Abstract This paper presents a factual history and critical review of the rise of the "fast food" restaurant mogul, "McDonald's", and it's national and international appeal (or disdain). This essay allows the reader to critically think about the chain's business success, and the dramatic effects this restaurant chain is having on national and international historical and cultural communities and values.
From the Paper "McDonald's is now reaching a compromise to its Golden Arch symbol and status to become more "homogenizing" in blending in with the unfamiliar cultures counter to the American Pop Culture scene. McDonald's offers more foods that appeal to the culinary palette of the community it wants to establish itself in, and offers a more pleasing surrounding that upholds the cultural heritage of a town, a community, or a village it seeks to thrive in."
Abstract This paper offers a brief review of three travel websites. The sites examined are Expedia.com, Travelocity.com and Orbitz.com. The paper first examines legal issues pertaining to the websites and then looks at any ethical issues at play. Finally regulatory issues are discussed.
From the Paper "All of the sites have similar formats; all have menus though tabs, searches on the first page and the use of safe colors. The most differentiated is that of Orbitz, however, when looking at these sites it may be argued that with the presentation, apart from very few specific requirements, the companies may be acceptable substitutes for each other and as such the emphasis may be the choice they offer.
A wholly-owned subsidiary of Cendant Corporation and part of Cendant Travel Distribution Services division. Orbitz is a leading online travel company offering leisure and business travelers a wide selection of low airfares, as well as deals on lodging, car rentals, cruises, vacation packages and other travel."
Abstract In terms of the hospitality industry, the global consumer is defined as the traveler who frequently travels outside of his or her own country, to varied destinations over the world. The Euro consumer on the other hand is the traveler who makes use of hospitality facilities primarily within Europe. The paper shows the fact that the travel industry and information technology has made world travel much less complicated than in the past, has given rise to the need to globalize the hospitality industry as well. The requirements for this, as well as the extent to which these requirements have been met, are discussed in this paper.
Paper Outline:
Introduction
Finance and Accounting
Treasury Management
Customer Relationships
Purchasing and Vendor Relationships
Information Technology
Communication
Human Resources
Owner Issues
Bibliography
From the Paper "In terms of the global market, there is also a need to differentiate products and other facilities within hospitality resorts. Food and beverage products are the most critical factors for success, and the need for global catering here is obvious. There is, for example, a growing demand for all-inclusive resorts. Hotels have therefore found it increasingly necessary to consolidate their resources in order to become a greater success in the global market. Globalization as a trend in all businesses has thus affected the hospitality industry as well. It is not envisioned that regional companies who do not cater to the global need will find survival easy."
Abstract This paper traces the entrepreneurial success of farmer's son, John Willard Marriott, who built up a multi-billion dollar hotel chain. It looks at how it all started in 1927 with the purchase of three A&W franchises in New England known as Hot Shoppes, Inc. and how, today, the Marriott Corporation currently owns almost 3000 hotels all over the world.
From the Paper "Core values such as this one are what saw the Marriott Corporation through the devastating trials of the early nineties and not only helped it back onto its feet, but lifted it higher. Pathways to Independence, Marriott's Welfare to Work program, was established in 1990 and thrived during the company's roughest years ("The Marriott Timeline"). Bill Marriott, Sr., and Bill, Jr., would always put people first, no matter what. They used their corporation as a springboard for "business strength AND social contribution" ("The Foundation for Doing Good"). These two men understood people as well as-if not better than-business."
Abstract This paper explains that, in 1972, the government of Indonesia created the master plan for the development of tourism to make Bali the "showcase" of Indonesia and to serve as the model of future tourism development for the rest of the country. The author points out that the tourism industry including transportation, hotel, hospitality and traveling services is the biggest industry in Bali, which provides quality employment opportunities for the Balinese, and is still one of the fastest growing sectors in the island. The paper relates that the environmental problems created by the industry are due to the failure to control the growth of tourism facilities such as golf courses and hotels because economic expansion tends to overtake planning.
From the Paper "According to Hitchcock (2001), tourist brochures make much of this religious affiliation of the Balinese, often describing it as the "land of a thousand temples". Bali is internationally known for its dances, temples, and beaches, which have long time been recognized as main tourist attractions. In 1996, Bali attracted a total number of 3 million tourists, or about 30% of the total number of foreign tourists coming to Indonesia. The trend shows an escalating number over several years. The increase is supported by the infrastructures and facilities: more than 25,000 hotel rooms of various qualities, international airport, which can accommodate large airplanes, ports, and more than 500 thousands Balinese involved in tourism activities."
Abstract The tourist industry is extremely volatile and vulnerable to extreme losses, particularly when natural disasters and other calamities strike a popular tourist destination. This paper discusses natural disasters and the concept of calamity, and focuses on their impact on the tourism industry, particularly the hospitality industry. Using case studies, this paper clearly shows the impact of these disasters on economies relying on tourism as a mainstay of their financial foundation. Additionally, this paper discusses strategies employed by some of the hardest hit areas in an effort to re-establish their tourism and hospitality base.
From the Paper "With the waterfront destroyed, and with the vast amount of debris, even those whose fishing boats were not completely destroyed are unable to provide the fish for tourists throughout the rest of Thailand. Further problems in this area of tourism stem from the problems or concerns associated with the diets of the fish caught near Thailand. As the tsunami swept bodies into the ocean, it is likely that at least some fed on those bodies, creating a high possibility for vast epidemics of disease if eaten (Bindloss, 2005). Since a large attraction for tourists to Thailand was the cultural dining and atmosphere, such a devastating consequence will deter still more tourists from visiting this area."
Abstract This paper considers the effect of SARS on tourism in Canada in general and Toronto in particular, and the marketing efforts used to rebuild tourism following the SARS outbreak there in 2003.
From the Paper "Tourism is an important part of many economies particularly those economies that have relatively few travel restrictions for international tourists. When severe acute respiratory syndrome ..."
Abstract This paper examines the troubles confronting New Orleans tourist industry as it digs its way out of the rubble left behind by Hurricane Katrina. The paper briefly outlines the significance of the tourist industry to the community and also looks at the pros and cons of reconstituting the old New Orleans. Finally the paper briefly delineates a few things that the city can do to not only revive its tourist industry in the wake of a terrible tragedy but to also secure the return and or retention of middle class professionals.
From the Paper "Hurricane Katrina had a profound impact upon the city of New Orleans. Leaving aside momentarily the terrible loss of life and property, the natural disaster also greatly affected New Orleans' tourist industry, changing perhaps forever how many outsiders see the Louisiana metropolis. The following paper will examine New Orleans tourism before the tragedy and examine also the pros and cons of returning the city to its original state - at least from a tourist perspective. Finally, the paper will conclude with some recommendations for what New Orleans can do and should do if it wishes tourists to still frequent the city in the years to come."
Abstract The paper explains that a bilateral air transport agreement (ATA) is a convention signed by two countries by which they allow one another unrestricted civil aviation within their national boundaries. They grant each other rights to transport and take on and off, passengers, mail and cargo on their air route and territory. The paper discusses how such an agreement has both positive and negative effects, but the paper reveals that the positive outnumber the negative ones and make the contract beneficial for the development of the airline industry, economy, tourism and international relationships. The paper explains that the majority of the bilateral air service agreements must have been beneficial for both parties, since once they expired, new alliances were negotiated and formed.
Outline:
Executive Summary
Opinions and Arguments in Favor of the ATA
Rights Granted to the Parties by the ATA
Protection Issues
Unfair Competition
Monopoly
Protectionist Policies
War and Natural Calamities
Opinions and Arguments Against ATA
Restricted Pricing
Suggested Solution
Frequency on a Route
Offshoring jobs in the Airline Industry
Conclusions
From the Paper "There are two main reasons that support the forming of bilateral air transport agreements. First, the governments of the countries involved in the alliance believe that an international agreement and partnership could help protect themselves from numerous enemies and unfair competition.
"The second argument has a rather administrative nature and it regards the air transport companies and the travelers. In this order of ideas, the airline companies would be granted access to several airports and would be able to compete on the air services market by promoting lower prices and higher quality. Clients would be able to choose from a wider range of air transport providers the company that best met their financial and quality demands. This way, customers would be able to choose "the lowest prices that are not discriminatory.""
Abstract This paper examines the Beijing 2008 Olympics within the context of product strategy (marketing and branding). The paper provides recommendations in order to ensure high service quality at the 2008 Games through an examination of the Olympics consumer and his or her expectations. It also looks at key tools in customer service in order to analyze their product strategy.
Table of Contents:
What is a Product Strategy?
Branding as Part of the Product Strategy
Beijing 2008 - The Objective
Beijing 2008 - The Product
The Security Component of the Beijing 2008 Product
Beijing 2008 - The Product Life Cycle
A Different Perspective - the Beijing 2008 PLC
Beijing 2008 - The Brand
What does a Successful Brand do?
Creating the Beijing 2008 Brand
Brand Equity
Brand Contacts
Adding the Beijing Touch to the Olympic Games
Leveraging Secondary Associations
Attracting Sponsors
Beijing 2008 Sponsorship Program: Rights and Benefits
Conclusion
Service Quality as it Impacts the Consumers' Experience
The Characteristics of a Service
The Concept of Service Quality
Expected Service at the Olympics
Service Design Standards
Who is the consumer?
Understanding Consumer Expectations
Selection of Partner Companies
Criteria for the Selection of Sponsors, Partners and Suppliers
The Human Element of a Service
Achieving Service Quality
Use of Tangibles
Enhancing the Service Encounters at Beijing 2008 through Tangibles
Conclusion
Appendices
From the Paper "The consumer experience commences from the point of decision, i.e. the moment someone makes a choice to attend Beijing 2008."
"As such, the determinants of service quality - reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy and tangibles - have to be applied to the entire process of attending the Olympics."
"This process would include the purchase of airline tickets, the actual flight to Beijing, ground transfers, hotel accommodation, bank, insurance and communication services, purchase of game tickets and entertainment and cultural experiences."
Abstract This paper reviews the European Union's (EU) 2000 Quality in Tourism Product (QTP) study to encourage and promote sustainable tourism development, which appraised tourism in general, its improvement and measurement. The author relates a 2001 study of the destination and process of the tourist overall experience and a 2005 third study, which presented various cases investigating the attraction and impact of global and region-specific sports and cultural events. As these studies indicate, the paper states, the EU has placed a high level of importance on the sustainable development of tourism, which contributes greatly to the EU economy.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Evaluation
Case Studies Coastal, Rural and Urban
Quality Improvement 2001
Cultural and Sporting Event Impact on Tourism
Conclusion
From the Paper "The most vitally important issues that these four priority issues address are the measures and benchmarking established to provide a manageable development route forward for the rest of the lesser 'developed' and less quality oriented destinations within Europe. The issue of non-financial aid as well as the use of structural funds are aimed at improving the overall destination and experience of the tourist, specific to region and framework within any given region; and not limited to individual organizations or groups."
Tags: experience competitiveness, local employment, holistic, case studies
Abstract This paper discusses the issues of tourism and immigration as major factors which assist in globalization. It addresses the points of foreign labor, recruitment, cultural concerns, immigration and job displacement.
From the paper:
"In many countries, where tourism has become a major export industry, the hospitality sector is the focal point for concepts of globalization to take root. Indeed, tourism has become the world's largest export industry, involving as it does enormous cross-border flows of people and capital. The hospitality industry is one of the world's largest employers and arguably one of the largest traders of foreign currency. It is often also a focal point for local society, and is clearly at the center of the transfer of ideas and the cross fertilization of cultures. At its heart, the hospitality industry plays an important part physically in bringing people together in a global community. And those countries suffering from trade imbalances due to high imports frequently look to tourism and hospitality to close the gap. Hospitality is thus not only an industry, it is a concept -- and a major force in the rapidly evolving global marketplace. "
Abstract This paper is an analysis of several different types of technology , and the effect that each of them has on on different part of the tourism industry. Some of the issues discussed are, the used of the internet, digital video and laser video.
From the paper:
"The IMAX films that are promoting Pittsburgh right now are also very interesting because it puts the viewer in perspective of the destination. It is a virtual reality of the destination. People will not always be sold just by word of mouth, but if they could actually see the destination and, in a way experience part of it at home, then they will be more likely to want to travel to that particular destination. Another one of my articles talks about the internet and how important it is to have good marketing skills in order to sell your business or destination. People are on the internet more now than ever and are constantly thirsting for more information."
Abstract The vast numbers of tourists concentrated in particular regions across the world that have had an increasingly negative effect of destruction on the natural environment. This paper depicts the harmful effects of tourism in the regions of Prince Edward Island, Jamaica, and Kenya.
From the Paper "Prince Edward Island is one of the major tourist destinations in Canada. Tourists are attracted to the small province because of its numerous white sand beaches, its rolling pastoral landscape, and many tiny villages. Perhaps the reason it is best known is due to the stories by Lucy Maud Montgomery of Anne of Green Gables. Few of the tourists who grace the island every year realize the damages that they are having both directly and indirectly on the environment. The most visible sign of environmental and ecological changes are towards the many sand dunes on the island, among others environmental factors."
Abstract The paper examines the Islamic ritual object Kaa?ba importance. It describes the origins of many religious rituals would be unknown and an important part of religious history would have been lost. The paper the depicts the actual object, its location and the yearly pilgrimage, the haj, during Ramadan.
From the Paper "With the recent conflicts in the Middle East, more and more attention has been focused on what it means to be a believer in Islam, a Muslim. Around the world, over a billion people practice Islam, yet the details of this fascinating and unique religion are all but unknown in the United States. Islam, unlike Catholicism and Judaism, does not have many obvious symbolic artifacts."
Tags: ba, islam, ka, religion, Muhammad, islamic, hajj, umra, black, stone, mecca, five, pillars, ramadan, abraham
