Category: Free Essays

In this second chapter of the literature review, the theoretical background of motivation is explained. This chapter will align major factors like the importance of motivation, what motivate individual to engage in adventure tourism, specially the baby boomers, and how motivation could help in the decision making process.

3.1. Motivation

The theory of motivation was first developed during the Post-World War II, more precisely during the 50s and 60s (Zehrer and Siller, 2007). The term Motivation is originated from the Latin word ‘Movere’, and this means ‘to move’ (Wing, 2011). Motivation can be defined as the process by which an individual will be determined to take action or behave in a certain manner (Decrop, 2006). Motivation is known to be one of the fundamental reasons to understand and explain why does behavior happened. (Snepenger, King, Marshall, and Uysal, 2006) in (Phan, 2010). Moreover, Solomon (2004) described motivation as a ‘driving force’ that pushes individuals to action. Motivation is all about a state of need and desire to do and achieve something (Moutinho, 2000) in (Esichaikul, 2012).

3.2. Motivation in the tourism context

Understanding the concept of motivation in tourism is to understand the basic motives and reasons for tourists to travel (Trang, 2011). Several studies have been undertaken on tourism motivations, it includes Plog (1974), Crompton (1979), Hudman (1980); Dann (1981); IsoAhola (1982); Beard and Ragheb (1983); Pearce and Caltabiano (1983); Mansfeld (1992); Uysal and Hagan (1993); Fodness (1994); Gibson and Yiannakis (2002); Kozak (2002); Horner andSwarbrooke (2004); Kurzman and Zauhar(2005); Decrop (2006); Zehrer and Siller (2007); Devonish and Jonsoon (2008); Romando (2008); Esichaikul (2012).

Lots of research has been undertaken on tourist motivation to travel to a particular destination but little has been done on motivation of tourists to participate in leisure or adventure activities. Few have been analyzed as part of research and most commonly and recent ones well known are from Hudson (2003); Pomfret (2004); Phan (2010); Smerek (2010); Reynolds and Hritz (2012).

Referring to Leiper’s philosophy, understanding tourist’s consumer behavior is an essential tool for successful tourism planning and marketing activity (Choibamrong, 2005). It is obvious that consumer’s behavior is by no means easy and is influenced by so many factors principally in globalization era

3.3. Adventure, baby boomers and Motivation

Sung et al (1997) in Sung et al (2004) stated thatin adventure travel it is significant to understand the main motives of people to engage in specific activities, analyzing the traveler’s characteristics such as demographic information, psychographics like main needs and wants and their principle expectation (Weber, 2001). Studies have demonstrated that older tourists perceived adventure tourism more tempting and want to adventure themselves to gain a personal satisfaction (Gibson and Singleton, 2011). Some older people have the desire to get away from stress and boredom of daily routine. They want to enjoy their holidays with a range of exciting and new physically challenging activities and meet new people to build up relationships (Camden and Mccoll-Kennedy, 1990; Kludge, 2005).To understand motivation in leisure activities is to understand what encouraged tourists to choose a certain activity (PhanThi Kim Lien, 2010).

Empirical studies have shown that the Travel Career Ladder (TCL) model was an adequate instrument in understanding travel motivation (Kim, 1997; Lee, 1998; Loker-Murphy, 1995; Mills, 1985; Pearce, 1988, 2005; Teichmann and Zins, 2009). The TCL model is the most probableapplication for the design of motivational research for special markets such as eco tourists for instance (Pearce, 2005). From this statement, we deduct that the model is thus observed to be a suitable tool for adventure tourism. The concept of the TCL model was initiated by Pearce (1988)and updated in his publication in 2005, The Tourist Behavior: Themes and Conceptual Schemes (McNeil and Williams, 2011).

Adapted from Maslow’s (1970), Pearce adopt the five hierarchical categories of influencing the tourist motivation (Teichmann and Zins, 2009). This includes Biological needs (Relaxation needs), safety and security needs (or level of stimulation), Relationship development and extension needs, self-esteem and development needs and Self-actualization and fulfillment needs. The TCL presumed that tourists when gaining more travel experience will go up the ladder towards high-level needs. Figure 2 demonstrate the hierarchy of Pearce Travel career ladder:This includes Fulfillment level, Self-esteem and development, relationship, stimulation and relaxation.

http://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0160738398000449-gr1.gif

Figure 2: Hierarchy of Pearce Travel Career ladder

Source: Ryan (1998)

According to the TCL model and diverse tourist motivation and experience, people may start at different level of the ladder; this may varies with some up warding the ladder and some others down warding it (McNeil and Williams, 2011). For instance, a new tourist in adventure might wish to start with a soft activity like bird-watching or horse-riding, an activity that demand less physical efforts, low in risk and experience peace and harmony. Moreover considering the security and safety needs, one must wish an activity low from risk while the other one seeking for adrenaline might want an activity high in risk.

As per Phan (2010), someone might have a greater need for achievement rather than a need foraffiliation, power, or uniqueness. This can involve participating in an activity or doing something all alone isolating themselves from others so as to satisfy main needs and desires. Additionally, such individuals like to set personal goals that are neither too low in a way for it to be achievable nor too high that would be impossible.

It is significant to point out that similar to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the TCL coincide with the theoretical framework, because it clearly shows that as people acquire more experiences, their motivation tend to change (Ryan, 1998). Moreover, Ryan (1998) notes that those traveling for the first time might prefer to book a package tour for more security butin time and with more experience will opt for a more self-arranged travel itinerary (McNeil and Williams, 2011). Similarly, Crompton (1979) came out with seven dimensions of motivation as an influence to leisure this include escapism; relaxation; prestige; exploration and self-evaluation; regression; kinship relationships enhancement and facilitation of social interaction. It is further observed that motives for social interaction, enhancement of human relations and pleasure seeking has repetitively been observed and analyzed as major motivating factor in different studies (Beard and Ragheb, 1983; Kim and Chalip, 2004; Kozak, 2002; Wann, Ensor and Bilyeu 2001; Zhang and Lam, 1999), cited in (Regan and Carlson, 2009).

Another tool, well known in evaluating tourist motivation is the leisure motivation scale of Beard and Ragheb (1980; 1983). This is found to be a suitable tool in measuring leisure motivation factor since it encompassesintellectual, social, mastery/competence, and stimulus avoidance motives. The intellectual elements mean that people participating in leisure activities are in quest of discovery, increase their knowledge. The second factor is the social motive; this implies a personal motive that will satisfy human relationship with others, a sense of belonging, and respect from others (Maslow’s hierarchy, 1943). The third motivational factor is competence/mastery motive. This stimulates individuals engaging in leisure physical activities to “achieve, master, challenge and compete”. The last motive is the stimulus-avoidance motive, which is about escapism from the monotonous routine, stress and tension, or to refresh and have rest in a new environment (Phan, 2010; Niemela, 2010).

3.4. Segmentation based on motivation

According to Schiffman and Kanuk (2004: 158), “Market Segmentation can be defined as the process of dividing a market into distinct subsets of consumers with common needs or characteristics and selecting one or more segments to target with a distinct market mix”.When talking about motivation, it is important to consider the aspect of segmentation. The baby boomers could be considered as one segment of new or future retirees but their motives are diverse (Phan, 2010). Categorizing the motives into different characteristics will help researchers and marketers to benefit from profound and useful information.

It has been observed that the expansion of adventure tourism is principally due to a demographic, personal, socio-economic, political and technological change (Swarbrookeet al. 2003). It is true that changes are not constant and keep updating, but such trends are known to be basis of forecasts for several researchers.

One of the most important influences of tourist motivation is the demographic characteristics (Rose and Kahle, 1998; Muso, Hall and Higham, 2004; Bonera, 2008). Demographics element consists of gender, age category, family patterns, nationality (Swarbrookeet al. 2003; Bonera, 2008; Devonish and Jonsson, 2008). Many women have few children or have already adult children living on their own and as part of family and household structure; there are more single-parent families and childless couples (Swarbrooke et al. 2003).

Another aspect which is gaining more persuasion on the tourist motivation is age (Bonera, 2008). Gibson and Yiannakis (2002) have studied this theory, underlying the tourism reason through a life cycle. This explains that those baby boomers aged from 47 to 50 are more motivated to travel and engage in activities due to superior economic benefit. This additionally led to a desire to show off their status reached, in quest of challenge and adrenaline or simply a desire to experience something new completely different from their usual routine. While those aged between 50 and 55 years old, and those over 65 are more involved in soft activities that demand less effort and where security is mended.

On the other hand other research has found that gender and age are factors affecting the perceived image and choice for particular leisure areas (Baloglu, 1997; Baloglu and McCleary, 1999; Chen and Kerstetter, 1999; Walmsley and Jenkins, 1993).In opposition, Andreu, Kozac, Avci and Cifter (2005) found that age of someone do not have any striking influence on the motivation. The authors assessed that females had stronger motivations to travel than males where male tourists had a preference for more demanding recreational activities, asking for actionswhile female tourists had a stronger need for relaxation and escape-based motives (Devonish and Jonsson, 2008).

As mentioned earlier, nationality as well as culture can influence the tourist choice in engaging in adventure activities (Swarbrooke et al.2003). This includes tourists from cold areas traveling in warm areas or vice versa, choosing a destination where the climate might be more adequate and better to practice a particular activity than would have been in their country. This can include tourists from European market coming to exotic destination to do water sport activities like whitewater rafting, kite surfing, or wind surfing such activities being more suitable for exotic destination having the sea, good wind conditions and deep waves. These demographic trends are a result of a change in social advancement and more financial power; moreover there are socio-economic factors.

Socio-economic trends include income and time disposable, changing attitudes to ageing, lifelong education, Health and fitness. In today’s world, baby boomers have the time, tendency to travel and experience new activities but more importantly have the money to enjoy all the privilege of recreational activities (Patterson, 2006). It is observed that in nearly all developed countries, those people being 55 or above benefit from better discretionary income having all investments and debts cleared for the house, having adult children no longer dependent on them (Chon and Singh, 1995).

As seen previously, baby boomers tend to be more educated than their predecessors (Patterson, 2006). Mintel (2000b) state leisure is perceived as a personal growth since individuals turn out to be more full-grown and more educated. As a result, these people are more interested to engage in adventure for self-development and to improve lifelong education (Swarbrookeet al .2003). Moreover, an increase in healthier way of life is an indication of more baby boomer’s participation in adventure activities.

A modernization in technology has result in an impressive increase in adventure participation. This has improved the ease of access to many adventure recreation sites. Subsequently, technological improvements have brought some facilities to the skill of the participant primarily while engaging in dangerous proceedings or environments. There is also progression in clothing and equipment, for example climbing ropes (Ewert and Hollenhorst, 1997). Baby boomers are really concerned about safety and security aspects and such measures being taken by adventure operators has encourage further participation. In addition, due to the technological advancement, baby boomers are now arranging their own trip arrangement through direct reservation on the internet, looking on their own for discounted prices rather than going to tour operators. Parr (2012) identified this trend and argue that internet booking has known a rapid growth since 7years. In 2005, they used to book their holidays through direct travel agency but in 2012, this has dropped down and more baby boomers are now finding it easier and cheaper to book on the internet.

3.5. Push and Pull Factors

The key to comprehend tourism motives in any tourism literature is often categorized into the terms push and pull forces (Crouch et al, 2004). Dann (1977) was the first researcher to propose these two dimensions, other researchers relied on the theory as well (Crompton, 1979; Mannel and Iso-Ahola, 1987; Bandura, 1987; Yuan and Donald, 1990; Andreu, Bigne and Cooper, 2000; Kozak, 2002; Swarbrooke et al, 2003; Woodside and Martin, 2008).

3.5.1. Push factors

“Push” factors can be defined as “intangible factors that push a tourist away from his home”, while “Pull” factors are “tangible factors pulling tourists towards a destination” (Andreu, Bignr and Cooper, 2000) in (mo 44). Push factors are often related to inner motives such a desire for novelty and escapism (mo 29) and pull factors similar to outer motives like the attractiveness of a particular destination or activity (mo 29). Conventionally, push motives were considered as functional to elucidate the reasons for travelling, in this study engaging in the activities while pull motives is observed as practical to give explanation to the actual destination or activities’ choice (mo 27).

Push factors are principally known to be socio-psychological motives that affect the tourist consumer decision, whilst pull factors are those stimuli that pulled someone to try the experience (Mo 37). Crompton (1979) in partial agreement with Dann (1977) considers seven push factors include escapism from the daily routine, examination and evaluation of self-development and progress, in quest of new friendship and social relationship. The pull motives involve novelty and education (mo 47), (mo 6).

Baby boomers are mostly pushed in adventure tourism for fun (Hudson, 2003). Baby boomers are in quest of latest and exciting adventure experiences, test their physical abilities and continue to be more active. Swarbrooke et al (2003) (Mo 1). Patterson (2006) points out that some are really seeking bigger change, diversity, challenge to escape the monotony of everyday routine. On the other hand, Muller and O’Cass (2001) put forward the notion of ‘subjective age’ as foremost motive for baby boomers to take on adventure travel. Older people have this desire and nostalgia to feel younger and their trip and choice preferences are frequently similar to younger people (Patterson, 2006). There is nowadays an increasing consideration and need for personal development, this was principally due to higher education, professional development and excellence and thanks to globalization that such demand and motives have been popularized (Swarbrooke et al.,2003).

3.5.2 Pull factors

Pull factors are also known as outer motivations (Robinson et al, 2011), where individuals is ‘pulled’ or enticed by other factors to engage in something while the decision has already been made (Lam and Hsu, 2006). On the other hand, Jang and Cai (2002, p.114) state that pull elements is what influence someone in its decision, this encompass the ‘When, Where and How’ to do things.

In the context of Adventure Tourism, destination is one element of pull factors that play a vital role in the motivation of individuals (Ewert, 1985; Millington et al., 2001, p.77). This could be choosing a destination because of the beauty that comprise its natural surrounding, for instance taking the decision to go for Safari in Kenya or going for mountaineering in the Himalayas. Moreover, the pull factor could be due to a favorable weather condition (Pomfret, 2004).For example, to enjoy from a good weather conditions for kite surfing in Mauritius, one should participate in it during the winter season, starting from June to November. These periods are suitable since the island is under the South East Trade winds influence.

In addition, the natural environment in which the activity is occurred can be studied all the way through the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (Pomfret, 2004). The Recreation Opportunity Spectrum can be defined as the ‘availability of the choice to participate in a preferred recreation activity within a preferred setting and to enjoy the desired experience’ (The British Columbia Resources Inventory Committee, 1998, p. Iv). This encompasses a range of setting prior to the physical environment including majorly access, remoteness, naturalness as well as the countryside and topography (Clarke and Stankey, 1979). This natural setting in adventure tourism could be seen as an influential factor. For instance, a baby boomer might prefer a natural landscape where access is not so easy, requiring a minimum level of risk, being totally primitive and one with nature. On the contrary, another can be looking for a site where access is easy, easy-doing activities and where they could benefit from some facilities on-site. Therefore, it is to be noted that the decision to participate in the activity was already made; nevertheless the characteristics of the location could act as a dominant feature in the individual’s choice.

Finally, there are the marketing elements acting as basic stimuli as part of pull factor. This include the marketing mix which is product, place, price, promotion (Kotleret al., 2008), followed by promotional and advertising aspects (Goosens, 2000). Though through brochures, travel books and internet, individuals are persuaded or stimulated to engage in a particular activity.

Adventure sports has fast caught up in the Indian milieu. India offers immense opportunity for adventure lovers throughout its length and breadth. Enjoy the most unique adventure tour in India, involving trekking, jeep safaris, wildlife safaris,scubadiving, gliding ,skiing, river rafting,rock climbing,mountaineering,cycling, .

Trekking is a very good activity that is immensely useful for both body as well as mind. It is a kind of spiritual experience rejuvenating the mind preparing it for the daily diifficulties of life. The Indian Himalaya are an ultimate destination for adventure lovers and has attracted Trekkers and lovers of nature Indian himalayas are the source of significant life giver rivers, like Ganges Beas, Satluj and their tributariess. The himalayan mountain ranges of India offer breathtaking, highly challenging trekking routes.The list is endless and options are mind boggling.Mountaineering in India was introduced by the Europeans in the 18th century. India offers an exciting mountaineering experience to an adventure sport lover. The Himalayas that stretch from north-west of India to far north-east offers a number of high rise peaks that are considered ideal for mountaineering. Some of the wonderful places for mountaineering in India are Leh Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir, Garhwal and Kumaon Himalayas in Uttarakhand, Kullu valley and Lahul Spiti in Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim and some other parts of north-eastern region.

ANGLING & FISHING are two remarkable adventure activities among the many others that are offered in the India. They are specially suited to the Indian sub continent because of innumerable rivers that course through the expansive Gangetic Plains, and originate in the upper reaches of the magnificent Himalayas. The clear rushing waters of these various rivers and their tributaries provide excellent fishing and angling holidays spots that are captivating in their crisp and clean mountain beauty, as well as rich breeding ground of a number of different varieties of fish. The adventurous settings for angling and fishing range from the majestic Himalayan valleys, snow-fed streams and high altitude lakes to the wide coastal stretches of the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

With a number of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, India offers an excellent opportunity for wildlife tours in India. India is home to many wildlife animals; Asiatic lion and tiger are two prime attractions of the Indian jungles. These two animals are perhaps what attract most wildlife lovers to India. But that is not only attraction that India offers on its wildlife tours. The wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in India are teeming with a wide variety of flora and fauna.There are numerous places in India that are favorite among birdwatchers.

White-water rafting is a high-altitude, high adrenaline water adventure that has few other adventure sports matching its unique excitement and thrill! The turbulent water, the uncontrollable speeds, and the challenge of making it over the churning rapids is a hair-raising high that has one raring to go!

Adventure or just another Holiday?

Holidays these days are not a luxury. They are a necessity. Every year people wait for that time of the year when they can shut off their laptops and head off to a place where they can forget about appointments and deadlines. The more people work the more is their need to get away from it all. Owing to lesser and lesser time people have on hand, holidays are a way to be together with families.

Recently the recession has brought about changes in the way people travel. Recession has created a new set of travelers called flashpackers. They are actually backpackers who are on a budget trip who do not share their sleeping space but opt for private rooms. People mostly these days go for all inclusive holidays which are a great help. They let you help your budget yourself; let you keep a check on your food, drink, entertainment and accommodation.

The question is with little time on hand and lots of holiday agencies out there to lure you what would you go for? Is it a usual shopping-sightseeing-hogging type of a holiday or wellness treat that you look for? Does a yoga course soothe your senses or a rigorous trekking tour does it for you? According to official statistics families prefer to go on the predictable leisure holidays whereas youngsters and singles opt for adventurous trips.

A general myth about adventure travel is that it is full of risks and not everyone can do it. This draws a lot of people away including families. General trend in travel has constantly shown that when parents and children decide to holiday together they always prefer beaches and mountains where they can laze around in hotels, go sight seeing and eat dinners together. If observed closely adventure travel lets you do all of it and much more.

Adventure travel can be fun when the entire family is involved in doing a task together. And why just families group of friends or colleagues can have a good time on adventure travels. They are probably one way you can experience nature, be together, spend time and also learn about nature.

Talking about nature, eco tourism is a new trend in travel these days which has been beautifully blend with adventure vacations. If you care for the environment which you should, and want to do something about conserving it you should try an eco tour. You get a chance to travel the remotest of the places which have very less human presence and nature at its wildest best.

Some statistics here can give you a better idea about the growing demands of adventure tourism and why you should be a part of it.

Extreme Adventure vacations:There are many out there who have made a list which they call Ultimate 5 Lifetime Adventures. This one sorts out the adventures one must do before they die. Skydiving, Rappelling, A ropes challenge course supervised by the army trainer, Bike racing and Hot Air Ballooning.

Family adventure holidays:Families have started choosing theme parks and all inclusive resorts “more genuine nature-based, cultural, and education and learning excursions,” says Doyle. Theses holiday trips came forth owing to the increasing demands of people to have holidays where they can be closer to families and nature.

Soft adventure vacations:There is an increase in number of people who wish for theme based holidays. The theme can be eco tour or Yoga course with a short trekking trip. Infact Yog is a favorite and is combined with a lot of activities such as snow boarding or wind surfing. These kinds of holidays are quiet popular among women.

There is no doubt that modern tourism has become one of the biggest popular industries in the world nowadays. It is an activity in which people can recreate and relax themselves. Furthermore, it seems that tourism not only can improve the transportation and most public facilities of a country, but also it can improve local services such as entertainment, accommodation, catering and hospital for tourists and local people. For another thing, tourism stimulates the growth of local economy. Even more, large numbers of organizations and governments invest much money in this industry at present. However, this essay will elaborate advantages and disadvantages of the way in which modern tourism affects the popular tourist areas in relations to the local services, local economy and environment and the local people.

For one thing, one major advantage of tourism is the fact that developing travel industry can stimulate the popular tourist areas’ consumption ability and economy. “According to the OVTA, there are 12 million visitors who travel to Ottawa and consume 128million dollars each year. Moreover, the development of tourism leads to generating 45 million dollars income for the local government per year” (Chase, 2011). In addition, “China National Tourism Administration showed that there is a 15 percent increase of the price level of products which selling in the Middle East and Europe during the New Year holidays, compared to their daily price. However, these increases give some impacts on ecnomy and it is reported that in 2010, 52 million Chinese people travelled abroad” (Lixia, 2011). For another thing, tourism industry either can increase people’s income and the rate of employment. “As David Cameron says in Barnett (2010), if the UK tourism industry can attract 0.5% more international tourists, this could generate 50,000 new jobs for local citizens”. “Thus, it is obvious that tourism directly increase the employment rate because those industries like accommodation, tour, travel operations and factories manufacturing can provide large numbers of employment opportunities for the local people” (Nworisara, 2011). These business operations invisibly generate large revenue to the government. Therefore, most countries or investors make huge investments in the tourism industry because of its potential of boosting economic growth. Thus, developing tourism industry is the main contributor of the stimulation of the local economy.

Furthermore, tourism plays an important role on improving the living standards of the local people by improving community’s facilities and services. It can be seen that Hong Kong has become a famous and popular attraction, whether for mainland people or international people nowadays. “What is more, it is reported that the Tourism Commission invested HK$50 million to improve the tourism infrastructural. For example, it would improve the scenic square, the public facilities at Lantau Ngong Ping 360, the pedestrian bridge at the east of Tsim Sha Tsui, and upgrade some tourism signboards for tourists. Besides that, Hong Kong would improve the services of online ticket-selling, which make more convenient for tourists” (Mercier, 2009). There is no doubt that these kinds of infrastructures and facilities will considerably benefit for the local people and improve their living standards. Besides that, the transportation and public services have an impact on the tourism industry, which also influence the local people’s living standards and the tourism industry itself. “Take Beijing as an example: in order to welcome the Olympics Games, the government of China made regulations to improve environment and repair the tourism resources, public services and facilities. During the period of Olympics Games, ten million tourists visited Beijing and there was no complaint or dissatisfaction with the hotels, public services and attractions” (Alcantara, 2010). If facilities or services are not improved and cause tourists lots of inconvenient, this will easily push them to give up or change their travel plans.

Finally, it seems that it is a good opportunity to protect the culture and heritage when developing modern tourism. “The WTO estimates that there would be an increase of 15% in the areas of cultural tourism each year” (Nworisara, 2011). Most tourists are willing to spend money to learn and understand different cultures and customs of different countries. “Taking the European tourism industry as an example, a growing number of people prefer to visit Europe, especially Italy, France, Spain and so on. The main reason is that the governments of those countries understand the importance of the heritage and history of a country. It is a character or symbol of that country. Thus, the government is willing to spend money remodeling and restoring the heritage. For instance, the Indian government regarded Jammu and Kashmir as a heritage attraction for visitors. Thus, it foucused on it and started to protect it to attract tourists” (Naseem, 2009). It is well know that protecting a country’s culture and heritage is a big challenge, but it is very important because they represent the identity of the country. Moreover, visitors can understand deeply the local culture only by visiting it. Thus, in order to attract more tourists to popular tourist areas, both the government and the tourism industry have a responsibility to preserve the local heritage and culture.

However, firstly, it must be admitted that tourism brings many disadvantages. Without doubt the most obvious disadvantage is that tourism has negative effects on the local environment and the eco-system. “For instance, it is well known that the Hawaiian eco-system is the most diverse in the world. Nevertheless, due to the development of tourism industry, a large number of infrastructures such as hotels and restaurants were built, leading to the local environment’s deterioration. Besides that, it is reported that 60% of animal and plant species are dying out in Hawaii” (Darowski, Strilchuk, Sorochuk & Provost, 2006). “Bali is another example: it has been found that six tourist beaches, which include Kuta, Legian, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Tanjung Benoa and Canggue are contaminated. This is because the waste from hotels, restaurants and other hospitality and tourist-related businesses cannot be dealt with effectively” (Kencana A., 2010). It is obvious that a lot of businessmen do not care if the environment becomes bad, they just consider whether they can earn money or not. In addition, a number of tourists have the bad habit of throwing waste everywhere. Thus, the local environment becomes worse and influences the eco-systems.

Secondly, tourism has a bad impact on the society and culture of the popular tourist areas. “For example, it is well known that Indonesia is a special country which has a special cultural history. However, in order to attract more tourists and meet their needs, some original customs have changed, such as dances performed only in every 60 years while nowadays they are performed weekly. Besides that, original temples used to be quiet places while today they are always overcrowded with tourists. In addition, masks, costumes and jewelry which were used for religious rituals, have a special and unique meaning. In order to earn money, companies produce these productions largely and sell them in antique shops. Even more, most arts forms such as paintings and sculptures have been adjusted according to the taste of the current market. Furthermore, it seems that these cultural and social changes not only influence the local people, but also it may lead people to forget the original culture due to the commercial influences. For instance, in order to earn more money, investors have driven local communities out of their lands and even beaches, which influence the temples and local people of Bali. The resorts also would threaten the temple’s “cosmological primacy” (Wijaya, 2008).

Thirdly, although the development of tourism has lots of advantages, however, it often do some unethical behaviors from local people and industry. For instance, when they lack employees in the peak season, some hotels and restaurants recruit low skilled people or people who are under 18 years old. Even more, lots of illegal migrants are working in tourism and hospitality industry. “It is reported that there are around 12 million illegal immigrant people in the United States, and the American Tourism and Hospitality industry employed them because they would pay them a lower wage. In fact, it is argued that these illegal immigrants are substitutes for low-skilled workers” (Fedeli, 2010). It seems that recruiting employees who are low-skilled and unprofessional is only benefit to the companies because they get low salaries. Actually, this is not good for the tourists because it easily causes troubles as these employees cannot deal with at urgent situations. Thus, it gives unsafe feeling to the tourists and that leads to hinder the development of tourism industry and also gives a bad imagine to this popular tourist areas.

In conclusion, it is clear that there could be great benefits to develop the tourist industry if governments and companies take the local environment into consideration. Furthermore, if all tourists obeyed the local rules and culture, the beautiful attractions will not be contaminated. What is more, if each person is aware of the importance of protecting our history and culture, the tourism industry can develop better and more and more people can have the opportunity to explore the history of the popular tourist areas. There is no doubt that developing tourism industry is essential and one of the reasons for this is that people can learn more about this world. Therefore, each person has a responsibility to protect the popular tourist areas.

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The hospitality industry is a huge and famous industry in this world, and there are multiple areas in this industry. This industry is specialized by training. This gigantic sector includes tourism and tour, traditional hospitality industry such as resorts and hotels, motel and a range of other hospitality services. ( Johnston, 2010). Because of this industry is famous so there is several advantages in this industry. But if we look deep through this industry also got some disadvantages also.

The advantage of hospitality industry is that, they afford to provide the full service to their customers. For example, many hotels or resorts are around-the-clock, provide 24-hour operations and staffs are required to work varied shifts and extended hours for their customer satisfaction. Its means they provide the services for their clients all the time. Without bothering the time of the clients ask for the service. For example if any of the clients need foods or any other service at midnight means they can provide all the service to them without any further adore.

Besides that, this industry also provides other services such as tour and tourism beside provide only the accommodation service. Mostly the resort department will provide this as their service. It is because mostly the resorts will located at beach site waterfall site. So the people those who are go there can enjoy the beach site by staying there for 2 days or more than 2 days. In this situation, the industry helps their client to enjoy the nature by staying at beach site. The resorts also sometimes will build at jungle site. Those who is interest for stay in jungle for get any deferent experience they can go there and stay there and at the same time can enjoy the jungle life.

The hospitality industry is famous for accommodation sector. They provide this sector with multiple categories. For example five star hotel, four star hotels, and three star hotels and so on. So those who are afford to pay the high fee they will choose their standard level hotel such as five star or four star hotels and those who are not afford to pay more fees only for the accommodations for a short period time will choose the lower level hotels. So its shows that this industry provide hotels for all the people according to their living standard.

Then glamour myth also a advantage of the hospitality industry. Is means the hotel industry offers you the chance to meet rich, famous and interesting people. So we can meet them at the place where go for rest but at the same time it brings benefit to us. Can get meet any famous person or any important person who are in the same carrier with us. For example, if I????m a business person I can get to meet any other business person who is carry on the same business with me, so I can develop my business very well and famous.

At the same time they can include scientists attending in-house conferences, foreign tourists, local business people and ordinary everyday citizens. Although you might be able to tell your friends that Hollywood’s hottest stars are staying in your hotel, you’ll probably have to stretch the truth a little to say that you actually talked with them. Celebrities might chat with you like an old friend, out of politeness, only when ordering room service, or not at all. Some may be jovial and even invite you for a drink, while others will treat you with the cool and fun.

Furthermore the hospitality industry provides the standard living for their client. They provide services with the standard level such as the rooms that they provide the foods that they provide. They provide the rooms with full furniture and all the equipment. So the client will happily can enjoy all the service of them. So they will satisfy with their service and may be the loyal to the particular hospitality industry. With the advantages of hotel Industry come the disadvantages too. The disadvantage of this industry is long and odd hours. This means that if the client or customer of that particular hotel doesn????t like early starts or late finishes, then the hotel industry may not be help them. They may make late to help the client purposely.

Besides that, pressure, high standards and deadlines also a disadvantages of the hospitality industry. Working for demanding clients and management is not the downside of working in hotels – for it is what the industry is all about – but you may find that the pressure of guest and management expectations are more stressful than you ever imagined. Pressure and deadlines are intrinsic elements of the industry and the best hotel workers thrive on conquering the challenges and obstacles placed in the way of personal and company objectives.

Culture problem also consider as a disadvantage of this industry. Most of the hospitality industry provides their service with the western style but it not suitable for all the clients of them. For example we can take the Malay religion, they cannot eat all the food especially pork at all and they can eat only ????halal???? food so they face some problems. Then also must prepare with at least a special hall for their praying. Because Malays must at the correct time and must carry on the prayer at the special venue which is called as ????surau???? if there don????t have mosque.

So some of the hotel or hospitality management sometimes never provides or forget to prepare all this things to them. Besides Malays, in our country the Indian are sometimes will carry on the vegetarian. So the hotels must prepare the vegetarian foods for them. But they never provide this sometimes. So the clients need to go out site of the hotel for find the foods for them. This shows that the hospitality industry never give important for their clients.

As the conclusion, the hospitality industry provides the good service for their client with their variety service. But still this industry needs to improve their service to archive the target of their industry. if they improve all this the customers will get happy and will enjoy with service.

Question 2

2.1: Find out the factors that affecting travel and tourism. Explain in detail?

Tourism comprises the activities of persons travelling to and staying in places outsides their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes. The word staying suggests that tourists stay at least one night. However must acknowledge that day visitors make a huge contribution to the tourist industry and some regions and organizations choose to include day visitors in statistics. It is acknowledged by the World Tourism Organization that tourism is the fastest growing economic sector, bringing foreign exchange earnings to countries and creating jobs. Jobs are not only created directly in tourism but in related industries, for example in construction. Much tourism development occurs in developing countries, bringing economic opportunities local communities. There are several factors that affecting travel and tourism industry which influence the industry.

The first factors that affect this industry are technological factor. Nowadays the technology develops very well. So also develop in travel and tourism. The growth of e-commerce and new transportation affect the travel and tourism industry. Nowadays the travel system develops well for example the buses that use nowadays is full of air-condition service, with video and audio system. Travel and tourism has always been an industry that has made extensive use of new technology equipment. Central reservation system (CRS), the use of computers in travel agencies and sophisticated databases for marketing purposes are now ordinary. Increase in competition within the industry will force organizations to use new technology to the full. New developments in transportation make extensive use of new technology, for example the Channel Tunnel, the advances in aircraft design and opening up new long-hall destinations. Then more develop bus is super VIP bus. This is consisting of all the service to the passengers. So the passengers can enjoy the traveling period.

Furthermore, another factor is, the technology develops until the passengers or the customers can get the information of the travel and tourism industry in internet. The particular agency will update all the information in web so the customers can check easily all the information about their tour and can easily contact to the particular agency. This makes the agency famous among the people because all over the world can access their information and can consider to the particular agency. At the same time also help the customers to get all their information in detail and faster too.

Cultural and environmental factors also affect the travel and tourism industry. In the 1980s saw the emergence in Britain of a greater environmental awareness and a society that was beginning to take its health and fitness seriously. These factors are likely to remain important influences on travel and tourism developments in the future with so-called ‘green issues’ high on the agenda. The political aspect also affects this industry. The security concerns over travel have had a serious impact on the travel and tourism industry. Which are leading to increased business failures in certain situation if the government never invent in this industry. The government must provides all the services to help the industry such as prepare a good road for travel and railway tracks for the rails travel so the travel and tourism industry can easily can safely travel.

Then the choice of destination also affects this industry. Most of the customer likes to travel for a famous and enjoyable place. So they must bring out the travel and tourism to a famous popular place, which got a high demand among the people. Then choose of place should be according to the age group. If want to carry on a travel and tourism, must be a place where got a lots of fun and entertainment but if want to carry on for veterans means place should be suitable for them. So they can enjoy the travel with fullest and the affect also will be the positive type. Other than age group category there got other group category also, such as leisure customers, business customers, independent travelers, package holidaymakers. So the travel and tourism must be carrying on according to deferent types customers.

Besides that, the rule and regulation also will affect the travel and tourism industry. The travel that????s going to carry should be following the all the rules and regulations that the government stated and the particular place stated. So it will never affect the customers of them. For example, if the tourism place stated that cannot brings camera or video inside means they should tell earlier to their customer so they may follow the rules and will not affect the agency also. If not the agency may affected because did not follow the rules and regulation. While the customers???? also wont respect to the agency. At the end the customers won????t support for the particular industry.

The travel and tourism that going to carry on also should be suitable for the season. Because the customers are always like to travel to different destination in a different season. So should carry on the correct travel and tourism event at the correct season. If not it will affect alt the industry. The customer may not will support the agency because they are not giving what they want and they won????t satisfy with them at all. At last the food and beverage also will affect the industry, even is not a big issue and important in a travel and tourism industry. The foods that they provide to the customers should be good foods which is not expired or spoiled. If not the customer may get anger with their service and will get disappointment with their service. So if a travel and tourism industry wants to be success means, they should consider all the element of the travel and tourism. And must prepare earlier for everything with full of good service for their customer????s satisfaction.

Conclusion

As the conclusion, we have learnt about the meaning of hospitality and the stages of hospitality industry development from traditional to advanced stage and learnt that hospitality management means how to cater for people in a friendly and cheerful manner to enable the guest appreciate in services. Besides that, we have learnt about the meaning and the importance of housekeeping Department in hotel, motel, guest how we have learn about the interdepartmental co-operations among various departments of the hotel and the importance of hotel industry in our society. Furthermore, we also learnt the meaning and types of non-commercial hospitality management and the type of organization that is available. Lastly we have learnt and understood the meaning of the layout in hospitality industry and the necessary and important factors to consider when plan to establish this industry.

Tourism is the world’s biggest industry in the 20th century and has taken place for a very long time, it recognized as an important economic and social phenomenon. We are certainly believes that modern tourism can bring more advantages than disadvantages to popular tourist areas in terms of the culture, economic, environmental and society. In the following, we will focus to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of modern tourism in several areas which are mentioned before.

In terms of society, high amount of tourist arrival can lead to create more occupation opportunity to the citizen in that city or country, consequence that can reduce the unemployment rate of that country. According to research of UNWTO Tourism Highlight, The report mentions that “the international tourist arrival of the world has 2.9% rises on the average annual growth” (UNWTO, 2010). It can be positively estimated that increase of tourism can increase the demand in service and tourist industry such as travel agencies, hotels, restaurants, bars, theme parks and sightseeing attractions. Thus, it cause the companies create more job positions to provide service to the tourist. Secondly, Tourism is the largest single industry in the world and it regarded as an exciting global business nowadays. According to the special designated topic of tourism on ‘Independent Educational Magazine’, it mentions that “In the UK alone, 2.1 million people work in jobs supported by visitor spending. Both home and abroad, careers in the tourism industry attract a wide range of people with all sorts of interests and ambitions.” (Tourism: The world’s biggest single industry, 21 September 2006) In brief, it can be said that the tourism industry can effectively to create more job opportunity as well as reduce the unemployment rate to that country.

However, the modern tourism will bring several negative effects in our society. A vigorous of modern tourism causes concentration of tourism employment which is means the employees are lopsided in one of the tourist industry on that country. According to the Travel Daily News, “Dublin has the highest concentration of tourism employment, with one-third of the total, followed by the BMW region with 25% and the south-west which has 15%. In 2004, Faille Ireland trained just under 10,000 people for careers in hospitality and tourism”. (Theodore, 2005) In Dublin and other popular tourism of country, they will be facing a serious problem, because there have concentrated employment in one or few specific industry (e.g. hotels, bars, theme parks, transportation company). Consequently, the industry of the country will be focused on one-sided to the tourism and will put less effort to develop other area of industry, for example, the expense on education, citizen welfare or medical expense on general public. Furthermore, if the tourism becomes more saturated, the poor employment opportunities would be offered to the workers such as the job is often seasonal, exploited and low-paying. Secondly, the modern tourism may affect the security problem in popular tourist areas, consequence that country will become more serious and hazards to visit and stay, for instance during the World Cup 2010 event, the robbery and car hijackings are frequently occur in South Africa. From the travel news “World Cup 2010: crime threat to visitors is exaggerated”, it mentioned that “Much has been said in the build-up to the World Cup about South Africa’s crime problem and the threats to visiting supporters. The crime is a serious problem in South Africa, the country’s murder rate is 37.3 per 100,000 in 2009-10, and it is extremely high when compared to the global homicide rate of 7.6 per 100,000.” (Burger, 2010). It can be say that the rise of crime rate can be caused by tourism. Base on the not fully developed law system e.g. Africa, many lawbreakers will decide street robbery or muggings to the tourist when in high arrival rate of tourist during hosting the world event. In China, Pickpocketing, which is different to robbery, is more common in touristy areas especially in the crowed area (train stations, shopping hotspots, sightseeing attractions), because the criminals can easier to leave and Pickpocketing is easier happening on the foreign tourists. Thus, the crime activities can be increased by the modern tourism. Thirdly, the population problem will occur on some of countries or cities which are not big enough. Because of mass of the tourist arrival to the small city, the city becomes more crowded. For example, Hong Kong is a small city in China. Though, there have a mass of tourist travel in the city. There were 16.9 million of international tourist arrivals in Hong Kong in 2009 (UNWTO, 2010), In fact, many people and cars in the street and the place is very crowded no matter in the tourist spots, shopping Centre, restaurants and the hotels are always fully reserved by the tour agency. In short, the tourism will cause population problem to some small country or city that may certainly cause the citizen feel worse.

As regards the Economy of the country, the modern tourism will bring a high economic income to that country. In the UNWTO Tourism Highlights, Edition 2010 which mentioned the data of tourism receipts, it said “the international tourism receipts reached US$ 852 billion (611 billion euros) in year 2009” (UNWTO, 2010) which shows the country can get a high income from the tourist expense and therefore boost the economics of that area. Because the visitors expense their money on shopping, transportation, accommodation and dinning by spend theirs holiday in the unusual place. Moreover, the income comes from the tourism can be used on the national society. For example, it can used to improve the education system, infrastructure, welfare and promote its country. Eventually, the industry of economy of that country can be improved by the expenses of the modern tourism. Secondly, the modern tourism can provide more business opportunity and support to the small local company such as boat operating company, the souvenir shop. In Thailand, most of the local boat operating company provides some boat tour service to transport tourist to different islands for holiday to sightseeing and sea activities. Also, most of fishing boat will converse to the tour boat in the seasonal travel period, the fishing boat use to transport the tourist to gain additional income from tourism other than fishing. As a result, the local company and the fish boat operator can received more income from the tourism to support their own business.

On the other hand, the modern tourism can easily affected by the unstable economic market. For example, in the Late-2000s financial crisis in 2008 to 2009, the worlds’ tourist industries were facing a serious problem, because most of peoples were turn down their travel plan and cancel theirs trip even they reserved a tour. Due to the depressed economic environment, most of the employee was dismissed by the company and the hotels, bars, shops were forced to close, as well as the industry in current country were attacked deeply. Eventually, the modern tourism will be destructed by the seasonal and unstable economic market.

With regard to the Environment, the environmental sense of the general public can be improved by having environmental travel, because of environmental travel promotes environmental awareness to the traveler. In terms of Ecotourism, it means the tourists travel in the unpopular tourist spot, natural, and usually protected areas for example Amazon, New Zealand, South Africa (A. Martin, Lindsay D., 2011). Its purpose is to educate the tourist to protect our surrounding such as forest, river and the sea. On the other hand, the tourism activities of tourist will damage the environment and pollute the area. According to report of ‘Air Pollution from Ground Transportation’ from United Nations (2002 edition), it said “Transportation involves the combustion of fossil fuels to produce energy translated into motion. Pollution is created from incomplete carbon reactions, unburned hydrocarbons or other elements present in the fuel or air during combustion” (Gorham, 2002) Therefore, the transportation (airplane, tourist coach, etc.) causes air pollution which releases the green house gases, various gaseous and liquid vapor such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, dust particles and soot to our atmosphere during transporting to the destination place, seriously those product of combustion is responsible for the greenhouse effect. Moreover, the behavior of the tourist is needed to concern when they are traveling. Some low civism sense of the tourist may damage the historical relic and public property in the tourist spot. Consequence, the valuable historical relics are injured and cannot to repair at all.

In terms of Culture, tourism activities can speed up the spread of dangerous diseases from one country to another country by the modern transportation systems such as airplane, train, coach. According to the Globalization 101 of Health and Globalization report, it stated that “Between 2007 and 2008 there was a 1.8 percent increase in international travel. In the same way that ancient caravans and seagoing vessels carried illnesses from city to city, modern transportation systems do the same thing, only at a vastly greater speed.” (Globalization101, 2010) Also, it mentioned increase of international travel have played a major role on spread of HIV and AIDS. Some scientist found that the HIV virus was originated in West Africa. However, unfortunately, it spreads out to other region. The main reason is global travel can cause increased dispersion of contagions and also disease can spread by traveling to different place. For example, the passengers take a long distance flight on airplane, recirculate air may cause a significant threat to passengers for contracting diseases such as tuberculosis, which is common lung disease and it is extremely contagious in air. Therefore, the other passengers may have high chance to get sick after taking a long flight, if one of the passengers is carrying virus to take flight.

After we were focus to discuss the benefits and drawbacks in four dimension area (our society, economy, environment, and culture). It can be conclude that there are more advantages than disadvantage to popular tourist country or in specific area. The modern tourism can bring our government or industries receive more income and financial support. Also, more opportunity will be created by company to cope with a large amount of tourist arrival, and provide more job opportunity to the worker and small company. However, there still have many problem instigated by the modern tourism activities, we strongly believe that the government can completely solve these problems by setting up corresponding policy.

Introduction

Currently, the subject hospitality management is being offered by various colleges and universities all around the world. Students and graduates of hospitality management are becoming more and more in demand in hospitality industries all around the world.

Hospitality management is the academic study of the hospitality industry. Hospitality courses prepare students to face the challenges of the corporate world. Hospitality management courses also provide all the training for the students to cope with the workloads of the hospitality industry. Other than that, these hospitality management courses also prepare students with leadership skills and qualities so that students have the right kind of qualities and attitude to cope in the corporate world later on.

Hospitality management can be divided into various different disciplines such as culinary arts, hotel management, tourism management etc. Each different branch of this course prepares student and graduates to face the different challenges in different field of the hospitality industry. As hospitality grows into becoming one of the most important economic sectors in the world, more and more graduates of hospitality management is being demanded in to this fields.

What is hospitality industry? Why is it becoming an important in the economic sector around the world?

The dictionary definition of hospitality is the friendly reception and treatment of strangers. The hospitality industry consists of businesses and institutions involving food and beverage, tourism and all kinds of lodging establishments. The friendly reception and treatment of guests is the responsibility of the people who work in the hospitality industry.

1.1.1 According to statistics, Lodging is the seventh largest industry in the United States of America and food and beverage service is the fourth largest. Twenty-three cents of every dollar spent by a U.S. traveler are spent in a hotel and twenty-one cents are spent in a food and beverage establishment. This shows the importance of hospitality industry to a country’s economy. Almost half of every penny spent by a traveler is contributed to two of the largest establishment in hospitality industry.

1.2 Since we all know that there are very good opportunities and bright future working in the hospitality industry, but what are the advantages and disadvantages of working in the hospitality industry?

1.2.1 Servicing in the hospitality industry is subjected to personal interest. To people who are interested in social skills and interpersonal communication skills, they may find hospitality industry an interesting career field. This is because in hospitality industry, we are dealing with people, servicing people where almost all of them are strangers. A great deal of interpersonal communication skills are involved in this industry. This may be of an advantage or a disadvantage as not all people are born with fluency in interpersonal communication skills though it can be acquired through a great deal of training.

1.3 A career in the hospitality industry can provide one with responsibility, advancement, diversity and personal satisfaction. A career in the hospitality requires a great deal of responsibility due to the high amount of workload. Advancement in hospitality industry is so when opportunities are provided for employees to be promoted to a higher post in the industry.

1.3.1 As said earlier, hospitality industry is an industry which involves serving guests and customers who are strangers most of the time. This is meant by diversity in hospitality industry. Each day, employees of the hospitality industry face people who come from different part of the world; this proves the diversity of the hospitality industry. Other than that, people who are interested and have acquired skills such as interpersonal communication skills, they might achieve personal satisfaction working in this industry.

1.4 The hospitality industry is full of opportunities for great advancement provided one puts in a great deal of hard work. Hospitality industry can be divided into so many fields and branches. As stated earlier, hospitality industry is referred to as one of the fastest growing economic sector around the world.

In hospitality industry, there are countless job opportunities offered to employees. From waiter at a restaurant to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at large hotels, all of these jobs are classified under the hospitality line. Moreover, the hospitality industries nowadays are facing a serious problem on the lacking of human resources. More and more employees are needed in the hospitality industry. If one were to graduate with a degree in hospitality management subject, he or she will never have to worry about not getting a good job with good pay.

1.5 However, working in the hospitality industry brings some disadvantages too. Hospitality industry is known for its extended, odd and uncertain hours of operation. Most hospitality premises have to operate 24 hours per day, if any colleagues are on leave, others might have to extend their working time or work load in order to compensate the efficiency of work. For instance, ski or water sports resorts operate seasonally based on weather conditions. Some restaurants operate only during breakfast or lunch hours. Employees working under these sectors of the hospitality management have to cope themselves with the irregular working time. However, employees are human too; they need adequate rest time in order to maintain high work efficiency. There are cases where employees work over time just to compensate the work load of absent workers, they fell sick or ill.

1.6 Hospitality industry is also known for its tremendous workload. Employees working under the hospitality industry have to put in a great deal of hard work in order to cope up with the workload in the hospitality industry. However, if an employee graduates from any hospitality management sector, he or she will be trained to handle the workload that they might face when working in the corporate world later on.

1.7 Working under the hospitality industry allows one to gain a lot of skills which cannot be acquired through studying. Employees who worked under the hospitality industry have found to possess of effective communication skills, innovation, creativity, leadership qualities, critical thinking skills, decision making skills, negotiation and conflict management. If you consider the working routine and responsibility of one who work under the hospitality industry, you will find that these skills are relatively important for employees in order to serve the guests or customers well. From a front desk representative to a general manger in a hotel, they must at least possess of a few of the skills from the list above. Especially for those who work in the management level, they must possess of all the skills mentioned above so that he or she could lead the team well and also be a role model to his or her staff.

1.7.1 Working under the hospitality industry also enables employees to acquire a very important skill – teamwork. Teamwork is one of the most well regarded qualities in the corporate world. In the hospitality industry, staff of the whole operation work as a team and this requires a great deal of teamwork. When employees and employers practice good teamwork and work together to handle big cases, the problem seems to be solved efficiently and effectively.

CONCLUSION

Hospitality industry is a fast growing sector and is economically important to the world. Tourism which is one of the fields in the hospitality industry shrinks the world by providing a more in-depth look at the enormity and complexity of international travel. Working in the hospitality industry has both advantages and disadvantages and is subjected to people’s point of view. It also depends on one’s interest. As said earlier, people who have good interpersonal communication skills will find working in the hospitality industry an easy feat but to those who does not possess of good interpersonal communication skills, they would not like it in the hospitality industry.

Question 2: Find out the factors affecting travel and tourism. Explain in detail.
Introduction

Travel and tourism is a very common term when it comes under hospitality management. At least 20 years ago, travelling is considered as a big deal to most people but now with the aid of modern transportation, travelling seemed to be an easy feat for everyone.

Nowadays, with major airlines companies offering cheap fares and giving out various promotions, everyone can just travel to the destination of their choice at a relatively low price. This has indirectly affected the business of most tourism agency. More and more people can afford to travel to any destination of their choice without having to burn a hole in their pockets anymore.

The government in Malaysia has also come out with various efforts or ideas to promote travel and tourism in the country. Travel and tourism is a high profitable sector to the country’s economy. The Malaysian government is putting great effort into making the country a tourism country. The annual Matta Fair is organized by government bodies to promote tourism in the country as well as attracting tourists from other countries. Other than that, the government also has promoted Malaysia in many of the international expos and has greatly raised the name of Malaysia to the world.

Since travel and tourism is made such an easy feat for everyone nowadays, there are still some barriers that stop people from travelling or other factors that cause people to travel to that particular place regularly. Actually what are the factors that affect travel and tourism?

What is travel and tourism? According to the World Travel Organization (WTO), travel and tourism is regarded as the activities of persons travelling and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purpose. Therefore, people who are considered “travelers” or “tourists” are those who are away from their normal place or residence for a period of up to one year in which they will return home after that, taking part in activities that would normally be associated with leisure and tourism and on a visit that is temporary and short term.

2.1. Determinants are those factors that influence one individual’s decision-making process. In short, determinants are the factors affecting ones decision whether to travel or not. Determinants can be further subdivided onto two categories which are personal factors that influenced the tourist and external factors that influenced the tourist.

2.1.1 Personal determinants are one of the factors affecting tourist’s decision making. Personal determinants can be divided into four categories:

– Circumstances of the tourist such as the health, disposable income/savings, leisure time, work commitments and family commitments.

– Knowledge of tourist regarding the destination, availability of various tourist products and prices differences among competitive tourist products.

– Attitude and perception of the destination, tourism organization, political views, particular country and cultures, modes of travel, how advance to plan and book a trip and what constitutes value for money.

– Experience of types of holidays, different destinations, products offered among competitive tourism organizations, taking trips with particular individuals or groups and attempting to find discounted prices.

2.1.2 When the personal determinants are taken as whole for the entire population, it would represent a market opportunity for the tourism industry. For example, with the growing affluence of the workforce and pressure in the workplace, many people would look forward to a long weekend to take a short break or vacation. The need for tourists to take a short break from work is to stimulate and rejuvenate their energy.

2.1.3 Situational factors such as time, money, health or marketing influence can intervene, as a facilitator or as an inhibitor, in making travel decision. Tourists’ decisions are important as it directly affects the travel and tourism. Belk (1975) identified five types of situational variables which will affect tourist behavior and decision made:

– Physical surrounding – includes weather, geographical location, decor, sounds, lights, aromas, tangible signs and display of products, and other materials. The sunny weather can be considered as part of the destination’s physical surrounding.

– Social surrounding – includes other people and their characteristics, roles, and interactions. The social network can provide information and can act as influencer in a choice for a particular travel destination. Crowding is another situational variable, where people from crowded cities may seek isolated places to spend their holiday for a rest and to be alone for a while.

– Temporal perspective – includes the time period, time constraints, and elapsed or expected time. The time situation is important in tourism since many holidays are limited by duration of time. For example, holidays can only be taken during school holiday or during certain says when you go on an annual leave. Tourists also prefer to go for a holiday after a time elapsed since the last holiday travel.

– Task definition – includes the orientation, intent role, or frame of a person where certain situational may become relevant. For example, one would decide on certain criteria to go for a vacation during different time period.

– Antecedent states – is where a situation would shape the perception, evaluation, and acceptance of the current condition, such as a person receiving a bonus, may suddenly decide to go for holiday on a STAR cruise.

2.1.4 Social and cultural influences are other factor that affects the travel and tourism. Most of the social and cultural structures are pervasive and intangible in nature. However, most tourists are unaware of the influences of these structures, even if the structures are actually embedded in their travel decision making. One of the major social influences are groups including family members and relatives.

Reference group can be defines as a collection of people that an individual use as a standard for his or her attitudes, beliefs, values and behavior development. For example, since many officemates will be spending their holidays in China, one may be aspire to join the group by deciding to go along to the holiday in China.

Culture can be considered as a broad, impersonal reference group consisting of the knowledge, behaviors, customs, and techniques that are socially acquired or learned by an individual. It includes beliefs, values, norms, signs, habits and non-normative behavior.

Thus, culture can influence the way an individual behaves as a consumer or as a tourist. For example, one of the promotional themes to promote Malaysia as a tourist destination is to exhibit Malaysia as a melting pot of various cultures that are found in Asia. Cultures also exist within overall culture and are known as subcultures. Those subcultures are groups based on region, race, language, religion, age, social class or other factors. The island of Bali in Indonesia has been prominently promoted as a cultural destination, based on religion.

Social class is another example of subculture. Social class is a product of division in society on the basis of status and prestige. Education, occupation, wealth and income are some of the basis used to explain the belonging of one social class.

Some tourist destinations tend to appeal to certain groups of social class of people. For example, the French Riviera is favored among the higher social class people. Places like Langkawi Island may attract people from all social classes, but people may differentiate classes once they arrive on the island by staying at different kinds of hotel’s categories. In some society in Indonesia, travelling abroad is considered as a social status and sometimes the connotation of “Has Been Abroad or HBA” is attached to the individual.

2.2 Apart from personal determinants that we have discussed earlier, there are also some external determinants that may affect consumer travel decision making. Some of external determinants are:

1. Views from friends and relatives

2. Marketing activities in the tourism industry

3. The influence from the media

4. National-level politics and factors like economy, social and technology

5. International-level politics and factors like economy, social and technology

Most of these external determinants can be further subdivided into sub-factors:

Political sub-factors:

Government legislation and policy, like capital control restricting amount of money taken out of the country

Immigration restrictions and visa requirements

Civil disorder and terrorism

Taxation policy, for example, airport tax, exit fees

Media sub-factors

Travel channel — Holiday features reported on television, in newspaper, magazines and guidebooks.

Non-travel channel – news reported in national Geographic programs and in news programs

Marketing activities:

Marketing activities by national tourist organization

Brochures from travel agencies

Special promotions by hotels and other travel operators.

The extent of the personal and the external determinants influence the tourist behavior depend on factors such as tourists’ personality and their lifestyle. Extrovert people are more likely to take account of the external determinant such as the views from friends and relatives while the introvert people prefer to rely on their own experiences.

People who watch news regularly and are very much concerned about the world affairs may be influenced by those external determinants compared to those people who are not worried or do not know of the situation of that country, may not consider this external factor.

Some of these determinants can either be a catalyst or a constraint to the tourists’ motivation and desire to travel. For example, high disposable income is a catalyst and low disposable income is a constraint. Travel brochure with glossy and rosy picture of a resort destination would attract potential tourist to visit, in contrast to a cheap looking flyer.

Conclusion

Tourists do not make rational decision based on perfect information. They might not realize most of the determinants, as mentioned earlier.

There are tourists who are aware of the various determinants to be considered in the decision making, but choose to ignore these determinants. People tend to use other aspect of lie such as pressure and emotion, to dictate their travel decision.

Most literature in tourism marketing noted that there are relatively long periods spent in travel decision making process, like thinking about the vacation, collecting information, and evaluating the alternatives. Currently there is a growing trend in the tourist industry of the “last-minute purchase: decision to travel. Working people have a high desire to go for a short trip whenever there is an opportunity to do so and are more willingly to go to a less interesting destination if it is offered at a low price.

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There are 4 types of health protection:-

Smart Medic Enhancer – facilitates an individual to be better prepared in medical emergencies.

Smart Medic – the inclusive medical rider for investment-linked assurance policy. Smart Early Payout CriticalCare – investment-linked insurance rider, which pays upon premature analysis of a serious illness enclosed under this plan. Great MediCare 2 – an Overall Annual Limit that look after you adjacent to obnoxious bombshells.

(Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

Life + Health Protection

There are 4 types of Life + Health Protection:-

Great Ideal Living – inclusive guardianship arrangement that accommodates guarantee.

Great Compare Care – proffer you living, vital infirmity and mishap protection for a supple coverage period.

Smart Educate Planner – so that your child may have enhanced edification chance.

SmartPortect Essential – Investment-linked assurance plan with the aim of adapting to your standard of living.

Supplementary Riders

To improve profit on your investment-linked plan, entire life plan, tenure plan or bequest plan.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Great Eastern

Mostly all the companies or organization has its advantages and disadvantages and Great Eastern is not excluded. There are many advantages that Great Eastern Company provides and it categorize in three different areas. Below are the three areas.

Advantages

1-Individual

2- Group

3-Bancassurance

1-Individual

Through individual, there are 3 different groups that provide advantages for the Great Eastern customers. Which is:-

> Savings

> Life Protection

> Health Protection

-Savings

Ultimately, a savings plan that will astonish you with its limited premium payment terms and possibly enormous total payouts. At this moment you can knowingly upsize your savings to reach better goals in life, have a regular income stream and get better protection for you and your loved ones. The commitment is of 5 years or 10 years. (Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

(I)Great Treasure Wonder

It is a vibrant benefaction plan that is perfect for high achieving individuals like you.

Be satisfied with lavish survival profits paid out every 6 months, beginning from the end of the 1st policy year, yearly non-guaranteed cash bonuses, a growing simple sum guaranteed starting from the 2nd policy year onwards and maturity advantage of up to 160% of your basic sum assured.

With all of it, you are being protected against the unexpected now.(Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

Limited premium payment terms(Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

Compromises partial premium payment terms to meet your financial obligations while you advantage from long term cash investments and security. You can select the subsequent premium payment terms and procedure terms subject on your desires and goals.(Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

Guaranteed stream of cash throughout policy term(Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

Increase your savings more with survival paybacks paid out every 6 months, beginning from the end of the 1st policy year. Depending on your selected procedure term, you could obtain up to 145% of your basic amount guaranteed as survival paybacks. You can choose to cash out your survival paybacks or add them with the Company for even greater savings. .(Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

Cash bonuses

You get to increase your savings even more with annual non-guaranteed cash bonuses from the end of the first policy year. With survival benefits, you can pick to cash out the cash bonuses or add them with the Company to have a superior payment upon development of the policy.(Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

Great Cash Wonder

Less commitment and big return in rewards.

An investment strategy specially intended for those who need to see their savings cultivate in the long term without the obligation of an extended premium payment term.(Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

This vibrant savings plan pays you the basic sum assured, annually assured survival paybacks and also annual non-guaranteed cash bonuses to meet your financial obligations in lifetime. Ahead of that, it growths your sum guaranteed up to 150% for an even larger savings growth. Besides all that, you can also enjoy security against the unexpected. (Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

Short-term premium payments, long-term savings and coverage. (Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

With Great Cash Wonder, you merely pay premiums for a short time, but still you will enjoy security and get your savings store to satisfy your desires in life. Choose your personal policy term, which best suits you in improving your financial safety. (Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

Obtain guaranteed survival paybacks of up to 145% of the basic sum guaranteed.

Beginning from the end of the first policy year, Great Cash Wonder pays you a yearly guaranteed survival advantage adding to the basic sum guaranteed. On top of that, you can get up to 145% of the basic sum guaranteed reliant on the policy term selected. You can take out this cash profit to endowment your direct objectives or add it with the Company. (Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

Cash bonuses to enhancement your savings more.

Great Cash Wonder also supports to cultivate your investments with an annual non-guaranteed cash bonus beginning from the end of the first policy year. You can choose to use it on yourself and your loved ones, or leave it with the Company to produce a larger outgoing at the development of the plan. This additional money will make it even easier for you to encounter your desires. (Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

Up to 150% of basic sum assured for more financial security.(Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

From the second policy year onwards, your sum guaranteed will produce incrementally, up to 150% of the basic sum guaranteed at no additional charge to you. This will upsurge your savings by the time your policy matures.(Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

Great EDUPLANNER

Give your child the greatest of gift (the education fund)

A child is the utmost gift in life. As a and caring parent, a worthy education is one of the utmost gifts you can ever provide your children as it supports to confirm that your child will adore a smoother ride through lifetime. (Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

Although the price of education is increasing, it will never be too late to start saving to achieve your visions for your child. Great EduPlanner comforts you by presenting how much you care for your child’s upcoming by helping to shape an education fund. Besides that, it offers the extra advantage of security contrary to life’s qualms to guarantee your child a protected future. (Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

Bonuses to boost your child’s education fund(Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

Great EduPlanner is a benefaction strategy that lets you to join in Great Eastern’s extra in the form of compound reversionary bonus (CRB) and terminal bonus. This means that you may obtain extra lump sum of cash at the end of the policy term for your child’s education expenditures. (Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

Broader security with inadequate premium payment term(Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

With Great EduPlanner, you can delight in extended exposure with a smaller premium payment term. Depending on your needs, you have the option to choose a plan of 15 or 20 years to boost your rainy-day funds for your child’s education. (Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

-Life Protection

(I) GREAT PRIME PROTECT

Affordable protection with guaranteed refund of premiums

It is vital that you and your loved ones are effectively secured alongside life’s qualms and threats.(Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

Great Prime Protect, a term insurance plan aimed specially to provide you with affordable life insurance coverage from as low as RM1.12 a day. (Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

Great Prime Protect gives you the flexibility to meet your varying desires and numerous other value-added benefits, letting you to enjoy life security while you emphasis on comprehending your aims and desires in life. (Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

Guaranteed 100% premium refund

The plan guarantees that 100% of the total annual basic premium excluding basic extra premium paid-to-date will be returned upon maturity. (Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

The advantage that gives the security you need throughout the policy term and all your money back when you reach the end of the period. (Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

Premium waiver for life-threatening illness

If you diagnosed with any of the life-threatening illness covered except for Angioplasty And Other Invasive Treatments For Major Coronary Artery Disease (Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

Flexible policy terms

You can select from a varied option of policy term:

*15years

*20 years

*25 years,

*or which ever ensemble your way of life and requirements.

-Health Protection

GREAT MEDICARE 2

Medical insurance that retains up with life’s many possibilities. (Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

Great Medicare 2 is a wide-ranging medical insurance plan that provides you the medical security you need and removes your qualms. (Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

Great Medicare 2 even safeguards you against nasty revelations with an Overall Lifetime Limit of up to RM800, 000 and an Overall Annual Limit of up to RM200, 000, reliant on your chosen plan. (Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

Outpatient cancer and kidney dialysis treatments. (Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

Great Medicare 2 covers you for Outpatient Cancer Treatment and Outpatient Kidney Dialysis Treatment. (Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

24-hour assistance and hassle-free hospital admission. (Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

Dismiss yourself of the problem of administrative procedures. With Great Medicare 2, you can just walk into any of the hospitals section and you will be taken care off. (Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

Coverage to all over the place.

Travel the world with wide-ranging self-confidence. Great Medicare 2 gives you emergency medical assist anyplace in the world. (Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

Security for everyone in your family.

Be happy for protecting your family. When you sign up two or more of your loved ones, you’ll receive a 5% discount on your premiums. (Great Eastern Life is Great, Product, 2012)

2-Group

> Employee Benefits

> Retirement Benefits

> Property Reward Scheme

> Claims

3- BANCASSURANCE

Our products are generally designed and established to ensemble a wide range of financial requirements. This covers:

Single Premium Universal Life

Whole Life Plans

Endowment Plans

Term Plans

Mortgage Loan/Outstanding Credit Protection Plans

Corporate and Business Banking Plans

Disadvantages

There is no any disadvantage at Great Eastern Company because they are the Number One leading company.

Distinctiveness

The distinctiveness of Great Eastern Company is that a customer easily identifies GE products in the market because of their popularity and the high demand of the products. Apart from that, Great Eastern is also No.1 in the market share and their objective is to give much importance to the customers more than anything.

Price
Determining the price

As we mentioned earlier, Great Eastern is a company which provides insurance policy services to the people and it is also enjoying the leading position in the market. Therefore, it is understandable that the price of their policies will be a little expensive compared to other organizations that provide the same kind of service.

Firstly, the policy is decided to suit the customer mainly based on their health condition. After a health screening done on the respective customer a policy will be decided to be suit him or her according to the results of the health screening. The price of the policy will be varying according to the results. If the result says that the health of the customer is relatively good then the customer will need to pay a high price to enable the policy have coverage for the illnesses that may affect them in the future. Whereas, customers with number of illnesses will have to pay a less amount compared to the healthy customer because there will be no coverage for the existing illnesses in the policy.

Apart form that, the price also determined according to the age of customer. The older the customer is the less they have to pay for it. Yet, this is not possible in everyone’s case. The reason the older person need to pay less is mainly because going by their age there are less chances for them to be affected by any diseases. In the cases of youngsters, they will live longer and there are chances for them to be affected by diseases or the need for them to insure some of their possessions are higher. Nevertheless, the price cannot be solely considered to determine the price of the policy one chooses. Other factors like stated above should be considered too in deciding the price.

Place
Where the company located

Great Eastern Company has many branches on its own. As we know, branch office is a place, excluding the central office, where business is conducted. Most branch offices are consisting of smaller divisions of different phase of the company. As for Great Eastern Company, there are many branches all over Malaysia. Below are the branch networks.

Alor Setar

Batu Pahat

Bintulu

Ipoh

Johor Bahru

Klang

Kluang

Kota Bharu

Kota Kinabalu

Kuala Terengganu

Kuantan

Kuching

Lahad Datu

Melaka

Miri

What is the advantages and disadvantages of their place

Place refers to the direct supply of the product. The place chosen by Company should be convenient for the customers and available as wide as possible. As for Great Eastern, it has 21 branches around Malaysia and they sell their products through their agents. Being a worldwide Company, Great Eastern has expanded their operational units and customer service all around the world (4P’S of International Marketing, 2012).

Besides that, the location of the Great Eastern headquarter, which is situated in the Great Eastern Mall in Jalan Ampang, is a strategic place and the main reason for it because it is easy for customers to come and visit the place by using the public transportation which is provided to the place. Furthermore, the price of taking a public transportation is very reasonable and people would not have any difficulties on it.

Moreover, the place of the Great Eastern headquarter is also very convenient for the customers as it is in a busy area where all the customers can easily pay a visit. Being located at a busy area, it is easier for working customers to stop by after their work.

Lastly are the facilities. The parking facilities in the Great Eastern Mall are wide. They have five levels of basement car parks with 1600 bays, which is a good advantage especially for working people. Other than that, they also have Valet parking services and 24 hours security with Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) (Great Eastern Mall, Ampang Hilir, 2012). Plus, the headquarters is located in a mall. The customers can later spend some time in the mall.

Although it is situated in a strategic place, there is always a negative part on it. As it is situated in a busy area in the city, there will always be traffic jams around that area which will contribute to road congestion. Having said that, people who use the Light Rail Transit (LRT) to Great Eastern would not be facing many problems. A sight from the traffic jams, the location of the Great Eastern headquarter is convenient for the customers and as it is situated in a Mall which means people can spare their time and have a visit to the office.

Promotion
What type of promotion they prefer
Conclusion

Great Eastern Holdings is an organization that provides insurance services to the public to insure their health and valuable possessions in their life. As we have mentioned throughout this research paper, Great Eastern is having strong grip in the market as an insurance company.

Unlike many other companies in the insurance field, which will approach it’s customers when their health or any other insured possessions challenged, Great Eastern as they term it Life Company tries to make their customer stay healthy by providing many health activities. They want to ensure that their customers stay healthy. This shows that the company’s sole goal is not making money but also to teach the people to live a healthy lifestyle.

Apart from that, marketing strategies conducted by the Great Eastern company is also laudable. They are left almost no stones unturned in their aim to maintain their numero uno position in the insurance company. They are being in this leading position for very long which is very appreciable yet they must be well prepared with new and innovative marketing strategies to face the challenges from their competitors in the future.

In short, Great Eastern is the leading insurance company in the market which provides many benefits to their customers and also providing many activities that lead their customers to learn how to live a healthy lifestyle. Considering the manpower and marketing team they have it is safe to say that this company able to withstand the competitions and proof to be successor in the field for very long time.

Hospitality Industry is an industry that has lots of competitor because it is one of the fastest growing sectors among others industry. Besides that, the hospitality industry is one of the oldest businesses in the history. Nevertheless, it changed and expending drastically in areas such as tourism, meeting and convention planning as the time goes by. The huge growth of the hospitality industry required a high qualified and trained people to fill in the rapidly opening positions in hospitality management. Other than that, it is an exciting, never gets boring and offers unlimited opportunities to the people. The African Americans had lots of experience in hospitality but not always been positive. In the past, they usually carry out the hospitality operations in a low-level managerial position and from the lowest realm in service till the realistic opportunity of becoming general managers. The usage rate is an important variable for the hospitality industry as the owner would like to have his or her productive asset in use as much as possible. Based on the business dictionary, the hospitality industry is defined as hotel, motels, inns, or such businesses that provides transitional or short-term lodging, with or without food. Besides that, to handle a competitor in the industry, it is very important to have the characteristics of the personnel working in direct contact with the guest. The person must have authenticity, professionalism, and actually concern about the happiness and well-being of the customers in order to success in competing with other competitor.

Answer for Question 1

The hospitality industry covers a huge range of organizations which have lots of categories of fields. Those fields in the hospitality industry are travel & tourism, restaurant, and recreation. Besides that, there are advantages as well as disadvantages in every businesses and people. Although hospitality industry is a very wide scope industry but it mainly focuses on the two largest establishments throughout the world. The figure below is two largest establishments in the hospitality industry.

Lodging as known as accommodation is a place that allows someone to lives or stay temporarily. The people who need the lodging for sleep, rest, safety, shelter from cold temperature or rain, storage of luggage and access to common household functions. Commonly the lodging establishment consists of recreation, food service, entertainment and personal services to the travelers. Then, lodging is done in a hotel, hostel, resort, chalet, and motel. Other than that, the goal of all businesses is to link or match supply with the demand like hotels want to sell room and other kinds of services to guest who provides their demand. Supply which is the product and services is a holistic concept and it consists of tangibles and intangibles. Examples of tangibles are hotel type and physical amenities while intangibles are the personal services that provided by the lodging staff. Demand which is the customer wants and needs is always changing and varied. Hotel can be categorized by price, service levels, guests or market segment served, and location.

Advantages of Lodging

Nowadays, people usually stay in other city or town and away from their home for some certain period of time. Lodging is the only place for them to stay during that time. Besides that, the advantages of lodging are that the guest can put away their stress on doing housework such as cleaning and laundry because in the lodging, those services are provided. Other than that, leisure places such as gymnastic room or swimming pool is another attraction for the consumer to make their choice staying in a hotel. In additional, lodging in hospitality industry on the economics angle is the ability to provide products or services of superior quality and reasonable price. Besides that, the company can provide a lower cost which can provide a lower price for the customer than the competition offers. Therefore, the hotel must always update their guest about the latest promotions and also the event organized from other competitors.

Furthermore, localization is the advantages of the lodging in the hospitality industry. In localization part, hotel can be divided in two types which is the conference hotel and hotel that nearby the vocational locations. Conference hotel is mainly targeted on businessman and it is located in the city or a conference area of the certain country. Then, the hotel which is nearby the vocational locations is hotel which is located near beautiful such as beach resort. Besides that, these hotels also located in a tourism area and mainly targeted on family. This kind of hotel is very free during the peak working hour but will be very peak during the holiday period.

Moreover, the environment is another factor of advantages in lodging. The strategic location of the hotel that can allow the guests to view nice and beautiful scenery. The guest can have a memorable view and release tension by just looking out from their room. Other than the lodging, customer also concern about the quality of entertainment such as pub, snooker center, golf field, casino and theme park. For guest who wanted to release stress and seeking for entertainment, this is the best attraction to them.

Disadvantages of Lodging

In large hotels, there are a large numbers of rooms, facilities and wide choices of dining to be chosen. All these are the advantages of lodging but it also the disadvantages of lodging. In large hotels, a long queued line at the reception area is the common things in most of the large lodging. The main reason that causes this problem is the failure of the management. As a hotelier, we must have a further planning in handling critical situation because we can’t ensure that the guest will check out on time and won’t causes the next guest to wait a period of time before they can check into their room.

Furthermore, the most common problem that will be happened in large hotels is lack staffs in working. This problem can cause the guest to get angry while waiting to be served. Besides that, the insufficient of the staff may also cause another staff to suffer. This problem can cause a big problem and complains from a guest as they waiting something from the staff while the staff is busying handling another guest.

Food service is a large industry which has connection with the preparation and service of food outside the home. Restaurant, catering a wedding party or function, and running a cafeteria are all the example of establishment in the food service industry. In this industry, the manager has to take a responsibility in ordering wholesale ingredients, maintaining the food processing and cooking equipment. The person who holds the manager position is usually gained several years of working experience in food and beverage jobs.

In United States, food service industry is one of the largest employers working as servers and managers. Most of them are under the age of 30 and more than half of them are holding a high school diploma or less. Besides that, in food industry, there are 3 types of service provided to the guest. Firstly is counter service which is the food or drinks are all ordered at the counter. Secondly is the table service which is the food or drinks order were taken by the waiter or waitress. Lastly is the gueridon service which the food is served by a trolley that is well equipped to prepare, cook and serve the food to the guest. Other than that, there are many regulations that are needed to follow in order to maintain the quality food service. Generally, the food service director is working about 12hours each day and sometimes might be longer.

Advantages of Food Service

Food Service industry is an industry that needed a large amount of human energy to carry out the work from chef position, assistant chef until the waiter or waitress. Besides that, there are quite an amount of position in between chef and waiter, therefore this condition cause the increased the job opportunities. People with a higher education can hold a position in the management level while the people with a lower education can hold the lower position such as cleaner or waiter. Due to the increase of the lodging therefore the development of the dining will be improved based on the improvement of the lodging.

Furthermore, this industry is mainly targeted on those who are finding something to consume when they are hungry. If this kind of business is located in the correct and suitable place, the result of the business will be very peak, successful, and gain revenue but if located in the wrong and not suitable place, the result will be totally opposite. Besides that, it must be easily to be found so the people who work can save their time during the rushing hour.

Moreover, a professional trained staff is the way to lead the food service establishment to a success. Therefore, the staff must get to use nowadays technology in order to make their job more efficiencies and productive. With the help of technology, the food order were taken down by electronic devices, patron seating are all contributing in an efficient fast serving.

Disadvantages

The increased of job opportunities in this industry is an advantages for the job seeker and student but it is disadvantages for the hospitality company. The reason is because of the students are just fresh graded and doesn’t have any working experience will directly affect the efficiency of the service in any establishment. Besides that, the employee should have an on-the-job training to take care the task and responsibility in a restaurant. Then, the expensive rental fee of the shop which makes the owner has to pay lots money just for the rent. In additional the shop might only get limited quantities and more competitors.

Furthermore, the long working time in the food service industry is one of the disadvantages. People who work in this industry are always demanding and grueling. In additional, the waiter and waitress must be in good attitude and won’t so easy get emotional when dealing with the guest. Hence, the salary is highly based on the tips given by the customers, and employees may have a limited access to the benefits and protections from the government such as minimum wage laws.

Then, environment is another disadvantage in the food service industry. Energy conservation, hazardous chemical disposal, and waste management are important and often appear in the food service managers. The health of the staff and the world will be affected if these agents are not used and disposed in a proper method. Many companies are finding methods to reduce the waste before purchasing it.

Conclusion

The hospitality industry is mainly focuses on fulfilling customer satisfaction. In order to achieve customer satisfaction, the good service is the most important thing. There will be more loyal customer if the customer satisfaction is achieved. Besides the individually service, there are also services that are mainly for special event planning which are mostly for social and corporate functions. Finally, hospitality industry is an honorable profession and it is the industry that mostly deals with customers’ needs and wants.

Question 2

Find out the factors that affecting travel and tourism. Explain in detail

Introduction

In hospitality industry, travel and tourism plays an important role in increasing the revenue in the lodging. Furthermore, it is mainly for recreation, leisure or business purposes. Travel can be defined as a journey that is made while tourism can be defined as the commercial organization and operation of vacations and visits to places of interest. Therefore, people who travel are called as a tourist. Besides that, there are many leisure oriented businesses with a major food service and some of the hospitality component also dependent on the traveler or tourism, such as theme park, shopping mall and many more. The importances of tourism and hospitality industry are increasing every year because tourism is health of the hospitality industry. Other than that, the tourism is the collection productive businesses and governmental organizations that serve the travelers ways from home. These kinds of organizations consist of restaurants, hotels, motels, and resorts. Then, travel trends are significant to students or family of hospitality because they represent the way in which many guests reach.

Answer for Question 2

Travel and tourism industry had become more popular leisure activity day by day. Besides that, there are two purposes for travel which is wanderlust and sunlust. Wanderlust is people who travel to see other country’s cultures and gaining experience while the sunlust is people who travel to some places to escape from climate for a while. Tourism can be divided into two types which is domestic tourism and outbound tourism. Domestic tourism is like people who travel in their own country. Outbound tourism is like people who travel away from home and visit another country for leisure or business purpose. Furthermore, people travel because of leisure and they are finding more way to relax themselves and away from busy life. Of course the most important in the tourism is accommodation which allows the traveler to stay in a night or more. The following diagram is the factors that affecting travel and tourism.

Factors Affecting Travel and Tourism

Leisure time is time that spent for ease and relaxation. The increased of the leisure time is for people to have more time off from the job or school holidays. As the world is changing, the policies in all organization are changing too. Other than that, most of the companies are providing their employees paid holidays and for the large organization, it usually provides a three-day weekends. The liberal company policies had enables the employees to go for a vacation or travel to help them away from stress and giving them a break since they had a more flexible arrangement.

Enabling factors is refers to some people that have the thought to go on a holiday but they can’t do so because of some reasons. The main reasons of that are money and time. If people can’t afford the money and have enough time, it means the people can’t go. Besides that, the availability in travel such as flight to certain location, suitable products like the range of different holidays, having transports to travel easily, marketing of a destination for bringing attention, and ease of booking. These are the enabling factors which allow people to act on their motivators.

Technology factors have always been an industry that has made extensive use of new technology equipment. In tourism, there are several changes of technology like the different factors from medical advances to the innovative tourism. Other than that, a better communication and transports such as cruise ships and new customer had the confidence in safety matter. This will be easier, quicker and cheaper service which is demand of the customer. Besides that, the shorter and efficient time period for a person to travel to another farer place. Moreover, through the technology changes, online booking which can allow people to check for the travelling packages from touring companies’ websites and direct purchase without going walking in to the company. In additional, MATTA FAIR had been successfully organized with the association and sponsored form the different touring companies and organizations. It is a fair which is an open public fair that provides discount to the travelling packages and it is affordable for that economical income family.

Income is money received on a regular basis of work or through investments. Nowadays, many women are started to work in order to maintain their family income rather than just the men. The reason for the women to start working is they wanted to find some challenges and the most mainly reason is that they want to give a more comfortable living lifestyle to her family. Besides that, for a marriage woman, they still need to take care of their children and doing some house work after a tiring working day. At last, their leisure time will be scarified. Therefore, if they had free time, they will spend their money on the goods and services that they demanded. In additional, they won’t care so much about the price of the products or their travel because the time is a bounty for them and this bounty is hard to gain. Therefore, a good rest in releasing the pressure and hectic life style, the good and quality travelling will always be their first and wise choice.

Demographic is a particular sector of a population. In America, a significant demographic change had been proven that middle age people had higher income and greater propensity to travel. The people within the age of 35 to 44 are mostly stays in the accommodations or a longer outstation trip in which for leisure or business purpose. Besides that, people after the age of 55 mostly going for leisure purpose by using their retirement pay to travel. These groups of people are the main growth in the mature market for tourism. These people within the age of 55 to 65 as the first baby boomers had move to their mature years and being very excited and active in finding new experience by travelling and enjoy the leisure moment after retirement.

Safety and security have been an important factor in every industry especially in the tourism industry. As tourism or traveler, they usually concern the safety and security of the hotels and the transportation for their journey. In hotels, the security department must ensure that customers are away from the situation such as assault, raping, larceny, robbery and fire within the premises. In order to prevent this situation, there must be lighting in every single area of the hotels. Besides that, the security department staff must be well-trained in handling any situation happened. These not only is the safety of the customer but worker as well. On the other hand, the safety transportation such as airplane, ships, train, bus and taxi are also concerned by the tourism and traveler. A good and well managed in the safety and security of the accommodation can give an good impression to the guest and they will continue staying instead intro it to their friends.

Conclusion

Travel and tourism is very important in the hospitality industry because it leads to large revenue through lodging establishment. Lots of people prefer travel by car than other transports such as airplane, motorbike, bus or train. Although travel by airplane is the fastest among other transports but it is too expensive. Besides that, the communications between airlines and tourism industry should have an agreement in lower down the price to improve the tourism industry. By adjusting the price of the airplane, more people will go for travel and only can bring the tourism industry to a new millennium.

Hospitality management is both a field of work and a field of study. In the work sense, it refers to management of hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, and other institutions in the hospitality . As a field of study, it refers to the study of the hospitality industry and its management needs. People who are interested in careers in hospitality management may opt to pursue it as a field of study so that they can start their careers on solid footing.The hospitality industry is vast and very diverse. Any time people travel, stay in a hotel, eat out, go to the movies, and engage in similar activities, they are patronizing establishments in the hospitality industry. The management of such establishments is very challenging, as managers need to be flexible enough to anticipate and meet a wide variety of needs. They must also handle tasks such as training employees, handling staff, setting standards, and so forth.

Question 1

Define the term Hospitality Industry and give examples, advantages and disadvantages of their use in the hospitality industry.

Answer Question 1

Hospitality industry is one of the largest industries in both global and national contexts. Hospitality industry is service industry that includes lodging, restaurants, theme park, cruise line, event plan and http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d4/Button_hide.pngadditional fields within the tourism industry. The hospitality industry is a several billion dollar industry that mostly depends on the availability of leisure time and disposable income. A hospitality unit such as a restaurant, hotel, or even an amusement park consists of multiple groups such as facility maintenance, direct operations (servers, housekeepers, porters, kitchen workers, bartenders, etc.), management, marketing, and human resources. The hospitality industry covers a wide range of organizations offering food service and accommodation. The industry is divided into sectors according to the skill-sets required for the work involved. Sectors include accommodation, food and beverage, meeting and events, gaming, entertainment and recreation, tourism services, and visitor information.

Examples

Accommodations

Hotels

Motels

Restaurants & Bars

Cafes

Nightclubs

Public houses

Restaurants

Travel and Tourism

Airline Cabin Staff

Travel agents

Top of Form

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Advantages

Advantage in the hospitality sector is that there are a lot of entry level positions available. These junior roles can provide candidates with the relevant experience that is vital to career progression within the industry. Some of these roles include jobs like restaurant assistants, Junior Chefs, Receptionists, Bar Staff and Hotel catering staff. These roles offer the potential to progress into management if you work hard and show that you have the necessary skills and experience to take on more responsibility. Moreover, if you do decide to try a new role there is great deals of transferable skills that can be used across several different job roles in the hospitality industry. Employees working in this industry will also have to be prepared to work fairly long hours in some roles in order to prove themselves. For example Chefs and restaurant managers have to work long and sometime unsociable hours. Another advantage to working in the hospitality sector is jobs are available all over the country and they are not area specific. Obviously there is a large amount of appealing jobs available in London but there are hotels, restaurants and pubs all over the country. Therefore unless you specifically want to work in the hospitality industry in London then you will not have to relocate to get the job you want.

Advantages

Hospitality :

– everywhere, every city in the world

– requires a tendency for this sector and some G.K.

– a nice presentable personality

– a good team work

– meet new and new people, even they have something in common – they want a personal touch

– good prospect when in the higher position

– recruit new people and train them

– mix with similar people like event management etc,

– don’t be driven away by the limelights and glamours

– change to others for better pays

Disadvantages

The time factor is perhaps the biggest drawback to creating a blog. Blogs are easy to start but difficult to maintain. Publishing a good blog takes a significant amount of time. Of course, writing takes the most time, but you must also allow time for interacting with your readers.Related to the time factor is the risk of publishing a blog that damages your brand’s reputation. Fortunately, you can hedge against this by creating publishing guidelines for yourself and whoever is involved with the blog. On the other hand, it can be very dangerous to open your door to strangers for obvious reasons. For those of you who are guileless in your ways, I shall enlighten you to the ways of those that could prove to be a major threat to you if you are a hospitable, good natured person. Such people cannot help but take advantage of those who are vulnerable to them.

Answer Question 2

Find out the factors that affecting travel and tourism. Explain in detail.

Answer Question 2

Tour operators can be defined as providers and organizers of package holidays. They normally operate by making contracts with transport companies, airlines and hoteliers. After getting the contracts, they advertise assembled holidays. Travel agents are concerned with booking and advising customers. Travel agencies also sell travel related services and products to customers. They do this on behalf of tour companies, hotels, and airlines. Travel agents also deal with local tourists. They carry out travel arrangements for travelers. There are different types of travel agencies; they include Independent agencies, Miniples and Multiples. Tour operators and travel agents have continued to be dominant in the tourism sector. There are potential threats to travel agents to and tour operators especially in the hospitality and tourism sector. A close analysis to the travel and tourism industry shows that one of the potential threats to tour operators and travel agents is change in laws and policies. There are laws and policies that travel agents have to adhere to in carrying out their tasks. Every nation has got rules, laws, regulations, policies that directly affect tour guides. There is normally potential threat to tour operators when embassies give advisory policies to citizens not to travel due to factors like terrorism and bombing. When an embassy changes or advises citizens not to travel to a country due to various reasons, this becomes a threat to them because citizens normally adhere to such advice. It results to decrease in tourists and therefore their business actually slows down. Travel guides and tour operators normally help tourists to locate good hotels and tourist sites in the country. There are always instances when travel guides help tourists in locating such services but in the long run the tourists do not receive quality services. Tourists always communicate one to another and therefore this becomes bad publicity.

Conclusion

Cultural heritage is the essence of tourism in many destination areas worldwide. Every year, millions of people travel to view the Acropolis of Athens, the Colosseum in Rome and many other historic sites of international renown. These sites are of general interest to visitors, even though the visitors probably have no significant ties to the heritage sites that they visit. Although world heritage attractions draw large numbers of international and domestic tourists, for most foreign tourists these sites consist only a small part of a more extensive travel package. These attractions can evoke feelings of admiration, but they probably do not evoke feelings of personal attachment. Visits to historic sites are mostly motivated by the belief that such places (and the objects at these places) are linked to the remote past. In addition, millions of other people engage in travel to experience heritage of a more personal nature; most of the world s historic sites are not internationally known and only relatively few ever attract international tourists, except perhaps in combination with other relevant attractions. For every world renowned cultural attraction, there are hundreds of other not famous sites that are appreciated at a more local basis.