3GE Collection on Tourism: Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Management

The new dynamics of the twenty-first century led to a new competitive environment in the field of tourism and hospitality business. Tourism and hospitality are fast growing areas and it can be difficult to be conversant on all the current issues at all times. As students of tourism we nevertheless must make an effort to be aware of as many trends and issues as possible. This awareness is even more important for people and organizations that are directly or indirectly involved in the tourism and hospitality industry. This book will provide you with a variety of insights into some of the issues that are impacting on the industry. However, the subject of education and training for careers in tourism has been poorly quantified to date and little research has been done in this field of study. Yet any policies to promote the growth of the tourist industry must depend upon adequate numbers of trained people being available at all levels within the industry. If the tourist industry is to be encouraged as a major growth area in the economy it is essential that there are sufficient numbers of qualified people to prepare and implement tourism development plans, manage regional and national tourist organizations and staff the many firms which make up the tourist industry. As planning, marketing, and product development become increasingly complex in the tourism industry, it becomes a critical function in providing needed information for decision-making. This edition will enhance students’ understanding of the dynamic nature of the tourism and hospitality industry. In addition, it includes topics to deepen students’ understanding and help them to apply theories and concepts. Furthermore, students will be able to develop enquiry, problem-solving and decision-making skills in their work environment. Despite the great progress and good prospect in tourism development, there are many challenges from both home and abroad. The examples include: the destruction of tourist sites and natural landscape, the pollution of environment, the shortage of financial resources for infrastructure development, the persistent attitudinal problems among service personnel, and the pressure from the competitors with more diversified tourism product and higher service quality. Due to the increasing importance of the tourism industry in the world and many serious problems affecting its further growth, this field needs to be improved in both quantity and quality to meet the international standard. This book focuses on the major changes on the level of the tourism and hospitality micro environment, outlining the main changes and trends in the demand and supply side. Finally, it presents a set of reflections and trends on the strategic and operational marketing management of tourism and hospitality businesses, expression of the new (macro and micro) environment.

Practitioners and educators also will find this book to be invaluable in their businesses and in preparing students for the business world; provides an up-to-date and skillful blend of all core fields of hospitality and tourism.