Category: Industry

Over the years, the functions of tour manufacturers have diversified considerably. Obviously, the scope, pattern, structure and size of tour operation have increased manifold.Today, tour operators are faced with intense international pressure in the form of competition and to cope with that they are to design and develop tour packages to meet the requirements of the ever demanding and sophisticated consumers.Indeed, they must have a good grasp and knowledge of the tourist generating market and of the quality-price ratio of the packages they plan to introduce. Image Source: easytourtravels.com ADVERTISEMENTS: Many tour operators simply feel that they cannot design/plan tours because they do not have adequate knowledge, skills, expertise and enough ‘something’ to accomplish market requirements. However, if they approach it in a systematic, scientific and businesslike manner, can plan,…

During the last two decades, the tour operator industry has responded positively with ever expanding needs for new and variety of tour packages demanded by the tourists.If the pattern continues, this shall definitely lead to development of new sophisticated tour packages and new tour operators specialized in the provisioning of these.Today, tour operators are offering variety of tour packages to cater the requirements of inbound, outbound and domestic tourism markets. The main packages are: Image Source: easytourtravels.com Types of Packages 1. Independent Tour: Independent tour is prepared to the individual/particular traveler’s specification. In this tour, a traveler is free and independent to select any component for his journey. The travel agency/tour operator puts the components of the ‘Tour’ together, working directly with the vendors – airlines, hotels, cruise lines, transport…

The other day, I had accompanied my father to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, better known as Victoria Terminus (Mumbai Railway Station) to receive an extended relative of ours, coming from Chennai by CST Mail.How the name Bombay became Mumbai? It derived its name from Mumbadevi, the pattern Goddess of the Kalis, a fishing community and its oldest inhabitants. Wow! What a beehive of activities going in there non-stop from morning till late night. Of all the Indian Metros, it is Mumbai that has something unique; the capital city of Maharashtra, where approximately 15 million people live, very rich and equally very poor.It is the world’s largest movie industry and the Mumbaikars show an inclination to western culture. The very building of CST speaks volume about Gothic architecture! With richly carved domes,…

During World War II, the air transport industry has been affected very badly at the world level, in general and, in the USA, UK, Germany, India, France and Canada, in particular.The International Air Transport Association, a successor to the International Air Transport Association formed at Hague in 1919, a nodal organization, was founded in 1945 by the airlines of certain countries with the prime objective of overcoming the complexities and problems arising from the rapid expansion of civil air services and World War II.As a non-governmental organization, it derived its legal existence from a special Act passed by the Canadian Parliament in December 1945. The IATA closely resembles with the International Civil Aviation Organization in terms of its activities and organizational structure. Image Source: news.gtp.gr ADVERTISEMENTS: The IATA is voluntary,…

According to Bacon “Reading maketh a full man; writing an exact man and conference a ready man.” And if someone asks what reading, writing and conference make together, anyone would say that all of them stand for Education. In other words, we can say that education makes anyone complete, accurate and worldly wise. It means that no one is complete without education.Thus we can confidently say that education is necessary an all-round development of the personality of a human-being. He cannot hope for success, name, fame and prosperity in life without it.Even a nation would be devoid of any progress, if its citizens fail to have the benefits of education. H.L. Wayland has correctly said, “Universal suffrage, without universal education, would be a curse.” For the success of any democracy,…

Types of tour operators in tourism industry are as follows: Important Types of Tour Operators 1. Inbound Tour Operator: Tour operators who deal and handle directly inbound foreign tourists, provide them various services on their arrival and departure such as transfer, accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, entertainment, currency, insurance services etc. are known as inbound tour operators. ADVERTISEMENTS: These tour operators formulate tour package individually or in collaboration with foreign tour operators. The packages may be marketed directly or by means of the intermediaries. In fact, inbound tour operators are the ‘image’ builders of a country as they convert all touristic resources of a nation into a saleable commodity.They also contribute valuable foreign exchange earnings to the economy of host country. Recognizing the vital role played by inbound tour operators in the…

There was once a time when my Motherland, India, was considered a ‘Golden Bird’. This was because of its riches, vast natural resources and the great, bright future it was expected to have in store, our rich, cultural heritage, old civilization and vast knowledge in every aspect of life had endeared India and Indians even to the outside world.No wonder, foreigners had been taking keen interest in us right from the dawn of their awakening. But alas! It is all lost now. Gone are the days of past glory, riches, reverence and attraction. The country has witnessed a sharp decline in its over-all image and we have now become a nation, inviting mockery, neglect and indifference from outsiders.India of my dream is, naturally, the same ancient land, full of peace,…

The term ‘green tourism‘ is applied to a specific environmentally oriented rural sector of the tourism industry.A green approach of tourism involves a healthy tourism development through local participation and precise assessment of carrying capacity of the area and its locality. Travel is purposed to “getting back to nature”.Farm and Rural tourism are often promoted as a mechanism to support regional, agricultural communities. Rural tourism is normally promoted by the public organizations, while farm tourism is supported by the farmer community. Farming community markets the product for its benefits to supplement its income. Farm tourism is characterized by the following features: Image Source: d3ui957tjb5bqd.cloudfront.net ADVERTISEMENTS: It is most evident in marginally agricultural regions. The conventional wisdom surrounding farm tourism is that it has potential for growth because of increased demand…

Eco tourism is one of the fastest growing trends in the worldwide tourism industry. Environment has an intrinsic value which outweighs its value as a tourism asset.It is also agreed upon by environmental experts that the three elements, viz., political acceptability, social responsibility and sound environment with a perfect balance between quality and quantity, in tourism development/ promotion, can ensure quality tourism.Whilst there is a general support for a symbiotic relationship between the two, i.e., tourism and environment; the dilemma is that the residents lay greater stress on tourism development whereas the tourists focus on environmental protection. Image Source: 3.bp.blogspot.com ADVERTISEMENTS: In this context, ‘eco tourism’ is being promoted as a means of ‘giving nature value’ and hence of achieving sustainable tourism. The term ‘eco tourism’ has been defined in…

The selection of a career or profession is one of the most important things of life. But it is equally difficult. The lack of guiding services, proper counseling and ever increasing unemployment has further complicated the matter.There is cut-throat competition. Therefore, most of the young men and women in search of suitable jobs are a confused, indecisive and frustrated lot. It has generated a deep sense of frustration and indiscipline among the young people.A right choice of a career is fundamental importance. On it does depend one’s success or failure in life. A correct choice may lead to happy, prosperous and satisfying career and life. On the other hand, a wrong selection may result in failure, disappointment and sadness in life. The result of prolonged indecision rimy still proves worse.…