Organizations in the Distribution Process - Tourism: Principles, Practices, Philosophies - page 164

New-generation thinking and ''voice'' as well as vastly expanding
technology and social media are bringing together people in ways
unimaginable in the past—transforming an ability to collaborate
and connect; to learn about each others' lives and to build a better
world through understanding, participation, and action. Global
travel no longer imbues an image of sightseeing journeys for the
privileged, but rather, a way of life for the masses with unforeseen
benefits in education, health, happiness, and prosperity.

celebrate and reveal local culture. Clearly, the growth in tourism in
less-developed countries (LDCs, where populations earn less than
$5/day) is improving the lives of the people. This is a service
industry in which entry-level service jobs are easily developed, and
these opportunities occur virtually across the globe.

Going forward, our industry needs to focus on making sure that
travel is sustainable. We need to ensure that visiting the sites we
care so much about preserves them for future generations and
doesn't hasten their destruction. We need to preserve and support
the native cultures indigenous to these amazing places, and we
need to travel more efficiently in order to minimize our impact on
the environment.

It is noteworthy, that the continual upward trend of leisure travel
has proven tenuous yet steady and resilient, despite a myriad of
threats including significant global recessions, political turmoil and
revolutions, major terrorist events, environmental concerns, and
other challenges of our recent time. In my lifetime and career in
travel, I have personally worked and led through nearly 30 crises of
differing proportions that affected the travel industry as a whole,
and I have seen this industry rebound and get stronger through
each and every challenge. And the travelers keep traveling.

Travel and tourism is on an exciting path of promise on many
levels, and this is one of the best times to join the travel industry. In
many ways, the most exciting part of the future will fall to future
travel industry professionals—like you. I'm an optimist in every
way, and I wish you a fulfilling journey.

Heritage travel remains a primary reason for visiting new
destinations, and travelers are seeking authentic experiences that

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Tour wholesaling businesses are usually one of four kinds: (1) the independent tour wholesaler, (2) the
airline working in close cooperation with a tour wholesaling business, (3) the retail travel agent who
packages tours for its clients, and (4) the operator of motorcoach tours. These four entities, along with
incentive travel companies and travel clubs, make up the industry.
Figure 7.3 illustrates the position of the tour wholesaler in the basic structure of the travel industry.
The public or the consumer is the driving force and can purchase travel services from a retail travel
agent or directly from the suppliers of travel services: the airlines, hotels, and other providers of
destination services. The tour wholesaler ' is role is that of consolidating the services of airlines and other

Governments
IATA, ATA
Other

SUPPLIERS

Airlines &
Other
Carriers

Any
Tour
Wholesaler

Hotels

Other
Destination
Services

Retail Travel
Agent or Other
Retail Outlet

Figure 7.3 Basic structure of the

U.S. travel industry.
Source:Tour Wholesaler Industry Study,
Touche, Ross & Co.

Public