CURRENT TRENDS AND ISSUES IN THE TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

THE BRIGHT FUTURE OF TOURISM

1. EARLY RETIREMENT

The increasing number of people who retire early is beneficial for the tourism industry because these
people use their time to travel and see the world.

2. LONGER LIFE SPAN

The increasing population of older, retired citizens who are richer due to pension programs and are
healthier provides a larger base of potential customers for tourism operations.

3. SHORTER WORKWEEK

The resulting increase in leisure time, combined with faster and easier transportation makes possible for
many individuals to take weekend vacations and travel to a degree they could not have made a few
years ago.

4. GREATER DISPOSABLE INCOME

The average family has more money to spend than before. This is due to higher wages and two earner
households.

5. SMALLER FAMILIES

The average family size has decreased. Thus, it is easier for the family to travel and travel costs less if
few family members travel.

ISSUE IN TOURISM

 Marketing
 Legal
 Human resources
 Operations
 Consumer affairs

MARKETING ISSUES

A. Changing demographics
The population of developed countries is aging- An older population has preferences that differ
from those of a younger population.
Increase in the number of single-parent households- They generally have lower levels of
discretionary income.
Continue growth in the number of people traveling for personal rather than for business
purposes.
Growth in the number of international travelers.
B. Changing vacation patterns
The traditional once a year vacation of two weeks or more is declining in popularity. For a
growing number of people, vacations are becoming shorter and more frequent.

C. Market segmentation
Its aim is to appeal to a broad group of potential visitors.
As new market segments are identified, properties designed to appeal are likely to be
developed.

D. Frequent guest programs

Because of proliferation of properties and the increasing competition among them, some
lodging operators have begun to develop programs to gain repeat business.

E. Maturation in segments of the fast food industry

As public tastes continue to change, food service operators will have to develop specialty
products to retain an adequate share of the market.

F. Consolidation in the commercial lodging industry

Some expert are now predicting that the number of large nationwide lodging companies will
decrease in the coming years that a small number of firms will dominate the lodging industry.

LEGAL ISSUE

A. Liquor liability
Some restaurant and bar owners have changed their market strategies.
As social attitudes toward alcoholic drinks continue to change. It will be necessary for food
service and lodging operators to adjust.

B. Ethics in the tourism industry

Ethics- an academic discipline that deals with the study of the codes of moral conduct practiced
by individuals or groups.

Business ethics- refers to the application of a particular moral code to relationships, activities,
and discussions made by individuals in business or industry.

Business ethics is likely to remain forever in the list of tourism issues.

HUMAN RESOURCES ISSUES

A. sexual harassment
Sexual harassment may be defined ass unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors,
and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that take place under any of the
following conditions:
  Submission is made a condition of the person’s employment
 Submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as a basis for employment discussion
affecting the person and
 It is unreasonably interferes with the person’s work performance or creates an
intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.

B. employee turnover
Many managers in the tourism industry understand the requirements to reduce turnovers.
These include adequate wages and benefits, reasonable working conditions, reasonable work
schedules, and reasonable treatment of employees by managers.
However, only few managers put these requirements into practice.

C. employee assistance plans

The tourism manager who establishes EAP’s to benefit employees will eventually develop a
more loyal work force, one that is willing to make a great effort to attain the operational goals of
the enterprise.

D. employee empowerment
Many owners and managers have realized the ineffectiveness of setting strict rules governing
every detail of guest service. Thus, they now set policies that are guest-oriented.
(Improve the quality of service to guest without having a negative impact on operation)

OPERATIONS ISSUES
A. automation
It is the process of using electronic and mechanical equipment and machinery to complete some
or all of the tasks associated with a given enterprise.
1. To increase the speed of work
2. To reduce the cost of work

COMPUTERIZATION WILL AFFECT THE INDUSTRY PRINCIPALLY IN THE THREE AREAS NAMELY:
1. Communications
2. Interactive CRT’s
3. Elimination of tickets

B. smoking/ Nonsmoking areas

The prohibition of smoking in tourism enterprises is an issue that is of increasing importance to
owners and managers in the coming years.

C. sanitation and public health

National and local governments apply strict sanitary standards to food and beverage operations.
The sanctions range from imposing fines, publishing lists of violators in newspapers, and closing
the establishment of consistent violators.
 D. recycling solid waste
This trend towards recycling is likely to increase
Many in the tourism industry who have not been previously affected by this issue will eventually
find it necessary to adopt a recycling program.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS ISSUES

A. fire safety
Improvements in design and construction, and in the fire control systems:
 Electronic smoke detectors
 Automatic systems to summon fire departments
 Better sprinkler systems

B. truth in menus

It is important that those in the tourism industry conduct their operations ethically in order that
consumers will have complete faith in the truth of their menus, the wholesomeness of their food, and
the honesty of their business practices.

C. diet/nutrition/health

The trend to healthier dining will surely continue. Successful food service operators will have to give
greater attention to the nutritional content of food in the years to come.