Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Car hire
Activity 1.3
Car hire is provided by a variety of global companies,
such as Avis and Hertz, and a larger number of much
smaller companies operating in particular holiday
destinations. The growth of the low-cost airlines has
led to a surge in demand for car hire in many European
locations. Hertz, for example, has an arrangement
with Ryanair, offering reduced rates to the airline's
passengers.
Produce a PowerPoint presentation on two of the UK's
train operating companies (TOCs), describing and
explaining their roles, history, services, performance
standards, fare structures and customer service
arrangements. Explain how the companies interrelate
with other component industries in the travel and
tourism sector.
Rail travel
This activity is designed to provide evidence for P2
and M1.
The UK rail network has suffered from under investment
over many decades, but the government is investing
£60 billion over the next 10 years to develop a bigger,
better and safer railway system. Network Rail is
responsible for revitalising Britain's railways, after its
predecessor Railtrack went into administration in 2001.
Network Rail is a non-profi t engineering company,
which aims to maintain, improve and upgrade every
aspect of the railway infrastructure, including track,
signalling systems, bridges and viaducts, tunnels, level
crossings and stations. There are 24 train operating
companies (TOCs) in the UK, which together make
up the Association of Train Operating Companies
(ATOC). They have the responsibility for running the
trains, through-ticketing, railcards and the National
Rail Enquiries telephone and internet service. The
Department for Transport (DfT) looks after passenger
and train-related matters.
Sea travel
Sea travel in UK tourism is dominated by the ferry
companies which operate services between the UK and
Ireland, Scandinavia and the near continent, principally
France, Belgium and the Netherlands. There is fi erce
competition on the cross-Channel routes and the number
of ferry services has fallen dramatically since the opening
of the Channel Tunnel in 1994. Faster, more frequent
and more comfortable cross-Channel services, using
new generation 'super ferries' and hydrofoils, have given
ferry passengers faster and more comfortable services.
Companies have introduced new products, such as short
Channel cruises and day trips to buy food and drink
('booze cruises'), in order to increase their income.
Weblink
Check out this website for more
information on sea travel.
www.the-psa.co.uk
Rail travel is an altogether more environmentally
friendly mode of transport than travelling by road and
one that is growing in popularity with tourists. Particular
growth areas in tourist travel by rail include short breaks
in cities and the popularity of narrow-gauge scenic
railways, particularly in Wales. Some operators have
successfully exploited the market for 'nostalgia' travel
by introducing rail holidays, e.g. the Venice-Simplon
Orient Express, which is sometimes chartered for
special excursions in the UK, and the Great Little Trains
in Wales steam-powered services. Eurostar services
from London to Paris, Brussels and other European
destinations have fuelled the growth in short breaks to
cities on the continent.
Cruising
Cruising is an area of travel and tourism that is growing
steadily and attracting different types of customers.
Whereas in the past cruising was seen as the preserve
of the elderly, rich and famous, today it appeals to a
far wider cross-section of customers, including families,
young people and groups. Prices for some cruise products
have fallen as the major tour operators have entered the
market. Data from the Passenger Shipping Association
(PSA) shows that 1.5 million British people currently take
a cruise of one sort or another, with more than 40 million
passengers taking ferry crossings every year.
