module specification

LT6086 - Strategy in Tourism and Travel (2024/25)

Module specification Module approved to run in 2024/25
Module title Strategy in Tourism and Travel
Module level Honours (06)
Credit rating for module 15
School Guildhall School of Business and Law
Total study hours 150
 
39 hours Assessment Preparation / Delivery
75 hours Guided independent study
36 hours Scheduled learning & teaching activities
Assessment components
Type Weighting Qualifying mark Description
Coursework 80%   Report For this assessment, the students have to come up with a strategy to penetrate a market
Group Coursework 20%   Group Presentation For this assessment, students have to evaluate the strategy of an existing organisation using models
Running in 2024/25

(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change)
Period Campus Day Time Module Leader
Autumn semester North Friday Morning

Module summary

This module critically analyses the theories and models that guide the development of business strategy for the travel sector with reference to current issues and case studies. Students will apply principles to practice through ‘live’ examples, for example strategies of start-up airlines entering scheduled routes.

The aim of the module is to apply theories and models of sustainable competitive advantage to the travel sector with particular reference to liberalization of travel markets, and continuing barriers to market entry. It also aims to examine the significance of organizational structure and people management for business strategy in the travel sector.

Syllabus

The module will familiarize students with the process of business strategy formulation- from analysis, through choice and implementation to the monitoring, showing the significance of ownership, stakeholders and state intervention for business strategy creation. Generic strategies and sustainable competitive advantage will be introduced and the model of Porter's 'Five Forces’ will be used to assess prospects for market entry in liberalized markets for travel and tourism. LO1

Special focus will be placed on the topic of the significance of human organizations and people management for business strategy in travel, strategic choices and importance of the broad legal and regulatory framework for the travel sector with reference to two or more modes of passenger transport. LO2

Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity

The formal delivery of the teaching and learning will be based on three contact hours per week spread over 12 weeks with additional enrichment weeks throughout the semester. The contact hours will be formed of a two-hour work shop involving lectures, guest speakers, case study discussions, panel discussions and debates as well as scenario-based activities and simulations. The remaining hour of contact time shall comprise of a seminar-based approach where current themes and topics will be explored in more detail.

Within the module there is significant opportunity to participate in proactive learning activities via the use of IT facilities which promote interactive discussions between both peers and lecturers and enables learners to share resources and access links to external journal articles, websites and other sources.

Discussion and debate are actively encouraged both within the classroom context and via IT platforms. Students participating in this degree come from a variety of backgrounds and often have a wealth of industry experience upon which to draw. It is useful to access this via proactive and interactive classroom management. Students have a responsibility to prepare for forthcoming lectures to ensure that they fully understand the concepts discussed and, so as they can participate fully in debates and discussions. This can be done via accessing the module specifications on-line or via IT platforms and ascertaining the forthcoming weeks lecture content.

Tutors will provide an indication of forthcoming lecture content at the end of each preceding lecture. The student should then research articles and appropriate readings around these themes to contribute fully to discussions and interactive Question and Answer sessions within the lecture.

Opportunities for reflective learning will be available throughout the module as students are given the opportunity to consider their approach to tasks and discussions whilst simultaneously having the opportunity to reflect upon informal feedback that may be given from lecturers on ideas and concepts spoken of in class and, on assessments submitted.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this module, students will be able to:

  1. Understand the principles of strategy formulation, and how theories and models of sustainable competitive advantage can be applied to the travel sector;
  2. Demonstrate the role of market research and intelligence for business strategy in the travel sector and strategic analysis of business environments in the travel sector

Bibliography

Core Texts:

  • Evans, N., Campbell, D., Stonehouse, G. (2015) Strategic Management for Tourism, Hospitality and Events, Routledge.
  • Lynch, R. (2015) Corporate Strategy, 7th ed., Prentice Hall.
  • Shaw, S. (2002) Transport Strategy and Policy, Blackwell.
  • Tribe, J. (2016) Strategy for Tourism, Goodfellow Publishers.

Other Texts:

  • Button, K.J., Hensher, D.A. (2005) Handbook of Transport Strategy, Policy and Institutions, Elsevier Science.
  • Doganis, R. (2010) Flying off course: Airline economics and marketing, Routledge.
  • Johnson, G., Whittington, R., Regner, P., Scholes, K., Angwin, D. (2017) Exploring Corporate Strategy: Texts and Cases, 11th ed., Prentice Hall.