INTERESTED IN WORKING IN TOURISM?
Tourism has become a major recreation pursuit, and commercial industry world wide. It is so significant today that the economy of some regions (even some countries) is more heavily dependent upon tourism than anything else. The tourism industry encompasses the provision of all those services used by people when traveling away from home. The reason for travel is most obviously "a holiday"; but may also be "business".
Roles within this sector are vast, but might include:
- Tour guide
- Accommodation manager
- Attraction operator
- Tourism agent
- Cabin crew
- Airport representative
To work within the tourism sector you ideally need to be:
- Able to work with a vast array of different people
- A team player
- Organised
- Conscious of other cultures and beliefs
- Flexible
This course provides you with an ideal foundation for employment in the tourism sector, so if you think this is the career for you, join us!
Aims
-
Travel Industry Overview/Introduction
-
Holiday travel, Business travel, Resources, Components of travel (Accommodation, Transport, Food, Luggage/what to take, Health, Money, etc)
-
Destinations
-
Local, State, Interstate, International; health before departure.
-
Money, Insurance & Legalities
-
Credit cards, travellers cheques, exchange rates, International driving, quarantine laws, Islamic law, political concerns, tariffs, duty free, departure taxes etc.
-
Transport - Airline reservations
-
International Air Transport Assn, Aircraft types, Flight information, transfers, time zones, passports, visas, baggage, travelling with animals, making a reservation, etc.
-
Transport - Car Rental
-
Types of hire cars, reading manuals, different road rules, making reservations, cost structures, etc
-
Transport -Other, boat (ferries, cruising), bus, rail etc
-
Accommodation
-
Camping, Caravans, Tents, B & B's & Guesthouses, Hotels, Youth Hostels, Resorts, etc
-
Package Tours
-
Travel Agency Systems
-
Ethics, Tourist organisations, Client records and accounts procedures, etc.
-
Special Project -planning a trip
What You Will Do
-
Describe the nature and scope of the tourism industry.
-
Recommend tourism destinations relevant to client needs.
-
Advise a client on planning for unforseen circumstances on a trip, such as financial, legal and insurance issues.
-
Explain the operation of airlines, including booking procedures.
-
Explain the operation of car rental services, including booking procedures.
-
Explain the operation of other transport services, including shipping, bus and rail.
-
Explain the operation of accommodation options to a client
-
Advise a client on package tour options, to satisfied their specified requirements.
-
Determine appropriate operational systems for management of a tourism service.
-
Consolidate available information and resources to plan a trip.
What is the Scope of Tourism?
Tourists travel to destinations. They need transport systems to get to their destinations and once there, they require accommodation, entertainment (or ‘attractions’) and other amenities (e.g. shops, garages, medical facilities).
The tourism industry is comprised of sectors that deal with the tourist’s needs. Sectors include:
- Marketing specialists – travel agents, tour wholesalers and tourism promotional agencies
- Carrier or transport services – including rail, coach, airlines and shipping services
- Accommodation sector – including hotels, resorts, motels, campgrounds, bed and breakfasts, caravan parks, restaurants and cafes
- Attractions sector – including theme parks and other tourist-oriented entertainment facilities
- Tour operators – tourism guides, tour group leaders, drivers and hosts
Some sectors overlap; others operate independently. For example, a large tourism resort might offer accommodation, attractions, tours and marketing services, while a travel agent is likely to be only involved in the marketing sector.
Broadly there are three types of tourism systems in each country:
1) Local or domestic tourism – residents traveling within their own country, including short-distance day and weekend trips, excursions within the state or region, and interstate or long-distance travel within the country
2) Outbound tourism – residents traveling abroad
3) Inbound tourists – tourists visiting from another country
Many organisations specialise in one or two tourism systems; for example, a government-sponsored tourist authority caters for inbound and domestic tourists, but not outbound tourists.
Who Are Tourists?
It is important for anyone working in the travel industry to understand who their customers are and what they are likely to want and need during their holiday.
In broad terms, tourists can be categorised into the following groups:
- Families – holiday itinerary depends on budget and age of children; often favour destinations with theme parks, beaches or ski-fields; holidays coincide
with school holidays; some prefer a planned itinerary on a fly-drive
package holiday while others prefer a more flexible, independent and
less expensive holiday driving their own vehicle.
- Retirees – newly-retired ‘empty nesters’ often have lots of time and money to spend on travel; may travel to both local and overseas destinations; often use a variety of forms of transport including motor homes, cruises and coaches; prefer staying in upmarket hotels and Bed and Breakfasts; often prefer packaged holidays and group tours.
- Special interest groups – sports and hobby clubs, senior associations and many other groups often book holidays that specifically cater to their interests; itinerary is always carefully planned; generally stay in hotels, cabins and lodges; usually travel by coach; often have a guide and/or group leader to organise the activities and oversee the travel arrangements.
Obviously there are many exceptions, but if you are assisting a client with their travel plans or promoting a holiday destination to a specific group, it helps to understand the ‘typical’ features of that person’s demographic group.
What do People Need to Think about when Traveling?
A travel plan should encompass all of those things that need to be dealt with on the trip; its aim is to make the trip as smooth as possible.
Things to consider:
-
Accommodation
-
Transport
-
Travel routes
-
Food
-
Luggage (what to take; restrictions on number and weight of bags)
-
Health (before and during the trip)
-
Money (credit cards, travellers cheques or other)
A travel plan is not the same as an itinerary. An itinerary is a document that states the booking arrangements made prior to the trip, including times, dates, destinations, accommodation and transport. As shown above, a travel plan is broader in scope. The travel plan might be formulated by the traveller or a package tour operator.
WHY STUDY WITH ACS?
There are lots of reasons to study this course with us, but here are a few:
- The tourism sector is so large that if you were do all the research yourself it would probably take a very long time, this course helps to group key pieces of information saving you time
- There is often competition for jobs within the industry, developing your background knowledge will show your commitment to a future employer
- Developing knowledge is important, however this knowledge will also help build your confidence, something which when in a customer facing role, can be vital
- The course incorporates a special project allowing you to put together your own ideas and to develop more applied research in an area of your choice related to its focus
- Throughout the course you will be supported by subject specialist tutors who are there to share their experience, and answer any questions you might have
- Being able to study flexibly, which our courses allow, means that you can continue with other commitments but also obtain a qualification at the same time
TAKE THE NEXT STEP, AND ENROL NOW!
You can enrol on the course now, but if you have any questions about the content of the course or studying with ACS, then please get in touch with us today - use our FREE COURSE COUNSELLING SERVICE to get in touch with our expert tutors. They will be pleased to help you!
