Month: November 2024

Hartlepool Council take on the role of helping and supporting tourists. One way they do this is by having a readily available Tourist Information Centre. Visitors can use the Tourist Information Centre to get help with accommodation or any other concerns they may have. If they need any advice or questions answering then the local Council’s centre makes sure they are answered. It is located in the Art Gallery. By providing the centre, the Council has succeeded in supporting tourists and it ensures that visitors will contribute to the economy because they have been guided in the direction of the best services. (This is Hartlepool, no date). 

(This is Hartlepool, no date). 

Following on from the role of supporting tourists, Hartlepool’s local Council have a tourism homepage on their council site. This page summarises that Hartlepool has a lot of things to do, attractions to visit, places to eat, places to stay etc. They provide a direct link to the explore Hartlepool page where visitors can gather further information. The Council’s Economic Growth Team work closely with the tourism stakeholders to help develop tourism by providing them with advice and support. (Hartlepool Borough Council, no date). 

(Hartlepool Borough Council, no date). 

The ‘Explore Hartlepool’ provides visitors with further information on topics such as:

• Dates for upcoming events.
• The location for the places to eat and stay.
• The locations of the best attractions.

(Explore Hartlepool, no date).

 

(Explore Hartlepool, no date).

Another role of the local Council is to invest money into the regeneration of Hartlepool so that the Town becomes more visually attractive to tourists. They anticipate that this regeneration will be ‘game changing’ Just this year, Hartlepool Borough Council announced their £20 million investment programme. (Hartlepool Mail, 2024). 

The Council believe that this multi million pound investment will make a positive difference. They state that this programme will bring together residents, the community and business representatives. By doing this, Hartlepool will have a more positive image/stigma and should hopefully then bring more people into the Town, who will then contribute to Hartlepool’s economy. (Hartlepool Mail, 2024). 

References 

Explore Hartlepool (no date). Explore Hartlepool. Available at: https://www.explorehartlepool.com/ (Accessed 7 December 2024). 

Hartlepool Borough Council (no date). Find out what you can explore and visit in Hartlepool. Available at: https://www.hartlepool.gov.uk/info/20011/sport_leisure_and_culture/1000/welcome_to_the_tourism_homepage (Accessed 30 November 2024). 

Hartlepool Mail (2024). £20 million regeneration programme secured for Hartlepool. Available at: https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/people/ps20m-regeneration-programme-secured-for-hartlepool-4847535 (Accessed 30 November 2024). 

This is Hartlepool (no date). Hartlepool Tourist Information Centre. Available at: https://www.thisishartlepool.co.uk/visit/touristinfo.asp (Accessed 30 November 2024). 

M&D Travel are based in the North East of England (Stockton-on-Tees). The organisation offers bookings for coach trips and excursions packages. They can put together packages based on customers preferences and what they have planned/would like to do. This can include transport, accommodation, shows, concerts, excursions, etc. (M&D Travel, no date).

There are a few reasons why it may be better to book a package rather than booking elements of holidays independently/separately. They are quick and simple to book making it less stressful. Customers do not have to use their own time piecing together all the elements, it is already done for them. This reduces the stress for customers, especially those travelling as a family, piecing together their own components can be stressful and time consuming. Another strength is that domestic packages often work out cheaper than arranging your own transport, accommodation, excursions etc. Packages have all this included for a reduced price because holiday companies usually offer group discount. Another strength is that packages usually come legally protected and secure. Package organisations enforce high standards to ensure the best experience. (Start Travel Insurance, 2023). In particular, M&D Travel have many regulations in place, one being that their drivers must be DBS checked. (M&D Travel, no date).

However, booking packages can have some negative implications, which can suggest it is better to book holidays independently.  With a package holiday, there is little flexibility in desired travel dates. When booking independently, customers have the freedom to travel at a date of their choice that is better suited to them. Package holidays could potentially have inflated prices because of certain elements as part of the package. This can potentially be negative because customers may not be interested in those particular component’s. In this case, booking independently would be more convenient and better for the customer because everything they book will be everything they require as part of their trip.  (Travel Republic, 2023). 

References 

M&D Travel (no date). M&D Travel LTD/ Travel Operators in Stockton-on-Tees. Available at: https://www.mdtravelcoachhire.co.uk (Accessed 24 November 2024). 

Start Travel Insurance (2023). 7 reasons why package holidays are a great idea. Available at: https://www.starttravel.co.uk/news/7-Reason-Why-Holidays-Are-a-Great-Idea (Accessed 24 November 2024). 

Travel Republic (2023). Are package holidays cheaper than booking flights and hotels separately? Available at: https://www.travelrepublic.co.uk/blog/are-package-holidays-cheaper (Accessed on 24 November 2024). 

The chain of distribution is the group of businesses/organisations that will either transport, store or provide products/services to tourism customers/consumers. There are 4 elements to the chain of distribution which are; principles, wholesalers, retailers and consumers. The principles are accommodation providers, attractions and transport. The wholesalers are the tour operators which sell to either mass or specialist consumers. The retailers are the likes of the travel agents, such as Hays Travel, which can operate online, in the high street or through call centres. The consumers can either be for business purposes, leisure purposes, to visit friends/relatives or for other reasons. However, not all the stages are necessary, it is simply a guide rather than being compulsory for businesses/organisations to follow. Each business/organisation is different and they don’t always follow all the steps within the chain of distribution. (Tourism Teacher, 2023). 

For example, one of the steps not always needed would be the retailers and wholesalers. This is because it is now possible to book online and book all elements separately. Using online bookings rather than what wholesalers and retailers can have to offer has many advantages. One would be that customers can make comparisons by searching for the same product/service and selecting the cheapest and most convenient option for them, in comparison to a travel agent who would only have 1 offer at 1 price. More advantages include better personalisations, 24/7, the ability to book whenever (not following the opening times of travel agents), customers can add special offers and discount codes, it is easy to make cancellations and confirmations get sent straight to customers emails. Booking online involves a lot of personal responsibility, however it grants customers with much more flexibility. (Family Travel Genie, 2024)

References:

Family Travel Genie (2024). Is booking a holiday online cheaper than using a travel agent? Available at: https://familytravelgenie.com/is-booking-a-holiday-online-cheaper-than-using-a-travel-agent/ (Accessed 8 November 2024). 

Tourism Teacher (2023). The chain of distribution. Available at: https://tourismteacher.com/the-chain-of-distribution/ (Accessed 8 November 2024).