Tour Operations Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Tour Operations Management - Essay Example The most important aspects of a holiday usually coordinated by a tour operator include the type of travel, transfers, excursions, facilities among other services. One easiest way to distinguish tour operators from other practitioners like travel agents is by establishing their form and features. A tour operator will, for this reason, bring together various subsets of tourism experience and offer it as a package. A package offered by tour operators is usually referred to inclusive tour. Inclusive tour mostly includes at least two elements often offered at an inclusive sale price and will encompass a stay of move for more than twenty-four hours in overnight accommodation. These elements range from transportation, foods, accommodation to other tourist services. The kind and variety of packages in a given market is mostly categorized into two categories, that is, those that use the traditional charter flight and those using booked flights. Booked flights are mainly used when it is consid ered uneconomic for tour operator to purchase charter flights. The types of package in a tour operators industry is also often categorized according to a mode of travel or mode of accommodation (Chauhan, 2009). In the case of mode of travel, the package involves issues like coach holiday or ferry. Mode of travel can also be based on ion twin transport packages like fly-drive, which are mostly popular with inbound tourist in the United States of America (Negi, 2006). Segmentation by mode of accommodation on the other hand is where hotels chains assumes the role of tour operators by packaging their excess capacity to offer weekends or short breaks in business attractions as in the case of inclusive package. An inclusive tour can also be segmented according to whether they are domestic or international, according to the length of the holiday, distance and destination type (Gupta, 2012).

Water cooler Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Water cooler - Essay Example anizations by providing information that theft in organizations in the recent past has lead to a great loss of organizations resources to a tune of over $200million each year. The most recent form of theft identified is called ‘sweethearting’, and this is where employees give products to clients away for free to loyal and preferred customers. This is common with employees at the exit like cashiers. The article relates to the topic since it tends to enlighten organizations on how to handle its resources to prevent waste, it also shows how the US economy is affected by the losses from the bad Human Resource practices i.e. $200million loss each year. To address ‘sweethearting’, for example there are both short term and long term measures. The short term measure as per the article is educating the employees on the ramifications of the act on both the employee and employer and the ethics behind it. The long term solution is the employment of thorough recruitment, well screened. Screening question should focus on employee social acceptance, risk taking and ethics. This makes sure that the right click of employees is recruited for employment. An example of water cooler talk was that on the article examination.com about Frank Gore’s of San Francisco 49ers team unhappy state and need for another contract even after being involved in many games. The head coach refused to act on water cooler

Role Of SMEs In The Mauritius Tourism Industry

Role Of SMEs In The Mauritius Tourism Industry Jones and Haven- Tang (2005) studied 10 characteristics that are popular for SMEs: SMEs are job opportunities generator; there is the risk of business failure; SMEs are more flexible than are large enterprises and small entrepreneur are have a closer relationship with their customers however not too proactive to innovation and technology; motivations of SMEs depends on the entrepreneurs way of living and even differentiate through gender; business strategies differs from one SMEs to another some are well managed some are deficient in business and managerial skills; entry of business is easy but preparations in surviving depends on owners abilities to manage; SMEs are resistant to external assistance due to cultures of self reliance that act like barriers; owners are resilient to invest in managerial trainings; SMEs have poor market research and knowledge management about customers; thare are lack of an integrated approach to business planning and functionality. According to Beyene (2002) entrepreneurship is a function of opportunities, technical and commercial skills, entrepreneurial spirit, finance, infrastructure and the overall environment within which the SMEs operate. Studies (Brigham and Smith, 1967; Walker, 1975) stated that SMEs tend to be riskier than the larger organization. Cochran (1981) found SMEs were subject to higher failure rates, and Markland (1974) suggested that SMEs tend to keep less adequate records than big companies. World Bank (1994, 2002, 2004 cited Beck et al., 2003) state 3 core characteristics of SMEs which are firstly, SMEs enhance competition and entrepreneurship and hence have external benefits on economy-wide efficiency, innovation, and aggregate productivity growth; secondly, SMEs are generally more productive than large firms; and thirdly, SME boosts employment more than large firm because SMEs are more labour intensive. Dagmar Recklies (2001) stated SMEs are characterized by factors like size of enterprise or independent ownership (family of small group of people). These traits may lead to disadvantages and advantages with respect to globalization shown in table1 below: Buhalis (2009) said that the tourism industry, although the largest industry in the world, is dominated by SMEs and encapsulates any varied and disparate economic sectors. Harvey and Lee (2002) described the role of SMEs as economic in East Asian Countries. SME, according to Harvey and Lee (2002), is a source of employment, innovation and creating export opportunities and act as a means to grow into larger firms. These aspects of SMEs are important prospects that will continue in the future. According to UNIDO (2006), SMEs are the driving force in industrial development. They comprise more than 90% of all enterprises in the world and are on average providing 60 to 80% of total employment, thus help to contribute to Millennium Development Goals, in particular poverty eradication and developing global partnerships. Migiro and Ocholla (2005) suggested that SMEs account for a significant share of production and employment in many countries and are directly related to poverty alleviation. While in many respects the South African economy is different from that of other countries in the continent, SMEs are relevant for employment and as an income source. In country after country, statistics show that even during these years of economic crisis and recession, the one robust sector providing economic growth, increased productivity and employment has been that of small and medium-sized enterprises, WIPO. In 130 countries, 140 million SMEs employed 65% of labour force in July 2006, World Bank (2006, cited Kotelnikov, 2007). According to Fadahunsi and Daodu (1997, cited Beyene, 2002, p.131), in Asian countries like Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan Korea, India and Sri Lanka, 90% of businesses are small enterprises and this represent 98% of the employment in Indonesia, 78% in Thailand, 81% in Japan and 87% in Bangladesh. The tourism industry of Australia primarily consists of SMEs, with more than 90% of businesses employing fewer than 20 staff, OECD. According to the European Commission SMEs play a central role in the European economy. They are a major source of entrepreneurial skills, innovation and employment. In the enlarged European Union of 25 countries, some 23 million SMEs provide around 75 million jobs and represent 99% of all enterprises. Duarte (2004) stated that the role played by SMEs in any society is undoubtedly important, for instance, in Portugal around 98% of the industrial fabric is composed by SMEs. Duarte (2004) describes the role of SMEs as an engine of economic growth and the proportion of SMEs in the industry is large in percentage. Shumpeter (1934, cited Duarte, 2004) emphasizes the role of SMEs as a principal cause of economic development. Lukasc (nd) studied that SMEs are recognized as the backbone of the British economy, accounting for more than half of the UKs turnover. 93 % of all European enterprises have less than 10 employees and there are 20.5 million enterprises in the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, providing employment for 122 million people. Alistair et al. (2003) studied the role of SMEs in China and stated that SMEs are important as they contribute to the national income and employment. Jones and Haven- Tang (2005) described the role of SMEs in developing a tourism destinations image and service quality along with other stakeholders of the industry (especially government). They described the contributions of tourism SMEs in defining service quality and thus exploring the relationship between quality of services and products by local SMEs and destination competitiveness. Jones and Haven- Tang (2005) explained that the nature of tourism SMEs makes it important for policy makers to consider in order promoting destination development. Andersson et al (2007) discussed the role of SMEs owned by women as contributing in job creation. The authors stated that women entrepreneurs are more likely to employ women, thus providing jobs not only for themselves but for other women, which helps to reduce the effect of discrimination against women in the labour market. In addition, reducing female unemployment assists in fighting women trafficking. Finally, female entrepreneurs serve as role models for the younger generations, demonstrating new employment (self-employment) opportunities. According to UNIDO (2003) the only way to reduce poverty in a sustainable way is to promote economic growth, through wealth and employment creation. In developing countries, SMEs are the major source of income, a breeding ground for entrepreneurs and a provider of employment. SMEs may be characterized as the principal building blocks of the Pakistani economy, providing the country with opportunities for increased employment (including female employment), poverty eradication, enhanced productivity, competitiveness and international market penetration. Kotelnikov (2007) studied the contributions of SMEs to employment and the countries GDP and innovations. It is commonplace for governments to have policies to encourage the growth of SMEs as they can help to directly alleviate poverty by increasing income levels and creating jobs. Kotelnikov (2007) stated that SMEs encourages technological progress and benefit either as producers of ICT or as users of ICT for purposes such as increased productivity, faster communications and reaching new clients. As TSMEs increases, entrepreneurs become more aware of the managerial skills as well as knowledge of the industry expands resulting into innovation of their products and services thus gaining a competitive advantage to increase profits thus encouraging people to invest to establish TSMEs because of the market opportunities captured by the profitability. He described SMEs as efforts to develop women entrepreneurship that helps in return in increasing gender equality by providing women with a source of income. Manyara and Jones (2005) describe the importance of the TSMEs development in Kenya that can help in the goal of alleviating poverty and developing of new tourism product. Sustainable livelihoods are considered to be possible through SMEs in the tourism industry and the authors explained the economic impact of SMEs on the poverty alleviation. They consider tourism SMEs to benefit local communities and creation of SMEs will enable better linkage with the local economy and will support complementary partnerships. Di Dominico (2005) studied the concept of lifestyle entrepreneur that is the non-economic factors of TSMEs. She describes the non-economic business values and orientations like the lifestyle of small business owners. Establishing a small enterprise may not have same significance to different people. Different person belonging to different groups have different aims and objectives in mind while setting up a business. People have incentives according to their social, economic and cultural environment in which they live. Some people start a business to be their own boss, and not be controlled by other person. Therefore people have different motivations like liberty and independence other than economic ones like profitability to start forming small businesses defining a way of living or lifestyle. The author analysed that lifestyles of SMEs reflect a less objective definition of quality of life that consider aspects of work, family, gender and variations of consumption and the relationsh ip between these aspects. However, she added that in TSMEs there must be a more objective approach to ownership and management in order to have development and success. Baldwin (1995) studied the characteristics of SMEs that make success possible. He talked about innovation being the prime factor that contributes to success. The use of proper technological, marketing, management, human resource, investment and competitive strategies are necessary to increase or decrease profitability. Theses factors are the growth factors associated to success. The study shows that SMEs stress the importance of management. SMEs focus on often stated problems in the area of training, capital cost and innovation. TSMEs are conscious of the need for a highly-skilled work force and rank themselves above their competitors in this regard. He stated that successful SMEs have to consider three dimensions that are growth, profitability and productivity. The best way to achieve these dimensions according to Baldwin (1995) is by innovation. According to Migiro and Ocholla (2005), SMEs and ICT have a direct connection in improving the business efficiency, productivity and the development of new products and services, thus creating new business opportunities and markets. The use of technology is widely used in marketing, advertising, doing transaction with foreign clients and adopting the concept of e-commerce. ICT have a role in improving business services, as in the hotel and tourism industry (Duncombe and Heeks, 2001, cited Migiro and Ocholla, 2005). Chandra (2002) stated that SMEs have to go through the technology ladder in order to remain competitive. Lal (2007) studied the adoption of ICT in the Nigerian SMEs. According to him, globalization is among the factors that influence SMEs to make use of technologies. However, he explains that good electricity supply and connectivity is necessary for SMEs to make use of IT. E-Commerce is one of the most visible examples of the way in which ICTs can contribute to economic growth. It helps countries into the global economy. It allows business and entrepreneurs to become more competitive. And it provided jobs, thereby creating wealth (UNCTAD 2004a, cited Lal 2007). However, the human capital should not be ignored as Cunningham and Rowley (2008) studied the role of SMEs in China and a system of HRM that will boost competitive capabilities of SMEs. They stated that SMEs acts as non-governmental investment booster while contributing to the improvement of the economic structure. Hence, SMEs play an important economic role in China. The traditional personnel practices of SMEs should shift to HRM, which are resourcing, rewards, development and relations, and to more management dimensions. Proper management skills as well as considering other factors such as an organizational strategy and taking account of the national context are necessary for sustaining growth, prospects and ultimately survival.

Interesting Person :: essays research papers

An interesting person should have lots of intrigues in his brain, and he should have a curious characteristic. So the adjective "interesting" seems to be the best word to describe me, there is no other better word. All of my old friends know I am a person who has lots of intrigues and happiness. In every important party, I am always invited to be the joker. For these reasons, I believe that I am the most interesting person I know. Interesting things were not strange to me when I was young. I still remember when I in primary school, I always thought about the difference between boys and girls. The most interesting matter was that why boys and girls went to different restrooms, and what was the difference of the 'equipment' inside restrooms. This question was always running around in my brain. Once I asked my father about it, but it might because my father grew up in a traditional Chinese family in which no one could talk about sex, his answer was " you will know when you get older!" which made me frustrated. Because I was extremely interested in this matter, so once I decided to switch the male-restroom card and the female-restroom card to see what would happen. The consequence was that no one knew how to use the 'equipment' in the switched restrooms. Finally, my class teacher who blamed me for tricking classmates told me about the differences between boys and girls. Till I entered high school, I still did not change my naughty characteristic. I have a very interesting experience to share with you: One time my brother drove me to school by his new Honda sports car, he drove faster by my request as I was going to be late. He stepped on the gas deeply and the sports car activated its V-tech function, in not more than 5 seconds, the sports car reached sixty miles per hour on the road supposed to drive thirty-five miles per hour at most. Unfortunately, we was unknowingly caught in an automated speed trap hid somewhere on the road, and it measured our speed using radar and photographed our car. Two days later, I received a ticket for forty dollars and a photo of my brother's car. Instead of payment, I sent the police department a photograph of forty dollars. Several days later, my brother told me that he received a strange letter from the police department that contained a ticket for a hundred dollars and a photo of handcuffs.

Letter To My Future Self Essay

I hope that time has been kind to you. I hope your high school experience was what you hoped it would be, and I hope you lived it up in college. I can’t sit here and say I know what growing up was like, because I don’t. I also can’t say that from what my parents have told me that it was easy. I know your plans in life were to go far, and reach for the stars and I have no doubt that you haven’t done that. I hope that where you are right now, is where you want to be, and if it isn’t, don’t give up, keep pushing. Remember you are the only person who can control your happiness. Depending on what age you are reading this, hopefully you have a special boy in your heart, whether it be the ginger you spent your 8th, freshman, and sophomore years hung up on, or it be someone new. I hope they give you their best, and nothing less, because thats all you deserve. see more:future me essay Hopefully you have the career you wanted, which sophomore year you were interested in pharmaceutical work, who knows where you have ended up, but hopefully you are more decisive than you were back then. As a child, you had dreams of going big. You never would settle for ordinary. The first time you got a B+ on your report card in 4th grade you cried, because that was your first B+ ever. Those were the best times, yet you’ve probably experienced many more within the time frame you wrote this letter. You wanted to be a model at one point, and you used to love when dad painted your nails and dressed up with you and let you do his hair.

Marketing Segmentation of Tata Nano in India and Its Targeting and Positioning Strategy.

Contents Market Segmentation, Positioning, Targeting: A case of Tata Nano in India EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Targeting and positioning strategy of Tata Nano and recommendations for the company are given. INTRODUCTION: BACKGROUND: According to Howard and Sheth (1969, p. 70), â€Å"market segmentation depends on the idea that the company should segment or divide the market in such a way as to achieve sets of buyers† Historically sellers were engaged in mass marketing. They were into the mass production, mass promotion and mass distribution of one product to all consumers in order to obtain economies of scale. This approach of marketing segmentation made the producers to compete against their competitors in terms of products and services. Kotler says â€Å"the product differentiation is to provide variety to the buyers rather than to appeal to different segments†. DISCUSSION: CRITICISM OF MARKETING SEGMENTATION: When the size of the market is so small to do marketing When a brand is a dominant brand in the market. When more number of people falls in the same category. Most of the brands do not operate within the same segment. Certain brands cannot fit into a particular segment which is a drawback to this strategy. In very small businesses and brands this strategy will not work and it is not possible. CASE OF TATA NANO IN INDIA AND ITS MARKET SEGMENTATION: Tata Motors is the leading automobile manufacturer in India with a huge portfolio which includes trucks, passenger cars, buses, and utility vehicles. Even though there are many products from Tata Motors an interesting case of Tata Nano is discussed further. Generally Tata Motors follow the marketing segmentation concept and they have succeeded which already prevails in the history. Tata Nano which comes under the passenger car segment was launched in January 2008. India’s passenger car segment has been grown extraordinarily for the past four years and it was the clever strategy of Ratan Tata to launch a product in that segment. Heading to the marketing segmentation of Tata Nano is quite interesting. Tata Nano is specially designed and manufactured for the middle class and lower middle class people in India (Interview of Ratan Tata). Marketing Segmentation for Tata Nano: Geographic: rural areas, semi urban areas, small towns, large cities and metropolitans. Demographic: Age group: people of age group above 18 (as the legal age for driving in India is 18) Size of family: family size not more than 5. Psychographic and Behavioural: ANALYSIS OF TATA NANO’S MARKETING SEGMENTATION: From the above segmentation variables and how Tata Nano is segmented, it is clear that the manufacturer wants his product to be used by almost everyone in all geographic conditions. In demographic segment the income group of $220 can easily purchase this car is mentioned. But again they say this can also suit the people who own cars already for the sake of increasing the count which adds privilege to them as well as their status. Even in the occupation category, it is mentioned that right from students to any profession person can use Nano which again puts a lot of people in the category. TARGETING AND POSITIONING OF TATA NANO: Tata Nano’s targeting strategy starts from its tag line â€Å"The people’s Car† and â€Å"the world’s inexpensive car†. Tata Nano is segmented to the middle class and lower middle class people who had only dreamt about cars which also include the people who earn $220 per month. Their target customers are those who are extremely price conscious and have low latitude of acceptability. Industry wise they target the two wheeler industry, three wheeler industry (which are more costly than nano), public transports as well to an extent. Hence pricing is their most effective targeting strategy. (Admap magazine, www. warc. com/admap) Positioning of Tata Nano is solely based on its price which may also become a drawback to them in future. Tata Nano is well positioned which will be doing a marketing for the entire Tata Motors. As Nano will be the first car of many customers there will be a possibility of customers to follow Tata Motors if they have a good value for money product and good customer relationship management. As mentioned Nano will be the first car people will surely change their car and that might be possibly for another car in Tata Motors itself. Moreover Tata is also got a wide range of cars which are durable and better quality which suits Indian roads. (NDTV news) {draw:frame} {draw:rect} {draw:frame} {draw:frame} draw:frame} {draw:frame} CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: The marketing segmentation concept is a good strategy in marketing but not applicable for all industries, services or products. Nano is got a good segmentation and its well targeted and positioned. As Nano is targeting people with its price strategy, in future due to some inflation if value of money increases they might not be able to con vince their customers. Tata is a good reliable brand in India and now the positioning of Nano as the first car of many people will surely help them in growing their Tata Motors organisation. REFERENCES: Caroline Tynan and Jennifer Drayton, Journal of marketing management, 1987, 2, No 3, 301-335. Smith, W. R. (1956), â€Å"Product differentiation and market segmentation as alternative marketing strategies†, _Journal of Marketing, _2J (3), pp. 3-8. Baker, M. J. (Ed) (1984), Macmillan Dictionary of Marketing and Advertising, London, Macmillan. Haley, R. L (1968), â€Å"Benefit segmentation: A decision-oriented research tool†, Journal_ of_ Marketing, 32(3), pp. 30-35. Chisnall, P. M. (1985), Marketing: A Behavioural Analysis (2nd edition). Maidenhead, Berkshire, McGraw-Hill UK Ltd. Lunn. T. (1978), â€Å"Segmenting and constructing markets†. In: Consumer Market Research Handbook (2nd edition) (Eds. ) Worcester, R. M. and Downham, J. , London, Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. (UK) Ltd. , pp. 343-376. Haley, R. L (1968), â€Å"Benefit segmentation: A decision-oriented research tool†, _Journal of_ Marketing, 32(3), pp. 30-35. Siddharth Vinayak Patankar, (2009), â€Å"_NDTV’s review of the Tata Nano_†, NDTV Profit Online, [http://profit. ndtv. com/2009/03/23220600/How-does-the-Tata- Nano-drive. html]. www. tatanano. inservices. tatamotors. com Joseph Sassoon, Admap magazine, www. warc. com/admap.