27706 Managing Tourism Services

Subject level: Postgraduate

Handbook description

This subject examines management as a social process and applies management theories and empirical studies to various travel and tourism industry settings and management structures. It examines the functions and levels of management in travel and tourism industry organisations and develops students' abilities to formulate management strategies and perform management functions appropriate to sectors of the travel and tourism industry. Ethical responsibilities of travel and tourism industry managers in relation to external environments and publics are also considered.

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 the principles and techniques of strategic management.
2. Apply relevant management theories to various travel and tourism industry settings and management structures.
3. Demonstrate awareness of the functions and levels of management in travel and tourism industry organisations.
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 ethical responsibilities of travel and tourism managers in relation to external environments and publics.

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject introduces students to the concepts and principles of contemporary management and examines their applicability to the management of travel and tourism services firms and organisations. 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 (or active lecture) format in which students are introduced to the various techniques of management applicable to travel and tourism industry organizations. The context of the seminar is a case study of management in a Small to Medium Travel and Tourism Enterprise (SMTE) firm. This is followed by an asynchronised computer mediated communication presentation by individual students who propose solutions to problems pertaining to issues discussed in the seminar and based on the case study. The other students then comment on the contribution, using UTSOnline as the communication medium.

Content

• Introduction to management theory
• Design and delivery of travel and tourism services
• Functions and levels of management
• Strategic planning in the travel and tourism industry
• Organisation and structure of travel and tourism industry firms and organisations
• Detailed coverage of travel and tourism industry management functions
• The human resource management dimension of customer service in the industry
• Application of management information systems to industry organizations
• Ethical dilemmas for management in the travel and tourism industry

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Online tutorial presentation (Individual)

Assessment item 2: Report (Individual)

Assessment item 3: Exam (Individual)