. The differences between the sectors can
be examined through the differences in ownership, aims and objectives and sources of
funding.
1. Why is the T&T industry changing and developing? The T&T industry is always
changings and developing to meet the needs and changing perceptions of
customers.
2. Which sector dominates the T&T sector? The Private Sector.
3. How many T&T business are estimated to exist in the UK? 200,000
4. How can you investigate the differences between the private, public and
voluntary sectors? Through the differences in ownership, aims & objectives and
sources of funding.
Private Sector
The private sector organisations include a variety of types of commercial company which
are directly or indirectly in private ownership. Some examples of private sector companies
include: Landowners, entertainment organisations, property developers and travel and
tourism organisations (tour operators, travel agents, airlines). They may be their own
companies such as EasyJet, or part of larger or perhaps multinational groups, such as the
TUI Group and Thomas Cook. Private sector organisations are in business to
maximise income and make a profit from the services and products they provide for their
customers through sales by travel agents and direct sell tour operators. The benefits go to
the share holders of the organisation. The main activities of the private sector to run the
tourist attractions and provide catering, entertainment and transport. Many of the private
companies are well known such as Virgin, Thomas Cook and British Airways. It is estimated
that a handful of large organisations hold as much as 50% of the market. Travel and
Tourism facilities provided by the private sector include hotels, theme parks, travel
agencies and restaurants. The largest operators have considerable power and control the
market. They can obtain substantial discounts from other travel business such as hotels and
airlines. In some cases, they actually buy the other parts of the supply chain. For example, a
, tour operator could by an airline and hotel chain and use these purchases to put holiday
packages together (e.g. Thomas Cook).
5. What are the main aims for the private sector? To make a profit and have profit
maximisation
6. How does private sector make a profit? Providing and selling services to
customers, buy other parts of the supply chain.
7. What are the main activities of the private sector? Run the tourist attractions and
provide catering, entertainment and transport.
8. Write a short paragraph about Merlin Entertainment, Virgin and Sandals,
include what its role is, and its objectives are. It may help if you do a little
research on the agent, looking for its values, mission statement, vision etc., then
write a summary identifying the similarities between the 3 private sector agents.
Merlin Entertainments is a British based entertainment company with a revenue of
1.688 Billion GBP. As their mission statement, Merlin Entertainments says that their
mission is to create fun and memorable days out for guests. Their Vision statement is
to become the worldwide leader in branded, location-based entertainment. As their
role, Merlin Entertainment is one of the world’s largest attraction operators.
Virgin is a British multinational capital conglomerate company, with a revenue of
£17billion per year globally. As their mission statement, Virgin Group says that their
mission is to embrace the human spirit and let it fly, as their vision statement Virgin
wants to change business for good and be the world’s most irresistible brand.
Sandals is an all-inclusive luxury resorts company in the Caribbean Islands of Jamaica,
with a revenue of £1.65billion per year. Their mission statement is to offer the
ultimate Caribbean vacation experience by innovatively, reliably and consistently
providing the safest and highest quality services and facilities to guests, while
attaching a premium to our human resources and being among the most eco-friendly
and community-friendly resorts in the world. Merlin Entertainments, Virgin and
Sandals Resorts belong in the travel industry, the 3 companies are private. Merlin
Entertainment is a British-based entertainments company that offers entertainment
as their only service. Virgin a British Multinational conglomerate company with at
least 17 subsidiaries, that offer a variety of services from flights and accommodation
to package holidays, cruises holidays, train tickets and communication services.
Sandals is an all-inclusive luxury resorts company for couples in the Caribbean Islands
of Jamaica.
9. What % of the market is dominated by the handful of large companies? 50%
10.What are the advantages of being a large T&T company? Power and control on
the market, large companies can obtain discounts from other travel businesses
such as hotels and airlines.
11.Why do large T&T companies try to buy airlines and hotels? To put holiday
packages together, to own all the different components in the chain of
distribution meaning they have all control on the operation.