Abstract This report presents an overview of HiltonInternational (HI), an operating division of the parent company Hilton Group. The report presents HI within the global hotel industry and explores many facets of the business within this global context. It explains that the overall nature of the hotel industry is volatile and heavily influenced by several forces.
Outline
Summary
Introduction
Background
Legal and Financial
Size and Structure
Products and Services
Customers and Market
Employment
Policy Statements
Conclusion
Appendix 1 - HI Hotel Summary
Appendix 2 - US Tourism Industry Summary
Bibliography
From the Paper "Hilton International (HI) is a global leader in the hotel segment of the tourism industry, with 98% brand recognition. HI has worldwide rights to the Hilton brand, excluding the United States. HI was spun off from Hilton Hotels Corporation in 1964 as a separate entity, and was acquired by the Hilton Group plc in 1987. HI currently operates over 500 hotels (almost 400 under the Hilton brand) in nearly 80 countries around the world, and is currently in expansion mode including through the use of lease arrangements and management contracts. HI is one of three divisions of the parent company Hilton Group plc, and contributes approximately 40% of overall profits to the parent company. HI caters to a four- and five-star hotel clientele. HI has struggled over the past year to minimize losses due to a difficult time within the overall tourism industry. However by repositioning its marketing strategy to target local markets instead of global audiences, losses have been slowed to 30% over the previous year's earnings. HI employs a variety of programs to support its 65,000-strong workforce to pursue service excellence including its Esprit rewards program. HI demonstrates social corporate responsibility through programs such as its Hilton in the Community program that currently supports six primary charities that relate to the tourism industry."
Abstract This paper explores all known factors that could contribute to the success or failure of a joint venture between Hilton Hotels Corporation and Disney in Hong Kong. It analyzes the various variables outlined below with the specific purpose of assessing the market entry potential.
Outline
Introduction
Tourist Industry
Hotel Industry Analysis
Disneyland Operations
Government Stability
Adequacy of Legal System/Regulation
Labor Force
Infrastructure
Construction Costs and Issues
Marketing Considerations
Analysis
Recommendations
From the Paper "Hong Kong has a free market economy highly dependent on tourism as one of its top industries. Per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) compares with the level in the four big economies of Western Europe. GDP growth averaged a strong five percent in 1989-1997, but Hong Kong has suffered two recessions in the past five years because of the Asian financial crisis in 1998 and the global downturn of 2001-2002. However, tourism is one of the few sectors that have registered growth during Hong Kong's present economic downturn because entertainment there has been more resistant to recession than has other industries."
Abstract This paper discusses the impact that cultural events have on tourism. Specific areas described are Southeast Asia and Middle Eastern nations. It looks at how the local culture impacts tourism and is also impacted by tourism.
From the Paper "Our own cultural heritage is deeply engrained into our psychic beliefs in such a way that we may never fully understand the deep effects that it plays on our everyday lives. This cultural identity is often tested when one ventures outside of this comfort area. This often occurs when an individual travels outside their local area or country. Cultural shock is often the result of this rapid, unknown change."
Discusses the feelings of the people of Mexico regarding tourism during the holiday, Day of the Dead, based on Lucero Morales Cano and Avis Mysyk's article "Cultural tourism, the State, and the Day of the Dead".
Abstract The paper is a review of an article entitled "Cultural tourism, the State, and the Day of the Dead", which the writer find particularly relevant to him because of his plans to observe Day of the Dead celebrations during an upcoming visit to Mexico. The paper then relates the emotions of the writer prior to an intended visit to Mexico during the "Day of the Dead " celebrations, noting that there is a conflict between the authorities who welcome tourism on this holiday and the civilians who see tourism as intrusion into a sacred historical ritual and oppose it being promoted as a tourist attraction. The paper also explains that the community is divided on the subject, as many recognize the economic importance of tourism.
From the Paper "These dynamics are evident in Mexico, particularly concerning how to mediate the conflict between the state and local residents over the tourist attraction that Day of the Dead festivities have become because of globalization. Cano and Mysyk have studied the problems which have arisen in the village of Huaquechula since 1988, when the one road leading into the village was paved for the benefit of tourists and the village became a part of the tourism circuit. In the process of studying the impact of these developments, Mysyk surveyed the villagers regarding their appreciation of the presence of tourists, their behavior, their feelings about tourists photographing or videotaping altars, and related issues."
Abstract The paper examines how a rise in tourism in certain areas eventually affects the environment of the place, causing problems. The paper uses several examples of places around the globe where tourists frequently spend their time and shows how this trend has affects the environment. Places and problems examined include soil erosion in the Philippines due the the higher demand for flush toilets, the death of seagulls in Lancaster, PA, who mistake mass parking lots for water sources and the loss of firewood in Nepal due to the over-use by hikers. The paper also explores ways in which the tourism industry can strive to become more environmentally friendly to avoid problems in the future.
From the Paper "Without a precise zoning guideline, residents and developers can cross usages and designs without regard to the bigger picture. For example, a resort could go in next to a farm. In Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, for example, a farm was sold and used for an outlet center. The farm had been located at a major intersection so it was a prime commercial site. However, now the traffic there is astronomical. The foot traffic has increased as well. The pollution level has been raised greatly. The number of accidents at that intersection has risen. Farmland has been lost."
Abstract This paper is an argumentative discussion of sex tourism. It discusses the sources of demand that drive it and the government inactivity that permits it to thrive. The paper examines the problem of the sex tourism business targeting women and children in the poorest countries.
From the Paper "A working definition of sex tourism is tourism partially or fully for the purpose of having sex often with prostitutes. According to Jo Sargent writing for Geographical child sex tourism is a deeply uncomfortable subject. Many people are unaware of how widespread this practice is in many parts of the world and especially in the third world. However there are many people who are well aware of the problem and choose to ignore it. There are also many international travelers who are unsure of ..."
Tags: sex, child sex, sex trafficking, slavery, brothel, indifference, demand and supply, third world, hard currency, pedophile, sex tourism, sexcapades
Abstract This paper discusses how the impact of tourism upon local ecosystems has only become a matter of significance in recent decades as the environmental movement has gained traction. The paper takes a look at one of the more ambitious tourism projects in Ontario history, Canada Wonderland, and examines the way in which it redefined and impacted the local environment and or ecosystem into which it was thrust. Specifically, the paper attempts to determine the impact of Canada's Wonderland upon the local species of wildlife and what the arrival of the park meant for the local wilderness in terms of trees removed and acres cleared.
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 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 This paper presents a general analysis of the impact tourism development has on regional areas, both positive and negative. It uses regional Australia as an example to analyze the situation in more detail. It explains positive ecnomic developments but occasional negative social effects.
From the Paper "In recent decades, regional Australia has unquestionably been suffering from a downturn in both population and facilities (Hall, 1998, p 272). Whilst the reasons for this are many and varied, they are mostly outside the scope of this essay and thus will not be discussed here. However, it is the resultant state of this situation which highlights the benefits of tourism development to regional Australia. An increase in the urbanisation of Western society, Australia included, is responsible for the shrinkage of the agrarian society and consequent downturn in the fortunes of regional areas (Sharpley, 1999, p 285). Thus tourism development in regional Australia stimulates regional development as it promotes economic growth and employment generation. However, whilst this is the case, there are also factors that are preventing the occurrence of the tourism development of regional Australia. I will firstly discuss the benefits of regional tourism development in greater detail before proceeding with the discussion of the preventative factors."
Abstract This paper defines the Arctic in terms of geography and culture. The author performs a SWOT analysis to examine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of increased Arctic travel and tourism. The paper concludes that increased environmental government regulation is needed to maintain sustainable development.
From the Paper "Despite the harsh climate and isolation, it seems as though more and more people are traveling north to the Arctic as an alternative to the traditional ski trip and a beach vacation. According to some Arctic experts, travelers have made their way to the Arctic by ships for some time now. Ship based tourism has mostly been small scale; however, the cruise business world has recently experienced an increase in growth particularly with regard to the size and number of vessels destined for the Arctic."
Abstract This paper explains how Jamaica's tourist industry after 1960 reproduced colonial forms of oppression in an industry controlled by colonial elite investors and beneficiaries that capitalize on cheap labor supplies; explanation of results of mass tourism as pursued by various Third World countries, and in Jamaica's example; note higher basic costs, low industrial or other development, cultural decay; reinforcement of colonial/postcolonial elites in a dual economy and dual society of much poverty. Itwaru, Fanon, CLR James, plus other refs.
From the Paper "Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean, discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1494, named earlier by the Arawak Indians, 'Xaymaca' or the 'land of wood and water'. The Spanish introduced slaves from Africa after 1513, as labourers in a new sugarcane industry. In 1655, Jamaica became a British colony, continuing on till its independence in 1962. Just before independence, economic development began that centered on cultivating tourism, in keeping with other emerging colonies of the British Commonwealth Caribbean. This paper shows that tourism involves a carrying on of colonial phenomenon in independent Jamaica, including the class gaps of a colonial society. The moneyed classes were those to invest directly..."
Abstract This paper discusses and examines the global sex tourism, focusing in particular on the Caribbean region. The paper argues that this trade has not only normalized structures of oppression and racism on a global scale but, even more tragically, is contributing to the AIDS crisis in many of these countries.
From the Paper "Consider, for example, the situation in Costa Rica; a country widely regarded as the most stable and affluent democracy in Latin America. Although Costa Rica has a economy that is highly sophisticated in terms of Latin America as a whole, much of the industrial infrastructure of the country was not financed locally but rather through foreign loans. When export earnings from Costa Rica's fruit and coffee industries declined in the 1970s, followed by increases in oil prices, the economy spiralled."
Abstract This paper explores the growth and success of multinational organizations today. The paper then discusses the need for a company to be aware of the language, culture, politics and laws of the country it is expanding into. The paper also explains the law of comparative costs in international trade, how the international financial market works, the factors that have affected the process of economic globalization and the role of strategic planning in international business. The paper predicts that the future of international business is bright.
Outline:
Abstract
The International Business Imperative
Culture and International Business
National Trade and Investment Policies
Politics and Laws
The Theory of International Trade and Investment
The International Economic Activity of the Nation: The Balance of Payments
International Financial Markets
Economic Integration
Market Transitions and Development
International Business Research
International Business Entry
Multinational Corporations
Strategic Planning in International Business
International Marketing
International Services
International Logistics and Supply-Chain Management
Multinational Financial Management
Countertrade
International Accounting and Taxation
International Human Resource Management
Organization, Implementation, and Control of International Operations, and their Future
From the Paper "Revolutionary changes in technologies have provided the mechanisms that propel the growth of international business. The intensification of competition at both domestic and international levels has driven firms to look beyond their domestic markets for new opportunities. The progressive removal of barriers to trade and capital movements has stimulated greater flows of exports, imports and foreign direct investment (FDI). Multinational enterprises have emerged as the key agents of international economic co-ordination. They provide the capability to generate innovations and deliver new goods and services to the market; they also provide the capability to exploit these technological advances at a global level; and they are a depiction of the capacity of international managerial co-ordination to operate efficiently across international boundaries. Furthermore, the growing economic strength of the newly-industrializing countries (e.g. Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea) and the opening up of China and Eastern Europe have provided an additional stimulus to international business activities (Wei)."
Abstract This paper examines Starbucks Coffee's move into the international market. The paper first describes the franchise's products and success in the United States. It then goes on to describe the challenges Starbucks faces now that it has taken on a global scope. The company's strategy was to establish Starbucks as the most recognized and respected coffee retailer in the world. The author compares and contrasts Starbuck's success in various international markets, including Japan and Europe.
Outline:
Strategies for International Expansion
Problems for Starbucks on the International Side
Future Outlook for Starbucks Internationally Table 1 - Starbuck's International Presence
Appendix A
Appendix B International Market Risks
From the Paper "Since 1987, Starbucks has transformed itself from a modest nine-store operation in the Pacific Northwest into a powerhouse multinational enterprise with 7,225 store locations, including some 1,600 stores in 30 foreign countries. During Starbucks' early years, when coffee was a 50-cent morning habit at local diners and fast-food establishments, skeptics had ridiculed the notion of $3 coffee as a yuppie fad. The popularity of Starbucks' Italian-style coffees, espresso beverages, teas, and pastries has made Starbucks one of the great retailing stories of recent history and the world's biggest specialty coffee chain. In 2003, Starbucks made the Fortune 500, prompting Schultz to remark, "It would be arrogant to sit here and say that 10 years ago we thought we would be on the Fortune 500. But we dreamed from day one and we dreamed big." "
Tags: starbucks, coffee, chains, franchise, international
