Chapter 7
The Tourism Network and Supply Components
Learning objectives
To discuss the direct and indirect components of the tourism network
To explain the tourism supply components
To compare the different types of tourist accommodation
To enumerate and describe the classification of hotels
To be acquainted with the basic standard requirements for restaurants
Tourism Components
The travel industry is a tourism network which includes both the public and
private sectors. Gee Choy and Makens define the travel industry as the composite
of organizations both private and public that are involved in the development
production and marketing of products and services to serve the needs of the
travelers.
The first category Direct providers, includes businesses that are associated
with travel such as airlines hotels restaurants ground transportation travel
agencies and retail shops.
The second category Support services, lends support to direct providers. It
includes specialized services such as tour organizers travel and trade publications
hotel management firms and travel research firms.
The third category Development organization is different from the first and
two since it includes planners government agencies financial institutions real
estate developers and educational and vocational training institutions.
Tourism Supply Components
1. Natural resources
Include elements in an area for the use and enjoyment of visitors such as
climate, landforms, terrain flora fauna bodies of water beaches natural beauty
and water supply for drinking sanitation and similar uses.
2. Infrastructure
Consists of all underground and surface development construction such as
water supply systems sewage disposal systems gas lines electrical and
communications systems drainage systems and other constructed facilities such
as highways airports railroads roads drives parking lots parks night lightning
marinas and dock facilities bus and train station facilities and similar service
installations.
3. Superstructure
The above ground facility services such as airport buildings passenger traffic
terminal hotels motels resorts restaurants shopping centers places of
entertainment museums stores and similar structures.
4. Transportations and transportation equipment
Include items such as ships airplanes, trains, buses, limousines, taxis, auto
mobiles, cog railways, aerial tramway and similar passenger transportation
facilities.
5. Hospitality resources
Include the cultural wealth of an area which makes possible the successful
hosting of tourists.
Natural resources
The natural resources of a destination area provide an excellent asset to sell
to tourists. The physical characteristics of an area can be generalized as natural
scenery is a combination of the general topography flora and fauna proximity to
lakes rivers seas islands and islets hot and mineral water springs caverns
waterfalls and the lake.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure consists of all the underground and surface development
construction of a region which is made up of water systems communication
networks health care facilities transportation terminals power sources sewage
drainage areas streets highways and security systems.
Water. Sufficient quantity of pure water essential.
Power. The important things to consider are that adequate supply of power
be available to meet peakload requirements that continuality of a service be
assumed and that the type of power supplied be compatible with that unused by
the target markets of the destination.
Communication. It is necessary that the telephone and or/ telegraph
service be available.
Sewage/drainage. Sewer demand is often placed at 90 percent of domestic
water demand.
Healthcare. The type of health care facilities provided will depend on the
number of visitors expected their ages the type of activities in which they will
engage and local geographical factors.
Street/Highways. The availability of first-class roads adds greatly to the
accessibility of a region. The following are a certain ways to make the use of
highways more interesting to the tourists:
1. provide close-up range view of local scenes;
2. change the elevation;
3. develop viewpoints and overlooks;
4. independently align dual-lane highways to fit into the land
contour; and
5. selectively thin and trees to reveal views.
Transportations terminals. The following are the problem in terminal
facilities and ground transportation:
General. There is almost complete lack of coordination among the
three modes of air rail and bus. There is also a noticeable lack of consistency in
standards and procedures within each mode.
Air. Long walks are required in many terminals.
Rail. Parking is inconvenient and inadequate near larger terminals
use of facilities by local transients and inadequate cleaning procedures lead to
crowded and unsanitary waiting rooms and restrooms.
Bus. Terminals are dirty and crowded due to use by unauthorized
people and to inadequate cleaning procedures boarding gates lack a system of
orderly procedures resulting in crowding when passengers are boarding
inadequate protection is afforded to passengers against traffic.
Security. While on vacation tourists are in unfamiliar environment.
Because of this the need for assurance regarding their safety is important.
Hospitality Resources
Hospitality resources refer to the general feeling of welcome that the
visitors receive while visiting a destination area. It is the way that tourist services
are delivered by service providers as well as the general feeling of warmth from
the local population.
Hospitality training
Hospitality training aims to motivate service providers to be hospitable in
dealing with tourists. It is assumed that providing more hospitable services will
result in a more satisfied tourist who will be inclined to return and advertise to
other potential tourists through word of mouth.
A. Attitude toward Self
If an individual’s self-esteem or attitude toward self is low that
individuals will tend to behave in such way that the feedback from others will
confirm the low opinion of himself.
B. Attitude Toward others
The second aspect of attitude is the attitude toward to others.
Service providers should be assisted in developing positive feelings toward fellow
employees and tourist that will result in positive behavior toward to the tourists.
C. Attitude Toward the Tourism Industry
The third aspect of attitude is the attitude toward the tourism. A
positive attitude of service providers toward tourist can be brought about only
when employees are made aware of how important tourism is to their country,
city and community.
D. Community Awareness Programs
Although the tourist are most directly affected by the degree of
hospitality shown by service providers the overall feeling of welcome within a
community will also enhance or detract from the vacation experience.
Transportation
1. Land travel service
A. Taxi and limousine service
Adequate taxi and limousine services are important in a tourist area.
Taxi should have removable and washable seat covers so that they will present a
clean appearance to the passenger.
B. Bus service
Tour buses should have large windows comfortable seats air
conditioning unit and restroom facilities. Springs and other suspension systems in
the tour buses should be carefully designed to prevent jogging of passengers.
C. Rail service
The majority of seasoned travelers prefer to travel by train because
of its safety record and convenience and satisfaction of viewing the scenery from
a comfortable air conditioned car.
2. Air travel
Porter service is Important at air terminals. The porters helpul
behavior and attitude are essential and their training and supervision should be
adequate.
3. Sea travel
Sea travel is major factor in tourism. Cruise ships have developed
into floating resort or floatels. Because of this idea the demand for sea travel has
increased and cruises have become popular in recent years.
Superstructure
A. Accommodation
While away from home the tourist needs to eat and sleep. Sleeping
accommodations range from hotels of international standards and condominiums
to camp grounds and the homes of relatives and friends.
B. types of accommodation
1. Hotels – provide accommodation meals and refreshments for those who
may reserve their accommodations in advance but need not do so.
2. Condominium- is an apartment or individual dwelling unit, owned by an
individual but the management and services such as maintenance and security
are handled by an independent company.
3. Motels or motor hotels- provide bedroom bath and parking to motorist
rooms are usually accessible from the parking lot.
4. Inns-are lodging establishments catering to transients which do not meet
the minimum requirement of an economy hotel.
5. Apartments-are hotel buildings or edifices containing several
independent and furnished or semi-furnished apartments regularly leased to
tourists and travelers for dwelling on a more or less long term basis and offering
basic services to its tenants similar to hotels.
6. Paradores-are old convents monasteries castles fortresses converted
into hotels by the government and operated by a national tourism office.
7. Pensions-are private or family operated tourist accommodations similar
to boarding houses or guest houses.
8. Bed and breakfast accommodations-provide a room bath and a hearthy
breakfast to tourist and/or travelers.
9. Hostels-provide minimal amenities such as a bunk bed and a commonly
shared toilet and bathroom.
10.Camp grounds-appeal mostly to families who travel in recreational
vehicles.
11. Health spas-are hotels and resorts which cater to individuals who go to
spas or mineral springs for weight reduction or medical treatment.
12. private homes-provide lodging to tourists when accommodations are
not available during peak periods.
C. Hotel Classifications
There are different ways of classifying hotels. One way is by location such
as center city suburban airport highway and resort.
D. Food and Beverage
More of the tourist dollars is spent on food and beverage than on any other
service. Countries which are highest in per capita eating place and sales are also
top tourist countries.
E. Restaurants
Besides hotels ,motels and other types accommodations restaurants are
also classified as superstructure restaurant are establishments offering
refreshments and/or meals to the public.
