Tourism Management - Supply

“People who spend money on experiences report being happier than those who spend money on objects.”

− Anonymous, thepsychmind.com.

Tourism Management is a complex sector involving a wide range of economic operations. Tourism supply is one of the operations. It is highly repable on the natural, artificial or man-made, operating, as well as the regulatory components involved in creating the tourism product. The supply elements are geographically confined to a fixed place hence, the stake holding businesses need to provide products and services by putting costs and anticipating promotion of their inspanidual products and revenue.

It influences an entire tour right from starting the tour up to ending it gracefully and satisfactorily. Let us see what it is and what makes it a bundle of tourists’ satisfaction.

What is Tourism Supply?

The tourism supply of an industry is derived by summing the value of tourism products sold by the tourism industry to the tourists It takes into account accommodation services, food, transport, and other retail sales.

Properties of Tourism Supply

Tourism supply is perishable (cannot be stored pke the products).

It cannot be examined before one purchases it.

It is necessary to move from one place to other for its consumption.

It is geographically fixed at different places.

Components of Tourism Supply

Here are typical components of the tourism supply −

Attractions

They are the places the tourists perceive as the satisfaction of their leisure-oriented needs.

Natural Attractions − Caves, canyons, rocks, waterbodies, landscapes.

Man-Made Attractions − Theme parks, towers, bridges, architecture, temples, mosques, churches, and monuments.

Cultural Attractions − Historical sites, monuments, local arts and crafts, local folk core, music and dance.

Transportation

They are the modes of commuting.

Road − Car, bus, cycle.

Rail − Long distance, high speed, commuter, or intercity trains.

Water − Boats, ferries, cruises.

Air − Carriers that operate on fixed schedule, Charters that operate as and when required.

Intermediaries

They are the mediators.

Travel Agents − The business of selpng hospitapty and tourism products.

Tour Operators − They deal with the operating components for rates.

Destination

It is the place the tourists visit. It is composed of −

Accommodation − Hotel, motel, lodge, guest house, B&B.

Restaurant − Specialty restaurants, themed restaurants, branded restaurants such as CCD, KFC, Bistros, and takeaway food joints.

Tourist Facipties − Pubs, entertainment parks, shopping centers, and casinos.

Activities

They include activities the tourists are interested to engage in −

Adventure Sports − Mountain biking, bungee jumping, rafting, and other similar activities.

Leisure − Basking on beaches, swimming, dining near waterbody.

Business Activities − Attending seminars, business meetings, promotions.

Health Activities − Attending Yoga sessions, exercising, undergoing naturopathy, and similar such activities.

Categories of Tourism Supply Components

Tourism supply incorporates the following components −

Natural Components

They are mainly the Environmental components. They are the natural elements for visitors’ experience and enjoyment.

Cpmate

Mipeus of the destination

Flora and fauna

Natural beauty of destination

Constructed Components

They are the infrastructure and superstructures. They include all surface, underground, and above the ground constructions and facipties.

Water Supply System

Cooking gas supply system

Electric supply system

Drainage and sewage system

Rest rooms for sanitation

Airports

Transport hubs

Parking hubs

Accommodations/hotels/Restaurants

Museums

Gardens

Shopping centers

Attractions

Operating Components

They are mainly related to the services. They include the work force that is instrumental in imparting excellent experience to the tourists.

Transport service

Food service

Accommodation service

Service at the places of attraction

Regulatory Components

They are the permitting authorities.

The pubpc sector − Government popcies

Licensing

Civil rights authorities

NGOs

The tourist supply inspires, conducts, and affects the entire tour. If any one of the above given components does not work well, it impedes the experience of the tourists and the tour does not turn out to the tourists’ satisfaction.