Travel Sector
UNIT
1
The travel and tourism industry
Introduction
T
he travel and tourism industry is one of the biggest and fastest growing industries in the UK. This unit will give you an introduction to the industry,
providing a sound basis for further study. You will find out about the nature of the industry, its size and scale, and you will be introduced to the types of organisations that form its structure. In addition you will investigate the development of the industry and the factors which have affected the growth of travel and tourism.
How you will be assessed
This unit is assessed through an external assessment set by Edexcel. A variety of exercises and activities is provided in this unit to help you develop your understanding of the industry and prepare for the external assessment. After completing the unit you will achieve the following outcomes:
✱ Understand the nature and characteristics of travel and tourism and the travel and tourism industry
✱ Understand the development of the travel and tourism industry ✱ Explain the structure of the travel and tourism industry ✱ Explain the scale of the travel and tourism industry.
UNIT 1: THE TRAVEL AND TOURISM INDUSTRY
1
1.1 The nature and characteristics of travel and tourism and the travel and tourism industry
What is tourism?
Defining tourism is not a simple matter, as it is a complex industry made up of many different businesses, the common theme being that they provide products and services to tourists. The most usually accepted definition of tourism is that provided by the World Tourism Organisation: ‘Tourism comprises the activities of persons travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes.’ This definition includes the word ‘staying’ and suggests that tourists stay at least one night. However, we must acknowledge that day visitors make a huge contribution to the tourist
1
The travel and tourism industry
Introduction
T
he travel and tourism industry is one of the biggest and fastest growing industries in the UK. This unit will give you an introduction to the industry,
providing a sound basis for further study. You will find out about the nature of the industry, its size and scale, and you will be introduced to the types of organisations that form its structure. In addition you will investigate the development of the industry and the factors which have affected the growth of travel and tourism.
How you will be assessed
This unit is assessed through an external assessment set by Edexcel. A variety of exercises and activities is provided in this unit to help you develop your understanding of the industry and prepare for the external assessment. After completing the unit you will achieve the following outcomes:
✱ Understand the nature and characteristics of travel and tourism and the travel and tourism industry
✱ Understand the development of the travel and tourism industry ✱ Explain the structure of the travel and tourism industry ✱ Explain the scale of the travel and tourism industry.
UNIT 1: THE TRAVEL AND TOURISM INDUSTRY
1
1.1 The nature and characteristics of travel and tourism and the travel and tourism industry
What is tourism?
Defining tourism is not a simple matter, as it is a complex industry made up of many different businesses, the common theme being that they provide products and services to tourists. The most usually accepted definition of tourism is that provided by the World Tourism Organisation: ‘Tourism comprises the activities of persons travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes.’ This definition includes the word ‘staying’ and suggests that tourists stay at least one night. However, we must acknowledge that day visitors make a huge contribution to the tourist