AIRLINE OPERATIONS AND SERVICE MANAGEMENT

CHAPTER I
Transportation and Tourism

It is innate in human nature to travel to places. People travel for various purpose and
modes. In the early beginnings, searching for food and hunting were among the reasons for
traveling; the mode of travel was by foot.

Today, traveling has become an important human activity that has been utilized to satisfy
human needs. Escaping from the daily routine, getting a relaxation, acquiring new
knowledge and understanding people’s way of life are some of the reasons for visiting
places. Along with this, modes of transportation also grew from foot to riding horse
carriages. Automobiles, trains and aircraft.

TRANSPORTATION has become a very significant element in the development of the tourism
industry. A basic understanding of the definition, components, and importance of
transportation to the industry is paramount to those who will embark on the travel and
tourism field.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Define Transportation
2. Explain the roles and importance of transportation in the tourism industry
3. Discuss the functions of each transportation component.
4. Identify the element of the transport system.

WHAT IS TRANSPORTATION?

TRANSPORTATION – generally pertains to the activity of transferring goods or people from

one point to another destination. It clearly explains that it does not exclusively deliver
goods but also people, which reveals the connection between transportation and tourism.
Transportation has played a significance role in the travel and tourism industry as one of the
major operating sectors.

Below are the different modes of transportation used in the industry:

Importance of Transportation in Tourism

 Transportation is an integral component of the tourism industry that carriers tourists
to their desired tourism destination. Badan and Bhatt (2007) identified reasons
transportation in the tourism and travel industry.

Tourism Implies Movement

Tourism is defined by World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as “activities of persons

traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one
consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes.” This definition implies that
there is a movement of people from the origin of tourists to the destination region and the
role of transportation in the industry. Transportation can easily provide tourists the fastest
way to arrive at their preferred destination.

Transport is a Product of the Travel Industry

Transportation services such as air and rail tickets, car rental, motor coaches, and
ferry services are among the principal products of the travel industry. This requires travel
and trade practitioners to be familiar with these services (products) and facilities offered by
theses transports. Also, transportation is one of the components of a tour package that are
sold by both tour operators and travel agents.

In certain cases, there is an evident overlap between components of travel industry

where the transportation sector also offers package tours or services. For instance,
Philippines Airlines sells it domestic tour package called “palakbayan” or an international
tour package called “swing round”. In addition, online reservations of airlines, particularly in
the Philippines, do have facilities for passengers to add travel-related services like hotel
booking, transfers, and travel insurance.

Components of Transportation System

Transportation system consist of the following:

1. SURFACE – Surface transportation include land and water transport.

Land Transportation grew rapidly with an increase in rental cars and motor coaches,
as well as the ownership of automobiles. This type of transport provides easy access
to the visitor attractions. A point to point pick and drop-off are some the advantages
of utilizing car or motor coach rentals.

Water transport’s smooth sailing lies in the wind, but with the advent of steam
power, it made water transport far better. This transport allows tourists to see visitor
attractions that only accessible by water.

Air Transport has tremdously contributed to the growth of domestic and international
tourism because it decreases the travel time of the tourists. This mode of transport
revolutionized the tourism industry through its high speed aircraft and comfortable
passenger’s seats and services.

ELEMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

 The transportation system is comprised of several elements. According to
Sharpley (2006), these elements contribute to the system of these different modes of
transport.

1. The Way
It can be classified as open like air and sea travel; it is free and does not have any
cost. However, there are charges for the artificial works for port and inland
waterways. Or it can be constructed like roads, rails and canals. According to
Dileep (2019). ‘the way’ can be artificial or natural media. Roads and railways
are examples of artificial media, while airways and sea routes are natural media.

The Vehicles
They serve as media or units that carry people to their destination.
They can be an aircraft, trains, ships, or motor coaches. This element is
also called the “carrying unit”, which is the most essential element of the
transport system (Dileep 2019).

Terminal
It is a built structure that provides passengers with smooth transfers from and
to major modes of transportation such as airlines, buses and ferries. According to
Rodriguez and Slack, a terminal may also be considered a point of interchange
within that same mode of transport. For example, a passengers from Manila who
opts to travel to Chicago via air transport may have to change planes in Narita,
Japan, Also, terminals can be a ‘point of transfer’ between different modes. For
instance, a passenger arriving at the airport by car can change to air transport at
the airport terminal (Dileep, 2019).
According to Badan and Bhatt (2007), the terminal performs two functions:
1. Facilitate transfer or interchange between modes.
2. Consolidate traffic.

Control and Communication System

These systems are ways to ensure the safety of the passengers by monitoring
the take-off and landing of the aircraft. For land transport, railways use signals
are their control systems. While road transportation are subject to sign such as
traffic lights and signs for speed limits as a form of communication and control
system. Water transports, like ships or ferries, have navigation systems to
ensure a safe and smooth voyage.

Through control systems, arrival and departure or even delays can be

monitored. These can be observed in the airport of railway terminals. Such
systems are very helpful because they can monitor the whereabouts of the
transportation. Though, in road vehicles, there are not common but can be
possible tracking systems or global positioning systems (GPS).

Management and Staff

With these various modes of transportation, it is noticeable that a number of

staff are required for effective management. Thus, it involves all the usual
management jobs for an efficient operation.

CHAPTER 2
 TOURISM TRANSPORTATION

As people’s interest in traveling grows, transport supply sectors have to go beyond their
primary service of transporting their passengers to their desired destination. Whatever the
transportation may be, these various transport companies need not only to provide an
efficient service, but also create a memorable experience before their passengers arrive at
their destination. Achieving such may require transportation suppliers to understand more
fully the needs and the characteristics of the current transport industry clients. The chapter
will a brief understanding of the different types of passengers markets and passenger
demand characteristics.

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss the demand for tourism transport.

2. Explain the categories of tourism transport.
3. Differentiate the types of tourism transport.
4. Explain the factors influencing tourism transport.

Transportation, as a primary tourist service, is likewise one of the most utilized services in
the travel and tourism industry. It provides access to the tourist destination, allow tourists
to visit and get to places of attractions or explore cities or towns, and carries tourists back to
their point of origin. According to Dileep (2019), the several factors that set tourist transport
apart from other passenger transport sectors are the following:

 Seasonality
 Price Elasticity
 Highly-Capital Intensive

Differences in the demand for tourism transport can be influenced by seasonality. For
instance, the demand for tourist transport is high in the Philippines during summer, while
demand decreases throughout the rainy season. Another factor is price elasticity. An
increase in transportation costs could lead to decrease in demand. This is commonly
transport sectors are expensive-highly capital-intensive. A great amount of investment is
needed, like purchasing an aircraft to be used as air transportation or a ship for cruise
tourism.

Categories of Tourism Transport

According to Rodriguez (n.d) tourism transport can be categorized into independent

means of travel and mass travel. Independent means of travel refers to tourists who
individually book their trips usually by land transport through private car rentals. It also
counts bookings made by an individual on any of the mass transportation such as rail,
ferries, cruises, and scheduled flights. While mass travel is an organized group tour, this
particular category uses chartered coaches and flights for a specific purpose.

Types of Tourism Transport

Transportation as a vital tourism service plays a primary role in realizing tourists’or

travelers’ need to reach their preferred destination. Aside from its purpose to bring tourists
from their generating region to their destination region and return, this major component of
tourism allows tourist to explore and see the amazing beauty of the host destination. The
transport that can be utilized by tourist varies. Below are the several types of tourism
transport according to Dileep (2019),
General Passenger Transport

This types of transport is many for the general traveler and not just specifically designed
to meet the needs of the tourists. In most cases, tourists from other countries rely on this
type of transport to get to their desired destination, like taking scheduled air transport. This
type of transport is often found in tourist destination because of its viability.

Dedicated Tourist Transport

This type of transport is frequently included in the tourist package. Commonly used are
coaches that are chartered for a particular purposes.

Experiential Tourist Transport

This transport service creates an extraordinary tourist experience. For instance, riding a
kalesa in Intramuros or Vigan can contribute to an ideal Intramuros Tour or Vigan Tour.

Luxury Tourist Transport

 This type of tourist transport is designed to offer-high quality service and a comfortable
travel experience. Tourists who often take this type of transport are more likely those who
seek comfort while traveling.

Recreational Transport

This transport services is generally used for tourism, such as hop-on and hop-off buses,
safari vehicles, and bikes. This type of transport attracts tourists who are seeking a
nontraditional and fun transport experience.

Multipurpose Tourist Transport

This type of tourist transport includes, motorhomes, RV Trailers, campervans,
and ‘rotels’ Rotels, or also known as “rolling hotels,” are in vogue right now.

Factors influencing Tourism Transport Selection

 With numerous types of tourism transport services available to choose from, tourists also
consider several factors in selecting the appropriate and best transport services that meet
their travel needs. Below are the factors that are influential to tourists in deciding on what
transport services to avail according to Dileep (2019)

1, Distance – This is one of the major consideration in choosing the best available mode of
transport. The location of the destination influences the tourist choice in selecting a
transport service. For example, a tourist would opt to take air transport for destinations that
are far from their origin because it shortens travel time. It will allow tourists to have more
time at the destination rather than spending it on their journey to the destination.

2 Schedule - This refers to the transport departure and arrival time at the destination. It is
practical for tourists to choose a transport service with a schedule that best fits their
itinerary.

3. Frequency – Tourists often look for transportation with higher frequency because this
gives them the convenience of not waiting too long for the next available departure.

4. Availability – Tourist transport availability provides travelers an opportunity to choose.

The more tourist transport available in accessing the destination, the better, it will gives
tourists a chance to choose which best to utilize according to their needs.

5. Speed- With a tourist’s limited vacation time, speed becomes one of the most essential
considerations in choosing transportation. The quicker the tourists arrive at the destination
means that they have more time to enjoy the place.

6. Safety and Security – Passengers would certainly not compromise their safety and
security while traveling. A safer and more secure mode of transport is often the priority for
tourists in visiting their desired destination and traveling within the destination.

7. Convenience- A hassle-free vacation is the most sought-after experience for a tourist.

Transport services offering convenience to passengers are frequently selected.

8. Unique Experience- Tourists are oftentimes enticed to choose tourist transport services
that create an exceptional travel opportunity.