LESSON 1: TRANSPORTATION AND TOURISM
DEFINITION OF TRANSPORTATION components of a tour package that are sold by
Transportation generally pertains to the activity of both tour operators and travel agents.
transferring goods or people from one point to
another destination. It clearly explains that it does In certain cases, there is an evident overlap
not exclusively deliver goods but also people, between components of the travel industry where
which reveals the connection between the transportation sector also offers package tours
transportation and tourism. Transportation has and services. For instance, Philippine Airlines sells
played significant role in the travel and tourism its domestic tour package called "palakbayan" or
industry as one of the major operating sectors. an international tour package called "swing
Below are the different modes of transportation round". In addition, online reservations of airlines,
used in the industry: particularly in the Philippines, do have facilities for
• Land Transportation passengers to add travel-related services like
• Water Transportation hotel booking, transfers, and travel insurance.
• Air Transportation
The Quality of Transport is Important in
IMPORTANCE OF TRANSPORTATION IN Travel and Business
TOURISM Transportation service quality is a significant
Transportation is an integral component of the factor in the tourist experience. Poor transport
tourism industry that carries tourists to their service quality can negatively affect the vacation
desired destination. Badan and Bhatt (2007) experience of the tourists, while high transport
identified reasons transportation is vital in the service quality could lead to a satisfactory tourist
tourism and travel industry: experience. Therefore, it is essential to maintain
and have a quality transport service.
Tourism Implies Movement
Tourism is defined by World Tourism Organization COMPONENTS OF TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
(WTO) as "activities of persons traveling to and Transportation system consist of the following:
staying in places outside their usual environment • Surface. Surface transportations include
for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, land and water transport.
business, and other purposes." This definition • Land transport grew rapidly with an
implies that there is a movement of people from increase in rental cars and motorcoaches, as well
the origin of tourists to the destination region and as the ownership of automobiles. This type of
the role of transportation in the industry. transport provides easy access to the visitor
Transportation can easily provide tourists the attractions. A point-to-point pick-up and drop-off
fastest way to arrive at their preferred destination. are some of the advantages of utilizing car or
motor coach rentals.
Transportation is a Product of the Travel • Water transport's smooth sailing lies in the
Industry wind, but with the advent of steam power, it made
Transportation services such as air and rail tickets, water transport far better. This transport allows
car rental, motor coaches, and ferry services are tourists to see visitor attractions that are only
among the principal products of the travel accessible by water.
industry. This require travel and trade • Air. Air transport has tremendously
practitioners to be familiar with these services contributed to the growth of domestic and
(products) and facilities offered by these international tourism because it decreases the
transports. Also, transportation is one of the travel time of tourists. This mode of transport
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revolutionized the tourism industry through its According to Badan and Bhatt (2007), the terminal
high-speed aircraft and comfortable passenger performs two functions:
seats and services. 1. Facilitate transfer or interchange between
modes.
ELEMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM 2. Consolidate traffic.
The transportation system is comprised of several
elements. According to Sharpley (2006), these Control and Communication Systems
elements contribute to the system of these These systems are ways to ensure the safety of
different modes of transport. the passengers by monitoring the take-off and
landing of the aircraft. For land transport, railways
The Way use signals as their control systems, while road
It can be classified as open like air and sea travel; transportations are subject to signs such as traffic
it is free and does not have any cost. However, lights and signs for speed limits as a form of
there are charges for the artificial works for port communication and control system. Water
and inland waterways. Or it can be constructed like transports, like ships or ferries, have navigation
roads, rails, and canals. According to Dileep systems to ensure a safe and smooth voyage.
(2019), "the way" can be artificial or natural
media. Roads and railways are examples of Through control systems, arrival and departure or
artificial media, while airways and sea routes are even delays can be monitored. These can be
natural media. observed in the airport or railway terminals. Such
systems are very helpful because they can monitor
The Vehicles the whereabouts of the transportation. Though, in
They serve as media or units that carry people to road vehicles, these are not common but can be
their destination. They can be an aircraft, trains, possible through tracking systems or global
ships, or motor coaches. This element is also positioning systems (GPS).
called the "carrying unit," which is the most
essential element of the transport system (Dileep, Management and Staff
2019). With these various modes of transportation, it is
noticeable that a number of staff are required for
Terminal effective management. Thus, it involves all the
It is a built structure that provides passengers with usual management jobs for an efficient operation.
smooth transfers from and to major modes of
transportation such as airlines, buses, and ferries.
According to Rodrigue and Slack (n.d), a terminal
may also be considered a point of interchange
within that same mode of transport. For example,
a passenger from Manila who opts to travel to
Chicago via air transport may have to change
planes in Narita, Japan. Also, terminals can be a
"point of transfer" between different modes. For
instance, a passenger arriving at the airport by car
can change to air transport at the airport terminal
(Dileep, 2019).
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