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 tourismworkers 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 In this article, the writer examines aspects of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, in particular as it relates to corporate training. The writer discusses training aspects within an organization as they relate to corporate challenges. Further, the writer discusses the mutually beneficial aspects of corporate training for the employee and employer. The writer concludes that better training contributes to creating employees who become better in performing their work duties, which in turn contributes to more profitable corporations. This paper includes five pages of additional information and sources.
From the Paper "An employee benefit through training aka education, as this allows him/her to pursue personal goals. A major, mutual benefit for employer and employee, results from cooperate training as employees obtain college degrees, M.A.s, and Ph.D.s. Individuals benefit as they qualify for higher paying positions. As the number of employees completing training and obtaining decrees increases, companies also benefit as more qualified workers constitutes improved company performance / production. Performance of employees who also qualify for and receive training, other than or in addition to that provided by their corporation, may also ultimately affect a corporation's future. Iif the employee chooses to continue working for corporation, the company gains a more qualified employee. On the negative side of effects, however, if the employee decides to leave his current employee after completing his/her training, the employer experiences loss, particularly if the corporation financed the training prior the employee beginning to utilize what he/she learned."
Abstract This paper examines the shortage of staff in the tourism industry, the reasons for it and solutions to it. The author discusses vocational education vs. on-the-job training, asserting that while the latter is preferable, a perfect intertwining of the two would be ideal.
From the Paper "Global competition is also forcing the industry to raise its professional standards and, subsequently to raise its pay standards. New and better training programs are being developed to help generate a sufficient supply of qualified workers for the tourism industry. Most managers require post-secondary schooling and several years' working experience. Yet a skill shortage continues to exist."
Tags: hotel, restaurant, vocational, education, training
Abstract In this article the writer discusses a unionized company that involves a range of blue, pink and white collar workers. The writer argues that instead of the usual .25 to 1% of payroll given for training, it is necessary to make a .75% increase. Members of the board of directors will understand this hope of the human mesources department when made aware of a few facts shaping the request. The writer notes that all the facts pertain to trends in Canadian industry and in the overall economy that have been in place for about one decade. The writer maintains that spending more on training means a win-win situation that can benefit the company for years to come. If it is possible to retain the workers needed for the future one can avoid the expense of looking for new help, later. The writer concludes that there will be new enthusiasm and curiosity as to what workers can improve or what they learn that they can do. All of these factors make it most desirable to devote some payroll funding now to in-house training.
Outline:
Introduction
Training in Canada
Labour Quality
In the Light of Other Investment
Last Remarks
References
From the Paper "Only a fraction of employers give support for training. As we all know, many employers then complain when they cannot find the skilled labour they need when forced to search for new staff. Often, they must compete with various companies for the same skill sets. Also, they must do this during a crisis of business or need for high productivity. They end up spending far too much on the changed labour bill because they have not planned ahead. It is wiser to look at this kind of situation as a failure of forward planning, rather than as a blow received by a business. As board members will agree, private sector organizations often succeed by avoiding what might go wrong. Spending on training in the present makes sense, if one looks ahead and imagines a business failure, not due to a lack of orders, but due to inability to fill orders quickly. As business tends to 'move' very quickly in the economy of the day, a client is more apt to just go on to the next supplier that can produce what is needed by a given time."
Abstract This paper discusses the role of Canadian unions and workers in promoting a quality-of-work agenda. It briefly argues that Canadian workers and unions should use their knowledge of the "front-line" of the workplace to act as advocates for more generous benefits packages and greater employment flexibility for men and women seeking to "marry" work life with personal life. In particular, the paper argues that comprehensive training, appropriate "time off", ample reward for those who perform admirably in their position, a strict adherence to the health concerns of employees and recognition that being a mother demands special concessions on the part of the organization are all things which unions and workers should take up with senior management during collective bargaining.
From the Paper "One other thing which unions and workers can (and, frankly, must) do is to find ways of integrating the responsibilities of life outside of work with the inevitable time spent working on behalf of the company. For example, organization-provided day-care centers (preferably located right on the work premises) have been a recognized staple of a strong corporate commitment to employee happiness and well-being for some time now (Mastroianni, 1992) and, as more and more women enter the workforce full-time, the need to meet their concerns is a practical business matter and not just a "frill" that management can lightly ignore. Given this reality, unions and employees have an obligation to present to senior officials in any corporation the burdens under which their female members labor and how easy-to-access and safe day-care centers for their children are an excellent means of keeping productive women within the organization - as opposed to having them decide that being a 'stay-at-home' mother is more satisfactory. Furthermore, the progressive organization will also offer flexible employment packages enabling women to work from home if that is something they truly desire."
Abstract This study attempts to determine the relationship between work autonomy and job satisfaction of EAP social workers in internal employee assistance program settings by looking at a number of work related factors. To begin with, the paper considers the extent of the relationship, if any, between work autonomy and job satisfaction among social workers. It then looks at the nature of job satisfaction from a social worker's perspective as well as how employee assistance programs can assist social work managers in improving social worker job satisfaction.
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of the Study
Significance of the Study
Key Term Definitions
Review of Literature - Overview
Work Autonomy within Organizations
Work Autonomy and Social Workers Job Satisfaction within Organizations
Job Satisfaction and Social Workers Theoretical Framework
From the Paper "Substance abuse in the American workplace is an enormously expensive and growing problem today. According to Pace, Smits and Youngblood (1992), there are literally billions of dollars being lost in terms of productivity, as well as an incalculable amount of human misery and the erosion of world preeminence in the marketplace as direct or indirect consequence of workplace substance abuse. These authors report that properly designed and managed EAPs have demonstrated a significant, proven, and much needed role to play in the prevention and the treatment of workplace substance abuse. "Yet there are only about 10,000 EAPs in existence today in the American workplace, covering perhaps 10 percent of the work force" (Pace, Smits & Youngblood, 1992, p. xvi)."
Abstract There was a time in America when virtually all workers learned their craft or skilled positions on the job. As the manufacturing sector expanded, on-the-job training was often replaced by seminars and other job-enhancement techniques at off-site locations. Those were - attended by supervisors, who then brought back newly learned techniques to the manufacturer and then taught them to their section's employees. On-the-job training, however, is more important now than ever before, for a variety of reasons, which are explored in this paper.
Abstract According to a 1999 study, approximately 30 percent of U.S. employees suspected that ethical violations had occurred in their organizations in the two years prior to the survey. However, almost half of the people who witness ethical violations fail to report them. The reasons for non-reporting are myriad, but seem to be dominated by fears of retaliation or not being taken seriously. By reviewing research on this topic, this paper shows that ethical training is more than a dog and pony show. Ethical training, when done appropriately, produces a plethora of positive benefits for the employer. Of equal importance is the fact that ethical training and compliance programs, when implemented and maintained correctly, provide a wide-variety of benefits to employees, as well as employers. The paper shows that benefits include an increase in ethical behavior, the providing of an atmosphere that is conducive to the reporting of unethical conduct and an increase in a company's competitiveness.
Paper Outline:
Introduction
Research
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "Furthermore, employees who work in environments with ethics programs, where their supervisors model the ethical behavior taught and enforced by those programs, indicate that they believe the ethics programs have improved their work experiences. The most remarkable positive outcome associated with employer ethical training may be that employees report feeling less pressured to compromise their personal ethical standards (Joseph, Wan Veer, and McFadden, 2004)."
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."
A discussion of the importance of training employees and a question about who should have the responsibility for the training and development of these individuals.
Abstract This paper examines who should take responsibility for retraining employees in specific fields. It explains that the first option is for the state to have this responsibility, the second is for employers to have this responsibility, and the third is for employees to have this responsibility. Each of these options has reasons both for and against. These three options are discussed in turn, with reference to both the reasons for and against. Following this discussion, the information is combined to reach a conclusion on who should have responsibility for the training and development of employees.
From the Paper "The training and development of employees is necessary for the operation of the State because individuals provide all the goods and services the State requires via work activities. For example, doctors and nurses provide health care services, plumbers and carpenters provide home-building services, and teachers and professors provide educational services. Workers also provide goods via work activities. For example, factory workers manufacture goods, engineers design and allow for structures such as roads and bridges to be created, and a range of professionals are involved in the development and production of all kinds of consumer products from clothing to cars to toothbrushes."
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."
