Tour Guiding and Travel Operations — November 2021

Source: 05 TOUR GUIDING AND TRAVEL OPERATIONS NOV 2021 _compressed.pdf | Paper code: 2912/102; 2918/102

Question 1(a)

A tour guide practitioner is expected to communicate professionally to clients. Outline five ways in which this can be achieved. (10 marks)

Answer

  1. Use clear, courteous language suited to the clients.
  2. Listen attentively and allow clients to finish their questions.
  3. Provide accurate information and acknowledge anything that needs checking.
  4. Use appropriate eye contact, posture and other respectful non-verbal communication.
  5. Confirm understanding and respond promptly through the agreed communication channel.

Question 1(b)

Explain five ways in which the Global Distribution System (GDS) is used in the tourism industry. (10 marks)

Answer

  1. Flight availability: agents compare available seats across participating airlines.
  2. Reservations: the system creates and retrieves passenger booking records.
  3. Fare quotation: agents obtain applicable fares, conditions and itineraries.
  4. Ticketing: authorised agents issue or change tickets through integrated facilities.
  5. Other services: participating hotels and car-hire firms distribute bookable accommodation and vehicles.

Question 2(a)

Explain four regulations that were set up for the IATA member states during the 1944 Chicago Convention. (8 marks)

Answer

Historical clarification: The Chicago framework concerned states and international civil aviation, rather than IATA member airlines. Interpreting the question as four freedoms of the air associated with the 1944 agreements:

  1. First freedom: overfly another state without landing.
  2. Second freedom: land for a non-traffic purpose, such as refuelling, without taking on or setting down commercial traffic.
  3. Third freedom: carry traffic from the airline’s home state to another state.
  4. Fourth freedom: carry traffic from another state to the airline’s home state.

These rights depend on applicable agreements; the Convention does not automatically grant all commercial freedoms to every airline. Reference: ICAO historical introduction.

Question 2(b)

Outline six roles played by the official Airline guide (O.A.G) in the air transport sector. (12 marks)

Answer

  1. Publishes airline schedules and flight frequencies.
  2. Provides departure and arrival times for itinerary planning.
  3. Identifies airports and the airlines serving them.
  4. Helps identify direct services and possible flight connections.
  5. Provides aircraft and service information useful to travel sellers.
  6. Supplies timetable and aviation data that support reservations, distribution and route analysis.

Question 3(a)

Explain five precautionary measures that must be undertaken when setting up a campfire ground in the wilderness. (10 marks)

Answer

  1. Obtain permission and comply with local fire restrictions before lighting a fire.
  2. Use an established fire area on bare ground away from tents, vegetation and overhanging branches.
  3. Avoid lighting fires during strong winds or exceptionally dry conditions because sparks spread quickly.
  4. Keep the fire small, supervise it continuously and keep water or suitable extinguishing material ready.
  5. Extinguish the fire completely and check that the ashes are cold before leaving.

Question 3(b)

Explain five reasons why some airlines stopped offering loyalty schemes to their passengers. (10 marks)

Answer

  1. Programme administration and reward redemption can cost more than the additional revenue generated.
  2. Outstanding points create future obligations that complicate financial management.
  3. A low-fare business model may favour simple prices over loyalty benefits.
  4. Abuse or fraud can increase costs and undermine fair access to rewards.
  5. A scheme that attracts little repeat business may be replaced by targeted fares or other marketing. These are possible commercial reasons, not a claim that all airlines discontinued such schemes.

Question 4(a)

Outline five ways in which a tourist may avoid dehydration while undertaking a hike. (10 marks)

Answer

  1. Carry sufficient safe drinking water and identify reliable refill arrangements.
  2. Drink regularly during the hike rather than waiting until very thirsty.
  3. Take rest breaks in shade and reduce exertion in intense heat.
  4. Choose breathable clothing and a sun hat to reduce heat stress.
  5. Plan the route, pace and departure time around temperature, fitness and water availability.

Question 4(b)

Describe five safety equipment that are used in an aircraft. (10 marks)

Answer

  1. Seat belts restrain occupants during take-off, landing and turbulence.
  2. Life jackets provide buoyancy after an emergency evacuation onto water.
  3. Oxygen masks provide supplementary oxygen during specified emergencies such as cabin depressurisation.
  4. Approved fire extinguishers help trained crew control appropriate onboard fires.
  5. Emergency escape slides enable rapid evacuation where the aircraft is fitted with them.

Question 5(a)

Describe five services that travel agents offer to their clients. (10 marks)

Answer

  1. Travel advice: explain suitable destinations, routes and available services.
  2. Transport booking: reserve flights, rail tickets or other transport.
  3. Accommodation booking: arrange rooms meeting the client’s requirements.
  4. Tour packaging: combine transport, accommodation and activities into an itinerary.
  5. Travel support: explain relevant documentation and insurance options and help manage booking changes.

Question 5(b)

Outline five characteristics that are associated with the operations of Boutique airlines. (10 marks)

Answer

  1. They normally serve a selected niche market.
  2. They emphasise a distinctive, personalised passenger experience.
  3. They usually operate a relatively small fleet or limited route network.
  4. Their branding stresses quality, comfort or exclusivity.
  5. They often adapt schedules, routes or services to a clearly defined customer group; the term is a market description rather than one universal regulatory category.

Question 6(a)

A person going for a bird watching expedition needs to have various items to facilitate the exercise. Describe five such items. (10 marks)

Answer

  1. Binoculars provide a closer view without approaching or disturbing birds.
  2. A field guide or identification application helps compare plumage, calls and distribution.
  3. A notebook records sightings, location, date and identification features.
  4. A camera with an appropriate lens records birds for later identification.
  5. Suitable outdoor clothing, walking footwear and a hat provide protection during prolonged observation.

Question 6(b)

Explain five reasons why airlines use automated baggage handling system. (10 marks)

Answer

  1. Higher handling capacity processes many bags within a short period.
  2. Automatic sorting directs bags towards the appropriate flight or reclaim area.
  3. Scanning and tracking improve baggage traceability.
  4. Less repetitive manual handling can reduce lifting injuries.
  5. Faster, more consistent transfers can reduce missed connections and baggage delays when the system is properly maintained.

Question 7(a)

Describe five tourist behaviours that are likely to agitate wild animals during a game drive. (10 marks)

Answer

  1. Shouting or playing loud music can frighten animals.
  2. Approaching too closely or surrounding animals can make them feel trapped.
  3. Leaving the vehicle where prohibited can provoke defensive behaviour.
  4. Feeding or attempting to touch animals disrupts their behaviour and creates danger.
  5. Blocking an animal’s route or separating adults from their young can trigger aggression.

Question 7(b)

Explain five reasons why tourists mainly use credit cards to pay for services offered to them. (10 marks)

Answer

  1. Convenience: one card can pay for several types of service.
  2. Reduced cash handling lowers the amount of money carried.
  3. Transaction records make spending easier to track and verify.
  4. Credit facilities allow eligible cardholders to pay within agreed terms.
  5. Where provided by the issuer and card scheme, dispute procedures and other protections help address certain transaction problems.
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