Evaluate the way in which 'Big Four' Tour Operators ( TUI, MyTravel, Essay

Evaluate the way in which 'Big Four' Tour Operators ( TUI, MyTravel, First Choice and Thomas Cook) have established a cartel within the package holiday market i - Essay Example In 2000, the ‘Big Four’ controlled over 75% of all outbound package tours. As the travel industry undergoes a change, the Big Four show that one size does not fit all (PWC, 2006). This paper evaluates the way they have established a cartel within the package holiday market in the UK but changing trends have revolutionized the industry. The UK is the fourth most important generating market for holidays, after US, Germany and Japan (Meyer, 2003). As the British prefer to use the services of a tour operator for long-haul destinations, this sector had increasingly become mainstream with British tour operators. The main trends in the industry are economies of scale and vertical integration. These strategies give the tour operators tremendous buying power and control over the supply and distribution of their products. Vertical integration means investment into other suppliers which gives them control over quality, availability, access and price, and the ability to reach consumers. Besides, it helps to limit competition. The regulatory authorities have been challenging how the Big Four exercise control at several stages in the distribution chain. The Big Four are all vertically integrated. This vertical integration takes the form of control, normally through ownership by a single group, of a tour operator, an airline and a retail travel agent (R&M, 1999). The travel agent Lunn Poly, owned by TUI, UK had 800 shops in 2000. Going Places is owned by MyTravel, Thomas Cook has 700 travel agents and First Choice owns 361 shops under the name of Travel Choice and related brands (Meyer). If a customer walked into a Travel Choice office he would not know that he was buying a First Choice package. To reduce such misunderstandings, the Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC), ordered that the notice of ownership must be displayed outside the shop, in brochures, on official stationery and in advertisements. All the Big Four tour operators had some airline in

Ethical Decision Making Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ethical Decision Making - Case Study Example Before deciding which way to advice Elsie, Jones will, first of all, have to consider all the facts surrounding the matter. Being the Christian believers they are, abortion is not only a crime but also, and more importantly, a sin(Boyle 1). The act of procuring the abortion amounts to murder. If Elsie procured it, their relationship with God would not be right. Given that Elsies Uncle is a strict disciplinarian, it is uncertain how they would react to the news of Elsie’s pregnancy, let alone procuring an abortion. On health grounds, procuring an abortion could damage Elsie’s uterus so that in the future, they may never again conceive. Secondly, Jones will have to consider all the possible courses of action available to Elsie. First, they could give in to the pressure of the boyfriend and go for abortion. Secondly, they could carry the pregnancy to its full term. Then, upon giving birth, if they did not wish to raise the child, they could give them away for adoption(Boyle 3). However, like the first option, the second option too has consequences. For instance, it is not known how Elsie’s Uncle would react. Besides, the pursuit of this option is likely to disrupt Elsie's studies as they will be forced to take maternity leave. Today society may have reached the point where it is normal for a woman to procure an abortion. However, Elsie, Jones and their families, besides being members of this society, are Christian believers. Christian doctrine forbids abortion(Boyle 1). It teaches that only God gives and takes life. Christianity also teaches that human life starts at conception, not birth. By effecting the abortion, Elsie will have effectively destroyed a human life.