Other Industries Supporting Hospitality

Question 1

Name the three utilities.

Answer 1

• Gas
• Water
• Electricity

Question 2

How do travel agents and travel operators support hospitality businesses?

Answer 2

• Tour operators arrange and book holidays for people. They promote certain hotels and block-book rooms in advance for the whole season.This is good for the industry because it brings holiday-makers to hotels who may spend additional money on other services.
• Holiday makers might also visit restaurants, bars and visitor attractions in a certain area.

Question 3

What do the transport industry do to help?

Answer 3

• Planes fly visitors into and around the UK, buses, trains, taxis and ferries all transport people to hospitality businesses.
• Transport is also vital to get hospitality staff to work.

Question 4

How do banks support the hospitality industry?

Answer 4

• Banks can provide loans to start up new businesses or expand existing ones.
• They offer business advice, financial advice and insurance.
• Other services include online banking, mobile card machines, overdrafts and they can even supply small change (coins) for tills.
• Some hotels can change currency for guests as an additional service. This foreign currency is supplied to them by banks.

Question 5

How do telecommunications and technology businesses support the hospitality industry?

Answer 5

• Internet and Wi-Fi are now essential for all businesses. A hotel without an internet connection would be sure to receive complaints from its guests.
• Most hotels and restaurants have online bookings systems and if these crashed, operating would be very difficult.
• Many bars and restaurants have computerised tills with buttons that identify the name of each product.
• If a hospitality business ever had a problem with its computer systems, it may need an ICT technician to fix things.