Abstract This paper evaluates three main travel e-commerce sites, focusing on user friendliness, navigation and organization. The three sites discussed are Orbitz, Travelocity and Expedia.
From the Paper "Today with the popularity and dependability, which most individuals have on the Internet it is not surprising that they are also choosing to make their travel plans using this medium as well. There are several sites available to perform such searches by price, destination, and travel goals as well as by entertainment options. However, in this analysis three different sites were chosen for analysis and those were Expedia, Orbitz, and Travelocity. I.A Site Overview: Of the three sites evaluated there were a few initial differences but the main similarity was noticed through the section inquiring from the user, what their desired destination city was as well as from what city they would be departing. On all sites this section was almost identical. Each site also asked for the dates of travel and whether a hotel or rental car should be booked with the flight ticket purchase."
Abstract This paper notes that the hospitality industry, which includes travel, businesses, hotels, restaurants, and theme parks among other businesses, operates on a relatively small margin in most cases and can be adversely affected by economic changes and by customer dissatisfaction that then translates into bad word of mouth. Businesses like hotels and restaurants thus have to set and meet quality standards that contribute to customer satisfaction and also must provide customer service. At the same time, such businesses have to try to keep down labor costs in order to stay within the small profit margin they usually face. This paper discusses some of these issues by examining the way that the Four Seasons Hotel chain has managed costs and quality in recent years. The Four Seasons Hotel Chain is a Canadian-based company that began with one hotel in Toronto.
Abstract This paper reviews the global tourism industry as one of the largest transnational industries of the modern world. In networks stretching from the richest and most developed nations of the global north, to the poorest developing nations of the global south, the tourism industry employs millions of people with annual revenues in the billions of dollars. The paper further discusses how this industry is particularly significant in the economies of many poorer countries, such as those of the Caribbean basin, where the revenues provided from tourism are frequently - as in the case of Jamaica - the primary source of foreign exchange for the country.
Abstract Recreation and tourism are major industries which can permit otherwise impoverished regions to stay fiscally float and which can also satisfy the human need for leisure time and escape. This paper does not dispute the basic contentions of the preceding paragraph but it does argue that the concept of recreation and the concept of tourism are both items which are far more sophisticated than many of us might imagine. Specifically this paper examines the use and occasional exploitation of natural amenities in tourist areas and asserts that natural amenities serve basic human needs for control.
Abstract This paper explores the environmental and ethical issues involved in the hunting of wolves in and around Algonquin Park. The paper shows how sport hunting is extremely anthropocentric and how the Canadian government supports it. The paper also suggests ecotourism as an alternative to hunting.
From the Paper "Wolves in North America are in a general state of decline. For example, the article "Fear and Loathing" states, Before the first European settlers arrived, timber (or grey) wolves were found almost everywhere in Canada. The wolf has now been extirpated from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, southern Ontario, southern Quebec, and the Prairies. It is endangered in all but one of the lower 48 states, where it has been exterminated from 95 percent of its former range (Anonymous 3). This statement clearly indicates that wolves in North America are generally in a state of decline."
Abstract This essay discusses Japan, in terms of culture, as well as attractions. It explores possible reasons for tourists being reluctant to visit Japan. The paper then offers unique ideas on how Japan could market tourism to other areas of the world, in order to encourage tourists to visit.
From the Paper "Despite Japan's facade of modernity, from its city skylines and "Bullet Trains" to its millions of people who seem to have high-tech cell phones glued to their ears, traditional Japan still exists in a huge network of inns and restaurants, and in arts, crafts and customs that have not changed in over a thousand years. The deceptive thing about Tokyo is that it seems surprisingly Western on the surface with Western looking buildings, McDonald's franchises and kids listening to rap music. It seems like you might as well be in Los Angeles. Yet you don't need to dig very deep to discover the Japanese soul beneath the Western facade. One of the most appealing aspects of travelling in Japan is the richness of culture that can be encountered. Advertisement should grasp that despite Japan's apparent Western aspirations, it is uniquely Japanese. "
Abstract This paper discusses consumer behavior dynamics that are starting to emerge from the pervasive outsourcing of services. The paper particularly focuses on the outsourcing of plastic surgery and describes the way in which consumers from wealthier countries fly to South Africa and combine surgery with safari, in order to receive cheaper, but quality services.
From the Paper "For any business model or even the strategies that support them to survive, there has to be more of a balance between the 4 Ps of marketing which include promotion, place or distribution, and product in addition to price. In fact price is the most volatile and over-used of differentiators in many companies and entire industries. This has been exacerbated by global outsourcing strategies in many industries, with many looking for the 40% reduction in costs to justify moving their services spending, manufacturing operations, or both offshore. Yet pricing cannot sustain a business model for more than several quarters, even in the most commoditized of industries, according to research completed by Marn, Roegner, and Zawada of McKinsey and Company (The Power of Pricing, Pages 27 - 36)."
Abstract This paper discusses how Middle Eastern countries like the United Arab Emirates, who are so rich in oil, still depend on tourism to boost their economy. The paper takes a look at how the petroleum producing and exporting nations of the Arabian Peninsula recognize that their countries are growing. And, as their populations expand, oil does not generate the same amount of wealth per-capita as it once did. The paper further discusses how terrorism and catastrophic events such as those of September 11, 2001 conjure up images of potentially devastating attacks on existing oilfields and facilities.
From the Paper "Yet the infrastructure of tourism demands a great many instances of high capital investment. The capital-labor ratio is high compared to such businesses as insurance or real estate. Tourist accommodations - luxury hotels especially - require a high ratio of staff to consumer. The same goes for restaurants, shopping malls, and entertainment complexes - all of which are necessary to provide the services expected by international travelers. Nevertheless, while hotels and restaurants, for example, provide a return on investment well below the actual funds invested, other industries that bear subsidiary relationships to tourism and hospitality are especially remunerative. Trade, construction, and even handicrafts, all provide returns far in excess of one hundred percent. Each one of these fields can respond directly to a growth in tourism. Construction workers build the hotels, restaurants, and malls that cater to travelers and locals alike, while handicrafts have always been part of the stock-in-trade of the tourism industry. Handicrafts contribute to the "local color" and to foreign perceptions of the people of the United Arab Emirates. The relationship between trade and tourism is somewhat more complex. But it begins with the kinds of business conventions, sporting and cultural events that are adjuncts to many a traveler's visits to a foreign city or nation. Businesspeople can discover Dubai as tourists, and vice-versa. "
Tags: hotels, petroleum, dubai, residential, entertainment
Abstract In this essay, the writer deals with the related ethical considerations when human endeavor, combined with the acceptance of the danger and risks involved in the endeavor, turn into a tourist outing. The writer notes that a quest for Everest involves a strong statistical chance of loss of life and discusses whether climbing Mount Everest should be considered a tourist venture. This essay alludes to the problems with too many climbers making the attempt at the same time resulting in over-crowding. The writer believes, as Krakauer does, that there should be a set of guidelines to prevent over crowding on the summit to assure a safe climb and return, or at least as much as is possible. The writer concludes that a fine balance between economic and ethical considerations, a healthy respect for a culture different from Western sensibilities, and a desire to take personal responsibility will ensure that there are fewer tragedies on Mount Everest.
From the Paper "Better equipment, better organization, experienced guides have made attempts on Everest easier. While in the above 8000 meter altitude, also know as the Death Zone, rescue is almost impossible, with the odds of medical problems exponentially higher, better communication facilities and satellite-based weather services have improved odds of making it up and down the mountain. This has resulted in a sense of complacency among would-be adventurers who often attempt to climb the highest peak in the world with little or no mountaineering skills and even lesser respect for the mountain."
Abstract This paper describes a number of British landmarks - it mentions the location, a little of the history and the uses of the place and describes how its use has changed in the present day. The paper discusses St. Paul's Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament, Globe Theater, the change of the Guard in Buckingham Palace, The Tower of London, Oxford, Stratford-on-Avon, Runnymede and Stonehenge.
From the Paper " Stratford-on-Avon (Wikipedia 2006, AllRefer Encyclopedia 2005) is a constituency, which is represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It is a town and a district in Warwickshire in central England on the Avon River, which owes its fame to the greatest English playwright, William Shakespeare. A gabled building on Henley street is believed to have been his birthplace, purchased in 1597. Most of the structures and places in Stratford connected with his life were bought in the 19th century, such as the Edward VI's Grammar School, where Shakespeare was believed to have attended; the Shakespeare Institute of the University of Birmingham and the Shakespeare Center built on the same street in 1964 (AllRefer, Wikipedia)."
Abstract In this article the writer discusses that tourism, especially in an ecologically sensitive area such as the Virgin Islands, brings with it both positive as well as negative influences and impacts. The writer notes that the central question that needs to be asked is whether the islands can withstand the increasing tide of tourism and the attrition of its ecological structure. The writer points out that the fact that the islands are economically dependent on tourism means that a balance has to be found between a vibrant tourist industry and ecological sustainability. The writer concludes that taking into account the sensitivity of the area one cannot be complacent about the impact of tourism on these islands.
From the Paper "However, ecologists and other experts are emphatic in their view that there are also real and potential negative factors that impact on the ecological and environmental health of these islands. These include aspects such as over-crowding, environmental problems, destruction of the reefs as well as social and cultural problems that may result from alien influences brought from outside the islands."
"Furthermore, experts also warn of the potential chaos if tourism is left "unmanaged" and solely at the mercy of market forces. An example of what is meant by management is the control of the number of visitors in relation to the available infrastructure."
Abstract The paper discusses how the city of Vancouver, in British Columbia, is a vibrant commercial and cultural center and it offers all the attractions of a major metropolitan area. The paper portrays how nearby Vancouver Island is a place of stunning natural beauty, with an appeal to the eco-traveler and outdoor enthusiast. The paper explains how the growth of tourism went hand in hand with the development of an increasingly urban society. Places like Vancouver Island offered a tourist a wild and rugged atmosphere that was fast disappearing in the vicinities of major Eastern cities.
From the Paper "Tourism is a major industry in almost all parts of the globe. Many developing nations exact the lion's share of their income from foreign guests, while in developed countries, like Canada, tourism can be an equally lucrative source of revenue. In a post-industrial nation, tourism adds to the economic mix, diversifying array of service sector jobs. The Island of Vancouver, in British Columbia, is already a high growth area that attracts large numbers of new residents each year, and is a magnet for business investment and development. Tourists, too, find the region immensely appealing."
A research study that aims to develop and evaluate a curriculum model and a set of core competencies which provides effective tourism education and training of front-line tourism workers in Thailand.
Abstract The paper explains that The World Trade Organization (WTO) has forecast that Thailand can expect to receive 36 million tourists in the year 2020. The paper discusses how the tourism industry will be quite challenged by this projection. The paper reviews relevant literature that shows how the ability to interact with cultures other that one's own is critical for those employed in this industry. Literature also shows how core competencies must consist of skills that are transferable to their work in the tourism industry.
Outline:
Aim of Research
Research Objectives
Research Questions
Key Terms and Definitions
Introduction
Review of Literature
Tourism Education and Training
Core Competencies
Curriculum Model
Front-line Workers
Proposed Conceptual Framework
Research Methodology
From the Paper "In 1998 Thailand recorded visitor arrivals totalling 7.76 million which was an increase of 7.53 percent from 1997 and arrivals increased 11.14 percent over 1998 totals in 1999. Major realignment has taken place in Thailand's marketing plans where advertising budgets were cut and promotional offices abroad have been closed. New markets have been tapped as well as new forms of distribution which had as its' focus direct contact between the buyers and sellers in the tourism market. Stated is "...an increasing trend toward partnerships and pooling of resources as a means of maximizing the promotional dollar by integrating all the stakeholders from transportation and commerce in health and retail..." (Asia & The Pacific, 1999)"
Abstract This paper presents the factors affecting consumers' intent to repurchase the Vancouver area's travel and hospitality offerings. The paper describes the history and growth of the tourism and hospitality industry of the City of Vancouver and why it has been so successful. It then describes the amenities and services available and discusses what it needs in order to continue growing in the future.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Part I.
The Background To Tourism
Part II.
Amenities And Services
Methods
Introduction To Methodology
Research Question
Objectives
Definition Of Terms
Survey Instruments
Survey Population
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
From the Paper "Success in the hospitality industry increasingly demands an understanding of many other aspects of popular culture and trends. The term "lifestyle hotel" that has now been adopted by a certain kind of brand name accommodation says it all. Meant as a take off on the "boutique hotel" it carries even further the idea that hospitality is about how people live, and what they want out of life. The personal touches of the lifestyle and boutique hotels, lodges, resorts, and other accommodations speak to the almost hyper-individuality of today's traveler - whether businessperson or tourist. This hyper-individualism is a feature of much of contemporary culture. The hospitality industry must permit itself to be directed by the same powerful forces that have shaped - and dramatically transformed - modern society. The old communal world that existed prior to the social and cultural revolutions of the 1960s has produced a new ethos, one that seemingly shares little with the community-based standards of an earlier day."
Abstract This paper discusses the reasons that a Hilton Hotel in Chile may or may not be a success. It begins by describing a general overview of Chile and its current business environment. It then discusses its political stability and its infrastructure. It discusses the cultural aspects of Chile that would make it a favorable position for a Hilton Hotel. The paper concludes by discussing the plans for the Hilton in that area of South America.
Table of Contents:
Chile: A Country Overview
Current Business Environment Of Chile
Political Stability
Economic Infrastructure
Cultural Aspects
Plan for the Hilton
Conclusion
From the Paper "Given the Chilean government's new desire to address historical inequities in the nation, and its relatively strong economy and currency which would mitigate some of the risks in embarking upon these new ventures, Chile offers itself as a nation not simply of scenic beauty, but of attractive investment opportunities. The nation and the region are changing, and so is the hospitality industry. Because of its varied nature, offering a site for local business as well as a potential place for adventure travel or 'off the beaten path' personal enrichment, Chile offers a wealth of unusual investment opportunities for the Hilton Corporation."
