The Travel and Tourism Sector

Structure  private, public and voluntary sectors  industries within travel and tourism: tour operators, travel agents, accommodation services, passenger transport e.g., rail travel, road travel, aviation and airports, sea travel, public sector, visitor attractions, support services

2. Understand the influence of local and national governments and international agencies on the travel and tourism sector

Function of government  development of tourism policy  introduction of legislation  introduction of duties

Government sponsored bodies  tourism departments e.g. Department of Culture, Media and Sport in the UK  regional tourist boards  tourist offices  development agencies  local government

International agencies  European Union  World Tourism Organisation  World Travel and Tourism Council  International Air Transport Association  International Civil Aviation Authority  UNESCO

National economic policy  promotion and support for tourism e.g. through Visit Britain or other national tourist offices  special events  transport policy

Local economic policy  promotion of tourism  planning  Grants for tourism development

Implications of political change in different countries  change in tourism policy  change in transport policy  change in duties affecting tourism  change in visa/entry requirements  political unrest e.g. Arab Spring  change in political philosophy e.g change from totalitarian regime to greater levels ofdemocracy and freedom of movement

3. Understand the effects of supply and demand on the travel and tourism sector

Factors affecting demand

Political and economic factors  changes in legislation – national and European  government policy  events e.g. Olympics  changes in disposable income  changes in VAT  new taxation  employment levels