University of Technology SydneyHandbook 2008

27706 Managing Tourism Services

Faculty of Business: Leisure, Sport and Tourism
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level: Postgraduate

Result Type: Grade and marks

Handbook description

This subject provides knowledge and understanding of management as a social process; the ability to analyse management theories and empirical studies and assess their applicability to various tourism industry settings and management structures; knowledge of the functions and levels of management in tourism industry organisations; the ability to formulate management strategies and perform management functions appropriate to sectors of the travel and tourism industry; and knowledge and understanding of the necessary ethics and responsibilities of tourism managers in relation to external environments and publics.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of management as a social process, and in particular strategic management.
  2. Apply management theories and empirical studies to various travel and tourism industry settings and management structures.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of the functions and levels of management in travel and tourism industry organizations.
  4. Formulate management strategies and perform management functions appropriate to sectors of the travel and travel and tourism industry.
  5. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the necessary ethics and responsibilities of travel and tourism managers in relation to external environments and publics.

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject introduces students to concepts and principles of contemporary management and examines their applicability to the management of travel and tourism services. It gives students the ability to apply management theories to travel and tourism industry organisations through the use of case studies of management in such organisations. This ability enables students to operate effectively and efficiently in managerial roles in the travel and tourism industry.

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject is taught using a two-hour seminar, case studies and an asynchronised computer mediated communication presentation by individual students whose work is then analysed using UTSOnline.

Content

  • Introduction to Management theory
  • Functions and levels of management
  • Strategic planning in the travel and tourism industry
  • Detailed coverage of travel and tourism industry management functions
  • Design and delivery of travel and tourism services
  • The human dimension of customer service in the industry
  • Application of management information systems to industry organizations
  • Management of ethical dilemmas in the industry

Assessment

Online tutorial presentation (Group)20%
Students are required to select a topic which demonstrates understanding of tourist management practices This addresses objectives 1-4.
Report (Individual)40%
The report involves recommendation of the strategic plan and consequent organisation structure for a SMTE. This addresses objectives 1-4.
Essay (Individual)40%
The essay should describe the challenges facing travel and tourism industry managers in the 21st century and possible solutions to these challenges. This addresses objectives 1-5.

Recommended text(s)

Evans, N., Campbell, D. and Stonehouse, G. (2003), Strategic Management in Travel and Tourism. Oxford: Butterworth Heinemann.

Indicative references

Kandampully, J. (2002), Services Management: the new paradigm in hospitality. Sydney: Hospitality Press.

Leiper, N. (2004), Tourism Management. 3rd ed. Sydney: Pearson Educational.

Porter, M. (1998), The Competitive Advantage of Nations. Basingstoke: Macmillan.