A lesson plan that introduces Retail Travel Operations for the BTEC National Travel and Tourism.

Retail Travel Operations - Activity

Who do you think would be the best travel agent to organise a trip to India? Copyright: R. T. Leonard, from stock.xchng.

1. Go to the ABTA data section [PDF, 584KB]. (http://www.abtamembers.org/research/abtastatstrends2005.pdf)
   
   • Read through the list of the 25 biggest travel agencies and tour operators.
   • Identify the four biggest firms in each group (travel agencies and tour operators).
   • Find the organisations which are dual ABTA members.
   • Finally, find the travel firms which act as a consortium.
2. Please access the Biz/ed activity from Unit 1. ( http://www.bized.co.uk/educators/16-19/tourism/industry/activity/respons...)
   
   • Carry out research into what actions the travel firm TUI took to restructure its business. List the vertically integrated parts of their business.
3. Please read this article about changes in the Triton consortium. (http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/Articles/2006/06/22/22011/Galaxy+Travel+qu...)When you have done so, answer the following questions:
   
   • Name the fast-growing travel agency that has signed up new franchises.
   • Do some research into the term 'racking policy'. A search under the phrase 'travel agents' AND 'racking policy' should produce the results you need. What do you understand by this term?
   • What problems did Galaxy Travel have with the Triton consortium?
   • Why do some travel agencies have a preferred list of tour operators?
   • What benefits are gained for the travel agent in having this system of preferred operators?
   • What benefits are there for the relevant tour operators in this arrangement?
4. Go to the Wikipedia entry on travel agents. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travel_agent) Read through the article and make notes on the main points.
   
   • What do you understand by the term 'disintermediation'? (Follow the link within the article to find out more).
   • How have some travel agencies responded to the threat of the Internet?
   • Write a list of the main reasons why it is possible to see a future for retail travel agencies.

People from the UK travel all over the world for their holidays, enjoying beautiful, exotic sunsets night after night. But the way in which they organise their holidays changes all the time. What trends have emerged recently? Copyright: Cristina Nichtius, from stock.xchng.