Inside tourism: combining business with pleasure

The first major way in which business travel benefits tourism in general is that it brings more business to travel agents, transport providers, and hotels. Travel for business-related purposes can increase the level of leisure and recreational activity at the destination in a number of ways.

Extenders: Business travelers extending their visit to the destination – adding a number of days before or after – in order to enjoy the cultural, shopping, or sightseeing resources of the destination.

Guests: Business travelers being accompanied by guests (usually spouses or families) who engage in leisure tourism activities such as sightseeing excursions while at the destination.

Social programme: Business travelers themselves engaging in leisure or recreational activities as part of the social, networking, or relaxation element of the event attended.

Returners: Business travelers who have been impressed by the destination returning with their spouses or families for holidays or short breaks, or encouraging others to do so.

The second major way in which business travel benefits tourism is that it provides employment. Often this work is temporary – helping at conferences, trade fairs, or hospitality events – but these jobs can lead to longer term work and careers in tourism.

20. Which of these activities and tours are examples of ‘extenders’, ‘guests’, ‘social programme’, or ‘returners’?

1. Edinburgh: Special whiskey-tasting evening for delegates.

2. Vancouver: Come and see us again! Bring the family and get a discount.

3. Istanbul: While you work – sightseeing excursion for your partner.

4. Helsinki: Post-conference three-day Lapland tour

What extender, guest, and social programme activities would you include for a conference in your city or region?

Listening

22. You will hear Agnes Johnson talking about how they promote The Manor Hotel as a business venue and conference centre.

Decide if these statements are true or false.

1. The Manor uses the services of over 500 conference agencies.

2. The standard rate of commission is 8 per cent.

3. The agency always takes the client to visit the hotel.

4. Making company contacts is a complicated process.

5. Corporate clients tend to make rapid decisions on their choice of conference venue.

6. The Manor relies far more on direct sales prospecting than on printed advertising.

7. The sales staff are authorized to negotiate conference rates.

8. The local Shakespeare festival is popular with delegate

Render the text into English.

Словосочетанием деловой туризм (Business travel) можно обозначить два понятия. Первое — это деловая поездка бизнесмена или менеджера с целью развития бизнеса. Второе — развитая индустрия по обслуживанию деловых поездок.

Специалисты обычно рассматривают понятие деловой туризм как бизнес-систему, состоящую из четырех подсистем: 1) компании-заказчики (они направляют своих сотрудников в деловые поездки), 2) компании-поставщики отдельного вида услуг (авиакомпании, отели, бюро по аренде автомобилей, страховые компании и др.), 3) компании-поставщики полного комплекса услуг (туроператоры) в сфере деловых поездок и 4) организации и фирмы индустрии MICE.

В среде Business travel деловые поездки принято делить на несколько видов в зависимости от целей и пакета востребованных услуг. Это собственно индивидуальные деловые поездки, на долю которых в среднем в мире приходится 70—78 % от общего объема деловых поездок. Поездки для участия в конференциях, конгрессах и семинарах — 12—14 %. Поездки на выставки — 10—12 %. Поощрительные поездки как одна из форм мотивации и поощрения сотрудников, партнеров, клиентов, торговых агентов, дистрибьюторов и руководителей высокого ранга составляют 3—7 %. Виды деловых поездок могут тесно переплетаться, например, выставочно-конгрессные и поощрительные поездки.

Business travellers’ needs

Listening

25. Hotels like to make sure their important guests enjoy a superior service. Listen to a Front Office Manager explaining how his hotel treats its important guests and complete the table below. Before you listen consider:

1. What kind of business guests are important for a hotel?

2. What can a hotel do before and on the arrival of an important guest to make their stay comfortable and easy?