In this module we have sought to provide you with a basic understanding of the industry itself prior to going into various areas in a bit more detail. As you can see, the size of the industry is perhaps bigger than you imagined and this does mean that there are a number of doors that can be opened up for you and your career. However, in the next module we are going to focus on something that is very important and at the heart of the entire industry: how to deal with customers.

In this module we have focused on something that is so important that we have felt the need to discuss it right at the start: the importance of correct customer service within the industry.

Being aware of how to correctly handle customers, including those that are rather upset, will certainly make your own life a lot easier and less stressful as well. Providing adequate customer service is no longer enough. Instead, people are looking for the best customer service at all times, so focusing on how to deal with situations and how to improve your own skills will go a long way to helping you.

As we have said throughout this module, the information we have provided here is more of a general guide to customer service rather than being something specific to the tourism industry. However, being able to come to terms with how to correctly deal with customers will certainly mean that they not only have a better time, but your working life will also be less stressful.

In the next module we will look at the way in which your career could potentially develop within this industry.

In this module we have focused on your career within the travel and tourism industry and as you can see there are a number of possibilities out there and it is up to you to explore them to the best of your ability.

There is no doubt that you will be able to really develop a pretty amazing career if you are willing to pick up the knowledge that is required for you to really make a difference to your job and position at any given time. Remember that you will also have the opportunity to work abroad as well if you wish to do so and this will then increase the number of possibilities even further.

In the next module we will look at the different sectors in the industry as this will make it easier for you to start to piece together the kind of career that you may wish to have within the travel and tourism industry.

In this module we have focused on the different sectors of the market and what the future looks like for them. This in itself is extremely important because you have to understand what trends are going to be and where people want to go to so you can then provide them with the best service possible. This does mean that there is a requirement for you to keep up to date with the industry and developments within it and to not just sit back and do the same thing over and over again. Failing to do this will make it harder for your career to really progress the way it should.

In the next module we are going to focus on getting to grips with the basics of tourism management.

In this module we have looked specifically at the idea of tourism management, including offering an explanation as to what the role is and also the kind of things that will be expected of you should you move into this particular area.

Remember that any form of management is going to bring with it a substantial amount of responsibility and you must be honest with yourself as to whether or not you are able to cope with this. If so, then it is entirely possible for you to have an extensive career at management level due to the sheer number of opportunities that are going to be out there.

In the next module we will look more closely at the reasons for the existence of the industry and how that will impact on your future career.

In this module we have looked more specifically at the reasons why people travel and how you take that information to provide them with what it is that they are looking for.

This is something that will take time for you to develop as a skill, but at the same time it is essential that you have a firm understanding of your own job and sector of the industry to then also be aware of what it is that you can offer your customers. At the end of the day, the way in which you deal with their reasons for travelling will also then determine your ability to really work within this industry.

In the next module we will look at the concept of promotion and marketing within the travel and tourism industry.

In this module, we have looked at the promotion and marketing techniques that are used within the industry.

However, it is important to stress that the exact methods that you may end up using will vary depending on the location, which is why it is so important for you to get to grips with what the customers are looking for in order to correctly match them up with locations that the marketing has deemed to be suitable for them.

In the next module, we will look at taking marketing further by focusing on social media.

In this module we have focused on the use of social media and the impact that it has on the industry as a whole.

There is no doubt that due to the prevalence of social media usage in the world today that this is something that is here to stay and it has certainly changed the way in which the industry operates. However, as you can see this is not something to be afraid of and when handled correctly, there is no doubt that social media can and will become extremely useful to you.

In the next module we will focus on giving you some insight into tourism policy and strategy.

In this module we have focused on the idea of tourism policies and strategies and how they are created and implemented.

Furthermore, we have looked at the roles that you may have to play in their implementation and how to then record their progress and whether or not they are actually doing what they were designed for.

Tourism policies and strategies do not have to be as complicated as you perhaps thought. In actual fact, as long as you take the time to examine the aims then you will be able to correctly identify what it is that is required from you to reach those targets. By doing this, you will then find it easier to progress in your career.

In the next module we will look at the idea of tourism planning and development.

In this module we have focused on the concept of tourism planning and development and the role that you will often play in this part of the industry. As we stated earlier, there is no way we can cover every aspect of the development of each location or service that is provided to customers on a daily basis. However, what we have shown is not only how the planning aspect works, but how to make sure that everything goes to your advantage

With this module we have focused on an example of a specialised type of tourism, although the same principles that we have covered in the module can be applied to all other specialised forms of tourism.

This is certainly a part of the industry that is growing in both size and stature, and being involved in the travel and tourism industry, there is a real need for you to get to grips with these very specific requests.

In the next module we will look at the idea of both long haul and short haul destinations.

In this module, we have looked at the difference between long haul and short haul destinations and also the kind of things that you have to keep in mind when you are dealing with any kind of question or request for information from your customers or clients.

These kinds of destinations contribute a substantial amount of money to the entire industry and from these initial bookings you will then find that there is a springboard from which different businesses and companies that are involved in the travel and tourism industry need in order to flourish.

However, in the next module we will look at something that is closer at home as we focus on domestic tourism and looking in particular at the UK market.

In this module we have focused on both the domestic market and what it entails, along with more information specifically on the UK market. Understanding both of these aspects of the industry is important simply because of your location and the amount of money that either of them generates over the course of a year.

In the next module we will look at travel trends and how to deal with them to allow you to take advantage of the situation.

In this module we have looked at the main issues that you may have to contend with during your career and how to then tackle them.

We have looked at a number of the issues throughout the course and the aim here has been to bring together the main concerns to make it easier for you to deal with problems and to not allow it to stall your career.

Remember, there are a number of opportunities out there for you within the industry and just because you may not be making the progress that you had hoped in one area does not have to mean that you are stuck there for eternity. The experience you have built up in one area can often be translated into somewhere else due to the skills that you will have brought through and the fact that the industry is so huge means there is no reason why your career has to come to an end.