An individual assignment (100%)
(e.g. 2500-word travel trade article)

This module recognises that tour operators and retail travel organisations are at the forefront of the travel and tourism sector. The module aims to provide students with an overview of the dynamic nature of tour operations with a particular emphasis on the diversity of tour operators’ products and services. It will also develop students’ understanding of the retail travel industry environment and how the industry is constantly evolving to meet the needs of consumers.

Topics covered in the module will be drawn from:
Tour operators’ links with other component travel and tourism industries, trade & regulatory bodies; external influences (environmental, economic, social, technological); contemporary challenges (dynamic packaging, distribution channels, vertical and horizontal integration, new competitor forces – e.g. budget airlines, consumer trends, responsible travel); categories of tour operators (inbound, outbound, specialist, mass market); standard and bespoke product packaging; destinations portfolio; transport and accommodation options; ancillary and augmented services; target markets; package holidays – planning, administration costing & selling; types and role of retail travel agencies; links & relationships; impact of technology on retail travel practices; competitive advantage techniques.

1. Analyse the changing nature of the tour operating and retail travel environment.
Knowledge & Understanding
Analysis

2. Assess the range of products and services offered by tour operators for different target markets Knowledge & Understanding
Enquiry

3. Evaluate the effectiveness of the practices and techniques used by two different retail travel agents to gain a competitive advantage.
Analysis
Application
Communication

The learning strategies will require students to commit to 150 learning hours, of which 36 hours will consist of contact time. Lectures (12 hours) will provide students with a broad overview of the concepts, principles, practices and processes needed to appraise the tour operator and retail travel sector and the planning, operation and selling of package holiday products.

Tutorial workshop activities (24 hours) will provide students with a number of actual and simulated tour operator and retail travel-specific problems and scenarios/cases to develop students’ practice-based learning and knowledge application techniques, group work and presentation skills in preparation for the assessment.

A further 114 hours of independent study will require students to review and reflect upon the specific tour operator and retail travel organisation based problems which will subsequently form the basis of the lecture/tutorial discussions. Students are also required to visit tour operator websites, obtain holiday brochures and read the travel trade press, and engage with a range of online formative learning activities and undertake further research on assigned material in order to participate in, and lead class discussions individually and as part of a group.

Access to tour operator websites, trade press and travel brochures

FOR INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS ONLY

Bhatia A K (2012 The Business of Travel Agency and Tour Operations

Buhalis D (2002) eTourism: Information Technology in Tourism

Holloway J C and Humphreys C (2012) The Business of Tourism