Unit 1 The travel and tourism industry
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The role of accommodation providers All tourists need somewhere to stay during their holiday, and accommodation therefore forms an essential part of a tour operator’s package. However, the accommodation sector provides an enormous variety of accommodation types to suit a wide range of visitors. Accommodation ranges from luxury 5 star hotels which provide facilities and services such as 24 hour room service, gyms, swimming pools etc. to camping grounds where the visitor is provided with a patch of ground on which to pitch a tent. Classification of different types of accommodation is very difficult as they can mean something different in another country. In the United States, the meaning for an ‘inn’ is a hotel or motel style accommodation usually operated by a chain such as Holiday Inns. In Britain, an ‘inn’ would describe a pub-style accommodation offering bed and breakfast. A range of options are available at most destinations and it is common to find all of the following: Hotel is an accommodation establishment of at least 10 rooms that correspond to high standards and offers dining services (restaurant). Motel is an accommodation establishment of at least 10 rooms situated near a road that is primarily meant for car travellers and has a safe parking site. Guesthouse is an accommodation establishment of at least 5 rooms which offers dining services. Hostel is a simple accommodation establishment for holiday, sport or study visitors that offers dining or cooking facilities. Holiday village or camp is an establishment providing limited accommodation services, which has an enclosed area for tents and/or caravans, parking sites for motor vehicles and/or dwelling houses (bungalows). Holiday home is an accommodation establishment for holiday-makers, which is rented out fully and has cooking facilities. Visitor’s apartment is an accommodation establishment with food-preparing facilities which is rented out. Bed and breakfast means accommodation services at a private farm, house or apartment which includes breakfast.
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4/13/2012 3:53:51 PM