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Traveling to New York and Traveling to Florida: Compare and Contrast

Abstract

Florida and New York are considered to be the most important state of United States, not only in terms of politics and Business, but also, due to tourism. These are the states that welcome millions of travelers annually and earn lot of revenue for the country. They have numerous thinks in common like both have the coastline along Atlantic Ocean; Both offer easy transport, economical hotels and cultural diversity. But, they also differ in aspects like like weather, geography, sightings and shopping places. The paper covers all major similarities and differences that a traveler might experience, while one might travel in these states.

Table of Contents

Abstract

Introduction

Body

Wonders of Traveling

Traveling in New York

Traveling in Florida

Comparison

Cultural Diversity

Transport

Hotels

Food

Contrast

Weather

Geography

Sightings and Attractions

Shopping

Conclusion

Works Cited

Traveling to New York and Traveling to Florida: Compare and Contrast

Introduction

World is full of beautiful places and we see around us, we realize that this world is not only the stunning place but the one worth experiencing and traveling. When we broaden our thinking and the experiences, we realize that even different parts of the same city are different. If we visit different places of the same city we realize that world has put before us, its wonders and marvels. People who have travel and love this agree to the fact that travel itself is the source of great success and pleasure. The joys of travel are beyond measure and beyond imagination, unless the one tries it. Every place has its distinct features and the distinct characteristic, so, every new place opens, before travelers, a new world and helps them to enjoy and experience those wonders. Even the place that was visited earlier helps to know and learn new things that the travel might have missed last time or developed and appeared in the time between two visits. America has proved itself to be the land of dreams, opportunities, pleasures and attraction. It annually attracts million of travelers to its different states, from Americans themselves and also a large variety of foreigners. The open grounds from the people from all over the world have made America, a multi cultural, a multi religious and a multi ethnic country. Due to the common element in America, a thing that should be considered is the versatility in different states. This is the compare and contrast paper about traveling in New York and traveling in Florida and covers the details about what a person might experience there.

Body

Everyone as individual interests and there are people who love to travel and explore the world around them. For some people traveling might be the tyring business, but, the people who love traveling are aware of the joy and pleasure that iy might bring to the people and the experiences that they can have by visiting different places. Travelling is not only the recreational, but, also the educational one and offers a lot of benefits.

Wonders of Traveling

Irrespective of thee fact that a person visits a place for educational or the recreational purpose, it always bring positive addition and changes into the personality of the traveler. Some people may visit other places for business purpose, some for educational and some for the leisure, but all the factors contribute towards the personality and health of a person. It helps in improving interpersonal growth, improve information about places and related facts, increase adeptness and deftness and most importantly the most essential skills of life. The psychological impact of relaxation, leisure, satisfaction and motivation are developed in a person, when he takes time, out of the routine and indulges oneself into soothing and relaxing activities. Regarding the role of traveling in success and motivation, it is believed and experienced by a lot of travelers that when they visit new places they come to meet new people, see new things, visit new places and understand about the versatility and the change in perspective. Such activities help a person to see the same problem from a different angle and to provide perspective to life and profession. (Stone and Patrick)

Within America, there are numerous places, which are worth visiting and help the people to develop new ideas, relax and roam around. Among all the states of America, Florida and New York are considered to be the most noticeable ones.

Traveling in New York

New York is one of the busiest cities of the world and hustle and bustle on its every road. The concept of American dream that has been developed years ago, seems true when one visits New York. It is a place that welcomes people from all parts of the world and introduces the developed and most stylish side of United States. America that is shown in movies i.e. place of nightclubs, hotels, architecture, cars and busy life seem true in this city. This is a city that remains awake 24 hours and provides facilities irrespective of the fact that people come out of their house at day or at night. It invites the people all over the world, who want to make their career in Hollywood and become face of the industry. It has wonders, within it, for tourists it is a paradise and they can observe and experience the America that is changing with a rapid pace and has skyscrapers all over. The economic and social growth of the country can be well observed in this city. (Chevron)

Traveling in Florida

Florida is another beautiful place in America and offers the pleasures of nature and sceneries. One can enjoy the beautiful sandy beaches and the memorable theme parks that make this different from any other place in United States. It is well known for the fact how housing field is developing in this area and even this place is known for the people who want to settle here for life time. it s the combination of busy world and the places that offer peace and quiet to the ones, who want to live at a quiet place. Florida is multicultural cities and has people from Caribbean, Latin American, Spanish and Cubans. Its gives the impression of world, within itself and represents different cultures and ethnic groups. Sunny weather invites the people that want to enjoy the beaches and the warm weather. Wilderness and the natural scenes are the special aspect of this place and are the most attractive factor for travelers (Veness and Veness).

Comparison

Although, New York and Florida apparently seem to be the different places, but, there are a lot of things in common and there are numerous facts they share. Some will be discussed here.

Cultural Diversity

It is a well known fact that America is a multi cultural country and is the one that not only respects, but also, celebrates various cultures of the world. New York is a metropolitan and people from not only different parts of America, but, of the world are settled here and are living and working in Harmony. Due to the presence of the Film Industry, people from different countries are also attracted here and work along with Americans. When a traveler leaves the airport he starts having the experience of the lifetime. The experience of cultural diversity starts from the people who land on this airport, taxi drivers belonging to different countries and the people working in the streets and shops. From corporate level to people on the streets, a traveler can see people of different origins, here (Chevron). Florida is considered as the land of the people majorly belonging from Latin America, but, a lot of Asians, people from Caribbean, Cubans, Caucasians and most of the Latin America have become the locals of this city. Cultural diversity is common in Florida and New York and in spite of less busier city than New York; traveler can see people from different backgrounds. One might think that m.ost of them are travelers, but, it is a surprising fact that people of different origins have settled here and made Florida a world in it (Campbell, Denniston and Karlin).

Transport

Most important thing that a traveler will enjoy in New York will be the ease with which he can travel from one place to another and how he can reach his destination, without any issues. The most common modes of communication that are available in New York include: commuter rails, buses, subways and taxis. When a traveler leaves airport or the bus stand he easily finds taxi from the airport or the stand and can reach his destination. It is a common scene in New York that in spite of being the busy city and the lots of traffic, some people also use bicycles to move from on place to another (Chevron). In Florida, intercity rail is the most common and easily available and easily reached transport. In addition to this, travelers can easily find yellow cabs that can take people at their destination. There is an excellent road system n the country and the busses available can take traveler to different parts of Florida easily, anywhere and anytime. (Campbell, Denniston and Karlin)

Hotels

Most amazing thing about New York is that it is the economic hub, busiest city, populace one and the one with millions of visitors, but, traveler can fig most luxurious to the cheapest hotels in this area. People who only want to roam about and experience New York can get most economical place and the ones who want to stay in luxury can find the five starts hotels also. There are around five hundred options of different hotels and inns are available in New York, which serve all types of people (Chevron). Abundance of hotels and restaurants, in Florida, are present due to the abundance of beaches here. Since traveler who come in Florida often visit beaches and countryside, so they prefer guest houses and tents and which are available. In the rural side, economical and most luxurious hotels are available. Varieties of hotels give the choice to the travelers and help then to choose a hotel within their budget (Veness and Veness).

Food

Food truck culture is becoming common in New York, which provides junk, traditional, Mexican, African, Thai and al, kinds of foods are available to the travelers at economical rate. Travelers who want to enjoy more sophisticated restaurants and experience the sophisticated food, and then they can also go to numerous restaurants and shops opened in all parts of New York (Chevron). A variety of food options are available all over Florida and the options vary with the population and the terrain. In rural sides, all types of food i.e. junk t the specialties of different cultures are available. Since, Florida has a large beach, so, seafood is really common in this area and variety of seafood increase at the restaurants and hotels near the beaches. Traditional food of America is available everywhere, but, the people of different nationalities have opened restaurants and the abundance of food trucks helps in increasing the options available. (Campbell, Denniston and Karlin).

Contrast

Being different part of same country, New York and Florida have lot of commonalities, but, they also have numerous differences that make then different from one another and encourage the traveler to visit both states.

Weather

Weather of New York and Florida is totally different from one another. In New York there different seasons, along with summer and winter people also experience spring an autumn. The winters of New York are very cold and the temperature drops to as low as -2 degree centigrade. Heavy snow fall is common in New York and the hurricanes are common in this area (Chevron). In comparison to New York, in Florida, it is either really hot or warm. Winters in this area is not very chilly, the beaches make the temperature normal even in the winter. Southern Florida remains warm even in the winter, but, in northern Florida, temperature may fall to the freezing point and can create difficulties for the locals and visitors (Veness and Veness).

Geography

New York is Atlantic Ocean and the Hudson River, people even use fairies for the leisure purpose, although, its coast line is really small, as comparison to Florida. But, the main cities of New York have developed and there are skyscrapers all over the place. There is varied geography of New York, having plains, mountains, river, lakes and all other natural treasures, but, it is well known for its urban side. There are natural sights, but, the urban world of New York is more popular among the travelers (Chevron). Florida is actually situated on a peninsula made by Atlantic Ocean and the Mexican Gulf. The coastline of Florida is really large and spreads to 13,476 Km in NOAA system. Beaches are the main attraction in these areas and due to such a large coastline, and being at the sea level, the state is generally plain and offers numerous beaches for the travelers (Campbell, Denniston and Karlin).

Sightings and Attractions

In terms of attractions and sightings, New York is one of a kind. Statue of Liberty is considered the most important place that every traveler, in the New York, wants to visit. Metropolitan Museum of Art is another important attraction of the city. Museum of Modern Art, Empire State Building, Times Square, Museum of Natural history, botanical garden and China town are the most popular and most visited places by the traveler. The urban world of New York is really attractive and invites travel to explore its wonders. Most of the places that people love to visit in New York are manmade. In comparison to other places, New York is considered to be the place Museums, art galleries and gardens and offers the combination of old and new world (Chevron). Florida is known for its theme parks and among them; Disney World is considered to be the main attraction. It spreads on 47 miles and has restaurants, themed hotels mater parks, shops and gold course and attracts the people all over the world, it is not only the most favorite place for children, but also for the adult travelers. Universal Orlando made by the universal Studio, Sea world, LegoLand, Kennedy Space Centre and most importantly its beaches are the most visited places. The natural scenes and the sights in Florida are more famous among the travelers and this provides the combination of manmade and the natural sights like John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and Everglades that a traveler wants to pay a must visit. This feature has made Florida more attractive place form travelers with different preferences and different likings (Veness and Veness).

Shopping

Both are really big states and the shopping place that are available here are incredible. If analysis of New York’s markets and the shopping complex is done, then because of being the urban area, numerous brands can be found at a single road or street and even in the same shopping complex. There are very expensive shopping malls to the ones that offer the most economical things and the ones with discounts. The most important attribute that these malls and shopping centers offer is that they work 24 hours a day and make it really easy for everyone to shop in accordance with their preferences. The most popular market among the travelers is China town, which attracts people of all ethnicities (Chevron). Shopping Malls in Florida are also incredible like those in New York, but, the versatility is far less here. Another thing that differentiates the markets of Florida from New York’s is that most of the malls close by 11pm. The shops do not remain open round the clock and the variety of traditional and all the ethnicities cannot be found at a single place. (Campbell, Denniston and Karlin)

Conclusion New York and Florida are the beautiful states of America and are the true representatives of American culture, history and the diversity. They workers and travelers from all over the world and the people here facilitate and accommodate them among themselves. Diversity is the most beautiful feature of these states and this ensures that America is actually the land of dreams. It offers all the facilities that a traveler wisher for like easy transportation, economical hotels and the variety of food. Apart from these features they are also different in a lot of aspects. New York is known and celebrated for its urban sides, museums and galleries, whereas Florida is known for its theme parks and beaches. Difference in weather and geography make it worth visiting even from the Americans, belonging to different states. In spite of the similarities and differences in these states, these are the places that should be visited by everyone and should be on the list of travel lover.

Works Cited

Campbell, Jeff, et al. Lonely Planet Florida. Melbourne, Australia: Lonely Planet, 2014.

Chevron, Doris. MARCO POLO Travel Guide New York. Ostfildern, Germany: MAIRDUMONT GmbH & Co. , 2014.

Stone, Matthew J. and James F. Patrick. “The Educational Benefits of Travel Experiences: Literature Review.” Journal of Travel Research, 52(6) (2013): 731-744.

Veness, Simon and & Susan Veness. “The Telegraph Travel.” 2012. Telegraph. 29 June 2015 .

Krobeber develops a related decision making model. Within this model, he claims that the tourist behaviour is determined by three elements: travel perception, travel attitude and travel motivation. He further suggests that there are two level influences. The first level influence of Krobeber (1996, cited from Zhong, Zhang, Yang and Guo 2007) can be affected from internal factors such as personal psychological factor and the second level influence comes from external social factors such as family background or group influence.

Travel motivation

The main contributions regarding motivation is the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs model (Maslow 1970), the escape or seek model (Iso-Ahola 1982; Ross and Iso-Ahola 1991) and the push and pull method (Crompton 1979). Mill and Morrison (1985) argues that travel motivations fit into Maslow’s hierarchical needs – namely, physiological, safety, belonging, self-esteem and self-actualization. Also they identified two other needs: aesthetics and knowledge. The human needs physiological, safety/security and belonging/love were categorized as tension-reducing, while the self-esteem, self-actualization, acquiring knowledge and aesthetic as inductive – arousal-seeking motives (Figure 2.1)

Figure 2.1 Travel/tourism motivations

Source: (Awaritefe 2004, p. 306)

Motivation is one of variables that can explain tourist behavior; it is regarded as one of the most important variables (Baloglu and Uysal 1996). There are many of researches assure that travel decision making is best explained and predicted by the push and pull approach include Backman, Backman, Uysal and Sunshine 1995; Baloglu and Uysal 1996; Ercan, Uysal and Yoshioka 2003. Crompton (1979) explains that motivation is a necessary and important force behind all behavior.

People travel because they are pushed and pulled to do so by motivational factors (Baloglu and Uysal 1996). Push motivation is related to the decision, whether to go, and pull motivation addresses the question of where to go (Klenosky 2002). Crompton (1979) used unstructured in-depth interviews and explored push motivation and pull motivation, he summarizes that push is socio-psychological motives that activate people to travel and pull is cultural motives that attract people to a particular destination. Traditionally, the push motivations have been thought useful for explaining the desire for travel while the pull motivations have been thought useful for explaining the actual destination choice (Crompton 1979). According to Ross and Iso-Ahola (1991), push motivation can be considered as psychological factor and pull motivation is physical factor. These two factors can influence travel decisions and leisure engagements. Jang and Cai (2002) point that push refers to the internal factors that drive individuals to travel and pull is concerned about the external factors that determine where, when, and how they travel. Kim (2008) addresses that the push factor can be considered as to travel by intangible factors such as escape, relax, exploration) and pull factor is to decide destinations by tangible factors such as attractions, facilities.

Motivation as one of the most important theories, it is recognized the key of the success of travel market. Iso-Ahola (1982) observes that people take part in various leisure and travel activities due to their own need. Tourist motivation is associated with individuals’ desires for achieving various purposes through travel (Kim and Beck 2009). Furthermore, studies of tourist motivation can assist destination managers to understand “how well the destination characteristics fit the needs of the travelers” (Goeldner & Ritchie, 2006) and design tourism products and services containing tourist needs.

Destination choice and selection
2.3.1 Influential factors to make tourism decision

Once the decision made to start tourism, the decision maker is in front of many questions, such like where to travel, whom to travel with and how to travel. In general, this is a process to collect, organize and assess the information (Liu, 2008).

2.3.1.1 Environmental perception

Environment perception refers to the tourism information rooted in mind, the old information and collected information. In general, this is the whole impression for the travelling. The potential tourists would be influenced by the environment perception. Though there might be some very significant tourist destinations, the tourists will not go the famous places that have no impression in their mind and perception. That is what we called environmental perception.

Environmental perception mainly include first, the popularity of tourist, which is the first impression of the tourism destination, the tourist will neglect other same destinations; second is tourism distance, the influential factor to the decision is the imaginary distance, not the real distance of the destination. The imaginary distance is made of unreal distance, and time cost, money cost, and energy.

2.3.1.2 Principle of maximum benefit

Principle of maximum benefit refers to the tourists will get the best enjoyment within certain budget during the tourism. Tourists will think it over before making a decision to travel. The main principles of maximum benefit are:

The minimum time on tourism, it means that the decision to travel will be made according to time spending on it, if the time spending is less than a level, then the decision will be made. Tourists are in favor of less time spending on the travelling.

Second is the popularity of tourism destination. The tourism destinations with higher popularity are more attractive, and tourists have gained more information though tourism. Meanwhile, the tourism destination, which has different culture, will arouse the interest for tourism.

Beside the two factors, there are other influential factors: best tourism destination, proper price and comfortable accommodation.

2.3.1.3 Tourism preference

Tourism preference refers to the human’s impression based on their characters over the reality. The tourism preference of tourists is influenced by human’s personal impression. The tourism preference is decided by personal impression of tourists. Regarding tourism preference, there are three factors to research, including age, occupation and education.

2.3.2 Content of tourism decision

Before starting the tourism, the tourists are supposed to make a lot of decisions; any of them will take personal factors and will into consideration besides external factors. For example, they will ask for some suggestions and think about the tourism route and travelling partner. These questions mainly include information channel, decision maker, travelling partners and tourism pattern.

2.3.2.1 Information channel

Information channel is the way to obtain and collect the information. With various channel, it is able to obtain the product information, or other users’ experience of using the products. As the society turns into a information-based ear, the information channel is various, which including networking channel, newspaper, books and magazine, television, internet and tourism institutions and so on.

2.3.2.2 Decision consultant

Decision consultant is someone who the tourist will ask for suggestions before starting tourism. Potential tourists will take suggestions into consideration, and then is more likely to ask for others’ consultation about where to go and how to go.

2.3.2.3 Tourism partners

People would like to find partners when go shopping, the same like tourists, many people like to start tourism with partners. According to experts of consumer behavior, they have made further analysis on the relationship between person and his partners in shopping. According to analysis, the shopping partners are intended to provide the suggestions based on their experience on the products and marketing, while the relationship between them is not intimate, such like neighbor, colleague and schoolmates. However, the suggestions might be focusing on the person’s characters and personal demand, while relationship between them is intimate, such like family members. Choices from tourism partners are not only a reliable resource, but also the suggestions and advices.

2.3.2.4 Ways of tourism

Ways of tourism is focusing on how to reach the destination. In general, there are two ways to travel, first is joining the travelling agency, and another is individual tourism. In this context, it will specify ways of tourism into several aspects, including joining travelling agency, individual tourism depending on maps, company’s tourism, community’s tourism, institution’s tourism and others.

2.4 The senior travel market
2.4.1 The seniors travel market in oversea

For overseas countries, as they started the tourism analysis in an early time, traced from 1980, the understanding towards tourism of the old people is very fruitful (Liu, 2008). It reflects in these aspects:

Research on tourism motivation

Regarding the research of tourism for the old people, it mainly focuses on tourism motivation and perception. The research has applied many methods, including questionnaire, on-spot survey. The method mainly focuses on the incentive and influential factors. Besides these methods, many other scientific measures have been applied. For example, a survey on the old people in Israel has been made by Aliza Fleischer in 2002. According to the survey, it found that the main influential factors are income and health, also the tourism time is also changing according to age. For the people aged from 55 to 65, they have rising free time and income, which is decisive to the increasing tourism times. For the people aged above 65, as their income and health going down, the tourism time is reducing (Aliza, 2002).

Jaesoo et al. (2003) have applied neural network of describing method to estimate the weight of influential factors towards the old people’s tourism. Meanwhile, it applied the non-neural network model to describe the relationship between tourists and tourism products. Anderson and Langmeyer(1982) analyzed the relationship between the old people and tourism. According to survey, tourists aged above 50 prefer tourism or visiting relatives to enjoy themselves. However, tourist aged below 50 prefer out-door activities or other entertainment facility to enjoy themselves

Goossens (2000) proposed the model called enjoyment incentive, which is also called model of intention, stimulation and reaction. The model includes the factor of pulling and pushing. Regarding the factor of pushing, it refers to environment, social status, relax and friendship; in respect of the factor of pulling, it refers to the situation of tourism. It emphasized the relationship between pulling and pushing, it considered that these two factors are two sides of a coin, which is closely tied in tourist’s mind. Crompton and Mckay (1997) pointed out that there are 6 incentives to attend the activities, including experiencing culture, curiosity, return, and balance, social activity with friends, official activity and family activity (Crompton and Mckay, 1997).

Research on tourism behavior of the old people

Regarding the old people, the research on detailed behavior of tourism is comparatively fewer, mainly focusing on the difference of behavior compared with others. Blazey (1992) has made a research on the relationship of tourism before and after retired, plus the usage of tourism information of the old people. Lewiser Aiken (2001) has pointed out that friendship is a networking, a mental support and a resource of information and entertainment for the old people. Meanwhile, he pointed out that the old people are more reliable to get information from prints, such like newspaper and other magazines. Romsa and Blenman (1989) compared the difference of tourists aged below 50 and above 60 in German; the result is that the tourism time is more flexible for the people aged above 60.

Research on tourism market of the old people

The research market of the old people played a part in the whole research, mainly focusing on how to attract the old people in tourism market. Charles D?ZSchewe (1985) indicated that the reason to target the old people in tourism market, as they have large potential and sustainable purchasing power. Francis et al. (1988) regarding the rising number of the old people in USA, it trying to find a way to attract them for the tourism industry, and an information channel to help them set up the vacation plan.

In general, regarding the tourism behavior of the old people, the features are: the main influential factors are income and health; also time, income, health age will influence the length and time of tourism; the tourism time will be reduce in accordance with the rising age; friendship is an important information resource for tourism; tourism time is flexible; purpose of tourism is for self-enjoyment.

2.4.2 The seniors travel market in China

Since 1999, our society became an aged society, the old people was the main part of society, which is also played an important part in the tourism industry. The research of tourism behavior for the old people started from 1990, in this case, the research has been only in the primary step so far. The core of research was the tourism industry of the old people with many results. However, the research of tourism behavior’s feature of the old people is very few (Liu, 2008).

Research on the old people’s tourism

Though the experts have involved in this issue for not a long time, there has some results. Wei (2001) thinks that the tourism incentive of the old people include health, culture, history and recollecting memory. The old people prefer cultural and historical cities, and would like to go travelling with families, friends or fellows. Liu (2005) thinks that the influential factors on the old people’s shopping include friend, culture, economy, mind and heart and commercial environment.

According to a research made by Yu (2003), regarding the old people in Jiangxi, they have large demand on health recovery tourism due to the problems in health condition. Their information channel is mainly the traditional advertisement. Their way to go travelling is mainly following the travel agency. They prefer cultural and historical cities and spend less than average level. Wang (1999) argues that the old people are in a pure shopping stage which is very rational and have high requirement on quality of the products than others. Casual consumption and service consumption takes big proportion.

According to an analysis regarding the old people’s tourism industry in Taiyuan made by Zhang (2006), the travelling rate is higher for male than female, especially among the people aged from 60-65. The tourism purposes are mainly for sightseeing, self-enjoyment and recollecting memories; the shopping level are middle level, and the tourism time are seldom in peak season. A survey regarding the tourisms of the old people in Shanghai, the rate of tourism is high with moderate time. The purposes of tourism are mainly sightseeing and for health recovery which is very traditional. They spend money very carefully and will choose to follow the travel agency. They prefer transportation of bus and train. The distance of tourism mainly focuses on short or medium long. They prefer natural environment (Hou, Yin and Chen, 2005).

Also a survey regarding the old people in Fuzhou, the rate of tourism is divided into two extreme levels, high and low; the spending time of tourism is estimated to reach one week. The purposes of tourism are for sightseeing, health recovery or visiting relatives. They paid much attention on comfort, security and seldom ask for luxury accommodations. The transportation is mainly bus or train. They prefer travelling with partners and fewer will follow the travel agency. Security concern is the main obstacle for tourism (Tang, 2001).

According to an analysis regarding the old people of Chongqing in tourism industry, sports tourism has the same purposes with common tourism; the purposes are for health condition, entertainment and health recovery. The information channel is mainly from company and relatives. They prefer individual travelling. The old people held a prudential attitude towards shopping. Male is the majority to attend sports tourism. The rate of tourism is low for people aged above 65 (Yang, 2003).

The main research methods are questionnaire and interview. The research of the old people’s tourism behavior focuses on the incentive and preference, travelling method, transportation, information channel and spending cost. The features of the old people’s behavior are based on demography and influential factors of tourism behavior.

Research on tourism industry of the old people

In the domestic research, the feature of the old people’s tourism market, feasibility and expansion strategy plays a big part. According to Li (2005), regarding the old people, there are 6 features in tourism industry, such like enjoyment and prefer travelling at off-season. Li (2001) has made an analysis on the old people’s feasibility in tourism industry, which including factors of purchasing power, incentive, purpose, time and health condition. Xu and Chen (2001) proposed that it needs to focus on these factors to explore the tourism market of the old people, including research, products strategy, channel strategy and other promotions.

The research on the old people in tourism industry is mature, which has reached an agreement on features on the old people in tourism industry, feasibility, and development research and mature strategy. These results are significant to the following research. However, these researches are limited due to lack of on-spot examination (Liu, 2008).

In summary, features of the old people in tourism industry are as follows: the purposes are for self-enjoyment, sightseeing and health recovery; natural scenery and historical sites are attractive; travel time is seldom in peak season; health condition is better than before, and is able to attend some not-so-tough tourism; relatives and friends are the main information channel; joining travelling agency is the main way to tourism; prefer the tourism with family, friends and fellows; holding a prudential attitude towards travelling; taking bus and train as the main transportation with high requirements on travelling safety.

2.4.3 Researched the Nanjing seniors travel market

Consumers’ demand will trigger him to shopping and decide his shopping’s way. After entering into the old age, a person has changed psychically with rich experiences in life and consumption. Their consumption behavior is different with other ages, which is very specific and characteristic. This special consumption characteristic could be found in tourism motivation, time, manner and destination preference and other relative aspects. Research on behavior of the aged in tourism will contribute to better understanding to their demand and will help the expansion of tourism industry for the aged (Wei, no date supplied).

Wei (no date supplied) has researched the Nanjing seniors travel market and analysis several behaviors below:

2.4.3.1 Tourism motivation

Nostalgia

For the aged, they have a very memorable time in the past. Though after years, they are willing to go back to the place where they have lived, or talk with the old friends to remind the old time.

Loneliness

Generally the aged have more free time, and most of their sons and daughters live without them. Their sons and daughters are busy at work, has little time to take care parents. What they can do is to visit parents’ home on weekend and have some small talk. However, for those who work in other cities, they cannot be with their parents. In this case, many old people feel lost and lonely. Therefore, tourism is able to satisfy their life and attract their attention.

Increasing knowledge

For many old people, they only heard the names of some famous tourism destination, but due to various reasons, there is no chance to go there. Many old people want to go travelling while the health condition and economy allow, they want to feel and know the prospect of the outside world.

Health and entertainment

The life of old people is focusing on family and health from previous work. They choose to work out through tourism and entertainment, to go to the natures, for more fresh air, or to live in suburb place. Many obedient children will arrange family tourism; some will drive their car and bring parents together to go on a short tourism to peripheral area. In the tourism, the old people will have a lot of fun.

Tourism time

Due to health limitation, the old people are not willing to go travelling in winter or summer. They prefer spring or autumn, mainly in May, June, September, November (Wang, 2003). Because this period has proper temperature and humidity, it is good for travel, especially for the aged. Due to limited budget and other reasons, generally the old people are not willing to take a long trip, they prefer short or not-long trip. They want to spend a certain time, such like one week.

Tourism manner

In general, the old people need stability and security in the tourism, and ask for relax, freedom, comfort, and leisure. Most old people will choose to follow travelling agency. For the old people??their energy is weaker than other young tourists. Also, they want to enjoy their no matter vacation or rest, they want to fully satisfy their demand for fun, and do not want to pay much attention for accommodations. They prefer joining travel agency for the convenience.

Tourism destination

According to survey, the purpose of tourism of the old people is mainly for the natural prospect. The tourism with purpose of health is more than pure tourism. It signified that due to the health condition, the old people have more demand in healthy tourism. The tourism destination is closely tied with the age of tourism. The elder tourists prefer cultural destination. For the old tourist, they prefer famous mountain scenery and places of interest, especially natural scenery and revolution scenic spot (Qiu, 2006). As people have different taste to their choice, the old people have their own choice in tourism. However, no matter where to go, they will take security and convenience into consideration. In general, they prefer some places with good environment, or famous cultural cities, religion places, and places with folk custom. Also they like the destinations with slow living rhythm, longstanding culture and high status in history.

Tourism expense

The old tourists are mainly frugal and holding an economical attitude, requiring comfort and security. They ask little about luxury life. Their consumption awareness mainly is practical and economical. Though the consumption price is rising, too higher price will stop their consumption. Meanwhile, the fee is mostly paid by the old people’s children; and they do not want their children to pay a big bill. They prefer economical tourism. According to survey, there are 17% old people are in well-off economy condition with rising demand for tourism, however, another 70% old people who has requirement for tourism but they need the economical one (Liu, 2007).

As the old people get retired, they have plenty of time. Generally speaking, the old people are a group who spend longest time in tourism, with an average day of 10.3, which keeps rising (Hu, 2002). As the old people have more time to travel, they will spend more in entertainment and accommodation. Especially they have significant potential in shopping.

2.5 Hypotheses

According to Valerie (1997), setting up and testing a hypothesis is an essential part of statistical inference. In order to create a test of a hypothesis, the starting point is to present a theory that is either believed to be true or is intended to be used as the basis for an argument. The aim of using a hypothesis here is to investigate the real perceived impact of the tourism industry in Huairou. Generally speaking, a hypothesis is a type of prediction which will not always turn out to be accurate, depending on the facts of the particular case. So, all of the predictions must be tested and proven (or disproved) using data analysis and/or further investigation.

The hypotheses are based on a review of the prior literature, and the hypotheses have two parts.

Tourism is one of the world’s most important activities, involving millions of people, vast sums of money and generating employment in developing and industrial countries.

The economies of Tourism presents new insight into the intricacies of tourism demand, firms and markets, their global interrelations and the fundamental contribution of environment to tourism activities, to offer an accessible, interdisciplinary analysis of the interwoven fields of tourism and economics.

Today, tourism is one of the largest and dynamically developing sectors of external economic activities. Its high growth and development rates, considerable volumes of foreign currency inflows, infrastructure development, and introduction of new management and educational experience actively affect various sectors of economy, which positively contribute to the social and economic development of the country as a whole.

Most highly developed western countries, such as Switzerland, Austria, and France have accumulated a big deal of their social and economic welfare on profits from tourism.

According to recent statistics, tourism provides about 10% of the world’s income and employs almost one tenth of the world’s workforce. All considered, tourism’s actual and potential economic impact is astounding. Many people emphasize the positive aspects of tourism as a source of foreign exchange, a way to balance foreign trade, an ‘industry without chimney’ ‘ in short, manna from heaven.

But there are also a number of other positive and negative factors of tourism on economy for local communities. Therefore in this essay the researcher will explain the impact on economy due to tourism to local communities.

Relationship between Tourism and Economic Development

Tourism is of great importance in any country’s economic growth and on conversely economic growth will initiate growth in tourism activities in any economy. The importance of economic development to tourism is widely accepted (Pearce, 1995). Tourism has been regarded as the main instrument for regional development as it stimulates new economic activities; it has a positive economic impact on the employment, foreign exchange earnings, production and gross income. However uncontrolled and unplanned tourism activities can lead to a negative impact on the society (Fossati and Panella, 2000).

Positive Impact of Tourism on Economic Growth

Tourism is classified as one of the fastest growing industries worldwide. It contributes extensive economic benefits on both sides, for the tourist home country as well as the visiting country. In less developed Countries tourism activities are regarded as resources which are expected to enhance economic growth. When tourists travel internationally apparently the host country earns foreign currency, hence the inflow of revenue creates government revenue, business turnover, household income and employment (Archer and Fletcher, 1991). Domestic tourism will have the same effects on the host country while international tourism creates an inflow of foreign currency while on the other hand domestic tourism creates spatial redistribution of local currency within the boundary of the country (Archer et al., 1998).

Negative Impact of Tourism on Economic Growth

Most Less Developed Countries (LDC’s) depends on foreign aid from the developed world to stimulate its economic growth as well as to cover budget deficits in social services and infrastructure activities. In this context therefore, tourism growth creates an illusion to the aid provider to limit and cut their financial aid as a result many countries that depend on financial assistance are affected, which leads them remaining poor. For a different perspective the enormous inflow of tourists may lead to price increase of many goods and services in the tourist destinations by which in turn the societies around are affected as they have to follow the price pattern. Further more tourists are interested in very narrow range of products such as beauty products, gifts, sports equipments clothes, meals and special products like chocolates, which the local residents are not always in need of, and this leads them to change their buying behaviour and shift to other points of sale.

On other hand it is assumed that mass tourism increases land price, it also creates additional demand for land whereby potential buyer compete hence a higher price. The local people are required to pay more for their homes. Generally, mass tourism leads to higher land value, more jobs and wealth. Conversely, in a situation when tourism demands are very high inflationary tensions in tourism spill over the economy at large and contribute to a large inflation (Wall and Mathieson, 2006).

Travel and Tourism in South Korea

The Republic of Korea (South Korea) is located about 500km off the coast of mainland China, and forms the entire southern half of the Korean peninsula. There are many hundreds of small islands to the south, most of them uninhabited. The territory is mixed in character, with considerable mountainous areas. Consequently, most of the largest settlements are on the southern and eastern coasts, the capital city of Seoul being the notable exception. The present capital is Seoul.

Economy and Tourism of South Korea

South Korea is Asia’s fourth-largest economy and slowed to 2.2% in 2008, after several years of strong growth. In 2009, GDP reduced by 0.8%, due to the global economic downturn. Given this country’s reliance on exports, the recovery would depend on the rebound of global demand. An economic recovery was expected in 2010 with a 3.7% growth in GDP, while further improvement is forecasted in 2011, with a 4.6% increase in GDP;
Private consumption registered a moderate year-over-year increase of 0.9% in 2008 and is forecasted decline by 0.4% in 2009, before rebounding to 2.7% in 2010. In 2011, private consumption is expected to gain momentum and improve by 3.8%;
The unemployment rate rose to 4.0% in 2009, which was due to the global economic slump as a result of demand from the export dependent country. The ensuing slowdown in employment has been the countries worst since the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis. As South Korea’s economy emerged out of the 2009 recession, unemployment is forecasted at 4.1% in 2011, as employers remain cautious in hiring new employees;
South Korea’s consumer prices grew at their fastest pace with a 4.7% growth in 2008, which was caused by high oil and other commodity prices. Rising inflation has affected the country’s economic growth and has impacted the country’s ability to pull out of the recession in 2009. Inflation fell to 2.7% in 2009 and 2.1% in 2010;
The Korean Won weakened greatly in 2008 and depreciated further in 2009. The Won is forecasted to appreciate in 2010 and improve by in 2011.

Impact of the Global Recession

The South Korean economy posted negative quarter-on-quarter growth of 6% in the fourth quarter of 2008 in the wake of the economic turmoil triggered by the global financial crisis. This was the first time since the financial crisis in 2007 that negative growth was recorded. This was followed by positive growth of well below 1% in the first quarter of 2009 and 2% in the second quarter. In 2008, as the economy began to spiral downwards, the South Korean job market became unstable, and, as a result, unemployment rose to 4% in early 2009 from the average of 3.5% seen over the review period. More worryingly the unemployment rate amongst South Koreans in their 20s stood at nearly 9% in 2009. Furthermore, disposable income shrank in the majority of households. Meanwhile, during the first quarter of 2009, the lowest 20% of South Korean taxpayers saw a 5% decline in their average income.

As the job market deteriorated, the government promoted a job sharing campaign, whereby annual pay increases were frozen or annual salaries reduced to enable the employment of more people. Increased job sharing is another factor contributing to the country’s declining disposable income levels.

Current Impact

As the economy continued to struggle, consumers reduced spending on clothing, leisure pursuits and dining out, according to a survey conducted by the South Korea Chamber of Commerce. Outbound tourism, which saw annual double digit volume growth over the first three years of the review period, saw negative growth of 7% in 2008, followed by a further decline of 18% in 2009. However, domestic tourism saw growth of 9% in 2009, as South Koreans continued to struggle as a result of the ongoing fallout of the global economic crisis. Furthermore, in line with this tendency of pursuing cost-effective domestic holidays, increased consumer preference for mid- and low-priced accommodation was evident.

Outbound Tourism of South Korea

Departures saw a turn down in 2008 after seeing double digit growth in each of the first three years of the review period. 2009 saw departures decline further as negative growth of 18% was recorded, largely due to economic uncertainty and the H1N1 pandemic. Compared with 2008, travel abroad became more affordable for Korean tourists following a strengthening of the won in the second half of 2009. However, the expected resultant increase in outbound tourism never materialised due to the global outbreak of the H1N1 virus.
Outbound golf tourism decreased in popularity in 2008 and yet further in 2009. This was largely as a result of the ongoing impact which the global financial crisis had on the country, related to the increased price competitiveness of local golf courses.
Outgoing tourists have became far more price-conscious since 2008, and the former reliance on package tours declined yet further in 2009 as a result of price increases driven by rising oil prices and a weakening of the South Korean won during the first half of 2009.

Destinations Korean’s Visit

China, being a relatively inexpensive destination due to its proximity, is the most popular destination for South Korean tourists, particularly first-time travellers. Departures to China declined in both 2008 and 2009.

Despite the decline seen in 2008 and 2009, China remained the most popular outbound destination, in accounting for 29% of all departures in 2009. Japan, the second most popular destination, accounted for 15% of all departures. Japan is a popular destination amongst South Koreans of all age groups because of the country’s wide variety of attractions, as well as its proximity. However, Japan’s high consumer prices and strength of the Japanese yen make it an unaffordable destination for many South Koreans.

Departures by Country of Origin

‘000 people

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Australia 172.3 197.4 213.2 201.5 179.3 153.8

Canada 133.8 139.2 146.8 153.4 138.6 124.2

China 2534.8 3156.8 3512.8 4004.3 3520.4 2856.4

France 79.9 95.2 107.8 121 114 100.7

Germany 141.8 141.3 124 140.9 125.9 111.6

Hong Kong, China 86.4 105.6 98.2 106.7 109.1 107.4

India 305.4 403.3 512.6 636.7 684.7 571.6

Indonesia 228.4 252 280.5 327.8 369.1 356.8

Japan 1569.2 1734.8 1917.9 2345.8 2167.2 1463.8

Malaysia 91.2 158.2 189.4 224.9 267.5 234.5

Philippines 90.7 91.8 97.8 83.3 68.2 54.8

Russia 337.2 452 569 654 611 567.5

Singapore 52.9 54.7 47.5 56.1 51.9 47.3

Taiwan 190 269.1 368 396.6 363 325.6

Thailand 134.6 171.9 176.5 201.8 222.3 183.2

United Kingdom 754.1 781.3 898.8 881.2 759.6 613

USA 111.8 116 120.1 129.9 110.3 93.1

Vietnam 627.6 658.1 687.7 724.9 686.2 626.9

Other Countries of Origin 1118 1189.7 1008.7 889.7 870.7 789.4

Total 8760.1 10168.4 11077.3 12280.5 11419 9381.6

(Source: Euromonitor International)

Leisure – Outbound

The decline in outbound tourism witnessed in 2009 was mainly due to a decline in leisure departures. Leisure departures saw a decline of 20%, or close to 2 million people, in 2009 mainly as a result of the ongoing effects of the global financial crisis and the negative impact of the H1N1 virus.

Organised tour groups departures saw decline of 23% in 2009 as Koreans avoided expensive package holiday products. The proportion of total departures accounted for by organised tour groups saw a steady decline over the review period from 52% in 2005 to 40% in 2009. While organised tour groups showed a downwards trend, the number of free independent travellers (FITs) saw growth over the review period, although a decline was witnessed in 2009.

Business – Outbound

Business departures at 2 million in 2009 comprised 22% of total outbound tourists in 2009. MICE tourists accounted for 86% of total business departures in 2009.

The consistent flow of both leisure and particularly business tourists to the US left the country as the third largest destination for South Korean tourists in 2009.

Despite the fact that the H1N1 virus became widespread in the US following its initial outbreak, departures to the US only saw a decline of 9% in 2009, compared to the 18% decline seen in departures as a whole.

Inbound Tourism of South Korea

Following the strong arrivals growth of 8% witnessed in 2008, inbound tourism was further boosted by the declining value of the South Korean won against the US dollar and Japanese yen in 2009, leading to arrivals growth of 15%. Furthermore, inbound tourist receipts saw growth of 10% in 2009.

As the South Korean economy began to recover over the course of the year, the won strengthened and, as a result inbound tourism began to taper off from June 2009. While incoming tourist receipts increased by 10% in 2009, arrivals saw growth of 15%, as average spend per visitor declined.

While Hallyu, a term referring to the popularity of South Korean culture, artists and media content, particularly television dramas, still motivates Asian tourists to visit the country, the national tourist office increased its efforts to boost inbound tourism in the wake of the strengthening of the South Korean won.

The Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) issued coupon books for independent tourists travelling from Asia. These contained coupons issued by nearly 20 entities, including retailers, theatres, theme parks, restaurants and skin care shops, and offered discounts ranging from 5% to 50%. The coupon books were distributed through consulates and KTO’s English-language website.

Country of Origin

Arrivals from Japan saw growth of 28% in 2009 to reach 3 million, 45% of total arrivals. The strengthened value of the Japanese yen revived outbound tourism in Japan, and South Korea saw a surge in Japanese tourists in 2008. The Japanese tourist inflow increased further during the first four months of 2009, but slowed thereafter, as the Korean won began to strengthen against the Japanese yen. Furthermore the Japanese government recommend travel restrictions in light of the H1N1 virus outbreak. Despite these setbacks the arrivals growth of 28% seen in 2009 represented a significant improvement on the 6% recorded in 2008.

China was South Korea’s second largest source of inbound tourists in 2009 in accounting for 15% of total arrivals during the year. Arrivals from China saw growth of 10% in 2009, down from the 15% witnessed in 2008. According to the Korea Tourism Organisation, this decline was due to the failure of organised tour groups to attract sufficient tourist numbers in June and July. The majority of Chinese tourists to South Korea come in organised tours due to the incentives on offer from travel agents in collaboration with many related parties, including local government agencies eager to attract Chinese tourists.

Arrivals by Country of Origin

‘000 people

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Australia 75.2 82.7 87.6 89 100.3 98.2

Canada 93 121.4 130 118.9 125.7 130.7

China 410.3 494.1 626.2 814.8 939.7 1031

France 35.2 38 40.6 46.6 52.3 52.6

Germany 59.7 66.4 67.2 74.1 78.2 83.8

Hong Kong, China 147 157 134.7 131.2 151.2 198.6

India 33.4 34.3 36.7 41 42.9 39.6

Indonesia 34.9 35.4 35.8 38.7 48.9 46.2

Japan 2409.9 2406.6 2310.4 2204.6 2345.6 2994.1

Malaysia 73 75 74.3 65.7 66.9 61.2

Philippines 60.3 62.9 69.3 70.3 75.2 74.4

Russia 76.7 62 61.3 62.9 66.2 66.9

Singapore 74.6 71.6 70.9 75.3 77 77.5

Taiwan 305.5 352.1 328.1 326.1 315 342.7

Thailand 70.1 77 88.6 99.5 116.9 134.3

United Kingdom 64.5 70.8 73.5 74.6 81.9 84.7

USA 535.8 556.1 637.3 659.6 674.8 661.3

Vietnam 20.3 27.3 28.9 37.8 51.6 60.8

Other Countries of Origin 319.1 329.3 339.9 364.3 389.3 420.3

Total 4898.5 5120 5241.3 5395 5799.6 6658.9

(Source: Euromonitor International)

City Arrivals

South Korea’s capital, Seoul remained the most popular destination for arrivals in 2009, as more than 2.5 million inbound tourists visited the city. Inchon, Busan, Jeju, Daegu and Daejeon were the next most popular destinations.

Seoul offers a variety of attractions, including cultural treasures such as museums and palaces, as well as huge marketplaces, theme/amusement parks and beauty shops. Myongdong downtown area is host to a variety of activities, including shopping, dining out, skin care, and entertainment. The large number of inbound tourists visiting traditional marketplaces in 2008 and 2009 compensated for the reduction in local shoppers seen as a result of the economic downturn. According to a national tourist office survey, shopping remains one of the most popular activities amongst inbound tourists visiting South Korea.

The city of Incheon has seen arrivals growth in recent years not only because of its proximity to Korea’s largest international airport, but also due to the promotion of the new business centre located there.

A business hub, which uses Dubai as a benchmark, is being developed in Songdo on 1,500 acres of reclaimed land. With the planned city slowly taking shape, Incheon Metropolitan Government has been actively promoting Songdo globally as a venue for international events.

Leisure ‘ Inbound

Leisure arrivals, which saw growth of 17%, accounted for some 95% of total arrivals in 2009. The increase in leisure arrivals in the midst of the fallout from the global economic crisis was largely attributable to the weakening of the South Korean won.

Organised tour groups accounted for 35% of total arrivals in 2009. Organised tour groups remain the most popular way to travel to South Korea due to the language barrier involved for the majority of arrivals.

Business ‘ Inbound

Business arrivals saw a decline of 8% from 382,509 in 2008 to 349,211 in 2009. This decline was largely as a result of the global economic downturn, as companies reduced their spending on business travel.

The share of total business arrivals accounted for by Meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) increased from 91% in 2008 to 93% in 2009. MICE arrivals were less affected than other types of business arrivals, as KTO has actively sought to attract them through its subsidiary, Korea Convention Bureau (KCB) since 1979. Furthermore, an increased number of large scale MICE events, such as the 2009 Herbalife Asia Pacific Extravaganza which attracted 20,000 attendees, were held in Seoul in 2009.

The national tourist office claims that South Korea is the twelfth-ranked country in terms of hosting international meetings. South Korea held 293 international meetings in 2008, up from 268 meetings recorded in 2007.

Efforts Made To Uplift Tourism

Domestic Tourism Sees Healthy Volume Growth

In the recent years South Koreans have turned to domestic travel, as outbound tourism became unaffordable for them, in the dire economic climate. Jeju Island, South Koreas most popular domestic holiday destination, due to its exotic subtropical climate and well established resorts, saw a record number of visitors in 2009. Furthermore there were a number of people who visited national parks as large percentage of population choose a relatively inexpensive holiday due to the recession.

The number of domestic tourists visiting campsites also grew significantly, partly due to the increased number of auto-campsites available, but also due to a growing consumer desire to save money.

Low Cost Carriers Achieve Higher Penetration

‘ Low cost carriers contributed to the growth seen in domestic tourism by providing affordable flights. The role of low cost carriers remains insignificant on international routes due to the limited number of routes covered. But low cost flights to domestic holiday destinations became increasingly popular in 2009, which helped South Korea’s four low cost carriers improve their position in domestic air travel. In general, air travel is not a popular mode of transportation for domestic travel, due to South Korea’s relatively limited size. However, it is the preferred mode for tourists looking to visit Jeju Island. The use of low cost carriers for the 30 minute flight to Jeju Island became commonplace amongst domestic tourists in 2009.

Medical Tourism as a Tourism Growth Driver

‘ The South Korean medical sector was subject to strict advertising restrictions under previous legislation. However, the government is now supporting its liberalisation in the hope of increasing competition. Hospitals will be allowed to advertise their services through television for the first time.

The liberalisation of South Korea’s medical sector is expected to promote the growth of medical tourism in the country. South Korea’s advanced medical resources and competitive prices are expected to see the country become an increasingly important medical tourist destination. Some travel retailers have already taken steps to establish themselves as leaders in this emerging field.

In 2007, 6.4 million foreign tourists visited South Korea, making it the 36th most visited country in the world and this number is expected to exceed 8.5 million in 2010. Most non Korean tourists come from Japan, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

The recent popularity of popular culture in these countries has increased tourist arrivals. Seoul is the principal tourist destination for visitors; popular tourist destinations outside of Seoul include Seorak-san national park, the historic city of Gyeongju and semi-tropical Jeju Island. Traveling to North Korea is not normally possible without a special permission, but in recent years organized group tours have allowed groups of South Korean citizens to visit Kumgang-san.

The Positive and Negative Social and Environmental Impacts of Tourism

Socially tourism has a great influence on the host societies. Tourism can be both a source of international amity, peace and understanding and a destroyer and corrupter of indigenous cultures, a source of ecological destruction, an assault of people’s privacy, dignity, and authenticity.

Here are possible positive effects of tourism:

Developing positive attitudes towards each other
Learning about each other’s culture and customs
Reducing negative perceptions and stereotypes
Developing friendships
Developing pride, appreciation, understanding, respect, and tolerance for each other’s culture
Increasing self-esteem of hosts and tourists
Psychological satisfaction with interaction

So, social contacts between tourists and local people may result in mutual appreciation, understanding, tolerance, awareness, learning, family bonding respect, and liking. Residents are educated about the outside world without leaving their homes, while their visitors significantly learn about a distinctive culture. Local communities are benefited through contribution by tourism to the improvement of the social infrastructure like schools, libraries, health care institutions, internet cafes, and so on. Besides, if local culture is the base for attracting tourists to the region, it helps to preserve the local traditions and handicrafts which maybe were on the link of the extinction.

On the other side tourism can increase tension, hostility, and suspicion. Claims of tourism as a vital force for peace are exaggerated. Indeed there is little evidence that tourism is drawing the world together (Robinson 1999). In this context economic and social impacts on the local community depend on how much of the incomes generated by tourists go to the host communities. In most all-inclusive package tours more than 80% of travellers’ fees go to the airlines, hotels and other international companies, not to local businessmen and workers.

On the other hand large hotel chain restaurants often import food to satisfy foreign visitors and rarely employ local staff for senior management positions, preventing local farmers and workers from reaping the benefit of their presence. Tourism has the power to affect cultural change. Successful development of a resource can lead to numerous negative impacts. Among these are overdevelopment, assimilation, conflict, and artificial reconstruction. While presenting a culture to tourists may help preserve the culture, it can also dilute or even destroy it. The point is to promote tourism in the region so that it would both give incomes and create respect for the local tradition and culture. There are also both negative and positive impacts of tourism on the local ecology. Tourism often grows into mass-tourism. It leads to the over consumption, pollution, and lack of resources.

Preparation

First and foremost, the angle is preparation. Preparation is an important thing for people that want to travel. A good preparation before travel will lead to a much enjoyable trip. These days travel and tourism industry is growing very fast. Firstly, to prepare for the trip, researches are first done to know more about the country. Nowadays, all the travel agencies are well connected to various hotels, airlines, and railway agencies. So, the tourists of tour do not have to spend extra time preparing the itinerary. Besides that, travel agencies serve their clients by providing best tour packages at cheaper rates. That’s why, these tour packages is very much in fashion these days. These packages have their own benefits. On the other hand, if tourist prefers to travel in the F&E method, researches regarding accommodation, food, travel spots, or transportation have to be done personally through the internet or by personal experience from others.

Other than that, the checklist of that tour and “free and easy” preparation are different. If go with a tour, travelling agencies has taken the courtesy to come up with a check list of necessary documents and necessities before travelling. Furthermore, travel agencies will always remind the tourist to bring the necessities before go for travel. In this case, tourist may travel comfortably. But for F&E, checklist must be created by you, if you remember to create one. One of the benefits of creating your own personal check list is clearly because it would be more personal and intimate. Anyway, tourist that travels with “free and easy” have to always bear in mind to bring things in the checklist before travelling because no one will remind the tourists unlike tour.

Time

Second angle would be time. Time is very crucial element. This is because every second wasted during the trip, is every second lost, therefore time management is very important. By following a tour, tourist is guaranteed to enjoy the trip to the fullest extent. The whole trip is scheduled specially for different types of tourist, for example, shopping tours, historical tours, and relaxing tours. But, there is always a price to pay for all this convenience. The scheduled is so packed that sometime, only a short limit of time is applied to each travel spot. Hence tourists do not have the option to stay back or just go. Punctuality is most likely to be favored. However, in the F&E tour, the whole trip is literally, prepared and done by the same tourist. Thus, tourists are able to provide a looser schedule or itinerary. Besides that, sudden change to the trip is always applicable. In this case, punctuality is not an effecting variable.

Cost

Next the third angle would be cost of expense. The cost of these two trips varies greatly. It can be different in two different aspect, flexibility of cost and budgeting the cost of expense. Tour is said to be less flexible because tourist have to pay a fixed amount of money for any relevant package they chose. Example, if a tourist wanted to visit Indonesia, if he is taking a tour he is only had a choice to pay RM2000 to go to Jakarta. As for the F&E tour, it is much more flexible. Tourist may cut off and add in any expenditure during the trip and just travel the place they wanted to visit. For example, another tourist that wanted to visit Indonesia and he doesn’t want to follow by tour he can choose where ever place to visit other than Jakarta.

As for the budgeting of the cost of expense, the tour’s travelling package has already included everything from accommodation, air ticket, foods and others with a fix amount of money. The only budget to work out is for shopping or emergency use. But if following the F&E, all of the above cost included in the tour has to calculated and figured out carefully because of its tight budget so that we won’t over spend our money for unnecessary things.

Safety

Fourth angle would be safety issues. Safety is a very important factor when travelling. Visiting foreign places exposes the tourist into danger constantly because, due unfamiliar with the new place. Travelling by tour is said to be more secured because a tour guide is much more familiar with the trip and is responsible to put their clients safety as first priority. On the other hand, travelling in F&E tourist’s safety is not assured to the maximum. Furthermore, cheaters usually pick on small group of foreign tourist to cheat on for their money, properties, and sexual violations too.

Moreover, travel agencies make it a must for every client of theirs to first purchase travel insurance before travelling with them. Normally the insurance fees are already included together with the tour package. Therefore, obviously, there is much more level of protection. For F&E insurance is an option to choose.

Experience

The experiences that tour tourists gain are different from free and easy tourists. Firstly, the people that tour meet are different from free and easy. In a tour, tourists are travelling in a big group, tourists have the chance of making new friends during the trip. Other than that, the fact that they all originated from the same country, communication is not a problem. After the trip, they are possible to become good friends. For free and easy, like hitch hiking it is normally done in a small group and usually good and close friends. Thus, they may not have the opportunity to social actively with the people of the country, but free and easy tourists have more opportunities to interact with the locals. For example, free and easy is more flexible though out the whole trip, they can choose things that they want to explore base on their desire and their time are always adjustable compare to the tour that is fully scheduled by travel agency, so free and easy tourists have more chances to interact with the local’s peoples and explore the local’s culture.

Next, the commercial experience for tour and “free and easy” are not similar. When travelling with a tour, usually the travel agencies have a contract with local business in the country to make extra income that can lead to a raise in the economy for the particular country. Business for example, restaurants, shopping malls, galleries, local product shops will be a must stop for the tour. But for the free and easy, like hitch hikers normally look forward to the country’s beautiful scenery, local delicacies, local people, local culture and a whole new different experience. Ordinarily, tourist that takes this trip is to escape from the urban stress and not to face commercial promotions.

Benefits

The last angle is which method of traveling is most beneficial. Most of the time tourist will prefer travelling with the most convenient and discount rates. Convenience is very important when travelling because tourist expect to have least amount of stress and prefers to just sit back and relax. For that result, taking a packaged tour is most likely to be the best choice. By just choosing which country and they wish to explore any time of the year will do the deal, the else are all taken care by the agency itself. Furthermore, travel agencies has already commercialized into franchise retailers. In this modern era, everything can be done with the internet too, simplifying the whole process into just a click from a finger. On the other hand, F&E will not be as convenient as the packaged tour. Air ticket has to be book much earlier for a cheaper price, and same goes to the hotel bookings too. All of the transaction have to be made via internet paying through credit card services. Any sudden changes will not be permitted as a fine will be charged.

Next, travel agencies have connection all a around the world, hence having special promotions and price rates, according to the season. Tourist which prefers to enjoy everything with a simple decision will prefer it very much. Hence, travelling by tour is much more pocket- friendly. F&E also has special promotions but only limited to a very short period of time only.

In a nutshell, according to the article is most clearly stated that the benefits of taking a tour are much more compared to F&E travelling. From six of the angles in the articles, specifically during the preparation of the trip at the beginning, the time consumed for preparation and processing the transaction, all the cost and expenses for tour package or F&E tour, safety measurements for the trip, experience comparison among the methods of travelling and benefits awarded during the trip.

The first organisation I want to talk about is Virgin Atlantic. Virgin Atlantic is an extremely popular and successful airline. Virgin Atlantic provides many services on board their flights, and it’s a scheduled service.

Organisation Two: The Tour Operator – Thomson.

The second organisation I’m going to talk and describe is Thomson Tour Operators which is part of the TUI group. Thomson are a multinational tour operator, and they offer a great deal of services towards the consumers who choose to holiday with them. A tour operator has major responsibilities towards the consumer, the travel agent that books the holidays, flights and other ancillary services, and even airport staff from ground handling and aircraft maintenance. Although Thomson can fall under the category of airline, they are also a tour operator and travel agents. Thomson is listed in all three component areas. Thomson specialises in package holidays, but it doesn’t just limit the company to that. It provides a great deal of services towards the customer such as:

Flights

Hotels

Car Hire

Insurance

Package Holidays

Below I will analyse and discuss the services of each of the above listed products.

Flights: Flights are a crucial product of Thomson. With Thomson creating package holidays to match their customers specific needs, they need a way to transport them to their destinations. Thomson have a large fleet of aircraft in their company, almost the majority being Boeing 767’s. When a customer books a holiday with Thomson, naturally, the travel agent or their company website that books the holiday, has to arrange seats on an aircraft. Thomson are a chartered airline, and offer many inflight services, at a small cost, or sometimes, depending on the service completely free. Thomson’s airlines offer the customer services such as Duty Free, on board entertainment, meal and drinks services, premium class and priority handling. This is a difference with low cost budget airlines, as a charge has to be made for all services, right down the baggage allowance.

When a customer books a package holiday, or even just a flight, for a specific date, a seat on one of Thomson’s aircraft has to be available, otherwise, the customer can simply not go on that date.

Hotels: Travel companies and tour operator’s leases hotel rooms from many chains of hotel, so their customers can reside there whilst on their holiday. This all comes back to availability, if a customer books a package holiday, the flight seat has to be available, along with a hotel room, or as many rooms required by the consumer. However, this is not that big an issue, as computers and technology makes this easy for travel agents or even the customer at home.

Hotels have to be up to the standard stated on Thomson’s website, if Thomson’s state that a hotel has five stars, it has to have five stars, again with product description, if the website of the travel agent where the holiday was booked states that the hotel has a sea view, then it must otherwise this breaches the trades and product description act. Hotels have to live up to not only the consumer expectations, but the Tour Operator’s too, in this case Thomson. Thomson want’s the customer to have a relaxing and enjoyable time whilst on holiday, and if the hotel is damaged, or services are not up to scratch, this can seriously jeopardise the customers overall happiness and satisfaction. The consumer may, or probably will complain to a travel rep onsite, and this is reported back to Thomson or the travel agents where holiday was booked, the Tour Operator may choose to terminate the contract if a high volume of complaints are received, as this will not only damaged the hotels name, but also Thomson’s too, who are responsible for the customers satisfaction. Errors like this can prevent return business, and referral to that customers friends. It’s all about first impressions.

Now within the hotel, there are many roles that have to be performed daily or regularly. A major role that is essential, not only to maintain the hotel is cleaning. The hotel has to be clean, not only for the image and reputation of the hotel, but for the customers satisfaction. If a customer walks into the lobby, and finds garbage and paper all over the floor, their first impression of their accommodation will not be the best, and may put them off from enjoying their holiday all together. Rooms are cleaned daily in hotels, but certain hotels have gone “green” meaning services such as bed sheets are only changed every other day, and towels are washed every few days, unless stated by the customer, by the use of a card that informs the cleaners to take away and replace the towels and sheets. Hotels are responsible for the satisfaction of the customer, as well as the travel reps, and tour operator. All staff in hotels should be friendly, including the cleaners. Hotel staff are responsible along with a travel rep, in this case a Thomson Travel rep to ensure that the customer is enjoying him/herself. If a customer has a problem, they should feel like they can approach a travel rep, or a member of the hotels staff, to complain and have the problem addressed. Complaints should be dealt with quickly and appropriately. If there is an issue with a hotel room, and the customer is dissatisfied, then the customer should either be given a replacement room, or have the problem resolved as quickly as possible.

Pass Three: Write a review on the different types of interrelationships in the travel and tourism industry for example: Chains of distribution, integration (Including both Horizontal and Vertical) and interdependencies. Use diagrams where applicable to illustrate your review.

Slide 1 – Introduction

The individual giving the presentation is called John. The focus of this presentation is to consider the options for expansion online for a travel agency business that has traditionally operated from a high street shop.

During this presentation the aim is to consider the reasons and potential scope for an internet-based travel agency. The presentation will then move on to consider the types of products that would be best suited for the Open Skies Travel Agency given its current strategic position within the market. Once the scope and positioning has been established, the presentation will move on to look at the potential costs and benefits of the possible expansion and change of strategy. This will include consideration of both the financial and practical implications with implementing the new online venture^[1].

Slide 2 – Online Trends

Despite the current economic trends, the travel industry and more specifically the online purchasing of travel services has boomed, in recent years. The amount of money being spent online in relation to travel services has increased by 12 percent in 2007 and it is anticipated that this trend will continue between 2007 and 2012. This is not surprising when all factors are considered^[2].

The travel sector is vast with multiple suppliers offering a range of different products which lend themselves perfectly to online selling. As travel is perishable (i.e. it cannot be stored and used at a later date), companies will be keen to ensure that all seats on flights and all hotel rooms are fully occupied. This leads to incremental and ever changing prices which require immediate update and these are facilities from which online travel agencies benefit.

Package holidays sold through the high street travel agency have reduced by approximately 20%. This means that traditional agents such as Open Skies must embrace these new trends in order to maintain their market share. Correspondingly, however, the number of package holidays booked online has increased by 19%, showing that the market is still strong; it is simply the purchasing patterns that have changed^[3].

The scope online is much greater and this is widely recognised by many tour operators. In fact, travel services and agencies currently make up around a quarter of all online advertising, showing that there is an increasing recognition of the power and extent of the online travel sector.

When considering high internet users, i.e. those who use the internet for at least 16 hours per week, 66% of these people have booked holidays or travel services online^[4]. A further 10% of people will look for information about travel on the internet, before then going on to purchase the products in a traditional high street environment^[5].

Slide 3 – Product Mix

One of the major benefits that internet users cite about using the internet to plan holidays is that it allows for dynamic packages. This means that various flight options can be looked at alongside different accommodation options. By allowing for this degree of flexibility, customers are able to create their own packages that are individual to their own specific needs^[6].

Open Skies is a customer-friendly travel agency that has a high reputation for offering excellent personal advice to its local customers. This unique selling point need not be lost by having an online presence. Although there are several large online based companies such as Thomas Cook that have the advantage of a much larger network of offices and suppliers, they do not have the same personal relationships with their clients. Open Skies needs to look at the way in which it can capitalise on its added value customer service, while also allowing customers to investigate their various options for creating their own dynamic packages.

Open Skies is a locally based company and will physically remain so. Therefore, the main products being offered online will be no different from those currently offered in the high street. The travel industry is fiercely competitive in terms of pricing, which means that local high street travel agents such as Open Skies have to add value to their product mix by ensuring that they offer additional security and advice to customers. Having a website is an opportunity to capture a wider range of customers who can then contact the agency directly to finalise their booking. For this reason, it would seem prudent that the main focus of the Open Skies website should be to have an informative online presence that encourages customers to believe that Open Skies offers genuine additional value to their travelling experience^[7]. This will enable Open Skies to set itself apart from the larger online travel agencies that merely offer cheaper and price competitive travelling options.

Slide 4 – Costs and Benefits

Setting up the initial infrastructure to manage the website will require a degree of additional expenditure. There will be the need to purchase computing equipment to run the website software as well as the need to design, manage and regularly update the website. A basic website is relatively cheap to establish and can be updated and maintained with relative ease. As Open Skies already has a computer system in place and already makes use of the email system, it is possible that the expertise and infrastructure to manage the website is already in-house. This possibility should not be overlooked before outsourcing the tasks^[8].

Additional staffing will be necessary. Firstly, it will be necessary to maintain up to date and accurate information on the website, if customers are going to be able to trust and respect Open Skies Travel Agency. With increased traffic on to the website, it will also be necessary to ensure that there are staff members prepared to respond to booking requests within an acceptable timeframe.

Users of the internet are much more instantaneous in their needs and expectations. If Open Skies is to maintain its current position as offering value added products, then it will need to adapt its structure to be able to respond to this faster pace of trading. This will inevitably mean a larger, more flexible workforce^[9].

However, this expansion will be funded by the considerable increase in the number of customers and trade that will pass through the website. By establishing a web presence, Open Skies will potentially gain customers from across the country and even internationally. Customers are no longer limited by geography and this will naturally be reflected in the volume of custom that will come to Open Skies. This additional influx of customers will not be reflected with a similar increase in costs of servicing these customers. As bookings will be largely done online and over the phone, there will be no need to have additional office space (except to house the additional staff). Therefore, the returns from these additional customers will be greater and will continue to increase in line with the number of customers that are gained^[10].

Slide 5 – Strategy into Action

Whilst it is clear that there are benefits to Open Skies from obtaining an online presence, it will require careful planning if the reputation of the company is not to suffer. Firstly, Open Skies will need to ensure that the infrastructure and back-up procedures are in place. Customers will need to trust that the systems are accurate, efficient and secure; any breaches in this respect would lead to a loss of trust which would impact on the value of the company.

The current workforce will need to be considered in terms of how the individual members of staff can adapt to this new way of working. It is almost certain that additional staff will be required to manage the increasing number of customers and the immediacy of the demands of online customers. This increase in workforce will need to be managed carefully so as to ensure that the costs of the expansion are evenly matched by the increase in revenue^[11].

Continuous monitoring and updating will be necessary to ensure that the information is accurate and that Open Skies is making the most out of its new online arm.

Slide 6 – Conclusions

Online travel agencies are experiencing a continuing boom, despite the current economic downturn. For a company such as Open Skies, gaining an online presence is vital, if it is to maximise the potential in the market. Depending on the current infrastructure in place, the costs of set up and maintenance could be relatively little. Security and back-up processes will be important, if it is to maintain its current high level of customer service and reputation.

New staff will almost certainly be required to deal with the increase in trade and to continue to offer the high level of customer service that it currently offers. The need to go online is clear and Open Skies needs to embrace the changing trends. However, embracing new, online technologies needs to be planned carefully so that the value added services can be maintained and customers will be prepared to pay more for these services, meaning that Open Skies will not have to compete with the low prices offered by the larger organisations.

Bibliography

Bharadwaj, Prashanth Nagendra, Soni, Ramesh G., E-Commerce Usage and Perception of E-Commerce Issues among Small Firms: Results and Implications from an Empirical Study, Journal of Small Business Management, 45, 2007

Buhalis, Dimitrios, ETourism: Information Technology for Strategic Tourism Management, Pearson Education, 2003

Duray, Dave, Vering, Matthias, The E-Business Workplace: Discovering the Power of Enterprise Portals, John Wiley, 2001

Frew, Andrew J., Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism 2004: Proceedings of the International Conference in Cairo, Egypt, 2004, Springer, 2004

Goeldner, Charles R., Brent Ritchie, J.R., Tourism: Principles, Practices, Philosophies, John Wiley and Sons, 2006

Kozak, Metin, Andreu, Luisa, Progress in Tourism Marketing, Elsevier, 2006

Rayman-Bacchus, L., Molina, A., Internet-Based Tourism Services: Business Issues and Trends, Futures, 33, 2001

Tate, Will, Rosen, Cheryl, Frame a Travel Strategy: Find the Delicate Balance between Avoiding Travel Costs and Keeping Travelers Productive, Journal of Accountancy, 199, 2005

Watkins, William M., Technology and Business Strategy: Getting the Most out of Technological Assets, Quorum Books, 1998

2002 Mori Survey commissioned by Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA)

1. Canal transportation system was the most effective and popular transportation system in the world as well as in Sri Lanka before the road transportation by vehicles. During Dutch era they developed advance canal transportation system and used very effective and efficient way to fulfill their requirements.

2. As a result of the industrialization, automobile industry and road network systems developed concurrently all over the world and it affected Sri Lanka as well. With that the road transportation became very popular. Due to the fact that it is very efficient compare to canal transportation and ability to reach any required destinations.

3. In the same time population of the world also increased gradually. Due to this people’s life style became complex and requirements increased. In the mean time urbanization was taken place with industrialization. This has affected to Sri Lanka and caused greater influence after the introduction of open economy. Because of these reasons road network system reached its maximum capacity. After that development and expansion of roads were impossible especially in Colombo city area. But vehicle density on to the same existing roads was become more and more. As a result of this, road traffic increased drastically. This caused wastage of time on roads directly affecting productivity of our country.

4. Answer to time wastage on roads was introduction of canal transportation system with existing infrastructure. And how to initialize this facility in scientific way will be discussed in this research. Also it was evident that the existing canal system could be utilized in very efficient way to afore said requirement. Finally it was found out that wastage of time in Colombo city area can be minimized by using existing canal system with some limitation.

III
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION

5. Thousands of people used to come from various places of the country to Colombo for different purposes. They waste lot of valuable and useful time on the way due to limitation of transport facilities and complex road network system existing at present.

25. The available highways are not able cater new coming vehicle to the roads and leads to wastage of time up to greatest extended. These roads are highly jammed during office and school time. Therefore it has to be eased up by canal transportation to reduce time and spending minimal expense and available resources. It is important to make the best use of existing infrastructure in preference to expansion, wherever practicable.

6. During recent past Sri Lanka had good water bone transport system available in Colombo area for transport men and material. This was very much significant during Dutch era. Therefore, it is evident that this method can be utilized even at present days with little modification to existing water ways.

7. In this research it is expected to prove that traffic conjunction in Colombo, can be over come by using existing canals system and can be minimize time wastage on roads. By using this existing canal system effective and efficient way, we can reduce the time for transportation in Colombo city.

CHAPTER II
METHODOLOGY
STUDY AREA

8. The study area is identified and methodology employed for data collection to carry out to research on field visits and investigations, boat rides and collect relevant data, talking to Naval Personnel, people around the canals and bus passengers, data from the Navy.

9. The study area is demarcated from Kiralapone canal which starts from Diyawanna Oya and feeding from Kotte canal. This Kiralapone canal flows and diverts into two and created Heen Ela from Rajagirya, then 1km down below it is created one more branch and made Dematagoda canal and Kiralapone canal flows further and again making two branches at Havelock town and continue to Wellawatta and other one continue till Dehiwalla. The research was conducted by using cleared area of Wellawatta to Nawala canal. During site visits in two occasions, the following details are gathered and most of the measurements taken the Naval team available at the Canals. The Salient features are as follows.

a. Length – From Wellawatta to Nawala – 1.8km

b. Width – 9 meters (mean Value)

c. Depth – 2.1 meters at high tide condition

d. Special feature – At rains no tide difference take place

SCOPE

10. The canal transportation will reduce time and lead to ease up the road traffic at city centre, minimize pollution and helps to reduce respiratory deceases, attracts tourists to the city and make new ventures like boat building industry.

11. This congested canals should be converted into scenic beauty for the city, avoid flood taking place at city centre and protect flora and fauna belongs to these area. The recreational purposes also can be achieved and it will support make health people at the city. This is one of the great opportunities to develop a social integration plan to evaluate living personals close to the canal area by them selves to value their life style. Another added advantage is to promote fishing among the people around the area.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

12. The available highways and road network system unable to cater new coming vehicle to the roads and leads to create heavy road traffic and hence it has happened to waste lots of time at the Colombo City.

HYPOTHESIS

13. Time factor can be reduced by using canal transportation spending minimal expense, with available resources and the best use of existing infrastructure.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

14. During the research it is expected to find out that usage of canal for transportation will reduce time to move point A to point B, where canals are available.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

15. As a result of this canal transportation will reduce traffic congestion, improve environment condition either side of the canal, develop the boat industry and related other employment opportunities and improvement of this canal will help the reducing the flood affect in Colombo city.

CHAPTER III
BACKGROUND

16. The good olden days canals were used for cultivation and irrigation work. The first recorded canal was built in Mesopotamia circa 4000 BC or modern day Iraq and Syria. The Indus Valley Civilization in Pakistan and North India (circa 2600 BC) had sophisticated irrigation and storage systems developed, including the reservoirs built at Garner in 3000 BC. In Egypt, canals date back at least to the time of Pepi I Meryre (reigned 2332-2283 BC), who ordered a canal built to bypass the cataract on the Nile near Aswan.

17. In ancient China, large canals for river transport were established as far back as the Warring States (481-221 BC), the longest one of that period being the Hong Gou (Canal of the Wild Geese), which according to the ancient historian Sima Qian connected the old states of Song, Zhang, Chen, Cai, Cao, and Wei. By far the longest canal was the Grand Canal of China, still the longest canal in the world today. It is 1,794 kilometres (1,115 miles) long and was built to carry the Emperor Yang Guang between Beijing and Hangzhou. The project began in 605 and was completed in 609, although much of the work combined older canals, the oldest section of the canal existing since at least 486 BC. Even in its narrowest urban sections it is rarely less than 30 metres (98 ft) wide [1] .

18. Canals were important for the industrial development. That’s why the greatest stimulus to canal systems came from the Industrial Revolution with its need for cheap transport of raw materials and manufactured items.

19. In Europe, particularly Britain and Ireland, and then in the young United States and the Canadian colonies, inland canals preceded the development of railroads during the earliest phase of the Industrial Revolution. The opening of the Sankey Canal in 1757, followed by the Bridgewater Canal in 1761, which halved the price of coal in Liverpool and Manchester, respectively, triggered a period of “canal mania” in Britain so that between 1760 and 1820 over one hundred canals were built.

20. The history of canal transportation in Colombo City was started in Dutch era. It was exclusively used to transport goods from hinterland to coastal area by Paru (Small Vessel driven by manpower). This tremendous and environmental friendly transportation system is still used some areas of the country in smaller scale.

21. After industrial revolution auto mobile transportation system became popular and with that development of road network system also took place. Presently number of vehicles increased but road network system became limited due to space problem. This causes the traffic congestion especially in Colombo city and as a result, people waste their valuable and useful time in between their destinations. To overcome this problem it can be used existing canal system for transportation men and material in Colombo city.

22. Except Kirullapana – Wellawatta canal, rest of the canals are still being used for water draining system of the Colombo city. However, recent past none of these canals have being properly maintained. Presently Sri Lanka Navy is undertaking to clean the Wellawatta canal, Dehiwella canal and Dematagoda canal.

23. The “Japan Jabara” is the main dilemma which need permanent solution and should be removed 100% from the canals. If not it may leads to suspend operation due sudden engine failures [2] .

24. The passenger transportation by boats in canal will reduce time and road traffic congestion at Colombo city. Also this may help cargo transportation by canal reducing road traffic in the city centre.

Lt WPHE WIJAYALATH
Index No : 10680
CHAPTER IV
DATA

25. The available highways are not able cater new coming vehicle to the roads and leads to wastage of time up to greatest extended. These roads are highly jammed during office and school time. Therefore it has to be eased up by canal transportation to reduce time and spending minimal expense and available resources. It is important to make the best use of existing infrastructure in preference to expansion, wherever practicable.

26. In Colombo city traffic congestion depends upon place to place. Therefore it is important that identify those roads and get the overall picture about traffic congestion and use available canal system to minimize the time in effective way.Traffic congestion roads are identified and details indicated down below.

a. Galle road congestion is intensified after Moratuwa and stagnated after Dehiwala

b. High level road congestion is intensified after Maharagama and stagnated after Nugagoda.

c. Low level road congestion is intensified after Kaduwela and stagnated after Kotikawatta.

d. Kaduwela road congestion is intensified after Malaba and stagnated after Battaramulla.

e. Kandy road congestion is intensified after Kadawatha and stagnated after Kiribathgoda.

f. Negambo road congestion is intensified after Welisara and stagnated after Wattle.

29. Traffic data

Traffic data within the canal corridor was taken from Road Development Authority (RDA) and it is tabulated below.

LOCATION
Daily Traffic
2002
2003
2005
2010(projected)
Domino’s Pizza Sri J’pura Rd

59408

61321

68957

85487

Open University Nawala Rd
29734
30660
34548
44648
Wall Tiles Narahenpita

20234

20770

23903

32705

Apollo Hospital Baseline Rd

23849

24632

30059

36813

Weaving Mills Havelock Rd

48968

50273

56241

67309

Wellawatte Bridge Galle Rd
51298
52937
56941
60311

Table 1

Chart 1

39. Time taken to travel from Wellawatta to Diyawanna by various vehicles, within special time periods during a day.

VEHICLE
SPECIAL TIME PERIODS OF THE DAY
0630-0830hrs
0830-1600hrs
1600-1800hrs
Public transport(bus)
1hrs 15min
1hrs
1hrs 30min
Official transport(van)

45min

35min

50min

Personnel vehicle(car)

45min

35min

50min

Motor bike

35min

30min

40min

41. Time taken to travel from Wellawatta to Nawala by various vehicles, within special time periods during a day.

VEHICLE
SPECIAL TIME PERIODS OF THE DAY
0630-0830hrs
0830-1600hrs
1600-1800hrs
Public transport(bus)
1hrs
50min
1hrs 10min
Official transport(van)

50min

40min

1hrs

Personnel vehicle(car)

50min

40min

1hrs

Motor bike

40min

30min

45min

CANALS AND DETAILS

30. Wellawatte Canal – The canal 1.8 km in length, and 25 meters wide and the banks are strengthening by Gabion Boxes, Steel sheets and Masonry wall. The open side to the sea is protected by two jetties preventing the formation of a sandbar. Some times canal mouth is stuck by sand due monsoons rains and wind. However it is not created flood hazard for the city centre. On other way this is the most important path way to discharge and regulate water when flood occurred at the City. The canal passes through a residential area and giving fabulous scenic beauty to residence over there. This is fully cleaned and dredged by the Navy and transportation is taking place by the Naval Dingy Boats. Details are as follows.

a. Morning starts from Wellawatta – 0730 hrs to 0930 hrs

b. Evening starts at Open University, Nawala – 1600 hrs to 1800 hrs

c. FGD (Fiber Glass Dingy) is propelled by 40 Horse Power of Out Board Motors (OBM) using to transport 08 passengers at a time.

d. 2.4 liters of fuel burns for the Journey

e. Depth of water at centre – 2.1 meters at high tide

f. People around area are highly supporting the project and putting garbage to the canal is very minimal at the moment.

35. Dehiwalla Canal – The canal 3.7 km in length, and 10 meters wide and the banks are strengthening by Gabion Boxes, Steel sheets and Masonry wall. The surrounding area is highly polluted and after putting tremendous effort by the Navy 3.2 km totally cleaned up to 01st July 2010 and rest of the distance in progress. Details are as follows.

a. Depth of water at centre – 2.7 meters at high tide (as per 01st July 2010)

b. Cleaning is taking placed from both the side of the canal.

Banks should be strengthen in some places

38. Dematagoda Canal -The canal 8.6 km in length, and 10 meters wide and the banks are strengthening by Gabion Boxes, Steel sheets and Masonry wall. This is already cleaned up to Royal Park by the Navy.

TIME TAKEN TO TRAVEL BY BOAT
FROM
TO
TIME DURATION

Wellawatta

Nawala

15 min

Wellawatta

Diyawanna(Battaramulla)

30 min

40. Approximately Rs. 26.00 will cost to travel from Wellawatta to Diyawanna (Baththaramulla) and Wellawatta to Nawala Rs. 22.00 by public transport (bus) according to present condition.

DETAILS ABOUT CANALS

Under mentioned details of canals also have to consider to improve time and to continue with transportation.

31. Work Scope and Action Plan for the Rehabilitation / Maintenance of Wellawatta Canal

32. General Details are as follows.

a. Total length : 1.8 km

b. Side wall height from water line – 5?-7?

c. Depth of water at center – 1 meter at low tide condition

d. Width – 8 to 10 meters

e. Middle of the canal itself and surrounding area was highly polluted and congested and cleaned by the Sri Lanka Navy.

34. Renovating and cleaning is in progressed and contributing lot from the Navy.

a. Vegetation is already removed by the Navy and cleaned the surroundings more 90%.

Japan Jabara was removed and two branches of Bodi trees at the banks should be sharpened up to avoid disturbance while boats moving.

Dredging should be done very sensitive and systematic way considering tide factor.

d. Gabion boxes are not the must for each and every place of the banks and ensure to get expert advice from the civil engineers on this matter and renovation should be done accordingly.

36. Work Scope and Action Plan for the Rehabilitation / Maintenance of Dehiwala Canal General Details are as follows.

a. Total length – 3.7 km

b. Side wall height from water line – 5?-7?

c. Depth of water at centre – 2? – 3?

d. Width – 8 to 10 meters

e. Middle of the canal itself and surrounding area is highly polluted and congested and Navy is almost cleaned 3.2 km up to 01st July 2010.

37. Renovating and cleaning is in progressed by Navy team.

Need to be removed vegetation at banks.

Transfer removed vegetation from the site.

c. Take out and transfer floating garbage at the middle of the canal by Floating JCB (Backhoe loader) or Pontoon JCB.

Dredging should be done very sensitive and systematic way considering tide factor.

Gabion boxes are not the must for each and every place of the banks and ensure to get expert advice from the civil engineers on this matter and renovation should be done accordingly.

MISCELLANEOUS FACTORS

26. The boat and height factor of the bridges to be highly considered when concidering time and required to go through following tabulated details.

Bridge

Minimum Vertical Clearance in meters

Rainy Days

At High Tide

At Low Tide

Ethul Kotte Pizza

0.9

2.56

2.85

Water Line Kotte

Above 3 meters

Above 4-5 meters

Above 4-5 meters

Open University Gate No -01

0.5

1.7

2

Open University Gate No -02

0.4

1.8

2.1

Railway Bridge

Above 3 meters

Above 5 meters

Above 5 meters

Baseline Road at Polhangoda

0.6 meters

2

2.2

Havlock Town Bridge

0.8

2.1

2.3

Duplication Road Bridge

2

3

3.3

Gall Road

Above 3 meters

Above 4 meters

Above 4 meters

Note – This was for Fiber Glass Dingy and More capacity boat clearance will be lesser than this and give endanger for passengers in high tide conditions. In rainy days this will able to work out.

BUS PASSENGERS INTERVIEW

43. The bus passengers interview were carried out to identify bus passengers travel patterns and transferring locations including office and school time. And also to whether they are ready take up new transport mode or not. The details were gathered from people at the bus stops and the stands.

Survey Location
Number of Passengers
Remarks

Wellawatta

5

Ready to go by boat

Havlock Town

10

Ready to go by boat

Nawala

10

Ready to go by boat

Rajagiriya

5

Ready to go by boat

Battaramulla

5

Ready to go by boat

Base line road

6

Ready to go by boat

PRESENT DEVELOPMENTS

25. The Sri Lanka Navy is started the commuter service for Open University students for free of cost by using Fibre Glass Dingy from Wellawatta to Nawala. It is already made huge impact to the society and urged people to think on this fabulous environmental friendly transportation service. Due more response from the people of the society, the Navy is trying to enhanced commuter service introducing more capacity for this event. The Navy engineers were already trailed 21 number passenger capacity boats with three different types of (Out Board Motor) OBM and identified the most suitable one. The trail details are as follows.

Out Board Motors

115hp

75hp

40hp

No of Passengers

21

21

21

Approx. Time taken (From Nawala to Wellawatte)
17 Min
15 Min
15 Min

Fuel consumption

6 ltrs

4 ltrs

3 ltrs

Average cost (Rs)
35.71
24.76
18.00

TABLE-1

CHAPTER V
ANALYSIS

25. According to the hypothesis time taken by canal transportation suppose to be lesser than road transportation. Following data can be use to analyse the condition.

From Wellawatta to Diyawanna (Battaramulla)
Public transport(bus)
1hrs 15min
1hrs
1hrs 30min

Average time taken by bus = (1hrs 15min + 1hrs + 1hrs 30min)

3

= 1 hrs 15min

Average time taken by boat = 30 min

Time difference = 1hrs 15 min – 30 min

= 45 min
======
From Wellawatta to Nawala
Public transport(bus)
1hrs
50min
1hrs 10min

Average time taken by bus = (1hrs + 50 min + 1hrs 10min)

3

= 1 hrs

Average time taken by boat = 15 min

Time difference = 1hrs- 15min

= 45 min
======

Unlike most other Asian cities, driving is the main mode of commuting in Kuala Lumpur. Hence, every part of the city is well connected by highways. As the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur has a comprehensive road network that leads to the rest of Peninsular Malaysia.

Public transport in Kuala Lumpur and the rest of the Klang Valley covers a variety of transport modes such as bus, rail and taxi. Based on the article “Prasarana to buy trains worth RM1.2bil” by The Star in 2006, despite efforts to promote usage of public transportation, utilisation rates are low as only 16 percent of the population used public transportation. Rail transport in Kuala

Lumpur encompasses light rail, rapid transit, monorail and commuter rail.

Kuala Lumpur is served by three separate rail systems which meet in the city and extend towards other parts of the Klang Valley, namely RapidKL Light Rail Transit, KL Monorail, and KTM Komuter. These lines have underground, elevated or at-grade stations around the city. The main rapid transit hub is KL Sentral which facilitates as an interchange station for the rail systems. RapidKL is the operator of two light rail lines in Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley, namely Ampang Line and Kelana Jaya Line which connect Kuala Lumpur to its satellite city, Petaling Jaya.

The issue of what transport system in Kuala Lumpur City Centre and Petaling Jaya has today is, people are too lazy. They are lazy to walk so they decided to park their car as close as they can to their destination. They are lazy to find car parks so they park at road shoulders, causing congestion to the drivers and also an obstacle for pedestrians and cyclists. They are lazy to walk a few miles to the nearest LRT station to go to city centre and opt to go there by car instead, despite the massive traffic especially during early morning and late evening. But they are okay with it. Because no matter how they said they hate the traffic, they would still go out using their cars, and put up hours on the road, wasting precious times.

So why would these people, simply put up with the traffic that they hate so much and deceiving the fact that they have the multi-million Ringgit worth of PUTRA LRT, which is one of the most advanced rapid transit systems in the world, and at the time of construction was the world’s longest driverless metro. Because if they travel with LRT, it may not stop approximately at their destination. There’s this term, faced by the LRT users, which are called first mile and last mile. And Malaysian hates this. So they prefer to sit in their little air-conditioned steel boxes which move slower than a bike during peak hours. Because of people’s love for their cars, finding a solution to the question of access to these buildings, to avoid being surrounded by a sea of parked cars, is therefore an important part of the problem.

According to Brian Richards in his book Future Transport in the cities (1960), he summed up the approaches that being used towards dealing with traffic problems in the cities by the authorities. These approaches are:

There is a serious and effective grass roots opposition in most countries to more urban road-building on the basis that more roads mean more traffic.

Within residential areas there has been the development of traffic calming and town yards.

Controls on parking within city centres has effectively reduced and controlled the amount of traffic entering cities.

Planning laws are banning more out of town shopping centres or random car-oriented developments.

Public transport has been maintained and improved, without which any of the other measures would be effective.

Although these measures were introduced, there are problems with the continuing growth of cars, the political strength of car lobby and the desire for people to own and use their own cars. In this selfish world, people love their cars. It gives them a retreat from the real world which partly accounts for their popularity. It provides them with a degree of comfort and privacy for the user, which public transportation did not have. It allows the user to go straight to their destination without having the hassle to change stations or switch mediums like public transportations do. As a result, these cars caused the most problems to city life. It is now that alternative ways must be sought to provide transportation systems that are good enough for people to opt out for it and leave their cars for major trips like going back to their kampung and road trips.

Another reason that makes people opt for cars is the lack connectivity of LRT in Petaling Jaya area. Realising the problem, the Government of Malaysia is now working on a Malaysia Rapid Transit project. The proposal was announced in June 2010 and was approved by the government of Malaysia in December 2010. The newly-launched Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) will oversee and coordinate the entire MRT development in terms of cost and viability, alignment and integration, and will play the role of regulator once the project is completed. National infrastructure company, Syarikat Prasarana Negara would ultimately own and operate the MRT. A First Class Land Public Transport System Contributes to Social and Economic Development

Historical data in Malaysia and around the world indicates a correlation between GDP and mobility growth – increased population, employment and economic activity always translate into higher mobility requirements. In this context, a first class land public transport system is especially important given our immediate aims as outlined in the ETP: 6 per cent annual growth and 3.3 million new jobs by 2020. Travel vehicle demand grew from 13 million trips per day in 1991 to 40 million in 2010. Projections point towards this trend continuing in Malaysia, with the figure expected to reach a staggering 133 million in 2030.With urbanization expected to reach 70 per cent by 2020, there is a need to enable an efficient and smooth flow of people, which in turn also enables the growth of new urban areas through increased connectivity.

Beyond satisfying a growing demand, land public transport plays a catalytic role in accelerating and shaping economic growth. Provision of effective public transport services has the potential of opening up new growth clusters, enhancing the attractiveness of existing clusters, and driving urban revitalization. And there are other positive spill-over effects of increased economic activity built upon an advanced land public transport network – it yields employment and business opportunities in local economies by having synergies with other industries like advertisement, retail and property development.

Malaysia has seen a surge in ownership of cars and motorcycles across the country, which is an indication of our country’s increased prosperity, but although private vehicles contribute to the mobility solution, sustainable and inclusive social and economic development cannot be overly dependent on private vehicles. As a general rule, public transportation is more affordable and mitigate traffic congestion as well as the attendant pollution problems caused by private vehicles on the road. All this puts tremendous pressure on the land public transport system to meet the mobility and connectivity requirements closely linked to the social and economic development agenda.

Public Transport Masterplan which was being proposed recently.

MY Rapid Transit (MRT) is a proposed three-line Mass Rapid Transit system in the Klang Valley. The MRT will be integrated with the LRT, Monorail, KTM Komuter and intra/ intercity buses and will help alleviate traffic congestion by increasing the number of people using public transport in the city centre. When operational, the system targets to carry 400,000 commuters daily. In 2020, it is estimated that the population in the Klang Valley will grow from the current 6 million to 10 million. This means that if every single trip is on private transport, the roads in the Klang Valley will be in gridlock. An effective public transport system is the only solution to this as it can move people in masses and it has an optimal usage of space to carry the same number of people.

Rail-based public transport, such as the MRT, LRT or commuter train, always forms the backbone of a city’s public transport system as it can carry large numbers of people and can move people quickly because it is not hindered by road traffic. Klang Valley currently has a shortage of rail-based public transport coverage compared with most public transport-oriented cities. It has less than 20km per million population. Public transport-oriented cities such as

Singapore, Hong Kong and London have more than 40km of rail per million population. With the MRT, it will boost the rail-based public transport coverage in Klang Valley significantly.

The first line of this project is the Sungai Buloh – Kajang Line (SBK Line), which stretches 51km and have 31 stations. The line will pass through the city centre and will serve densely populated suburban areas including Kota Damansara, Mutiara Damansara, Bandar Utama, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Bukit Damansara, Cheras, Bandar Tun Hussein Onn and Balakong, with a total catchment population of 1.2 million people. Out of the 31 stations, 16 stations will be equipped with Park and Ride facilities:

Sungai Buloh

Maluri

Pusat Bandar Damansara

Kota Damansara

Taman Bukit Mewah

Bandar Tun Hussein Onn

Taman Industri Sungai Buloh

Plaza Phoenix

Taman Koperasi

Taman Tun Dr Ismail

Taman Suntex

Saujana Impian

Seksyen 16

Taman Cuepacs

Kajang

Works on the MRT SBK line has begun in July 2011 and is expected to be completed by 2017.

The Klang Valley MRT will not only significantly increase the current inadequate rail network but will also serve to integrate the existing rail networks and expectantly alleviate the severe traffic congestion in the Greater KL metropolitan area. The new MRT system is to radically improve and transform Kuala Lumpur’s poor and sorely inadequate public transportation coverage and to propel the Greater Kuala Lumpur metropolitan area to be on par with that of a developed city. The new lines will increase Greater Kuala Lumpur’s rapid rail network from 15 km per million people in 2010 to 40 km per million people once completed. The proposal also envisages a fivefold increase in rail ridership, in line with the government’s target for public transport usage in the Klang Valley of 40% by 2020 from 18% in 2009. The Red Line will go from Damansara in the northwest to Serdang in the southeast of Kuala Lumpur, While the Green Line will be from Kepong in the northeast to Cheras in the southwest. Both lines will pass through the city of Kuala Lumpur and converge at the Dataran Perdana (Kuala Lumpur International Financial District) near Jalan Tun Razak.

The underground MRT Line 2 looping around the city of Kuala Lumpur will serve an important role to tie-up and integrate the currently disjointed LRT and monorail lines. Under the Greater KL/ Klang Valley Land Public Transport Master Plan draft, MRT 2 would cater for orbital movements around Kuala Lumpur, provide linkages to existing areas such as the Mid Valley, Mont Kiara, Sentul Timur and Ampang, as well as proposed major developments identified in the DBKL City Plan such as Matrade. The master plan draft says the circle line would be developed in at least two phases – The first, comprising 29km with 22 stations – would be the western and southern sections linking Ampang with Mid Valley, Matrade and Sentul. The second phase (12km with 8 stations) would link Ampang with Sentul Timur, completing the northeastern sector of the circle line. The master plan also says MRT 3 or the north-south

(NS) line would cater for a north-west corridor of the Greater Klang Valley, linking developing areas such as Sungai Buloh, Kepong and Selayang with the eastern half of the city centre (including Kampung Baru and Kuala Lumpur International Financial District), which was forecast to be overloaded in the future.

Sustainably Enhancing Connectivity

Public transport has an important role to play in Malaysia’s aspirations to develop holistically and sustainably. As populations in urban centres get denser, the problems of congestion and pollution will rise. Proper planning of public transport and land-use are essential to mitigate the ill-effects of population growth in urban areas and to make city-life a pleasant, healthy and environmentally sustainable one.

Under the Final Draft of Malaysia’s National Land Public Transport Masterplan, chapter 3.7 ABOUT BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE states that policy 3.7.1 is to promote healthy living.

One of the indirect benefits of using land public transport systems is that they indirectly promote healthier lifestyles. This is because when the public transportation hubs are well connected, the first and last miles’ of a public transport user’s journey are typically travelled by foot, rather than in a car or on a motorcycle.

The stretch between the public transport station and the users’ origin or destination is crucial to reduce the barrier of using public transport in the first place.

• Pedestrian facilities improvement to bus stops and railway stations will be encouraged as part of the local authority development plans. Walking structures should be defined around transit stops to increase the convenience of those locations. To enhance the accessibility of KLaˆYs public transport network, a target has been set of having 75 per cent of the population live within 400 meters of a public transport stop.

In addition to ensuring ease of access to the major transport nodes for pedestrians, fitting in cyclist-friendly infrastructure such as bicycle parking facilities and bicycle lanes will make it easier and more attractive for people to ride to the stations or interchanges. It will also increase the catchment area of these bus interchanges or rail stations as people living further away would not be put off by having to walk a distance to take public transport.”

– policy 3.7.1 : Final Draft of MalaysiaaˆYs National Land Public Transport Masterplan

First, let’s take Singapore as a reference in terms of public transportation usage and connectivity. It is easy to take Singapore as a reference to this study because of its climate is the same as Malaysia and taking Kuala Lumpur City Centre and Petaling Jaya as a place of study, it is almost similar to Singapore in terms of urbanization. Then again, how did Singapore able to encourage their people to use their public transportation? Although the approach of Singaporean government is not through cycling, however, it is still beneficial to review their integrated transport system and compare with our own transportation system.

In terms of connectivity, public transportation in Singapore is highly connected all over its main town to its suburbs. Since Singapore is a small town with a high density of population, it is possible to do so. Furthermore, because of its size, it is possible to enforce restrictions on private car ownership this, curbing congestion and pollution. To own a car, one must pay duty one and a half times the market value and bid for a Singapore Certificate of Entitlement which comes in very limited numbers. Therefore, according to Singapore’s department of statistics, only 1 very 10 people own a car. Within the absence of private cars, Singaporeans seems to live normally and manage their time effectively, to catch up with the public transportation’s schedule.

Singaporeans usually travels either by bus, taxis, trains, or maybe a combination and some of them might cycle. Although according to Tan Mike Tze in a chapter of the book THE JOURNEY: Singapore’s Land Transportation Story (2005), he says Singaporeans does not like the idea of pedal-powered bicycle as it is too hot and humid, the traffic is dangerous to the cyclist and so on. Also, generally bicycles are used by construction workers, say some. In the book, Tan Mike Tze has this thought where he wants people to imagine a world where everybody goes to work by bicycles or walking or public transportation and their companies are encouraging it by providing showers and changing room facilities allow people to freshen up before starting their work. A world with dedicated lanes and protected side road reserves for the bicycles. A world where the roads are dominated by cyclists and pedestrians and cars have to give way to them. Imagine the health benefits, environmental friendliness and sheer graciousness in such a world.

In Petaling Jaya, there are already bicycle paths and bicycle parkings at bus stops, being integrated as part of a residential area’s streetscape in Damansara Jaya. Although not many people have come to know about these facilities, it is actually a part of Petaling Jaya’s Green City big plan, where they are trying to decrease the carbon footprints produced and reduce the use of private motorised vehicles on the road. The bicycle path in Damansara Jaya is the pioneer project which tries to communicates urban parks within the Petaling Jaya area. Even though it was meant for recreation, it indirectly helps the cyclist to safely commute within that area. Children can now cycle to school without having their parents to worry about their safety on the road, thus, reducing the number of cars on the road during 7.00 am to 7.30 am and 2.00pm to 3.30pm. It is a very good example set up by the Petaling Jaya Municipalities on how to manage traffic in urban areas.

Singapore’s transport planners have occasionally toyed with this idea. The Registry of Vehicles stopped registering bicycles in 1981, but a 1955 estimate reckoned Singaporean owned about 240 bicycles per 1000 population. This puts Singapore sixth in a table with other developed countries, a table inevitably topped by the developing world’s most devoted cyclist, in Holland, with its 550 bicycles per 1000 people. But ownership does not equate with usage, of course. Most bicycles use in Singapore is recreational, and often the bikes belong to a child or teenagers but not working adults. There already is a good network of recreational bike paths in parkland areas. But only 1% of Singaporean trips were made on bicycles in 1995, way below the most other countries. In many admittedly cooler European countries, up to 50% of rail travellers and perhaps 20% of bus travellers may arrive at the station or terminus on a bicycle.

There certainly are valid safety concerns, given the current configuration of Singapore’s roads; while only 1% trips were made by bicycle, the percentage of road accident casualties for cyclists is disproportionately large, at about 4%. But these conditions could be changed. The cyclist could be protected via dedicated lanes or paths among other strategies. Road planners, of course, panic that they are already short enough of land for road-building, without sacrificing any more for aˆ-frills’ such as bicycle lanes. For engineers, all the glamour lies in rail. To some extent, this mindset can be seen in the 1996 White Paper A World Class Land Transport System. In this report, bicycles are relegated to a brief paragraph at the back, under the general heading “Supporting Measures”. The provision of more facilities for bicycles would encourage short trips of about 3km within housing estates, and possibly to the nearest MRT stations as well. It is the strength of this lobby to create future demand that ultimately will determine whether the planners really embrace the bicycle. The Land Transport Authority, had provided some 869 bicycles at 38

MRT stations by 1997, but it seems significant that bicycles did not feature in the LTA annual report after that, and that a search of the current LTA website under bicycle- does not yield any information.

” How much friendlier and nicer our roads and public spaces would it be if more of us paddled around on bicycles instead of sitting high and aloof in our four-wheeled steel boxes. It will require a national cycling strategy integrated into the national transport, health and environmental policy. The such master plan will provide for necessary infrastructure such as traffic signs and bicycle parkings, redesign roads and aˆztraffic calmingaˆY measures in built up areas and school zones to slow down motor traffic. It will require some changes to the law, most importantly, it will require safety education and training for all road users.”

– Chin Yih Ling, SingaporeaˆYs Today Newspaper, 17 January 2005

According to existing cyclists, cycling in early in the morning and late afternoon hours could be much more comfortable than walking as they can feel the breeze during riding the bike and the temperature of the surrounding is quite cool. It would extend the catchment of the LRT stations of more than 45% walking, thus making cycling a better option than walking. In Malaysia, people are allowed to take motorcycle license as early at the age of 16 and car license at the age of 18. Malaysia has cheap petrols, subsidized by the government, lots of highways and wide roads to occupy the needs of urban transportation. Therefore, people here can’t seem to find a reason to not own a car or ride one. Thus, the existence of bicycle is forgotten. Even kids are demanding to be sent and invited back home by cars. Bicycles in Kuala Lumpur city centre and Petaling Jaya are now merely for recreations, where people brought their bicycle by cars, to the urban parks, and ride it there for the sake of health benefits they claim. There are even peoples, who strived the congested roads every day after work, for the sake of riding a stationary bicycle at the gym, also, for the health benefits.

Figure 2.1.3 Copenhagen, Denmark, Mao showing 300km of cycle paths provided beside all existing regional roads and distributor streets, used by 30% of commuters daily. New cycle routes are being built, aimed at increasing the length of average cycle trips from 5 to 15km.

For those who aren’t cycling, the idea of having a dedicated bike path would make them think as if it was a waste of space and resources. But looking things at a bigger picture, having dedicated bicycle paths would encourage more people to cycle as it ensures the cyclist’s safety on the road. When more people cycles, the dependency on private cars lessens thus, reducing the number of cars on the road, and releasing the traffic’s pressure, especially during peak hour.

With just a few millions spent on providing bicycle-oriented facilities such as painting the paths and providing bicycle parking, and give 1.5 metre minimum from the existing roads to these bike paths – instead of spending billions on building more highways and flyovers – the government could save billions more and able to spend it to increase the performance of existing public transportations such as increasing the number of coaches to the train to allow more people to enjoy the ride, increasing the number of trains and platforms to allow more frequent trips and better connectivity to places throughout the city.

2.2 Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is the federal capital of Malaysia. The city covers an area of 243KMA? and has an estimated population of 1.6 million as of 2012. At 1999, the administrative centre of Malaysia was shifted to Putrajaya as an approach to release the population pressure of Kuala Lumpur. Started as a tin mining town, Kuala Lumpur evolves rapidly as among the fastest growing metropolitan regions in the country, in terms of population and economy Malaysia.

After the big flood swept through the town following a fire that had engulfed it earlier in 1881, Kapitan Yap Ah Loy restructured the building layout of the city into new brick buildings with clay tiles inspired by shophouses in southern China, characterised by “five foot ways” as well as skilled Chinese carpentry work. This resulted in a distinct eclectic shop house architecture typical of this region. A railway line increased accessibility into the growing town. As the development intensified in the 1890s, Kapitan Yap Ah Loy spent a sum of $20,000 to expand road access in the city significantly, linking up tin mines with the city, these roads include the main arterial roads of Ampang Road, Pudu Road and Petaling Street.

Climate and weather

Protected by the Titiwangsa Mountains in the east and Indonesia’s Sumatra Island in the west, Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya has a tropical rainforest climate which is hot and humid all year round. Average temperatures tend to remain constant between 31 and 33 A°C and typically receives minimum 2,600 mm of rain annually. Flooding is a frequent occurrence in both cities whenever there is a heavy downpour, especially in the city centre and downstream areas. Dust particles from forest fires from nearby Sumatra sometimes cast a haze over the region. It is a major source of pollution in the city together with open burning, emission from motor vehicles and construction works.

2.3 Petaling Jaya

Petaling Jaya is a city in Selangor originally developed as a satellite township for Kuala Lumpur, comprising mostly residential and some industrial areas. It is located in the Petaling district with

First developed by the British on the former 486 hectares Effingham Estate,as an answer to the problem of overpopulation in Kuala Lumpur in 1952 and has since witnessed a dramatic growth in terms of population size and geographical importance. The migration from Kuala Lumpur to the Petaling area had indeed started before the town was officially named in 1953 as Petaling Jaya. The satellite town began to take shape in 1952 when 800 houses were built and another 200 under construction.

By the end of 1957, there were well over 3,200 houses in Petaling Jaya, along with more than 100 shops and 28 operating factories. The year also saw the opening of the first phase of the Federal Highway (Lebuhraya Persekutuan) which divided Petaling Jaya into two. Linking Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya and Port Klang, it enhanced PJ’s reputation as a strategically located town, particularly in the eyes of industrialists and the affluent searching for prime residential land.

Transportation facilities and infrastructure are well developed in Petaling Jaya. Bus services were initially provided by Sri Jaya between the early 1950s until the early 1990s. The mid-eighties saw the introduction of minibuses. The introduction of the IntraKota bus system by DRB-Hicom saw the replacement of Sri Jaya and the minibus by the early 1990s. At the same time, some of the Petaling Jaya-Kuala Lumpur bus routes were also serviced by Metrobus.

The introduction of the Putra LRT service in 1998 saw the addition of the Putraline feeder bus services. The combination of Putraline and Putra LRT brought a relief to many Petaling Jaya residents especially those who had had to rely on public transportation. In 2006 RapidKL took over the operations of IntraKota as well as both Star and Putra LRT. Today, public transportation is provided by RapidKL in the form of buses as well as the KL Light Rail Transit System – Kelana Jaya Line, which extends slightly into Petaling Jaya. There are five Kelana Jaya Line stations in Petaling Jaya.Petaling Jaya has three access points to the national highway system North-South Expressway via Kota Damansara, Damansara, and Subang. Internally, highways such as the Damansara-Puchong Expressway, Sprint Expressway and the Federal Highway also exist.

There are plans for extensions to the existing Klang Valley light rail transit network with a new 30 km line from Kota Damansara in the northern part of Petaling Jaya to Cheras (southern Kuala Lumpur) with stops in Mutiara Damansara and Taman Tun Dr Ismail, to name a few. The extension line which would connect to Subang Jaya, the Kelana Jaya Line, will start operation on April 2011 and expected to be completed in 2013.

2.4 Cycling In The City

Before the economy of Malaysia blooms and the first national car, Proton Saga, was launched in July 1985 by Malaysia’s then Prime Minister, Mahathir bin Mohamad, cars is a luxury to many, and cycle is the most common medium of transportation. People’s daily travel distances were shorter and the city is more friendly towards people, rather than machines. People in those days treated cycling as part of their utility, rather than a hobby.

Utility or transportational cycling generally involves travelling short and medium distances, which involves a few kilometres and not more, often in an urban environment. It includes commuting to work, school or university, going shopping and running errands, as well as heading out to see friends and family or for other social activities.

It also includes economic activity such as the delivering of goods or services. In big cities, the bicycle courier has been often a familiar feature, and freight bicycles are capable of competing with trucks and vans particularly where many small deliveries are required, especially in congested areas. In Yokohama, Japan, bicycle also being used as a medium of public transportation through services called “Velotaxi”. Similar to the old days rickshaw, Velotaxi provides environmental friendly transport to its user and is actually one of the main tourist attractions in the city.

Utility cycling is believed to have several social and economic benefits. According to a report by the Dutch Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management, aˆ•Cycling in Netherlandsaˆ-, policies that encourage utility cycling have been proposed and implemented for reasons including:

Improved public health

Individual health and employers’ profits

A reduction in traffic congestion and air pollution

Improvements in road traffic safety

Improved quality of life

Improved mobility and social inclusiveness

Benefits to child development

In the Chinese city of Beijing alone, there are an estimated four million bicycles in use based on article aˆ•China ends ‘bicycle kingdom’ as embracing cars, China Daily on 11th November 2004, which stated it has been estimated that in the early-1980s there were approximately 500 million cyclists in China). While in aˆ•A Study on Measures to Promote Bicycle Usage in Japan

Department of Civil Engineering, Utsunomiya University, as of the year 2000, there were an estimated 80 million bicycles in Japan, accounting for 17% of commuter trips, and also, in aˆ•Cycling in Netherlandsaˆ- report, stated in the Netherlands, 27% of all trips are made by bicycle.

Figure 2.4.3 A common type bicycle in Japan where it comes with front and rear-mounted child seats. Source: Author’s own

Factors That Influence Levels of Utility Cycling

According to a book by Gregory Vandenbulcke-Plasschaert, aˆ•Spatial Analysis of Bicycle Use and Accident Risks for Cyclistsaˆ-, many different factors combine to influence levels of utility cycling.In developing economies, a large amount of utility cycling may be seen simply because the bicycle is the most affordable form of vehicular transport available to many people. In richer countries, where people can have the choice of a mixture of transport types, a complex interplay of other factors influences the level of bicycle usage. Factors affecting cycling levels may include:

Quality of infrastructure, such as the availability of bike path, safe parkings,etc.

Retail policy

Marketing the public image of cycling

Integration with other transport modes

Cycle training

Terrain condition which influences bikeability

Distance to destin

The aim of this assignment is to investigate the tour operations sector of the travel and tourism industry, including the different types of operator, their products and services, the scale of the sector and how it has

been affected by trends and developments. Learners will explore the stages involved in developing a package holiday and develop skills associated with determining a selling price for a holiday and the distribution methods used by tour operators to sell holidays.

The travel industry predicts a continuing move away from packages towards independent travel coupled with Britain’s slow exit from the recession; tour operator bookings show that the desire to take holidays in 2010 is stronger than ever, as compared to December 2008 to March 2009. (Aito 2010) The demand for cheap deals are no longer the driving factor in tour operator bookings, consumers are now more concerned about customer service, and this is jumping ahead of price. Spain remains Britain’s favourite holiday destination. It is familiar to many, and easy to reach from across the UK on no-frills airlines. The Canaries Island for example is a bright spot for tour operators with a lot of new-build accommodation over the past decade and more all-inclusive than in other areas. The big two are increasingly branding major resort hotels for particular client types. The Gran Melia Palacio de Isora in Tenerife will be part of Thomson’s flagship Sensatori resorts brand from May, offering luxury for adults with an emphasis on spa treatments. First Choice is adding a new Holiday Village in Lanzarote at the Flamingo Beach hotel, offering families all-inclusive holidays in apartment-style accommodation.

Specification of Assessment

This assignment is in two parts

Task 1 – Covers Learning Outcome 1 and Learning Outcome 4 (LO1 and LO4)

Task 2 – Covers Learning Outcome 2 and Learning Outcome 3 (LO2 and LO3)

TASK 1 – You are required to write a report on Tour Operations in the 21st Century showing how the Industry has developed, the size, scale and complexities of tour operations today and to examine the implications of current trends and decision making on the industry. Within this task you are expected to address LO1 and LO4. (P1, P2, P9 and P10) Please read requirements 1 and 4 for this task.

TASK 2 – – Within the Tour Operating Industry, you are required to develop and distribute a tour operator package, explain the stages of the product development, draw up timescales, prepare a package costing, evaluate and recommend distribution. Within this task you are expected to address LO2 and LO3. ( P3, P4, P5, P6, P7 and P8) Please read requirements 2 and 3 for this task.

Requirement 1 -Investigate the tour operations sector of the travel and tourism industry

Describe the tour operations sector of the travel and tourism industry Pass – P1

1.2 Explain the effects of current and recent trends and developments on the tour operations Sector of the travel and tourism industry Pass – P2

Desmonstrate creative thinking for tour operations’ current, recent trends and future developments discussed in Q.1.2 Distinction D3

Requirement 2 – Explore the stages involved in developing packages

2.1 Describe the stages and timescales involved in developing the holiday package Pass – P3

2.2 Explain the suitability of different methods of contracting for different components of the

Package holiday and different types of tour operator Pass – P4

Determine a selling price for a package holiday from given information Pass P5

Identify and apply strategies in developing a package holiday to a particular destination as discussed in Q.3.1 Merit – M1

Present and communicate appropriate findings as required in Question 3.3 Merit – M3

Requirement 3 – Review the role of Brochures & Methods of Distribution used to sell Package Holidays

Explain the planning decisions taken for a specified brochure Pass – P6

Explain the suitability of alternatives to a traditional brochure for different types of tour
operator Pass – P7

3.3 Explain the suitability of different methods of distribution used to sell a holiday for different

Types of tour operator Pass – P8

Use critical reflection and Evaluate the different types of tour operations and different methods of

Distribution used to sell holidays and justify conclusions as discussed in Question 4.3 Distinction – D1

Requirement 4- Examine strategic and tactical decision making for tour operators

4.1 Explain the strategic decisions made by different types of tour operator Pass – P9

4.2 Explain the tactical decisions that could be taken by a specified tour operator in different

Situations Pass – P10

Apply methods and techniques used by different types of tour operators to make strategic decisions discussed in Question 2.1. Merit – M2

4.4 How to take responsibility for managing and organising activities to explicate the deliberate decision that could be taken by a specified tour operator in different situations discussed in Question 2.2 Distinction – D2

Plagiarism and Collusion

Any act of plagiarism and collusion will be seriously dealt with according to the regulations. In this context the definition and scope of plagiarism are presented below:

“Using the work of others without acknowledging source of information or inspiration. Even if the words are changed or sentences are put in different order, the result is still plagiarism”. (Cortell 2003)

Extension and Late Submission

Collusion describes as the submission of work produced in collaboration for an assignment based on the assessment of individual work. When one person shares his/her work with others who submit part of all of it as their own work.

If you need an extension for a valid reason, you must request one using a coursework extension request form available from the college. Please note that the lecturers do not have the authority to extend the coursework deadlines and therefore do not ask them to award a coursework extension.

The completed form must be accompanied by evidence such as a medical certificate in the event of you being sick.

Outcomes

Assessment criteria for pass

To achieve each outcome a learner must demonstrate the ability to:

1 Investigate the tour operations sector of the travel and tourism industry

1.1 Describe the tour operations sector of the travel and tourism industry

1.2 Explain the effects of current and recent trends and developments on the tour operations Sector of the travel and tourism industry

2 Explore the stages involved in developing packages

2.1 Describe the stages and timescales involved in developing the holiday package

2.2 Explain the suitability of different methods of contracting for different components of the Package holiday and different types of tour operator

2.3 Determine a selling price for a package holiday from given information

3 Review the role of brochures and methods of distribution used to sell package holidays

3.1 Explain the planning decisions taken for a specified brochure

3.2 Explain the planning decisions taken for a specified brochure

3.3 Explain the suitability of different methods of distribution used to sell a holiday for different

Types of tour operator

4 Examine strategic and tactical decision making for tour operators

4.1 Explain the strategic decisions made by different types of tour operator

4.2 Explain the tactical decisions that could be taken by a specified tour operator in different situations

Note: All outcomes must be met for a pass
Merit Descriptor
Distinction Descriptor

M1: Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions.

D1: Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions.

M2: Select/design and apply appropriate methods/ techniques.

D2: Take responsibility for managing and organizing activities.

M3: Present and communicate appropriate findings.

D3: Demonstrate convergent/lateral/creative thinking.

Achievement of a Pass grade

A pass grade is achieved by meeting all the requirements defined in the assessment criteria for each individual unit.

Achievement of a merit or distinction grade

All the assessment criteria and merit grade descriptors need to be completed within a unit to achieve a merit grade.

All the assessment criteria merit and distinction grade descriptors must be completed within a unit to achieve a distinction grade.

Suggested Support Materials
Books

Holloway J C – The Business of Tourism (Longman, 1999)

Bull A – The Economics of Travel and Tourism (Longman, 1998)

Laws E – Managing Packaged Tourism (International Thomson Business Press, 1997)

Middleton, Victor T C and Clarke J – Marketing in Travel and Tourism, Third edition

(Butterworth-Heinemann, 2001)

Yale P – The Business of Tour Operations (Longman, 2000)

Further reading

ABTA/AITO Code of Conduct

ABTA Handbook

ABTA Information Bureau Holiday Statistics

CAA document number 221, 384

International Passenger Survey

Package Travel Regulations

Travel Trade Gazette

Travel Weekly

Websites
Websites

www.abtanet.com Association of British Travel Agents

www.aito.co.uk Association of Independent Tour Operators

www.caa.co.uk Civil Aviation Authority

www.firstchoiceplc.co.uk First Choice Holidays

www.fto.co.uk Federation of Tour Operators

www.mytravelgroup.com My Travel Group

www.thomascook.com Thomas Cook

www.tui.com TUI

ASSESSMENT FEEDBACK SHEET
GUILDHALL COLLEGE

Programme: BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) in Travel & Tourism Management

Unit Number and Title: Unit 15 Tour Operations Management

Unit Level: H1

Assignment Ref Number: 15.1.1 Tour Operations Management

Module Tutor: Margaret Amankwah

Email: [email protected]

Date Set: 22/March/2010

Learner Name: aˆ¦………………………………………………………………. Learner ID:………………………………………

Information/feedback on assessment and grading criteria
Assessment Criteria (Pass-P)
Achieved
Evidence
Feedback Remarks

P1Describe the tour operations sector of the travel and

tourism industry

Yes/No

P2 explain the effects of current and recent trends and

developments on the tour operations sector of the

travel and tourism industry

Yes/No

P3 Describe the stages and timescales involved in developing the holiday package

Yes/No

P4 explain the suitability of different methods of

contracting for different components of the package

holiday and different types of tour operator

Yes/No

P5 determine a selling price for a package holiday from

given information

Yes/No

P6 explain the planning decisions taken for a specified

brochure

Yes/No

P7 explain the suitability of alternatives to a traditional

brochure for different types of tour operator

Yes/No

P8 Explain the suitability of different methods of

distribution used to sell a holiday for different types

of tour operator

Yes/No

P9 Explain the strategic decisions made by different

types of tour operator

Yes/No

P10 explain the tactical decisions that could be taken by

a specified tour operator in different situations

Yes/No
Grading criteria (Merit-M; Destination-D)
Achieved
Evidence
Feedback Remarks

M1 Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions.

Yes/No

M2 Select/design and apply appropriate methods /techniques.

Yes/No

M3 Present and communicate appropriate findings

Yes/No

D1 Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions.

Yes/No

D2 Take responsibility for managing and organizing activities.

Yes/No

D3 Demonstrate convergent/lateral/creative thinking.

Yes/No
Assessor’s general comments:

Assessor’s Signature aˆ¦……………………………………………………………Date aˆ¦……………………………………………….

Print Name: aˆ¦…………………………………………………………………..Resubmission Date…………………………………..

Learner’s comments:

Signature aˆ¦……………………………………………………………………… Date aˆ¦………………………………………………

Print Name: aˆ¦…………………………………………………………………

Feedback of this coursework will normally be given to students four weeks after the submission of an assignment.

INDIA is a multi-destination country with a varity of tourist attraction and facilities, In winter tourists started trickling in India like the wintering birds .I know about a truth that few years ago in Mumbai a tourist walking cannot found a decent toilet . but tourist like to come here because India has lot of everything like history, culture, cuisine, and sight and yet runs an efficient machine that makes the tourists want to come back.that is so with most foreign destinations,except perhaps India . most countries like Switzerland and Egypt for instance are dependent on the foreign exchange.tourist bring to sustain their appreciatively give them value for money and nice experience.

In my country from the tourist point of view unless one pays through the hat for a expensive taxi and have a reliable guide. Entry tickets at places of interest are duel priced, the foreigner payed more in their countries than India.Different Indian experience-according to me, with India, it is quite a different experience so tourists n found here whatever they expect.

Forever,sunrise and yet I talk of tourism being the sunrise sector and it has being so forever without much being done which can be a paradigm shift from what is the tourists are surely keen on savouring the other India, as manifest by the more macabre tourist trips to mumbai’s Dharavi to see the poverty there but there are a lot more who would just like to savour the Indian life, however that area is totally unexplored much to the detriment of the country.If I talk about engineering site of view that there are lot of oppurnities , tourism infrastructure has no carrying capacity, be it train seats hotel rooms.

If I talk about rank that India has a very good rank for tourism point of view because when it comes to outbound tourism came here there should be a systematic segmentation with a reference to geography, since each region in India has its peculiar social, demographic and economic characteristic which in turn influence travel consumption patterns and preference.

India’s medical tourism Industry is very good. It growing by around 30% each year.according to me India’s tourism has great potential but it is being held back artificially though several policies and programmes have been famed for the development of tourism their implementation is not satisfact

Tourism is a booming sector and countries like India, which incidentally offers a wide range of tourist destinations, benefit much from it. It is also a major driver in various other sectors. The hotel industry particularly, expects a major part of their income from tourists.

At the same time, tourists usually incorporate accommodation plans to their check list before starting a tour. So, it is pretty straight forward what tourists can expect from a good hotel. For instance, aside from providing a regular accommodation, good hotels provide guided tour to the local tourist place, rental vehicles at the disposal of the tourist, and so on.

In India, many tourist destinations centre around temples and ashrams. The most sought after hotels are, therefore, those which are situated in the vicinity. Destinations such as the Jain Temples are an attraction to all devotees following Jainism religion. Many of these devotees prefer to stay for long periods. Thus, cheap hotels which provide basic accommodation and food are common in those places. As a matter of fact, pilgrimages in India are the most popular tourist places and attract a diverse crowd of tourists. Some are pure devotees, whereas others prefer to tread the surrounding places taking their time, still others follow a rather tight schedule while visiting all the famous sites. Hotels provide facilities to all those kinds of tourists.

Apart from pilgrimages, India hosts a variety of exotic locations. Hotels around these tend to be more luxurious than those near the pligrim centres. Sometimes, the hotels provide a kind of packaged tour around the place to attract tourists. This usually encompasses day trips and safaris. More lavish hotels invite tourists to sumptuous parties organised by the hotel at their premises. All the while, the tourists are familiarized with the local culture and cuisine.

Although, the heart of a city is not the domain of a tourist hotel, tourists are able to find some very good hotels here. These hotels act as a gateway for foreign tourists and therefore, these are the most luxurious hotels of all. From spas and swimming pools to expensive and showy restaurants, they provide every luxury that a hotel can offer. These hotels also does the job of recommending tourist destinations and arranging all the tickets for travel. Other times, hotels are made the hotspot for various kinds of organized events. Many of them are intended for the entertainment of tourists and provide a platform for local talents.

Internal and external sources to improvement of tourism potential of India

Economy- Tourism industry is making tremendous contribution to globle economy. This substantial growth of the tourism makes it one of the most remarkable economic and social phenomena of country.

Demand for tourism depends on the ecomomic condition of a country and now economy of India is a very strong when economy grow ,levels of disposable income will rise and relatively a large part of discretionary income will be spent on tourism.

And internal sources are that India has rich culture and heritage. India’s culture heritage and eco tourism potential are the major consumer preferences of the tourists visiting India.its diversity attract tourist both foreigners as well as its own citizens to explore scenic beauty that it has to offer the world.

There is no other country in the world which offers such wide choice of destination like India.the internal factor also that include his history tourist, adventure tourism, spiritual tourism, beach tourism. According to europe’s leading travel mazagine ” Conde Nast Traveller” India has been ninth rank in longest coastline.

Internet-There are larg e number of people who decide their travel plan by searching online .

Improvement of current situation of tourism potential of India

The current situation of tourism potential of India is heavily promoting tourism focusing primarily on its resources strengths and innovative plans by government.

It can be improve by internet because tourism can control their viewing experience within the limitations of available information.

They can view such as train timetable ,hotel and souvenir information such as maps etc.yhey can provide contact email addresses in the website to allow them to make enquiries about product and services by providing contact email.they can making online payments with credit cards.

Webpage design- visitors often find tourist websites via search engines.

Ease of use: It is an important component in website design and an effective way to attract online customers. The users in India especially south India are not so internet savvy it should be easy tonavigate and get the information they are searching for.

Technical Quality: It directly influences the performance by not only retaining the characteristics oftraditional tools but also taking full advantage of the mediums unique characteristics.

NEED INFORMATION

1 PRODUCT

2 PLACE

3 PRICE( HOTEI , PRODUCT )

4 TRANSPORT

5 GUDIES for tourist attraction.

6 benefits

Range of communication method that lsbm uses to communicate with students:
Lsbm used many of methods for communicate with students these are-

Internal method -e -mail, mails, memos, face to face,report,notice,team briefing.

External method-letters,telephone,mail,advertising,meeting,business to business,fax,websites,internet ICT(which is known as information communication technology. These are explained belowaˆ¦.

lsbm College may communicate with students via several methods, including Mail, phone, fax, or e-mail etc. It is important to inform the college whenever a change is made to the student’s contact information.An official e-mail address is issued to each student at the time. This official e-mail address takes the form of a person’s first initial and last name, followed by

Students are responsible for activating their e-mail account; this may be accomplished on the Web site at Students must check e-mail regularly in order to read important messages and notifications.Certain communications may be time-sensitive. Failure to read official communications sent to the students’ official e-mail addresses does not absolve students from knowing and complying with the content of those communications.

Suitability and effectiveness communication

If we talk or worked face to face it gave behaviour to a greater extant than via audio.these are some effective methods that is, if I spent long time on the phone may be I can’t understand location of that person or may be I made fool by other person.

There are many of suitability because if a student communicate with someone , its increase the students’s suitability for online psychotheropy. The students increased their knowledge by contact with LSBM by text,phone,e mail and instant message etc.

Students increased their communication with LSBM by following methods

Students increased their Communication with the principles and practices of small group and team communication theory and research in a variety of group settings.

Course readings, assignments, labs, and online research projects are designed to enhance your overall competency in small group and team communication. Students will also participate in a final service-learning project involving local community nonprofit organizations.

This course is designed to help students increase their small group communication effectiveness in the following areas:

Interpersonal group/team skills

Problem-solving techniques in groups and teams

Strategies for conflict management in groups and team.

Why these methods improved communication
ACTION PLAN

Because if students must have a range of skills to express themselves not only through paper and pencil but also have audio,video, animation,design software as well as a host of new environments(e mail,websites,message boards etc)if a student focus on these points I think they Learn more and more about communication.STUDENT should improve their manners, lifestyle,communcate with teacher and other many thing.

Business vocabulary

My strength is the sense of responsibility, understanding, punctuality and the ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines. I am a very trustworthy person with an ability to work as a team player or as an individual which helps me to survive under different kind of environments.

The Ability to merge into the people and be a part of them is one key trait that any successful person might have, and this ability makes me unique that people find me trustworthy as a person with who they can share their sorrows, happiness take advice. So I consider this as my biggest strength that I can merge into any group of people belonging to any race or any part of the world.

My weaknees someone disregards my sincere efforts, or accuse me of being guilty of a mistake which I never did, this does results in a mental stress which ultimately effects my performance. This is what I think is my strength and weakness.

Spoken communication

I believe that one of my personal strength in spoken communication is that I can talk to just about anyone. I enjoy talking with people.GRAMMAR My strength would be that I have the ability to WRI TE with out any grammatical mistakeas well as to listen. enjoy having conversation with people of different cultures because it gives me as chance to learn more about their lifestyle.

large group of people than I become very nervous and will some times forget what I wanted to say.2nd is when I have to speak in front of the class or in front of a very large group of people I become nervous.

Non-verbal communication

My strength for verbal communication is to be able to project my voice to audience.2nd strength is having good eye contact with all peers in the room.

My weakness is be very nervous to present in front of my peers.2nd is to take breaths in between prentation and have head and leg movements while presenting.

Prentation skills

My strength is ability to prioritize,planning skills,well organized, multitasking and assuming responsibilities and dutie.possessing the capacity to cope with failures and trying to learn from past mistakes.

My weakness is taking things to heart and getting too disappointed when things are done in the wrong way.

Listening skills

My strength is that I listen 95% of the time of the topic.i listen any topic with confidence and determination and with will power.

My weakness is that I tend to lose these skills If I am very tired.2nd is that I am a bit impatience and sensitiveness.

Grammar

My strength is my vocabulary and the sense of responsibility, punctuality and the ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.

My weakness is my sentence structure.2nd is I have not done practice so much in grammar. I would be not correct use of English grammer and syntax.

Methods of improvement of these areas

There are so many areas to study grammar: tenses, subject-verb agreement, prepositions, etc. we need to select one or two grammatical structures to start.

Test grammar through the Oxford Grammar Test. Ask a CILL teacher for a copy of the test.to read ielts books.

Ask the CILL teacher if i cannot analyse the test by. Having identified a difficult area of grammar select one of the materials listed on the back page. Firstly, read and understand the rules for the grammatical structure. Make a brief note of the rules in my diary.

.

I can improve communication area by improve cross-cultural affective development.2nd by foreign language proficiency a threshold- level facility in the spoken and non-spoken.

Listening presentation will be improve by hyposis CD, produced by Sharon Shinwell.i can improve communication and skills as well as improve listening

Skills through improved business presentation and conversation skills.

TIME SCALE
STUDENT should give 15 to 20 mintues to improve their skill in these areas per day I think its benificial for student to learn different things.time scale is very important to improve their self.
SPECIFY
TO read books.
Listen english DVD’s
TO increase their capability towards understanding.
NAME JASWANT SINGH
CLASS ID DIB/AUO9/78