Unit 4:
Development of the UK
Travel and Tourism Sector.
Aim and purpose
The aim of this unit is to explore the rapid development of the travel and tourism sector over
recent years and to identify the key developments, lifestyle changes and trends that have helped
to shape the current travel and tourism sector. You will identify issues that have had an impact on
the sector over recent years and find out more about the issues that are impacting on the sector
today.
Assessment and grading criteria
To achieve a pass grade the
evidence must show that you
are able to:
To achieve a merit grade the
evidence must show that, in
addition to the pass criteria, you
are able to:
P1
Summarise the developments
that have shaped the UK travel
and tourism sector.
( 7 summaries)
M1
Explain how the links between
developments, lifestyle changes
and trends have shaped the UK
travel and tourism sector.
(At least three links.)
To achieve a distinction
grade the evidence must
show that, in addition to
the pass and merit criteria,
you are able to:
P2
Describe lifestyle changes and
trends, highlighting links with
developments.
(making links)
P3
Identify issues that have
impacted on the UK travel and
tourism sector.
(Economic, political,
environmental and social)
P4
review how issues have
impacted on the UK travel
and tourism sector.
D1
Discuss how organisations
are responding to the
challenges created by the
issues.
M2
Analyse the impact of issues
on the UK travel and tourism
sector.
Brune Park Community College
BTEC- Level 2- Extended Certificate -Travel and Tourism
Unit 4. Development of the U.K. travel and tourism sector.
Criteria Met – P1
Scenario – You have gained a work experience placement in the tourism department at the local
council. Your supervisor has asked you to put together a document to show the key developments
of the travel and tourism sector.
P1
Summarise the developments that have
Development of ;
shaped the UK travel and tourism

package holidays
sector.

Travel agents

Horizontal and vertical integration

Technology

The airline industry.

Other transport

Legislation

Destinations and resorts.

Development of package holidays: early developments eg Thomas Cook; growth of mass market; specialist
holidays eg all-inclusive, city breaks, long-haul, cruising; dynamic packaging
Development of travel agents: eg multiples, products and services offered, home workers
Horizontal and vertical integration: horizontal examples eg mergers between two travel agents; vertical
examples eg mergers of airlines and tour operators; reasons for integration
Technological developments: eg computer reservations systems, teletext, internet
Developments in the airline industry: eg aircraft technology, in-flight products and services, growth of low
cost airlines, growth of airports
Other developments in transport: rail transport; sea transport; Channel Tunnel
Developments in legislation: The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992;
working time and paid holidays eg Working Time Directive 1993, Work and Families Act 2006; other
legislation that has affected the travel and tourism sector eg Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and
2005,The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, aviation regulations
Developments at destinations and resorts: eg development of purpose-built resorts, decline and
regeneration of traditional seaside resorts, development of themed destinations
P2
Describe lifestyle changes and trends,
highlighting links with developments.
(making links)
M1
Explain how the links between
developments, lifestyle changes and
trends have shaped the UK travel
and tourism sector.
(At least three links.)
Write an essay to describe the changes in the travel and
tourism industry over time and how they are linked to;
lifestyle changes eg
 increases in paid holidays,
 more disposable income,
 flexible working patterns,
 cash-rich, time-poor,
 increased leisure time;
trends eg
 sports tourism,
 short
 breaks by air,
 easy access to regional flights,
 PC ownership for internet bookings,
 overseas second homeownership,
 adventure tourism
Link at least three developments with three lifestyle
changes or trends and provide a full and detailed
explanation. Examples



increases in paid holidays and the growth of package
holidays .
increases in paid holidays and the development of purposebuilt resorts.
PC ownership for internet bookings leading to the growth of
budget airlines.

adventure tourism leading to the growth of specialist
adventure tour operators.
Date Set
4/10/11
Date due in. 10/10/11
P3 / P4
Identify issues that have impacted on
the UK travel and tourism sector.
(Economic, political, environmental and
social)
Choose 1 from each of the following categories.

economic eg collapse of airlines, collapse of tour
operators (Goldtrail), oil prices, changing currency
exchange rates;

political eg political unrest (Tunisia and Egypt), war,
terrorism;

environmental eg climate change, natural
disasters(Earthquake and tsunami in Japan),
pandemics;

social eg unemployment, recession
Review each issue and describe the impact it has had on
travel and tourism sector.
Impact: eg increase in prices, withdrawal of destinations, repatriation of customers, disruption to
travel, growth in sales, decline in sales.
M2
Choose three of the issues from P3/P4.
Expand on the evidence for P4 and
analyse how and why three issues
have impacted on the sector.
Give a full and detailed account of why they had such a
Support your explanations with
additional information such as articles,
data and statistics relating to issues
you are analysing.
significant impact. You may wish to consider the following:

Cancellations,

Disinclination to travel

Repatriation of U.K travellers

Insurance claims

Rebookings and refunds.

Affects on company profits.
D1
how organisations are responding to
the challenges created by issues
analysed for M2.
Recent issues should be selected
(within the last two years) and
information gathered to support your
discussions
Date Set
4/10/11
Collapse of Goldtrail
Unrest in Egypt.
Tsunami in Japan
Global recession
Date due in. 1/11/11