Travel and Tourism Research and Work Based Project/Activities/Casestudy


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Objectives
1. Analyse the operation of a specific tourism organisation

2. Analyse the context in which the organisation operates

3. Reflect on the personal and professional skills required to work successfully in the organisation

4. Research one aspect of the organisation (your topic choice)

Activity
Complete a case study based on the organisation where you are undertaking work placement

Task
Your task may cover one of the following:


 * You are required to choose a topic/theme for your case study, identify a relevant issue/problem to be investigated/identified identifying a problem the organisation may be facing (relate this to course content you have studied this year) and make suggestions (recommendations) which might address this.


 * You may also carry out research or centre your case study around a requested topic your "employer" has identified


 * You may present on a topic requested by your academic supervisor

Your work must be presented professionally, be spell checked, referenced and cover the 5 steps of a case study outlined in the slideshare presentation (on the course blog).

These are the criteria you must cover in your case study and the grade you will be marked against:

1. Analyse the operation of a specific tourism organisation:


 * The goals, core business and organisational structure of the organisation are described


 * The key process of the business are presented - this can be done by using flow charts - application process (ticketing, booking accommodation, maintenance/readiness of facilities, security etc),
 * Describe strategies for marketing and customer service


 * Facilities, resources, training, equipment and the maintenance of these are described


 * Describe any sustainable strategies and practices used by the organisation (five key areas) Does it have Qualmark Enviro accreditation. If so at what level? What does it do to maintain these. What would it have to do, to go to the next level. If it doesn't what suggestions would you make to start them towards accrediation eg. Qualmark checklist

2. Analyse the context in which the organisation operates:


 * Key competitors offering similar services are briefly described


 * Points of differentiation are identified
 * Specific issues affecting the vulnerabiity of the organisation in a competitive market are identified including global/national trends, legislation, health and safety issues, seasonal changes, quality issues (SWOT)


 * The cultural environment of the organisation is described (from a customer perspective)

3. Reflect on the personal and professional skills required to work successfully in the organisation


 * The tasks of two specific roles in the organisation are catergorised in terms of the personal and professional skills required


 * Your own strengths and improvement needs are evaluated in relation to the skills identified


 * Own role (temporary) in organisation is evaluated in relation to standards and requirements of the organsiation (evaluation by employer part of this)

4. Research one aspect of the organisation (your topic choice)


 * One of the products, services or processes of the organisation, or issues faced by the organisation is described
 * History of the development of the product or service or process or issue is presented


 * Any available data about impacts, profitability, satisfaction, effectiveness of chosen topic is collected


 * Recommendations for improvement, resolution or potential interventions are provided

The link in Supporting Resources (what is a case study) offers you an excellent guide on how to work through your casestudy. Remember it is only a guide.

Supporting Resources

 * What is a case study
 * Writing a casestudy