Airline and Airport Business Management

Introduction1

Discussion1

Catchment Area Analysis1

Tourists Attractions and Activities in London1

Conference and Banqueting2

Accommodation4

Forecasting4

Future Growth Patterns of London Tourism Market4

Factors Affecting Travel and Tourism5

London Potential for Tourism6

Holiday tourism7

Visiting friends and relatives (VFR)7

Airport Preference8

Top Factors for Choosing Airports8

Important of Connectivity to East and West10

Conclusion11

References13

Airline and Airport Business Management

Introduction

In order to compete with the global scenario of managing tourism and travel services, it is important to assess the current analysis of the location by conducting a catchment area analysis and forecasting of the destination. This report serves the purpose of a comprehensive evaluation of one of the most important destinations of the world that is London, UK. The report is of significant use for the management of Heathrow Airport, one of the most important airports serving London since 1946. The report can also be used for different airlines transferring the passengers to and from London in order to evaluate the travel and tourism at destination and potential revenues from the air services.

Discussion

Catchment Area Analysis

London is one of the most visited destinations in the world with visitors traveling for multiple purposes (Archdale 1995, pp. 325). It not only outperforms the Far Eastern destinations such as Singapore and Hong Kong but also the regions within Europe such as France and Paris. The number of international visitors is highest in the capital where after 2010 significant decline is noted in other European regions such as Wales, Scotland and England. This justifies the high share of employment in capital associated with the travel and tourism sector.



Tourists Attractions and Activities in London

The importance of Heathrow airport increases as there is variety of places to which visitors are attracted. According to an estimate, the capital attracts 5 million visitors annually only towards the British Museum. According to EuroMonitor report, the capital attracted 37.8 million visitors which is 4.5% higher than the visitors of 2010. London comprises of many paid and free attraction sites. The report states that two third of visitors come to the free attraction sites in which the most visited are museums including Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, British Museum, Imperial War Museum and National Maritime Museum (Ladkin et.al 2008, pp. 97). Other most visitors spot are the historical buildings including the House of Parliament, St Paul Westminster Abbey, Tower of London and Hampton Court. After these, the galleries such as National Portrait Gallery and Tate Modern are most attractive places for the visitors. Parks and gardens such as London Zoo, HMS Belfast and London Eye also attract a number of visitors (Robinson and Phipps 2003, pp. 5).

Despite the free admission to attraction, there are number of ways in which visitors are made to spend money at these sites. This includes the paid exhibitions, restaurants and bars and shopping facilities (Archdale 1995, pp. 323).

Shopping also attracts many international visitors to London. The Oxford Street is the most renowned and premier shopping street of the world which covers 300 shops. Other than that, Bond Street and Regent Street are also of ...