Unit 9–Retail Travel Operations P1&M1
P1-Describe the retail travel environment
In this assignment I will be showing my knowledge of the retail travel environment by
explaining the roles of retail agencies, the products and services which are offered, the
relationship and links between retail travel agents and other sectors of the travel and
tourism industry (P1). I will then go on to explain the importance of links and relationships
within the retail environment (M1).
Retail Agencies
It is a travel agents job to help customers book their holidays. They can give personal
recommendations, which is just like hearing off a friend or family member. It is also a
travel agents job to provide customers with information such as weather conditions and
when it is a good season to visit.
A multiple travel agents are agents which are located in prime locations such as the high
street and are well known to the public. Some usually have over 100 agents plotted
across the UK. Because of the size of the company and the amount of cash generated
they are able to advertise and market on TV’s, newspapers and magazines. An example
of a multiple travel agency would be Thomas Cook. Thomas Cook is a well-known
vertically integrated tour operator. It has 555 travel agents located across the United
Kingdom and they have their own charter airline. They travel to over 60 destinations
worldwide. They also have thousands of hotels which you can book. When visiting a
Thomas Cook travel agent once they have sold you your holiday they may then try to
sell you ancillary services in order to maximise sales revenue. An ancillary service is
things such car hires, currency, theme park tickets and travel insurance. When I visited
the Thomas Cook travel agent in Hereford they had deals displayed on their windows.
This is to grab quick attention when walking past. They are part of ABTA (Association
of British Travel Agents) which helps to ensure the customers that the holiday they are
booking is safe and that the travel agent is trustworthy. Thomas Cook adverts are often
put on TV in the summer time. People might like to go with a well- known agent such as
Thomas Cook because they can negotiate the best deals and prices. They benefit from
high commission rates due to the mass amount of bookings the company generates.
Again like multiple travel agents, independent travel agents are located in towns and
cities. This type of organisation is locally run. They are small and independent. The
owner will usually manage the business. Because they are a locally ran business they
are often popular with the locals which enables them to pride themselves with excellent
customer service. In order to maximise their revenue they may sell things such as day
trips to coastal resorts within the UK, they might also sell National Express tickets and
rail tickets. Again similar to multiple travel agents they sell flights, accommodation,
P1-Describe the retail travel environment
In this assignment I will be showing my knowledge of the retail travel environment by
explaining the roles of retail agencies, the products and services which are offered, the
relationship and links between retail travel agents and other sectors of the travel and
tourism industry (P1). I will then go on to explain the importance of links and relationships
within the retail environment (M1).
Retail Agencies
It is a travel agents job to help customers book their holidays. They can give personal
recommendations, which is just like hearing off a friend or family member. It is also a
travel agents job to provide customers with information such as weather conditions and
when it is a good season to visit.
A multiple travel agents are agents which are located in prime locations such as the high
street and are well known to the public. Some usually have over 100 agents plotted
across the UK. Because of the size of the company and the amount of cash generated
they are able to advertise and market on TV’s, newspapers and magazines. An example
of a multiple travel agency would be Thomas Cook. Thomas Cook is a well-known
vertically integrated tour operator. It has 555 travel agents located across the United
Kingdom and they have their own charter airline. They travel to over 60 destinations
worldwide. They also have thousands of hotels which you can book. When visiting a
Thomas Cook travel agent once they have sold you your holiday they may then try to
sell you ancillary services in order to maximise sales revenue. An ancillary service is
things such car hires, currency, theme park tickets and travel insurance. When I visited
the Thomas Cook travel agent in Hereford they had deals displayed on their windows.
This is to grab quick attention when walking past. They are part of ABTA (Association
of British Travel Agents) which helps to ensure the customers that the holiday they are
booking is safe and that the travel agent is trustworthy. Thomas Cook adverts are often
put on TV in the summer time. People might like to go with a well- known agent such as
Thomas Cook because they can negotiate the best deals and prices. They benefit from
high commission rates due to the mass amount of bookings the company generates.
Again like multiple travel agents, independent travel agents are located in towns and
cities. This type of organisation is locally run. They are small and independent. The
owner will usually manage the business. Because they are a locally ran business they
are often popular with the locals which enables them to pride themselves with excellent
customer service. In order to maximise their revenue they may sell things such as day
trips to coastal resorts within the UK, they might also sell National Express tickets and
rail tickets. Again similar to multiple travel agents they sell flights, accommodation,
