MKT01762 Contemporary Hotel And Tourism Issues: Assignment 3 Answer

Answer :

Contemporary Hotel and Tourism Issues

Introduction

Three issues identified are adversely affecting the tourism industries worldwide. They are Lack of professional ethics amongst tourism guides, Adverse business opportunities in the least Developed Nations and Threat of terrorism. I will shed light into these issues one by one and will demonstrate their impact, possible mitigation process as well as future implications if any. 

Slide (1-4):  Issue 1

Issue: Lack of professional ethics amongst tourism guides

There is a lack of professionalism, and ethical standards amongst the tour guides as this is a prominent issue that tourists are facing globally. As tourism guides play a key role in the enhancements of travelling experience, their lack of professionalism and ethical standards have adversely affected this industry. 

The next point is the negligence of the tourism companies towards this issue, as they are not focusing on their guides. As a result, it is damaging the travel experience and this industry as well.

Another issue is the scarcity of knowledgeable guides in this industry, which is why travellers are facing difficulty with travelling when they are touring an unfamiliar destination.

The shortage of knowledgeable guides have been featured in an article published by Financial Tribune as well, and this article also emphasised on the Iranian tour guides' lack of skills as well. 

Therefore, it can be seen how a lack of skilled or knowledgeable guides and lack of professionalism and ethical standards is a growing issue in the tourism industry.

Impact of the issue

The impact of this issue, as a result, is negatively impacting the international tourism industry. Because of this small decline in tourists around the world, the overall number is significant, and this is why travel agencies are struggling and closing down.

Mitigation process

This issue can be mitigated, in order to mitigate this issue awareness from the tourism companies in this matter is required. Because if this issue persists , it will not only impact the tourists and the destinations, it will also impact the companies as I have already discussed their declination. This is why tour guides need to be groomed properly through training programs. It will enable them with the conceivement of professionalism and ethical values.

Future implication

The next point is about future implications regarding this issue. Based on my findings and understandings, I am suggesting government intervention and enhanced customer service and grievance process by travel agencies. The government intervention into the tourism industry regarding guides will help with the streamlining of the guides hiring process. This, as a result, will ensure professionalism and ethical standard amongst the tour guides. Furthermore, an enhanced customer service and grievance cell will also ensure tourists are getting the best treatments during their travel and tours. 

Slide (5-8): Issue 2

Issue:Adverse business opportunities in the least Developed Nations

The next issue to be emphasising on is the adverse business opportunities in the least developed nations. Such difficulty is because of the poor infrastructural aspects of these countries. Though, these countries have the potentiality to thrive as a tourist destination and become a fresh entry among the most visited tourist destinations. But, bad road conditions and sub-par air transport is actually holding these countries back. Furthermore, medical facilities are also inferior, as well. Another issue is lack of funding in the tourism industry by the government of these countries, which, as a result holding these potential tourism destinations back.    

I would like to give an example of Africa and African countries which are affected by this issue. Africa has a significant potential to thrive as a tourist destination because of its natural resources and cultural heritage. But they are being held back because of these infrastructural and facilities-related issues. Though countries such as Kenya, Tanzania has potential too because of the lack of funding and infrastructure, the tourism market is struggling.

Therefore, based on this discussion, we can see why the majority of the African countries are failing, and while countries such as Mauritius or South Africa has improved these infrastructural requirements to establish a tourism market.   

Impact of the issue

Now it would be important to explain the impact of these issues. As I have already demonstrated that some of the African countries have an enormous potential to thrive as a tourism destination. Because of the previously mentioned existing infrastructural and financial reasons, this is actually a loss of this potentiality. Because this African nation can actually benefit from this industry financially as tourists visit these nations and eventually becomes an attraction for the tourists.  

Mitigation process

Now it is important to focus on the mitigation process, and first of all these tourist destinations and countries require government interventions. Investment from the government into this industry, as a result, will improve the infrastructural aspects demonstrated earlier. Furthermore, it will also enable the promotional activities required to let tourists know about these destinations and the development of a tourism centric market. 

Future implication

The perception about the future implications emphasises on the entry of private travel agencies and hoteliers into these markets. Otherwise, only with the government aid, it is not possible to revamp the identity. Thus, once private hoteliers constructs resorts and travel agencies conduct tours in these countries, only then these markets will develop a unique value in the tourism market. Furthermore, international promotional and marketing activities are also required to revamp these destinations.

Slide (9-12): Issue 3

• Issue

The tourism and hospitality industry has suffered greatly due to the recent acts of terrorism in London and Manchester. The homicides and violent demonstrations in London have also tarnished the reputation of its hospitality industry which is why many foreign visitors prefer to avoid London and Manchester as a potential holiday destination.

• Impact of the issue

Terrorist activities always have a direct impact on the political situation of the nation. As the citizens feel insecure about their safety, there is bound to be some political turbulence which in turn affects the visit frequency of tourists as they prefer to avoid any politically unstable region. Once some of the tourists have some poor experience during their visit in an unstable time, their word of mouth from online blogs tend to influence other tourists as well, and this affects the tourism industry as well. Acts of violence and aggression are never preferred in the host nation by foreign visitors, and they tend to avoid such areas as much as possible.

• Mitigation process

The ideal way to maintain growth and development of the hospitality and tourism industry is through preventing any act of violence in the first place. Developing better security protocols helps to make a nation safe and secured from any terrorist attacks. In case of any sudden acts of violence nationwide, the foreign tourists should be provided extra security so that they do not face any life threats. Their positive word of mouth is necessary for increasing the visit of other tourists as well. As soon as the country is able to get over its terrorist activities, it is necessary to promote its tourists' spots through social media marketing which would make tourists aware of the safe and secure condition of the nation. Moreover, marketing is necessary for boosting the sales of the tourism industry.

• Future implication

Failing to prevent repeated terrorist attacks would result in long-term impact on the tourism industry with foreign visitors looking for alternative destinations and thus destroy the hospitality industry of the country over time. Tourism is a major contributor to the country's GDP and also offers several jobs for local people. With the decline of the industry, the country would face an economic crisis, and a lot of people would have to look for jobs outside the industry. As frequent acts of terrorism would result in a state of political instability and turmoil in the country, these would eventually restrict the flow of foreign investment due to lack of trust on the longevity of the government.

Conclusion

Base on this presentation, these are the key takeaways, implementation of these points will benefit the tourism industry worldwide. Thanks, everyone for your cooperation during this presentation and I hope I was able to deliver a basic understanding in this matter.