Tourism and Hospitality Industry Overview

Overview of Tourism and Hospitality Industry

• The module covers an overview of the tourism and hospitality industry
• Topics include the definition of tourism, its history and development, and tourism and hospitality careers
• A short quiz consisting of 5 items will be conducted

Intended Learning Outcomes

• Understand the definition of tourism as an industry
• Know the history and development of tourism
• Identify careers in the tourism and hospitality industry

Definition of Tourism

• The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) defines tourism as activities of people traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment
• The purpose of tourism includes business, leisure, and other reasons
• The tourism industry revolves around providing enjoyment and pleasurable experiences
• Tourism stimulates economic development, economic growth, balance of payments, employment, and regional balances in individual countries and across regions
• The tourism industry reinforces their potential in tourism development on the local and regional levels

Tourism Core Concepts

• Tourism involves a variety of experiences
• The products and services of the tourism industry are perishable
• Social, economic, and institutional factors affect travelers’ decisions
• Tourism involves traveling to a different place for various purposes

Commonly Used Terms in Tourism and Hospitality

• Business Travel refers to travel for commercial, governmental, or educational purposes with leisure as a secondary motivation
• Carrier refers to any provider of mass transportation, usually used by an airline
• Group Rate refers to a negotiated hotel rate for a convention, trade show, meeting, tour, or incentive group
• Hub is an airport or city that serves as a central connecting point for aircraft, trains, or buses from outlying feeder airports or cities
• Incentive Travel refers to travel offered as a reward for top-performing workers with a substantial contribution to the company
• Net Rate refers to the price without the travel agent's commission
• Travel Product refers to any product or service bought by or sold to consumers of trade, including accommodations, attractions, events, restaurants, and transportation
• Travel Seasons include peak season, off-peak season, and shoulder season, the travel period between the peak and off-peak seasons

Types of Tourism

• The types of tourism include how long someone stays, transport, distance traveled, the purpose of the trip, and the price paid
• Domestic Tourism refers to visitors' activities within their country of residence and outside of their home
• International Tourism refers to the activities of a resident who crosses the boundaries of many countries, uses different currencies, faces different languages, and meets different types of people
• Inbound Tourism refers to the activities of a visitor from outside the country of residence
• Outbound Tourism refers to the activities of a resident visitor outside of their country of residence

Other Types of Tourism

• Beach Tourism occurs at coastal resorts and often results from an inevitable attraction to the beach
• Beach activities include beach hopping, scuba diving, snorkeling, speed boating, and other water activities
• Virtual Tourism offers an attraction tour from home
• Videos and still images are offered with multimedia, such as narration, music, and sound effects
• Space Tourism aims to give tourists the ability to become astronauts and experience space travel for recreational, leisure, or business purposes
• Dark Tourism involves attractions such as visiting cemeteries, zombie-themed events, or historical museums
• Disaster tourism is visiting locations that have been subjected to man-made or natural environmental disasters and is a sub-sector of dark tourism
• Shopping Tourism involves destinations developing authentic and unique shopping experiences that add value to their touristic offer.

History and Development of Tourism

• In 1980, the UNWTO announced the day of September 27 as "World Tourism Day."
• The aim is to bring sustainability to the tourism sector worldwide
• Tourism resulted from developments in the industry for the past two (2) millennia
• Early/Ancient Hospitality started around 40 BC
• Hospitality services for social and religious gatherings were common
• Greeks created thermal baths designed for recuperation and relaxation, which led to spas
• Romans provided accommodation for travelers
• Medieval Period started with English travel and excursions and building inns as their private residences
• English garned a permit to import and sell wine
• Caravans provided resting destinations in Middle Eastern routes
• Monasteries and abbeys were first to offer refuge to travelers
• Persians developed inns and post houses along caravan routes for exchanging post-horses and accommodating post riders
• Renaissance and French Revolution led to demand for and taverns increased
• In the early 1800s, "inns” were the only lodging facilities available for tourists
• Inns started providing food and drinks to travelers rather than just lodging
• Hotels resulted from the element of luxury starting to blend in
• Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan, Yamanashi, Japan is the oldest hotel in the world certified by Guinness World Records
• It was founded in 705 and has been owned by the same family for 52 generations
• 19th Century had the hospitality industry form as an organized industry formed
• The hospitality industry was formed in the 1950s or 1960s
• Travelers sought hospitable places to kick back and relax
• The industrial revolution began in the 1970s
• The construction of hotels and casinos in Europe, England, and America was facilitated
• Modern Tourism and Hospitality Industry focuses on the customer
• Current hoteliers analyze new trends to define better criteria and provide modern standards to improve the quality of life in hotels
• Hotels are consistently evolving to become more advanced
• The tallest hotels were built in the 21st century, made possible by technological advancements

Tourism and Hospitality Careers

• Airlines generally have bright long-term prospects
• Flight Attendant makes sure passengers are safe and comfortable and provide great customer service
• Ticket Agents, Reservations Agents, or Reservations Clerks provide travel information to airline customers and handle airline ticket sales and reservation changes
• Airline Food Service is a back-office position planning the quality of meals to attract potential passengers
• Flight Dispatcher ensures the safety of an aircraft's flight and permitting specific airlines to take off
• Operations Agents coordinate baggage transfer for connecting flights and announce arrivals/departures
• Airline Lounge Receptionist admits guests to airline lounges, verifies membership cards, attends to customers' concerns and inquiries, and accompanies passengers to departure gates
• Crew Scheduler compiles duty roster of flight crews and maintains crew members' flying time records
• Gate Agent assists passengers and checks flight tickets at entrance gates or stations to ensure passengers have correct flights or seats
• Passenger Service Representative renders various personal services
• Travel Trade is comprised of people and companies that resell travel products
• Tour Guide escorts visitors around tourist destinations and attractions
• Tour Operator is a wholesale agent of the travel industry that markets tour packages
• Travel Agent plans and organizes travel and tour services for customers
• Tourist Information Assistant provides information and other services that tourists might need for their entire travel
• Travel Information Center Supervisor supervises and coordinates activities of workers engaged in welcoming motorists and provides travel information
• Accommodation Sector is composed of personnel in-charge in providing lodging services to guests.
• Hotel General Manager ensures efficient and profitable operations
• Front Desk Receptionist/Agent is customer service professional who is the first point of contact for clients or guests
• Housekeeping Attendant/Room Attendant regularly cleans guestrooms and common areas
• Concierge provides a top-tier customer service experience for hotel guests
• Bell Attendant/Person assists guests with check-in and checkout processes and escorts them to their room
• Valet Runner/Valet Parking Attendant drives vehicles for customers in a parking lot or garage
• Back of the House keeps things running efficiently and are found in the employee area
• Food and Beverage Service Sector establishments must have enough staff members to cater to customers' needs with quality
• Restaurant Manager plays a key role on every restaurant
• Cashier records customers' orders
• Server takes and serves orders in a friendly manner
• Bartender prepares and serves a variety of beverages
• Barista prepares several coffee blends or tea
• Executive Chef creates menus
• Pastry Chef makes sweet treats for diners
• Line Cooks prepare food items by cutting, chopping, mixing, and cooking food
• Buss Person is responsible for clearing and cleaning tables
• Food and Beverage Steward is in charge of the dishware
• Cruise Lines includes Activity/Entertainment Department, Service/Hospitality Department, Personal Care Department, and Deck Department
• Activity/Entertainment Department includes hosts and hostesses, cruise directors and staff, disc jockeys, performers, swimming instructors, and shore excursion staff
• Service/Hospitality Department includes members working in restaurants, bars, passenger cabins, as well as shipboard retail concessions
• Personal Care Department includes fitness coach, dermatologist, masseuse (massage therapist), nurses, and wellness staff
• Deck Department includes maintenance workers, engineers, and officers that are in charge of passenger safety
• Office Staff arranges cruises or perform general office work
• Casinos/Entertainment Sector focuses on gambling and include restaurants, bars, retail shops, hotels, banks, and spas
• Dealer handles chips and money
• Surveillance ensures activity is lawful
• Pit Bosses supervise the gaming staff
• Cage Cashier manages the check bank
• Technicians maintain gambling machines
• Casino Manager creates a system where customers win while profits