Unit 1 The Travel and Tourism Sector

Introduction

This unit will provide learners with an understanding of the global environment within which the travel and tourism sector operates. The unit examines the historical evolution of tourism, the current structure of the tourism sector, the external influences on tourism and the impact tourism has on host communities and the environment.
Learners will also undertake an investigation of international and national policies and assess their influence on the tourism sector. The effects of political change on the sector’s operation will also be examined.
Aim:
This unit enables learners to gain understanding of the travel and tourism sector, the influence of government, the effects of supply and demand, and the impacts of tourism.
Key Objectives:

• Understand the history and structure of the travel and tourism sector
• Understand the influence of local and national governments and international agencies on the travel and tourism sector
• Understand the effects of supply and demand on the travel and tourism sector
• Understand the impacts of tourism.

Unit content:

LO1 Understand the history and structure of the travel and tourism sector

History: pilgrimages, the grand tours, post-industrial revolution, post war, current; factors facilitating growth e.g. technology, time, money, freedom of movement, infrastructure, social conditions; possible future developments e.g. sustainability
Travel and tourism sector: travel services; tourism services; conferences and events; visitor attractions; accommodation services; passenger transport; relationships and links, private, public and voluntary sectors

LO2 Understand the influence of local and national governments and international agencies on the travel and tourism sector

Influence: direct, indirect; economic policy, political change, planning to minimise negative effects of tourism
Government: levels e.g. local, regional, national, European Union; Government sponsored bodies, regional tourist boards; functions, interrelationships
International agencies: agencies e.g. United Nations, World Tourism Organisation, World Travel and Tourism Council, International Civil Aviation Organisation, International Air Transport Association; functions, interrelationships with governments

LO3 Understand the effects of supply and demand on the travel and tourism sector

Demand: demographics; technological; emerging economies; political stability; changing work patterns and workforce; environmentalism; globalisation; macro-economic e.g. influence of currency exchange rates, interest rates, inflation, level of disposable income
Supply: provision e.g. accommodation, tour operators, quality, service, types of products, seasonality, technology intermediaries, sustainability

LO4 Understand the impacts of tourism

Positive: economic e.g. direct and indirect income, direct and indirect employment, multiplier effects, contribution to gross national product, influence on the growth of other sectors within the economy, generation of foreign exchange and government revenues; environmental e.g. conservation and enhancement of natural areas, historic and cultural sites, infrastructure improvement, increasing environmental awareness by tourists and host communities; social e.g. conservation/preservation of cultural heritage, cross cultural exchange and education
Negative: economic e.g. leakage, inflation, seasonality, overdependence; environmental e.g. pollution, damage to natural and built environment, wildlife, water overuse, waste disposal; social e.g. loss of amenity to host community, overcrowding, commercialisation of culture, reinforcement of stereotypes, loss of authenticity, rise in crime

TASK 1

In this tasks learner are expected to look at case study London.  Explain the key historical developments in the travel and tourism sector in London such as post industrial revolution, current, possible future development and factors facilitating growth for example technology, infrastructure, social condition, money, and explain the structure of the travel and tourism sector of London such as the travel services, tourism services, event s accommodation service, visitor attraction, relationship and links. You need to carry out a research to support your reports by using supportive materials like books, website, etc., and give a feedback of the findings on P1.1, and P1.1. Submit a report. (Approx: 1000 words).
P1. Understanding the history and structure of the travel and tourism sector 
   P1.1 – Explain key historical developments in the travel and tourism sector
   P1.2 – Explain the structure of the travel and tourism sector

TASK 2

In this task learners are required to analyse the function of government, government sponsored bodies and international agency in travel and tourism sector, and explain how local and national economic policy influences the success of the travel and tourism sector with reference to UK.  Discuss the implications of political change on the travel and tourism sector in different countries. You need to carry out a research to support your findings by using supportive materials like books, websites, etc., and give a feedback addressing P2.1, P2.2, and P2.3 and submit a written report.  (Approx. 1000 words)
P2.  Understand the influence of local and national governments and international agencies on the travel and tourism sector
   P2.1 – Analyse the function of government, government sponsored bodies and international agencies in travel and tourism
   P2.2- Explain how local and national economic policy influences the success of the travel and tourism sector
   P2.3- Discuss the implications of political change on the travel and tourism sector in different countries

TASK 3

In this task you are part of the product development team at TUI Group, produce an information pack that could be given to a new manager working in the travel and tourism industry for the first time. In your pack you must explain factors affecting tourism demand in the travel and tourism sector of UK such as demographics, technological, influence of currency exchange rates, economies, political stability, interest rate inflation, work patters and workforce, globalisation etc., and explain how supply has changed to meet the effects of demand in UK e.g. provision such as accommodation, tour operators, quality, service, types of products technology etc.  Carry out research using supportive materials like books, websites, etc., and give a feedback of the findings addressing P3.1, and P3.2. And submit a report.  (Approx, 1000 words)
P3.0 -Understand the effects of supply and demand on the travel and tourism sector
   P3.1- Explain factors affecting tourism demand
   P3.2- Explain how supply has changed to meet the effects of demand

TASK 4

In this task learners are required to evaluate the main positive and negative economic, environmental and social impacts of tourism for tourist destination of your choice. Explain strategies that can be used to minimise the negative impacts while maximising the positive impacts at a tourist destination of your choice. You will need to carry out research to support your report by using supportive materials like books, websites, etc., and give a feedback addressing   P4.1, and P4.2. , and submit a written report (Approx. 1,000 words)
P4. -Understand the impacts of tourism
   P4.1 – Evaluate the main positive and negative economic, environmental and social impacts of tourism
   P4.2 - Explain strategies that can be used to minimise the negative impacts while maximising the positive impacts