Unit 6: TRAVEL AND TOURISM

Back

Aims and Objectives

In this unit you will learn and practise vocabulary related to travel and tourism.

You will practise the following skills and functions:

  • reading for information
  • writing a cover letter

The grammar of this unit includes:

  • The definite article
  • Prepositions

Travel

Exercise 1: Selections

Chose the correct answer.

Read the following text:

Travel and tourism provide services of all types for both inbound and outbound travellers, and have become one of the world's fastest growing industries. International travel and tourism are the world's largest export earner and an important factor in the balance of payments of most nations. The market is increasingly diverse, covering not only traditional sunshine tourism and business trips but also many new types of travel that have developed in recent years. Tourism has become one of the world's most important sources of employment. It covers a wide range of jobs, including all branches of the travel industry, hospitality in hotels and restaurants, entertainment and recreation, as well as the tourist attractions in a particular region. Areas of work include Tour Operators, Travel Agencies, Tourist Boards and Tourist Information Centres, Transport Companies, Tour Guides, Tourist Attractions.

  1. a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  2. a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  3. a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  4. a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?

Exercise 2: Listening

Now listen to the recording of the text of the previous exercise:

Recording:

Exercise 3: Exposed Cloze

How would you define the following types of tourism? Fill the gaps with one of these words.

  • adventure
  • cultural
  • ecotourism
  • health
  • heritage
  • language
  • rural
  • sport
Transcript:

Jeff and his wife spent a week at a farmhouse in France and rode bicycles round the countryside. rural tourism

We're interested in history and art so for our last holiday we went to Vilnius. cultural tourism

More and more young people spend a month in Canada to practise their English. language tourism

Jack and Jill went skiing in Austria last winter. sport tourism

Last summer we went rafting and rock-climbing in Arizona. adventure tourism

Robert has rheumatism and he needs to lose some weight, so he's going to a spa for a month. health tourism

I thought the Railway Museum and Mining Museum were fascinating. heritage tourism

Elena and her husband went on a trip to the Danube Delta to look at the flora and fauna. ecotourism

Example:

Doctor Capello attended an international gynaecology conference in Helsinki. [congress] tourism

  1. Jeff and his wife spent a week at a farmhouse in France and rode bicycles round the countryside. tourism
    ?
  2. We're interested in history and art so for our last holiday we went to Vilnius. tourism
    ?
  3. More and more young people spend a month in Canada to practise their English. tourism
    ?
  4. Jack and Jill went skiing in Austria last winter. tourism
    ?
  5. Last summer we went rafting and rock-climbing in Arizona. tourism
    ?
  6. Robert has rheumatism and he needs to lose some weight, so he's going to a spa for a month. tourism
    ?
  7. I thought the Railway Museum and Mining Museum were fascinating. tourism
    ?
  8. Elena and her husband went on a trip to the Danube Delta to look at the flora and fauna.
    ?

Exercise 4: Multiple Choice Questions

Check what you know about areas of work in the travel and tourism industry. Read the descriptions below and choose the best definition, A or B.

  1. Wanderlust Travel is a small family business that advises people about holidays and books tickets for them.
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  2. VisitBritain's mission is to promote Britain as a tourist destination.
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  3. Beagle Charter operates flights and ferry services throughout South America.
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  4. Hadrian's Wall was constructed on the orders the Emperor Hadrian in A.D. 122 as the most northern frontier of the Roman Empire and is visited by thousands of people every year.
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  5. If you want leaflets or maps of the place you are visiting, go to one of these places.
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  6. Giuliana is an art student and speaks three languages. In the summer she accompanies groups of people round Florence and explains the history of the places they visit.
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  7. Peter's job in the company was to put together all-inclusive packages for trips to Namibia.
    a. 
    b. 
    ?

Exercise 5: Selections

Chose the correct answer.

Read the following text:

Tour Operators organise hotel bookings, flights, transfer arrangements and sell the tour as a package, either direct to the public or through a travel agency. They employ Representatives or Couriers to look after tourists. The couriers make sure that the travel arrangements run smoothly and deal with problems and emergencies as they happen. An important part of this job is liaison with coach drivers, ferry staff, customs and immigration officers, and with hotel staff at stopovers about accommodation and meals. They organise social activities, suggest excursions and give commentaries when travelling. Their work is usually seasonal. Hours are long and they spend most of the trip in the company of clients.

  1. a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  2. a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  3. a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  4. a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  5. a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?

Exercise 6: Listening

Now listen to the recording of the text of the previous exercise:

Recording:

Exercise 7: Multiple Choice Questions

Choose the expression, A or B, that is closest in meaning to the word as used in the text.

  1. BOOKING
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  2. LIAISON
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  3. COACH
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  4. FERRY
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  5. STAFF
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  6. CUSTOMS
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  7. STOPOVER
    a. 
    b. 
    ?

Exercise 8: Multiple Choice Questions

What do the words travel, journey, voyage or trip suggest? Choose the correct definition.

  1. Travelling by ship, especially to a distant place, or into space:
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    d. 
    ?
  2. Travelling a long distance and with a certain degree of difficulty, usually by land:
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    d. 
    ?
  3. Travelling somewhere for a short period, usually quite easily and for a specific purpose:
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    d. 
    ?
  4. The general idea or activity of travelling:
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    d. 
    ?

Exercise 9: Cloze

Now complete these sentences.

Transcript:

I'm going away tomorrow on a business trip.

How are you going to travel ? By car or by plane?

The journey over the mountains took a week.

Isabelle went on a long ocean voyage to Brazil.

Well, goodbye Hans. See you next week. Have a good trip.

  1. I'm going away tomorrow on a business .
    ?
  2. How are you going to ? By car or by plane?
    ?
  3. The over the mountains took a week.
    ?
  4. Isabelle went on a long ocean to Brazil.
    ?
  5. Well, goodbye Hans. See you next week. Have a good .
    ?

Exercise 10: Listening

Now listen and repeat in the spaces provided:

Recording:

Exercise 11: Cloze

Read the following text and insert the definite article THE where it is necessary or "-" (minus sign), where it is not.

Transcript:
  • Travel Agencies are the link between travellers and companies selling

holidays, - transport and accommodation. Travel Agency Consultants advise customers, suggest - particular holidays or resorts and make booking arrangements either by - telephone or computer. They help travellers who do not want package holidays to plan the journey and then book air, rail or ferry tickets and accommodation. Their work involves - general paperwork and accepting cash, cheques or credit card payments. They also offer clients information about - passports, visas and vaccinations, and offer other services e.g. holiday insurance, travellers' cheques and foreign currency. Travel clerks are sales people and have to meet sales targets that the manager of the agency has set.

? Travel Agencies are ? link between travellers and companies selling holidays, ? transport and accommodation. Travel Agency Consultants advise customers, suggest ? particular holidays or resorts and make booking arrangements either by ? telephone or computer. They help travellers who do not want package holidays to plan ? journey and then book air, rail or ferry tickets and accommodation. Their work involves ? general paperwork and accepting cash, cheques or credit card payments. They also offer clients information about ? passports, visas and vaccinations, and offer other services e.g. holiday insurance, travellers' cheques and foreign currency. Travel clerks are sales people and have to meet sales targets that ? manager of ? agency has set.

Exercise 12: Listening

Now listen to the recording of the text of the previous exercise:

Recording:

Tourism

Exercise 1: True/False Statements

For each of the statements below, choose True or False.

Read the following text:

Tourist Boards promote tourism in their area through marketing and publicity. They monitor the standards of accommodation and tourist attractions, keep statistical information and assess future trends. Tourist Information Centre Assistants give visitors up-to-date information about places of interest in the area. They advise on places to stay and eat, forthcoming events and local transport details. The work involves dealing with personal callers, telephone enquiries and letters. Some jobs may be seasonal. Transport Companies provide the means of transport for passengers, i.e. aircraft, coaches, ships, car hire and trains. They need a wide range of staff, e.g. drivers, stewards and stewardesses, guides, behind-the-scenes service staff, etc.

  1. The mission of Tourist Boards is to make bookings for visitors.


    ?
  2. Part of the job of Tourist Boards is to keep a check on standards.


    ?
  3. The mission of Tourist Information Centres is to make bookings for visitors.


    ?
  4. Part of the job of Tourist Information Centres is to monitor standards.


    ?
  5. Tourist Information Centres often need extra staff during high season.


    ?
  6. Transport companies employ many different kinds of people.


    ?

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice Questions

Choose the expression, A or B, that is closest in meaning to the word as used in the text.

  1. TO MONITOR
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  2. TO ASSESS
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  3. TRENDS
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  4. UP-TO-DATE
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  5. FORTHCOMING
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  6. EVENT
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  7. AIRCRAFT
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  8. CAR HIRE
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  9. STEWARD
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  10. BEHIND-THE-SCENES STAFF
    a. 
    b. 
    ?

Exercise 3: Multiple Choice Questions

What do these abbreviations mean? Choose the correct definition.

  1. A.D.
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  2. i.e.
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  3. e.g.
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  4. etc.
    a. 
    b. 
    ?

Exercise 4: Exposed Cloze

Use the correct word or expression from the list below to fill in the gaps in the sentences.

  • art
  • freelance
  • gardens
  • paintings
  • safety
  • sightseeing
  • souvenir
  • theme
Transcript:

Tourist guides often work freelance, that is to say they work independently and offer their services to more than one employer, or else they are employed full-time by tour operators or other organisations to take groups to various destinations or on sightseeing tours. Most guides offer specialist knowledge of a particular subject e.g. local history or architecture. Many tourist attractions such as museums, art galleries, theme parks like Disneyland, folk parks and visitor centres employ guides. On this side of the industry many other opportunities exist:

Receptionist - dealing with admissions, enquiries from the public and the souvenir shop.

Warden - in direct contact with the public, looking after audio-visual presentations and responsible for the safety of the exhibitions.

Craftsperson - responsible for restoration and ongoing repairs.

Grounds Staff - looking after the grounds and gardens.

Curators - specialists in a given field, for example textiles, buildings, furniture, paintings and so on.

Tourist guides often work ?, that is to say they work independently and offer their services to more than one employer, or else they are employed full-time by tour operators or other organisations to take groups to various destinations or on ? tours. Most guides offer specialist knowledge of a particular subject e.g. local history or architecture. Many tourist attractions such as museums, ? galleries, ? parks like Disneyland, folk parks and visitor centres employ guides. On this side of the industry many other opportunities exist:

Receptionist - dealing with admissions, enquiries from the public and the ? shop.

Warden - in direct contact with the public, looking after audio-visual presentations and responsible for the ? of the exhibitions.

Craftsperson - responsible for restoration and ongoing repairs.

Grounds Staff - looking after the grounds and ?.

Curators - specialists in a given field, for example textiles, buildings, furniture, ? and so on.

Exercise 5: True/False Statements

What personal qualities do you think are needed for a career in travel and tourism?

  1. Have a friendly and helpful manner


    ?
  2. Enjoy dealing with people


    ?
  3. Have a sense of initiative


    ?
  4. Be well organised and well informed


    ?
  5. Be patient and understanding


    ?
  6. Be able to cope under pressure


    ?
  7. Have a sense of responsibility


    ?
  8. Have good communication skills, with a clear speaking voice


    ?
  9. Have a good telephone manner


    ?
  10. Have a knowledge of one or more foreign languages for many of the jobs.


    ?

Exercise 6: Cloze

Fill in the gaps in the letter of application using only vocabulary from the previous exercise.

Read the following text:

Our client is a Tour Operator seeking a Reservations Consultant with a minimum of 12 months travel reservations experience. This well-established travel organisation specialises in holidays in Eastern Europe. Due to expansion they are now looking for friendly and professional reservations consultants with basic experience to join their professional and dynamic reservations team. The ideal Reservations Consultant will sell to the public, the travel industry and to corporate clients. If you are looking for a career move within travel and are seeking an exciting new challenge then this is the opportunity you have been waiting for. Please note only candidates with travel industry background and experience will be considered.

Transcript:

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing with reference to your online advertisement for Travel Consultants. As you can see from my CV, I have a Diploma in Travel and Tourism. Before taking the course, I spent two years as a Customer Services Assistant for TeleComPlus. In this post I gained a good telephone manner and excellent communication skills. I have a clear speaking voice and am able to cope under pressure.

For the last year I have been working for Wanderlust Travel, a small family travel agency, where customers consider me to be friendly and helpful . I enjoy dealing with people and am both patient and understanding . I am well organised and always try to keep myself well informed about the latest trends in the travel industry.

I am now looking to move to a larger organisation where I will be able to put my sense of responsibility and initiative to greater use. I am bilingual in Hungarian and English, and also have a good knowledge of Romanian.

I should be grateful if you could send me further details of the post.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Yours faithfully,

Istvan Fischer.

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing with reference to your online advertisement for Travel Consultants. As you can see from my CV, I have a Diploma in Travel and Tourism. Before taking the course, I spent two years as a Customer Services Assistant for TeleComPlus. In this post I gained a good telephone ? and excellent communication ?. I have a clear speaking ? and am able to ? under pressure.

For the last year I have been working for Wanderlust Travel, a small family travel agency, where customers consider me to be friendly and ? . I enjoy ? with people and am both patient and ? . I am well organised and always try to keep myself well ? about the latest trends in the travel industry.

I am now looking to move to a larger organisation where I will be able to put my sense of responsibility and ? to greater use. I am bilingual in Hungarian and English, and also have a good ? of Romanian.

I should be grateful if you could send me further details of the post.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Yours faithfully,

Istvan Fischer.

Checklist

Use the following list to check whether you have obtained full benefit from this unit. You should have more confidence in:

  • reading for information
  • writing a cover letter

You should also have greater skill and confidence in the use of:

  • The definite article
  • Prepositions
Version 1.1.0-alpha (2011-11-29 17:22 CET)
Warning: Media Player unavailable. Use a JavaScript enabled browser.