Tourism Management & Hospitality Management

What is Tourism?

Tourism is a multidimensional phenomenon defined as the sum of the phenomena and relationships arising from the travel and stay of nonresidents, excluding permanent residence and earning activities.

Key Characteristics of Tourism according to Burkart and Medlik (1997)

1. Combination of phenomena and relationships.
2. Two essential elements: the dynamic (journey) and static (stay).
3. Journey and stay involve travel to-and-fro destinations outside the place of residence and work.
4. Movement is temporary and short-term, with an intention to return.
5. Destinations are visited for purposes not connected with paid work.

What is hospitality?

Hospitality refers to the business of helping people feel welcomed and relaxed, providing necessities like food, beverages, and lodging. It encompasses services such as restaurants, hotels, and entertainment.

Definition of a Tourist (1937 & 1963)

A tourist is defined as a person visiting a country other than their own for at least 24 hours, including those traveling for leisure, business, or health. The 1963 definition includes any person visiting a country for purposes other than earning.

Elements of Travel

1. Distance: Includes local vs. nonlocal travel.
2. Length of Stay: Tourists stay at least one night; excursionists do not.
3. Residence of the Traveler: Important for understanding traveler demographics.
4. Purpose of Travel: Includes visiting friends, business, recreation, and other personal reasons.

The Nature of a Tour

The analysis of tourism requires understanding domestic and international tourism as well as independent and package tours.

Domestic Tourism

Refers to travel taken exclusively within the national boundaries of the traveler’s country, making it easier due to no language, currency, or document barriers. For example, living in Palawan and taking a field trip in Manila.

International Tourism

Involves movement across international boundaries, making it more difficult due to language, currency, and documentation barriers, such as passports and visas. For example, traveling from the Philippines to Japan, Korea, or the United States.

Package Tour (Inclusive Tour)

An arrangement where transportation and accommodation are bought at an all-inclusive price, organized by a tour operator who purchases these services in bulk.

Independent Tour

An arrangement where the tourist buys services separately, making reservations in advance or during the tour.

Independent Inclusive Tour (ITT)

A tour where the tourist travels individually to their destination.

Group Inclusive Tour (GIT)

A tour where the tourist travels in the company of other tourists.

The Tourist Product

In a narrow sense, it consists of what the tourist buys; in a wider sense, it encompasses all activities and services utilized during the tourist's stay.

Characteristics of Tourism Products

Tourism products are composed of various components including attractions, transport, lodging, and entertainment, which can be from a single company or multiple companies.

Intangibility

Tourism products cannot be touched and leave no physical proof of usage. For example, staying in a hotel does not provide tangible proof after checkout.

Inseparability

Tourism products cannot be separated from service providers; the service and the provider are conjoined.

Perishability

Tourism products are perishable if not consumed at the time provided. For instance, if a bus ticket is not used, it cannot be sold again.

No Ownership

Ownership of a tourism product is not transferable; consumers only have the right to use the product during a specified period.

Customer Participation

In tourism, customers must participate in service delivery for consumption to occur; for example, a tourist must be on a bus to consume the service.