This course unit intends to: - understand the dynamics and structure of tourism distribution, as well as the role of intermediaries in tourism; - distinguish specific characteristics inherent in the supply of products and / or services by upstream and downstream segments, and dominate concepts about the activity of the various stakeholders; - understand the main methodologies of work and analysis in the process of care / reception and information / sale of a product and / or service in a travel agency or a tour operator; - know the main global distribution operating systems (Galileo), commands and procedures required in the agent / client relationship; -analyzes the specificity of the global distribution operating system - Galileo which have as core business linking to agencies through a global distribution system (GDS), while providing top-of-the-line products and innovative web-based solutions
OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTED RESULTS OF LEARNING
1. Understand the structure of the tourism distribution; 2. Assimilate the concepts and terminology about the travel agencies and tourist operators practice; 3. Identify the specific features of products and/or tourist services, as well as their implications in the activity of travel agents and tourist operators; 4. Understand the programmation and definition of tourist packages; 5. Grasp the basic competences in global IT systems, namely Galileo reservation systems.
SKILLS TO BE DEVELOPED
1. Make undergraduates aware of the importance of the topics focused in this course unit and provide necessary knowledge, methodology and tools that will enable them to get an overall perspective of the travel agencies and tourist operators activity.
2. Render undergraduates a multidisciplinary formation that will enable them to grasp the contents of this course unit and therefore develop their technical-scientific skills that will be used in practical situations.
3. Develop an empatic relationship in different communication situations, such as agent / client, persuasion / commitment and autonomy in the performance of several tasks.
4. Incentivate and stimulate team work, so that undergraduates can share ideas and opinions.
Programme
1. General information about the tourism products / services distribution system;
1.1. The role of intermediaries in the tourism system;
1.2. Specific characteristics of tourism products / services;
2. The role of travel agencies and tour operators in the tourist distribution chain;
2.1. Tour operators;
2.2. Travel agencies;
2.3. Other tourist intermediaries;
2.4. Legal framework;
3. Programming of tourist packages;
3.1. Elements prior to tourism programming;
3.2. Typologies of programs;
3.3. Negotiation factors in the construction of tourist packages;
4. Information and communication technologies in tourism;
4.1. Internet and tourism;
4.2. Global Distribution Systems;
5. Galileo reservation system. Practical units to teach;
5.1. Introduction;
5.2. Flight Availability;
5.3. Selling Air Segments;
5.4. Booking Files;
5.5. Supplementary Data;
5.6. Modifying Booking the Itinerary;
5.7. Modifying Booking Files;
5.8. Fare Displays;
5.9.FareQuotations;
5.10. Timatic.
Demonstration of the syllabus coherence with the curricular unit's learning objectives
The integrated and progressive approach of the UC program will enable students to develop the knowledge and skills provided in the objectives, ensuring consistency between the syllabus contents. Objectives 1) to 4) will be fulfilled with the material prepared by the teacher and using the main bibliography presented, which will allow the student to acquire knowledge and articulate the concepts related to the activity of travel agencies and Tour Operators. In relation to objectives 5), the Galileo Software will be used in a Smartpoint environment in order to provide students with the necessary knowledge to carry out the activity.
Main literature
Travelport;Manuel Travelport, Travelport, 2018
Abranja, N., Alcantara, A., Braga, C., Marques, A.;Gestão de Agências de Viagens e Turismo, Lidel, 2012
Supplementary Bibliography
BLASCO, ALBERT;Turismo y Transporte, Sintesis, 2001. ISBN: 84-7738-853-9
PIÑOLE, ISABEL;Gestión, Productos y Servicios de las Agencias de Viajes, Madrid, Editoral Universitária Ramón Areces, 1999. ISBN: 9788480043915
COBREROS, MARIA;Fundamentos teóricos y gestión práctica de las Agencias de Viajes, Sintesis, 1997. ISBN: 9788477384946
GOMEZ, CARMEN & BLANCO, ANA;Prodution y venta de servicios turisticos en Agencias de Viajes, Madrid, Sintesis, 1996. ISBN: 9788477384182
TOVAR, IGLESIAS;Comercialización de productos e servicios turísticos, Sintesis - Madrid, 1995. ISBN: 9788477383239
Learning Methods
In the theoretical-practical contents will be addressed, either through practical exercises, analysis of case studies or practical work.
Use of Galileo software in Smartpoint environment (real context) - practical component.
Assessment Components
Avaliação distribuída com exame final
Assessment Components
Description
Type
Time (hours)
Conclusion Date
Attendance (estimated)
Lessons
30
Self study
Study
74
Test/Exam
Teste/Exame
3
Total:
107
Continuous Assessment
2 individual written tests: 2x35%
1 Written work: 20%
Presentation: 10%
TOTAL: 100%
Under Degree Regulations:
1. The actual presence of students in classes will be registered, and if the number of absences of the student exceeds 30% of the total number of contact sessions scheduled for each course, he will be automatically transferred to the final evaluation of the regular season.
2. In written tests and evaluation elements referred to in sub-paragraphs b) to e) of paragraph 2 of Art. 30, it is required to obtain a minimum score of 7.5 (seven point five) values.
3. If the student lacks or gets a grade below 7.5 points in the tests or on the elements of assessment referred above, he will be automatically transferred to the final evaluation of the regular season.
4. If the student lacks or gets a grade below 7.5 points in the second written test (conducted on the same date of the written test end of the regular season) it may be required registration for evaluation at the appeal time.
Final Exam
Final exam: 100%
Under the CTSP Regulations:
The practical or theoretical-practical work (s) referred to in Article 30 (2) (b) may also be considered, with a weighting corresponding to half of that considered in the context of continuous assessment, provided that the student communicates such intention to the teacher through the completion of a specific form to be made available by the teacher at the time of the exam.
Demonstration of the coherence between the teaching methodologies and the learning outcomes
The development of the classes will be conducted in a way that relates the teaching methodologies to the objectives of the UC. This will be a UC with a high practical component, where students will learn not only the context of the activity of Travel Agent / Tour Operator, aspects of the elaboration of a travel program, as well as the way to work with one of the most used programs in the Travel agencies. The provision of information and scientific and technical knowledge foreseen in the objectives will be developed at the beginning of each subject to be addressed in theoretical-practical classes. These sessions will aim to develop students' competences and sensitize them to the importance of the themes addressed in the current real context, contributing to a better framework and also easier to perceive the objectives that are intended to be achieved.
The practical work of the group, required for the students, will have an important contribution to the achievement of the objectives defined for the UC, providing understanding and application of the themes under study, as well as showing the knowledge acquired throughout the classes.
The practical work will also have the advantages of knowledge sharing among group members, information search and, therefore, contact with reality. Its subsequent presentation and defense, as well as the analysis of a project carried out by another group of the class, will contribute in a decisive way to the reinforcement of the analysis capacity considered essential for the achievement of the objectives of this UC.