Understanding the Travel and Tourism Industry

Overview

Framework:
RQF
Level:
Level 2
Unit No:
K/505/2516
Credits:
3
Guided learning hours:
24 hours

Assessment Guidance

Portfolio of Evidence.

For the full unit details, please download the latest version of the qualification specification. This is available for download on the relevant qualifications page.

Unit Learning Outcomes

To view the assessment criteria and any additional content, please expand the relevant learning outcome below.

1 — Know about the current structure of the travel and tourism industry.

Learning Outcome 1: Indicative Content 

The sectors of the industry

  • Airlines: to provide domestic and international flights
  • Tour operators – to combine different elements of a holiday into ‘a package’
  • Accommodation providers
  • Visitor attractions – natural and manmade
  • Tourism services – development and promotion

Sectors work together for example, by ‘contracting’ with each other to provide different services.

Key trade and professional bodies

  • ABTA
  • IATA
  • VisitBritiain; VisitEngland, VisitScotland, VisitWales

Assessment Criteria

  • 1.1
    Describe the roles of the different sectors that make up the travel and tourism industry, providing examples of key organisations.
  • 1.2
    Explain how these organisations work together to provide travel and tourism products and services.
  • 1.3
    Outline the key trade and professional bodies that support the industry.
2 — Understand how key factors in the twentieth century shaped the travel and tourism industry.

Learning Outcome 2: Indicative Content 

Trends

  • Improvements in transport – trains, jumbos, superjumbos, super ships, low cost airlines
  • Development of mass market tourism/package holidays, winter breaks, city breaks, ski holidays, adventure travel
  • Development of destinations - seaside resorts, shopping destinations
  • Increased travel; day trips; move from train to flights;
  • Technology/Online booking
  • Awareness of the environment and impact of travel

Impact of transport developments

  • Increased travel
  • Faster travel
  • More holidays

Examples of socio-economic changes which have enabled growth in travel

  • Increased leisure time
  • Increased disposable income
  • Paid holidays

Increased life expectancy (grey market)

Assessment Criteria

  • 2.1
    Explain the main changes in holiday trends over the last century.
  • 2.2
    Describe how developments in transport have had an impact on travel.
  • 2.3
    Explain the impact of socio-economic changes on the travel and tourism industry.
3 — Know how the industry impacts on the UK economy.

Learning Outcome 3: Indicative Content 

Importance of Travel and tourism to UK economy

  • Employment
  • Contribution to GDP

Examples of uncontrolled influences and their impact

  • Terrorist attacks, earthquakes, Zika virus, Grenfell Towers
  • Impact of events in UK – less inbound travel which has an impact on UK jobs and GDP
  • Impact of events overseas – UK organisations able to sell less holidays to specific destinations – which impacts on their income and ability to employ

Assessment Criteria

  • 3.1
    Explain the importance of the travel and tourism industry to the UK economy.
  • 3.2
    Using recent examples, describe how uncontrolled external influences, for example, terrorism or natural disasters impact on travel and tourism organisations and the UK economy.