Unit 2 constituents of the tourism industry

tourism note

1. UNIT 2 : CONSTITUENTS OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY prepared by Subash Sapkota

2. CONSTITUENTS OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY The Constituents of the tourism industry are varied ranging from small scale businesses operating at local levels to multinationals. For e.g.: a fast food counter at an airport is a component of tourism industry, as is an airline or a hotel for it has its own serving purpose for the tourist. More over these different components are closely linked to each other. This linkage is there in spite of the competition within one set of constituents.

3. PRIMARY / MAJOR CONSTITUENTS These are the essential constituents. 1.Transport: a travel agent or a tour operator should be in a position to suggest a mode of transport to his client. Further, the travel depends on the availability of seats. Today, the travel industry with its various branches in the areas of road, rail, air & water .

4. 2.Accommodation: a tourist not only travels but also stays somewhere. And here comes in accommodation. It could be of different type i.e. from cottages or tourist lodges to a house boat or a five star hotel.

5. 3.Catering, food & entertainment: Food being a basic necessity the role of catering & food comes into focus. Restaurants fast food joints & dhabas all play roles in this regard with different cuisine to offer.

6. Intermediaries: the intermediaries constitute the travel agency, tour operator & guide services. All the components of tourism are co-related by the travel agents /tour operator who has accumulated knowledge, expertise & contacts with providers of services. He is a useful & invaluable intermediary between the traveler & the suppliers of the tourist services i.e. airlines, transport companies, hotels etc. The guide services play a vital role in tourism as a tourist feels comfortable when the essence of culture is explained – especially when it is done in his own language.

7. 5.Government departments / tourist information centers / tourist organizations: Many national& international organizations related to tourism form part of the tourism industry.

8. SECONDARY CONSTITUENTS Today there are a variety of services (formal & non formal) that constitute the tourism mix or are directly & indirectly related to tourism. For e.g.: banks don’t come under the tourism industry but they cater to tourist through travelers’ cheque or credit cards. Similarly, insurance companies offer short term safety or accident policies to tourist. Following are such constituents: 1.Shops & entertainment. 2.Handicrafts & souvenirs. 3.Local taxi / transportation. 4.Hawkers & coolies. 5.Communication services at the destination. 6.Advertisement agencies. 7.Publishing industry which publishes travel guides, brochures, magazines, post cards etc. 8.Artists, performers, musicians who entertain the tourist.

9. Opportunities unlimited! Capital investment in Nepal ’s travel and Tourism sector is expected to grow at 8.8 % between 2010 and 2019. Nepal ’s travel and tourism sector will get an estimated investment worth USD 94.5 billion by 2019. Nepal is projected to become the 1st fastest growing business travel destination between 2010 and 2019 with an estimated real growth rate of 7.6 %.

10. Airlines Airline Reservation Agent Makes reservations for passengers, operates a computer reservation system and keeps appropriate records. Flight Attendant Assures the safety and comfort of passengers during a flight. Ramp Agent Loads and unloads cargo and baggage, making certain that it gets to its destination. Sales Representative Promotes and sells to the public an airline's various passenger and cargo services. Ticket Agent Sells tickets to airline passengers at airport and city ticket offices.

11. Airport Assistant Manager Airport Director of Community Relations Airport Gift Shop Personnel Airport Security Air Traffic Controller Baggage Handler Captain Cleaning Crew District Sales Manager Food Services International Pricing Analyst Mechanic Meet and Assist Personnel Passenger Service Agent Pilot P r o m o t i o n / A d v e r t i s i n g / M a r k e t i n g Public Relations

12. Convention Meeting and Convention Planner Arranges all travel and accommodations for special events, meetings and conventions. Convention and Meeting Planning Occupations Assistant Director Convention and Visitors Bureau Director of Conventional Sales Director of Event Services Events Coordinator Executive Director Information Officer Operations Agent Outside Sales Representative Sales Promotion/Marketing/Advertising

13. Cruise Lines Cruise Assistant Assists cruise director, working "16 -hour days" to plan entertainment, activities and ship social life. Cruise Director Supervises assistants and social directors and is responsible for all phases of a cruise except food, transportation and accommodations. Support Staff Works in gift shop, housekeeping, maintenance, day care or food service.

14. Travel Agency Corporate Travel Manager Manages the travel arrangements within a company. Outside Sales Agent/Independent Contractor Schedules passenger travel, both corporate and vacation, yet does not work set days and is paid commission only. Travel Agent Schedules passenger travel, both corporate and vacation, and provides special services as needed.

15. Additional Travel Agency Occupations Accountant Agency Manager Agency Owner Bookkeeper Commercial Account Specialist Corporate Travel Manager File Clerk Foreign and Domestic Itinerary (FIT/DIT) Specialist/Technician Incentive Travel Specialist Meeting and Convention Planner Restaurant (Owner, Manager, Chef) Travel Counsellor

16. T o u r i s m Reservation Agent Makes reservations for tours, answers questions regarding product, and makes recommendations. Tour Escort Accompanies travellers on escorted tours while handling all the details to assure a pleasant and hassle-free vacation. Requires foreign language skills

17. Additional Tourism Occupations Chamber of Commerce Document Agent Group Sales Specialist Hotel/Air Negotiator Hotel Guest Services Hotel Travel Desk Operator Local Sightseeing Agent National Tourism Office P r o m o t i o n / M a r k e t i n g / A d v e r t i s i n g Regional Sales Manager Reservations Manager Retail Tour Operator/Owner Sales Representative State Travel Office Tourist Bureau Positions Tour Coordinator Tour Escort/Step-On Guide Tour Manager Wholesale Tour Operator

18.  Tourism comprise the activities of persons traveling to staying in places out side their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for the purpose of leisure, business and other purposes.

19.  Accessibility (Reachability / Transportation  Accommodation  Attraction (Local) * Amenities

20. Accessibility Air Railway Sea Attraction Monuments Museums Zoo Rivers Beaches Art Galleries Hill Stations Natural Attractions Accommodation Hotel Motels Inns Guest Hotels Youth Hotels Resort Hotels Circuit Hotels Hetitage Hotels Farm Houses Road Camping sites & etc Man made lake & etc

21.  Accessibility means reachability to the place of destination through various means of transportation. Transportation should be regular, comfortable, economical and safe.  Today there are various means of transportation like airlines, railways, surface and water transportation.  The transportation should be there for all kinds of tourists and destinations.

22.  It is a place where tourists can find food and shelter provided he/she is in a fit position to pay for it. There are various types of accommodation from a seven star deluxe hotel to a normal budget class hotel .

23.  Attraction means anything that creates a desire in any person to travel in a specific tourist destination or attraction.  The locale may be used to include the holiday destination and what it offers to the tourist.  The holiday destination may offer natural attractions.  Fashion is an important factor in the demand for various tourist attractions and amenities. The tourist who visits a particular place for its natural beauty may decide to visit some other attractions due to a change in fashion .

24.  Facilities are very essential for any tourist centre . Amenities encourage to spent more time to the tourist at the destination. They are considered necessary aid to the tourist centre. For a seaside resort facilities like *Entertainment : swimming , boating, yachting surf riding and such other facilities like deeming recreations *Communication: Internet, Email, fax, Telephone, *Banking: ATM, Money changing, Credit/debit card. Ticketing facilities ( Air, train, bus etc.) 