Investigating Travel And Tourism Analysis Essay Example

and economic aspects that contributed to this revolution.

The travel and tourism industry has grown due to three key factors: an increase in available travel time, a rise in disposable income, and improvements in transportation systems and personal mobility. Following World War II, people were given more leisure time, leading to a higher demand for travel-related products and services. The expansion of paid vacation benefits for workers has also been crucial in the growth of leisure time, with employers legally required to offer paid holidays since 1938.

An increase in holiday entitlement in the UK has led to more people having sufficient time and money for holidays, resulting in an increase in domestic tourism. Consumers now opt for short trips such as city breaks, shopping trips, visits to relatives, and theme parks. This development has also led to a decrease in the working week. However, Disposable Income, which refers to the amount of money available after paying for essential needs such as food, household bills, rent or mortgage remains unchanged.

The disposable income and economic conditions greatly impact consumer spending on travel and tourism. When the economy is growing, people tend to spend more on domestic and international travel due to increased disposable income, as seen in the 1980s. Conversely, during times of economic decline when disposable income decreases, individuals often reduce their vacation expenses.

In the early 1990s, the economic downturn in the UK resulted in a decline in foreign vacation demand due to worries about job loss and plummeting housing prices. Nonetheless, domestic tourism increased as British citizens sought holiday opportunities within their own country. Furthermore, advancements in transportation and personal mobility have made travel more

accessible for a larger segment of the UK population. Every year, millions of people utilise ports, railway stations, and airports while the establishment of the Channel Tunnel has further expanded this industry.

Car ownership in the UK has surpassed 20 million, with over 70% of households owning at least one car. This has made it the preferred transportation choice for domestic tourism. The rise of privately owned cars has resulted in an increase in visits to various destinations across the country, marking a significant shift from 1951 when trains, buses, and coaches were the primary modes of transportation for domestic tourists. Today, cars account for 80% of all trips.

The enhancement of road infrastructure and the rise in automobile ownership have made rural areas more easily accessible for recreational purposes. Furthermore, since the late 1960s, significant changes have occurred within the travel and tourism industry due to the introduction of Computer Reservation Systems or Global Distribution Systems (GDS), originally meant for airline bookings. Four major reservation systems - Sabre, Galileo, Amadeus, and Worldspan - have evolved globally from these systems. Thompson and Carlson are global corporations that can offer consumers information on travel products through partnerships with airlines, hotel chains, travel agencies, and tour operators; this enables customers to make purchases without leaving their homes.

The emergence of the Internet and interactive digital TV has transformed the way people buy travel. Online booking has become a valuable tool for airlines, tour operators, and travel agencies, leading them to expand their operations to include web-based services.