Travel Agency Business (TAB201)
Vietnamese title: Kinh doanh đại lý du lịch
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: HMO102

Description:
Objectives:
After completing the course, students will understand the background, operations, and structure of travel agency and tour operation. Students will understand the differences between tour operator and travel agency, and will be able to examine and evaluate how these two types of businesses operate as a foundation for future professional growth.

Description:
This subject covers Travel Agency philosophy, ideas, and prerequisites for running a travel agency firm. Practical case studies from travel agencies worldwide and in Vietnam will be interspersed with these principles. In these case studies, students must discuss and work in groups so that teachers can assess their knowledge and expertise through presentations and tests.

Learning outcomes:
Understand the basic operations, organizational structure, historical evolution, main characteristics and quality standards of a travel agency
Describe the primary functions of a travel agency and clarify how these functions seamlessly integrate with the operations of other service businesses throughout a tour.
Examine the similarities and contrasts between a travel agency and a tour operation to better understand the distinctions between these two types.
Maintain ethical and professional conduct standards is of the utmost importance in the tourism industry
Determine the structure of the travel agency, and list of businesses along with their respective functions in the tourism industry is provided.
Identify the environmental repercussions, the social, cultural and economic effects that travel agencies have on the countries that they serve as destinations.
Desmontrate good skills, tactics, and attitudes to carry out the basic duties of a travel agency executive.
Discuss the relationship between the transportation industry, tour operators, and travel agencies.
Apply learned knowledge to analyze travel agency strategies through case studies

Student tasks:
- Class attendance is strongly encouraged. Attend at least 80% of class hours in order to be accepted to the final examination
- Actively participate in class activities
- Fulfill tasks given by instructor after class
- Use their own laptop in class only for learning purposes
- Read the textbook in advance
- Access the course website (http://flm.fpt.edu.vn) for up-to-date information and material of the course, for online support from teachers and other students, and for practicing and assessment.

Tools:
Internet

Materials:
description: Travel Agency and Tour Operation
author: Dr. Rahul Singh Shekhawat
publisher: BAOU
published_date: 2020
note: https://baou.edu.in/assets/pdf/BBAATR_201_slm.pdf
description: The Principles of Travel Agency and Tour Operation Management
author: Dr. A. Apsara Saleth Mary
publisher: White Falcon
published_date: 2021
description: Số liệu thống kê - Website Cục du lịch Việt Nam
note: https://vietnamtourism.gov.vn/

Assessments:
category: Case study analysis
type: on-going
weight: 40.0
duration: Block/ Part 1: session 10, session 11, session 12
Block/ Part 2: session 25, session 26, session 27
Block/ Part 3: session 38, session 39, session 40
Block/ Part 4: session 53, session 54, session 55
question_type: CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4, CLO6,
CLO7, CLO8,
CLO9
no_question: Discussion and Presentation
knowledge_and_skill: Discussion and
Presentation: 20-25 mins/group
grading_guide: All knowledge which belong to every single block.
note: Students will work in groups of 4-5 students and will be assigned to be in charge of a case study stated in the syllabus (assigned by the instructor) related to the topics in each block learned in the lessons. last week. They must analyze the case study by answering the questions raised in the case.
category: Class participation and preparation
type: on-going
weight: 10.0
duration: During all courses
question_type: CLO7
note: Participation grade will be given based on students' preparation, and quantity as well as quality of participation in classroom; quality of participation is demonstrated through asking relevant questions, making statements that add to and facilitate class discussion, and builds upon others’ comments. Class preparation and pre-reading before lecture will be assessed upon individuals' understanding and ability to answer questions in the class. Individuals will be called up randomly to be assessed.
category: Group assignment
type: on-going
weight: 25.0
duration: Slot 9, 24, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59
question_type: All CLOs
no_question: Written report and presentation
knowledge_and_skill: Written report: limitation of 4000 words
Presentation: 30 mins/group
grading_guide: All Topics
note: Each group prepares and presents to the class a plan/idea for operating/business development for their travel agency:
Objective: what needs to be achieved (in-depth analysis)
Requirements in the plan: clearly present elements that cover the necessary characteristics of a travel agency mentioned in the learning blocks, travel companies/agencies depending on the student's ideas. It can be a start-up or a company with many years of experience in the industry. Students need to note that each different nature of tourism business will have different requirements and knowledge.
Students must submit reports in both written and oral form
category: Quiz
type: on-going
weight: 5.0
duration: 45 minutes in class
question_type: CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4, CLO6,CLO7, CLO8,
no_question: MCQs
knowledge_and_skill: 30 MCQs / 45 minutes
grading_guide: All knowledge which belong to every single block.
note: in class, by instructor
category: Final Exam
type: Final exam
weight: 20.0
duration: 60'
question_type: All CLOs
no_question: MCQs
knowledge_and_skill: 50 MCQs
grading_guide: All Topics
note: Not allow to use any document/information in any form in exam room
Organized by Exam Board

Schedule:
session: -Course Overview
-Introduction to AI Integration in the course
-BLOCK 1: INTRODUCTION TO TRAVEL & TOURISM TRADE
Unit 1: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF TRAVEL TRADE

1.1 Evolution of Travel Business
1.2 History of Travel Trade
1.3 Timeline in the Development of Tourism Worldwide
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 1: INTRODUCTION TO TRAVEL & TOURISM TRADE
Unit 1: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF TRAVEL TRADE (Con't)

1.4 Discussion - History of Travel Agency Business in Vietnam
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 1: INTRODUCTION TO TRAVEL & TOURISM TRADE
Unit 1: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF TRAVEL TRADE (Con't)

1.5 Presentation - History of Travel Agency Business in Vietnam
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 1: INTRODUCTION TO TRAVEL & TOURISM TRADE
Unit 2: Classification of Travel Agents & Tour Operators

2.1 Introduction
2.2 Meaning of Travel Agency
2.3 Types of Travel Agency
2.4 Other Types of Travel Agencies
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 1: INTRODUCTION TO TRAVEL & TOURISM TRADE
Unit 2: Classification of Travel Agents & Tour Operators (CON'T)

2.5 Meaning of Tour Operator
2.6 Types of Tour Operator
2.7 Other Significant Tour Operators
2.8 Difference between Travel Agent and Tour Operator
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 1: INTRODUCTION TO TRAVEL & TOURISM TRADE
Unit 2: Classification of Travel Agents & Tour Operators (cont')

2.9 Discussion of Travel Agencies and Tour Operators in Vietnam
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 1: INTRODUCTION TO TRAVEL & TOURISM TRADE
Unit 3: Trave l Agency & Tour Operators Roles & Responsibilities
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Role of Tour Operators in Tourism Business
3.3 Travel Agencies Roles and Responsibilities
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 1: INTRODUCTION TO TRAVEL & TOURISM TRADE
Unit 3: Trave l Agency & Tour Operators Roles & Responsibilities (CON'T)
3.4 Services Offered by Tour Operators & Travel Agents
3.5 Relationship with Airlines
3.6 Relationship with Tourist Transport Providers
3.7 Relationship with Accommodation Providers
3.8 Relationship between Travel Agents and Tour Operators
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 1: INTRODUCTION TO TRAVEL & TOURISM TRADE
Unit 3: Trave l Agency & Tour Operators Roles & Responsibilities (Con't
3.9 Services Offered by Tour Operators & Travel Agents
3.10 Relationship with Airlines
3.11 Relationship with Tourist Transport Providers
3.12 Relationship with Accommodation Providers
3.13 Relationship between Travel Agents and Tour Operators

GROUP ASSIGNMENT INTRODUCTION
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 1 ASSIGNMENT: CASE STUDY ANALYSIS
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 1 ASSIGNMENT: CASE STUDY ANALYSIS
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 1 ASSIGNMENT: CASE STUDY ANALYSIS
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 2: TRAVEL AGENCY MANAGEMENT
Unit 4: Attributes of Travel Agency
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Link between Customers and Travel
Agency
4.3 Functions of Travel Agents
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 2: TRAVEL AGENCY MANAGEMENT
Unit 4: Attributes of Travel Agency (CON'T)
4.4 Highly Organised & Well Communicated Team
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 2: TRAVEL AGENCY MANAGEMENT
Unit 4: Attributes of Travel Agency (CON'T)
4.5 Affordable Services
4.6 Use of Technology for Better Experience
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 2: TRAVEL AGENCY MANAGEMENT
Unit 5: Services Provided by Travel Agency
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Hotel Booking in VietNam & Worldwide
5.3 Important Consideration before Processing Hotel Bookings in VietNam & Worldwide
5.4 Air Ticketing in VietNam & Worldwide
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 2: TRAVEL AGENCY MANAGEMENT
Unit 5: Services Provided by Travel Agency (CON'T)
5.5 Passport & VISA in Viet Nam & Worldwide
5.6 Currency Exchange in VietNam & Worldwide
5.7 Travel Insurance in VietNam & Worldwide
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 2: TRAVEL AGENCY MANAGEMENT
Unit 5: Services Provided by Travel Agency (CON'T)
5.8 Ground Handling in VietNam & Worldwide
5.9 Advantages of Travel Insurance in VietNam & Worldwide
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 2: TRAVEL AGENCY MANAGEMENT
Unit 6: Professional in Travel Agency
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Travel Consultant, Responsibilities, Requirements,
6.3 Types of Tour Guides, Tour Escorts or tour Manager
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 2: TRAVEL AGENCY MANAGEMENT
Unit 6: Professional in Travel Agency (CON'T)
6.4 Responsibilities, Requirements for Sales and Marketing Executives
6.5 Responsibilities, Requirements for Airport Representatives
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 2: TRAVEL AGENCY MANAGEMENT
Unit 6: Professional in Travel Agency (CON'T)
6.6 Responsibilities, Requirements for Drivers
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 2: TRAVEL AGENCY MANAGEMENT
Unit 7: Significant Travel Associations & Organisations
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Regional Travel Associations
7.3 Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)
7.4 European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC)
7.5 European Travel Commission (ETC)
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 2: TRAVEL AGENCY MANAGEMENT
Unit 7: Significant Travel Associations & Organisations (CON'T)
7.6 International Travel Association
7.7 UNWTO
7.8 International Air Transport Association (IATA)
7.9 World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 2: TRAVEL AGENCY MANAGEMENT
Unit 7: Significant Travel Associations & Organisations (CONT)
7.10 Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT)
7.11 Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA)

GROUP ASSIGNMENT GUIDELINE
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 2 ASSIGNMENT: CASE STUDY ANALYSIS
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 2 ASSIGNMENT: CASE STUDY ANALYSIS
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 2 ASSIGNMENT: CASE STUDY ANALYSIS
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 3: TOUR OPERATION MANAGEMENT
Unit 8: Fundamentals of Tour Operation
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Independent and Escorted Tours
8.3 FIT and GIT
8.4 Hosted Tours
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 3: TOUR OPERATION MANAGEMENT
Unit 8: Fundamentals of Tour Operation (Con't)
8.5 Incentive Tours
8.6 FAM Tours
8.7 Travel Agents, Tour Operators, Media, Tourism Industry
8.8 Customised Tour
8.9 Special Services by Tour Operators
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 3: TOUR OPERATION MANAGEMENT
Unit 8: Fundamentals of Tour Operation (Con't)
8.10 Planning a Tour
8.11 Making Tour Package
8.12 Arranging a Tour
8.13 Flight and Accomodation Reservation
8.14 Travel Information& Taking Care of Glitch
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 3: TOUR OPERATION MANAGEMENT
Unit 9: Itinerary Planning by Tour Operators
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Importance of Itinerary
9.3 Types of Itinerary
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 3: TOUR OPERATION MANAGEMENT
Unit 9: Itinerary Planning by Tour Operators (con't)
9.4 Resources and Steps for Itinerary Planning
9.5 Do's and Don'ts of Itinerary Preparation
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 3: TOUR OPERATION MANAGEMENT
Unit 10: Cost & Revenue in Tour Operation
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Factors Influencing in the Design of Tour Packages
10.3 Tour Costing
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 3: TOUR OPERATION MANAGEMENT
Unit 10: Cost & Revenue in Tour Operation (Con't)
10.4 Types of Costs in Tour Packages
10.5 Worksheet for Pricing of Package Tour
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 3: TOUR OPERATION MANAGEMENT
Unit 10: Cost & Revenue in Tour Operation (Con't)
10.6 Source of Revenue for Tour Operator
10.7 Strategies to Increasing Revenue
10.8 Tips to Increase Revenues
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 3: TOUR OPERATION MANAGEMENT
Unit 11: Distribution Network in Tour Operations
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Associates Sales Agents
11.3 General Sales Agent
11.4 Online Travel Agency
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 3: TOUR OPERATION MANAGEMENT
Unit 11: Distribution Network in Tour Operations (Con't)
11.5 Travel Agency
11.6 Customer Relationship Management
11.7 Destination Management Companies
11.8 Visitor Information Centre
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 3 ASSIGNMENT: CASE STUDY ANALYSIS
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 3 ASSIGNMENT: CASE STUDY ANALYSIS
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 3 ASSIGNMENT: CASE STUDY ANALYSIS
learning_outcomes: I
session: Fieldtrip: Visit a local travel agency
learning_outcomes: I
session: Fieldtrip: Visit a local travel agency
learning_outcomes: I
session: Fieldtrip: Visit a local travel agency
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 4: SETTING-UP OF TRAVEL AGENCY AND MICE
MANAGEMENT
Unit 12: Requirements & Procedure of Setting Travel Agency
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Basic Requirements for Starting Travel Agency in Viet Nam & Worldwide
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 4: SETTING-UP OF TRAVEL AGENCY AND MICE
MANAGEMENT
Unit 12: Requirements & Procedure of Setting Travel Agency (Con't)
12.3 Guidelines for Recognition as a Travel Agent from the Ministry of
Tourism (VietNam)
12.4 Basic Required for Recognition from Ministry of Tourism (VietNam)
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 4: SETTING-UP OF TRAVEL AGENCY AND MICE
MANAGEMENT
Unit 12: Requirements & Procedure of Setting Travel Agency (Con't)
12.5 Approval of Recognition by Ministry of Tourism (VietNam)
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 4: SETTING-UP OF TRAVEL AGENCY AND MICE
MANAGEMENT
Unit 13: MICE Management
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Meetings
13.2.1 Roles and Responsibilities of Meeting Planners
13.3 Incentive
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 4: SETTING-UP OF TRAVEL AGENCY AND MICE
MANAGEMENT
Unit 13: MICE Management (CONT)
13.4 Conference/Conventions
13.5 Events
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 4: SETTING-UP OF TRAVEL AGENCY AND MICE
MANAGEMENT
Unit 13: MICE Management (CONT)
13.6 Planning and Requirement for MICE
13.6.1 Venues
13.6.2 Transport Transportation
13.6.3 Accommodation
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 4: SETTING-UP OF TRAVEL AGENCY AND MICE
MANAGEMENT
Unit 14: Organisation Structure in Travel Agency and Tour
Operators
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Human Resource in Travel Agency and Tour Operators
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 4: SETTING-UP OF TRAVEL AGENCY AND MICE
MANAGEMENT
Unit 14: Organisation Structure in Travel Agency and Tour
Operators (Con't)
14.3 Hierarchy in Travel Agency and Tour Operators
14.4 Departments in Travel Agency and Tour Operators
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 4: SETTING-UP OF TRAVEL AGENCY AND MICE
MANAGEMENT
Unit 14: Organisation Structure in Travel Agency and Tour
Operators (Con't)
Quiz
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 4 ASSIGNMENT: CASE STUDY ANALYSIS
Group Assignment Submission
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 4 ASSIGNMENT: CASE STUDY ANALYSIS
Group Assignment Submission
learning_outcomes: I
session: BLOCK 4 ASSIGNMENT: CASE STUDY ANALYSIS
Group Assignment Submission
learning_outcomes: I
session: Group Assignment Presentation
session: Group Assignment Presentation
session: Group Assignment Presentation
learning_outcomes: I
T
U
session: Group Assignment Presentation
learning_outcomes: I
T
U
session: REVIEW ALL THE KNOWLEDGE TO PREPARE FOR THE FINAL EXAM
learning_outcomes: I
T