Spa And Wellness Tourism Tourism Essay

Spa And Wellness Tourism Tourism Essay Austria is ranked as the ninth largest tourism market in the world and the sixth largest in Europe . 22.2 billion Euros was generated from international tourism in the year 2007 in Austria. Only few countries can boast of the per capital income from tourist in the same league as Austria. Although Austria is not a big country in central Europe with a population of 8.3 million people, it is one of the top tourist destination in Europe with 20.8 million arrivals in the year 2007 because of it fantastic and extensive cultural history in addition to its interesting customs , artistic tradition and natural environment (Austrian National office, Austrian Tourism Monitor 2006/2007). International tourism expenditure in Austria has increased from $7.6 billion in year 1995 to $14.2 in year 2007. Vienna the capital of Austria attracts major part of tourists that visit Austria. However, this report is aimed to develop a tourism marketing plan for Austria to attract spa and wellness tourist from United Kingdom and North America particularly Canada and the United States of America . This aim will be achieved through the analysis of the Austria tourism industry environment ,using the available secondary date, identifying and applying theories where it is relevant. Spa and wellness tourism has developed as a small but important market segment in developed countries such as Scotland, Switzerland, Greece ,New Zealand, Israel ,United States and Canada as well as developing counties such as Cuba, Cameron mailman, Croatia, Caribbean, India, Singapore and Thailand which result in growth in competitiveness. For any business to succeed, planning is a very important step .The tourism industry in any country including Austria need to have an effective plan to be successful because tourism industry has specific characteristics that will not be found in other industry.(Morrison,2002) The World tourism Organization projects that tourist to European counties will double by the year 2020, Conferences, business travel, beauty and wellness leading in the growth . The growth in wellness tourism is increasing worldwide with 18 percent per year and over ten percent annually estimated new demand. Ringer (2007) note that according to a research by Hawail Wellness Tourism Association in 2006, the number of travel agencies that specialized in wellness travel as increased from 300 estimated in the last two year to over 500.Consequently,Austria can become the primary tourist destination in Europe for health and wellness travel if well-positioned should these global travel trends persist .Austria can take advantage of its central location in Europe and ease access from other European counties (in less than 3 hours people can get to Austria form any part of Europe). Austria has the potential to attract Spa and wellness tourism from other EU countries who do not want to travel fa r from home . According to UNWTO world Tourism Barometer 2008, tourism demand could be hurt by the doubt over the global economic situation that is affecting consumer confidence. The present economic imbalance, particularly the rising cost of transportation and energy are likely to influence what people spend on tourism .However specific demand shift because of factor such as travel budget, disposable income and confidence which are different from country to country and region to region, depending on the labour market and local economies . Travel Oregon (2005) note that sustainable tourism development and environmental quality is now another critical issue in international tourism. More Pressure is now been put on countries to preserve their natural resources as well balance growth with the possible impacts of tourism development. Consequently, any effort in Austria aim to expand tourism industry into other areas will need to consider environmental, social and cultural impacts and the image it will have on the Austria as a tourist destination . The tourism market is also faced with the problem of international terrorism, war and H1N1 which make it more complex to attract tourists from a wider market (Videira et al 2006). This has increased the demands for product differentiation as well quality management and also significant market diversification. Austria government can capitalise on the high quality of tourist faculties and amenities in addition to fantastic and extensive cultural history as well as its interesting customs , artistic tradition and natural environment to increase the number of spa and wellness tourist visiting Austria . 3.0 RATIONALE FOR THE SELCTION OF THE MARKET CHOSEN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION . Soukiazis and Pronca (2008) argue that tourism should only be employ has a stimulate to the growth of the economy if the supply characteristics can be enhanced to bring in more affluent tourists. Any move to attract tourists to a destination should focus on major markets, where the population is adequately affluent to increase number of tourist visiting the destination. Consequently, United Kingdom and Canada and the United States of America are the choice naturally because of the high level of per capita income enjoyed in United Kingdom, Canada and the United States of America. Also this countries have a long list of people waiting for spa and wellness product. In addition the cost of spa and wellness this countries are high. Also Americans may begin to look for alternative medical services in other countries because American will likely have the same problem as in England and Canada. The North America tourist coming to Austria will have to fly a fairly expensive transatlantic flight which will possibly make them stay longer and spend more in Austria to maximise experience. This will make Canada and the United States of America tourist more important than European tourists that will fly low cost airlines and lodge in cheap hotels for a short stay. Vienna the capital of Austria has transatlantic connections flights with major US cities. 4.0 SOME PRODUCTS AND SERVICES OFFERED BY AUSTRIA AND THEIR RELEVANCE TO UNITED KINGDOM AND NORTH AMERICA PARTICULARLY CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. According to Austrian National office, Austrian Tourism Monitor 2006/2007 Austria has fantastic and extensive cultural history in addition to its interesting customs , artistic tradition and natural environment which will make Austria appeal to tourist from United Kingdom and North America particularly Canada and the United States of America who are keen to see more of traditional European culture and the natural environment .In words of Erich Falkensteiner ,Co-owner Falkensteiner Michaeler Tourism Group Austria is a small country with an extensive and fantastic cultural history and artistic tradition, interesting customs and a natural environment which can hardly be matched anywhere in central Europe.This makes a visit to Austria so rewarding. Every destination claims to have a unique heritage, culture and landscape, in addition describing itself as having the highest standards of customers service, friendliest people and best facilities. As a result, the need for destinations to create a unique identity that will differentiate it from their competitors is more critical now than ever (Ana 2008). Austria has some of the best tourism offerings. Examples of tourism offerings in some part of Austria are. Vienna is refers to as the world capital of music .It has 3 opera house ,over 50 theatres and 100 museums. Vienna is describe as a model environmental city with its extraordinarily low rate of population where people can drink mountain spring water from the tap. Tourist can also enjoy a mild climate and diverse landscapes in Burgenland which is refer to has the land of the sun. In addition to some of the best festival and different offering of thermal bathes as well as fantastic wines (Austrian National office, Austrian Tourism Monitor 2006/2007). Lower Austria house some world cultural heritage site designated by UNESCO and it is also recognized as a splendid location for physical and spiritual regeneration offers a well developed network of biking trails which make it one of the top tourist destination. Carinthia is also a major tourist destination in Austria to Visit because of the 1,200 lakes and ponds,8 golf courses and natural medicinal spring and radon healing galleries among other offerings. Consequently, all this offerings make Austria suitable destination for health purposes, relaxing, holidays and adventures(Austrian National office, Austrian Tourism Monitor 2006/2007). 5.0 AUSTRIA COMPETENCIES AND SOURCES OF COMPETITVE ADVANTAGE. Austria has most of the element required to meet the demands of a tourist destination such as well-preserved environment with scenic beauty, natural resources, a well-managed cultural landscape, green meadows and mountain pastures, crystal-clear waters, fresh air and much more. These natural treasures, in addition to the most diverse possible cultural offering, the highest quality of life and the greatest security as well as the best environmental situation give Austria a future as one of the top potential tourism sectors of the world (Austrian National office, Austrian Tourism Monitor 2006/2007). Falkensteiner 2007 indicate that Austria is not only a beautiful and interesting country but also have good infrastructure for tourism, an exceptional workforce, and attractive business opportunities. 6.0 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PLAN AND THE SETTING OF FUTURE OBJECTIVES . For any business to succeed, planning is a very important step .The tourism industry in any country need to have an effective plan to be successful because tourism industry has specific characteristics that will not be found in other industry (Morrison,2002) . Thus, Austrian need to understands the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States tourism market and its major tourism segments after which different offerings must be develop to appeal to each segments and attract tourists form the market to Austria. As a result, more tourist from those market will develop interest in Austria, which is important in consumer decision making process. Schultz 2005 argue that AIDA model is more appropriate than the other theories for consumer decision making process in tourism because tourist are likely to only consider destination which they fine interesting and have attracted their attention . Blumberg 2000 supported this view when he said many tourism destination use marketing advert that will focus on putting the destination on people mind, rather than attempting to get them make a decision to visit the destination. This plan aim to increase the interest of tourist from United Kingdom and North America particularly Canada and the United States of America in Austria. When more tourist from United Kingdom and North America particularly Canada and the United States of America are interested in Austria, one of the future objective will be to increase the numbers of tourist coming to Austria for spa and wellness products. 7.0 RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION International tourism are important pillar of many destinations creating much needed employment in the destination and opportunities for the general economy development. Tourism is ranked fourth worldwide in export category after oil, chemicals and automotive products in many developed nations while in some developing counties tourism is ranked number one in export category . Austria has the potential to attract tourism from other countries but a lot of research have showed that many country possess a significant tourist attraction but they fail to utilize the tourism potential. Inadequate promotional and positioning strategy has been identified by research has part of the reason for this, especially on the part of the government of the country concerned. In 2003 Kotler ,Dubois and Manceau noted that promotion is a extremely important tool in the positioning of a tourist attraction mainly because of its immobile and intangible nature. According to Awaritefe 2003 Promotion has an important role to play in the positioning of a countrys tourism potential especially bearing in mind that tourism unlike manufactured products is an experience which cannot be tested before purchase. Government and private bodies should put together more strategies to promote it spa and wellness markets. For example developing trade relationship with travel agents and airlines based UK,US and Canada . According to Ana (2008) tourism is like a crowded marketplace where building and maintaining a brand value is the key to business success and as a result, brand management is moving fast from a peripheral marketing concern to the core strategy in business . Government and private hospitals can partner with the major hotels to enhance the standards of medical facilities and also provide discount deals for tourist . Marketing research should also be engaged from time to time to find out what tourist need and how to meet the needs.

Assess the Individual in a Health and Social Care Setting Essay

Compare and contrast the range and purpose of different forms of assessment The assessment process is the back bone to any package of care and it is vital that it is personal and appropriate to the individual concerned. Although studies have found that there is no singular theory or understanding as to what the purpose of assessment is, there are different approaches and forms of assessment carried out in health and social care. These different approaches can sometimes result in different outcomes. One method of assessment used is a holistic approach. To assess an individual in a holistic manner is to see that individual for more than just their functioning body, mental health state and lifestyle preferences. You have to look deeper into how all aspects of their life impact on each other, the reason certain factors influence them and what level of independence the individual has in each area that you are assessing. The benefits of a holistic assessment are that by taking into account the individual’s personal preferences and needs, you are ensuring that that individual remains in control and you are promoting their dignity and choice. The negatives being that it would not be appropriate for an individual with a diagnosis of dementia, or similar condition, to be assessed using this method. The reason for this is that an individual with advanced dementia would not always be in the position to delve into what factors affect their daily living in a positive or negative way. A popular method used in the care industry is the Taylor and Devine (1993) ‘basic helping cycle’. The basic care cycle consists of four different stages; Assess, Plan, Implement and Review. This is the method that is used most often as a template for the managers at Crosshands Home Services. On receiving a care package referral we then arrange a meeting with the individual, any advocate/family member and the appropriate professional, whether that is a social worker or an enablement worker. The initial assessment is put in place to ensure that we as an agency can complete the next stage which is to plan and prepare a care plan that is tailored to the individual’s needs, using feedback and information from the individual, any advocate/family member and the appropriate professional. Read more:Â  Assess Individual in Health Care The next stage is to implement the care package, ensuring all the care staffs involved are made aware of the individuals’ needs and preferences. After 6 weeks we would then review the care package, making any adjustments if required, and following that the care package would be reviewed again in 12 months. If for any reason there was a change to the individuals needs or situation then a review would be carried out at an earlier date in order to address the change. Research was carried out by ‘Smale et al (1993)’ which suggested three different models of assessment. One model was the ‘Questioning Model’ which suggests that the assessor leads the process by questioning the individual and developing a more ‘service led’ assessment. Another model is the ‘Procedural Model’. I believe this method would be used more commonly be social workers when means testing an individual for a suitable care package. The ‘Procedural Model’ is based on a set of criteria and checklists which a professional would carry out based on the needs of the individual. I do not feel that this method would be appropriate for setting up a care package in a domiciliary setting as it is not person centred friendly. The final model that was suggested was the ‘Exchange Model’. This model has a more person centred approach and is the model that is more commonly used by domiciliary care managers. The model focuses on the individual being the expert in their own care needs so that the assessor can use the information to develop a care plan that is person centred.

Curbing Examination Malpractices in Nigerian Educational Assessment Essay

The paper examines the role or intervention of guidance and counseling in curbing examination malpractice in Nigerian educational assessment among all the stake holders in education industry. Counseling can be of much interventional assistance in bringing re-orientation of students, teachers, the school and the society. Also provides social, orientational and psychological counseling as an antidote for examination malpractice in Nigeria. Therefore, this paper dwells on concept of guidance and counseling, what examination malpractice is all about, and exposes the causes and an overview of background of examination malpractice in Nigeria is discussed. Similarly, the social effects of examination malpractice is discussed as it affects the political, moral, socio-economic of the nation and conclude with suggestion and solutions through counseling intervention so as to protect the validity and sanctity of examination in Nigeria All over the world examination is considered very important in educational system. By means of it, learners are formally measured and placements are made based on the results accrued from it. In Nigeria, education has been adopted as an instrument for meaningful national development. Therefore, government, communities, private organizations, and individuals have established educational institutions with a view to training the citizens for the development of the nation’s physical and human resources. In these institutions, teaching and guidance services are supposed to take place so that appropriate skills and knowledge can be acquired by the learners. Furthermore, machinery through which the extent of knowledge and skill acquisition is determined at each stage of learning has been set up. This is in form of examination which would be organized in order to evaluate, assess, place and test knowledge and skills. The outcome of the examination is used as a basis for decision making on the examinee’s ability. In view of the exceeding importance attached to examination at national and international levels, examinations are seen as an activity that should be executed well. Learners in Nigeria see examination as activities that should be successfully carried out if future is assured. Thus, there are many instances where there are tendencies to pass examination at all costs. These trends and phenomena really called for concerns from all Quarters including the professional guidance counselors. Educational Guidance as seenbyEncarta(2009),a process of helping students to achieve the self-understanding and self-direction necessary to make informed choices and move toward personal goals. Guidance focuses on the complete development of individual students through a series of services designed to maximize school learning, stimulate career development, and respond to the personal and social concerns that inhibit individual growth. Although guidance activities are usually associated with educational professionals known as counselors, educational guidance is actually a cooperative enterprise involving the participation of teachers, administrators, other educational specialists, and parents. Similarly, Egbule (2002) puts the concept of Guidance and Counseling as a helping service in the understanding of the factors or events that led to the conceptual evolution of it as a subject matter, a professional discipline and indeed a helping service. Meanwhile, he submitted further that it is these factors that are responsible for its popularization as helping service and subsequent use in resolving various educational, vocational and socio-personal problems of individual in the society. Some of the factors according to Egbule, (2002) include: * Traditional practices relating to advising * Civilization in modern society and problems associated with it * Development in the field of psychology and philosophy * Educational development * Socio-political developments * Different behavior problems of individuals that require counseling, among others. Ipaye, (1983) in Abdu, (2007) define guidance and counseling as a helping service that provides the atmosphere as well as the setting within a professional counselor can help a person (client) or a group of person in terms of resolving educational, vocational and personal-social problems. It is also the process of assisting the individuals acquire, get acquainted with and becoming aware of the opportunities in the personal, social, educational and vocational world. This is with a view to experiencing and exploring various interventional communication roles. No doubt, counseling has a long interventional role to play by virtue of its significant relevance in curbing examination malpractices in Nigerian educational society as the comprehensive services would bring about positive attitudinal change in individuals thus creating an opportunity to operate in an atmosphere free from corruption and tension. Administration of examination has generally been associated with the problem of cheating, otherwise known as examination malpractice. Examination malpractice has been defined in various ways. Imogie (2001) in Umar A and et al (2009) maintain that it involves wrong doing before, during or after an examination by candidates and sometimes invigilators, supervisors, typists, printer, or group whose actions give a candidate or group of candidates an undue advantage in an examination. It is also seen as an improper and dishonest act associated with examination with a view to obtaining unmerited advantage, while WAEC itself consider examination as any irregular behavior exhibited by candidates or anybody charge with the responsibility of conducting examination in or outside the examination hall, before, during or after examination. (WAEC, 2003) It could be deduced that examination malpractice is all round irregularities associated with the conduct of examination. Since human beings have always been conscious of human ability and efficiency in the area of appointments or promotions, examinations of different form or standard have been with mankind in the course of human evolution. Examination has along history in the world as reported by Pratt (1980) in Umar G, Mburza A, Bulama K, (2009) that examination malpractices was first noticed over 3000 years ago in the famous Chinese Civil Service and regulations which include death penalty for both the guilty students and examiners. Olowu, (2006) in Nnachi, (2009) added that from China, formal examination spread to different parts of the world. By the middle of the 19th century, competitive examinations were introduced in Britain and India for the selection of government officials. Corrupt practices in examination in Nigeria dated back to the pre-independence. According to various sources, the first publicly reported case of examination malpractices was in 1914, when the question papers of the Senior Cambridge Local Examination were reportedly seen by the candidates before the date of the examination. Since then, there have been incessant cases of irregularities reported on annual basis, the outstanding years were 1963, 1967, 1970, 1973, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1985, 1987, 1991, 1994 to 2003 (WAEC, 2004) the major features of the examination malpractices reported were: impersonation, smuggling in foreign materials, slot in, stealing, converting, collusion in examination hall, mass cheating, mass organized cheating, unlawful assistance from teachers and outsiders and insult on supervisors. This ugly phenomenon is inimical to academic and social development and it needs to be addressed drastically. The incidence of examination malpractices over the years has become so alarming in both public and private institutions despite various sanctions employed. Examination malpractices have in recent years remained one of the disturbing phenomenons in educational institutions in Nigeria. The trend which takes different dimensions and forms has become alarming especially in higher institution of learning. It is not limited to internal examination prepared by schools, colleges, polytechnics, and universities, but it has gone up to external examinations such as WAEC, NECO, UTME, NTI, NABTEB, and professional examinations. The situation became embarrassing to the nation that the Federal Military Government had to promulgate Decree20 to deal with it. Part of the provision of the Decree reads: Any person who fraudulently or with intent to cheat or secure any unfair advantage to himself or any person or in abuse of his office, produces, sells or buy, or otherwise deals with any question paper intended for the examination of persons at any examination or commit any of the offence specified in section 3 (27) (c) of this Decree, shall be guilty of an offence and on conviction be sentence to 21 years imprisonment. However, Examination Malpractices Act 33 of 1999 reversed the above Decree but stipulates punishment ranging from a fine of N50, 000 to N100, 000 and imprisonment for a term of 3-4 years with or without option of fine. It is regretful to note that this is a toothless bulldog as none of these penalties has been fully implemented, if at all they are implemented.

Classroom Reflection - 1151 Words

Many aspects within the third observation have been previously covered, due to its relationship with the previous observations. Mr. Clark’s classroom is full of diversity. The diversity within Clark’s room is not just of gender, race, and colour, but also in the fact that he teaches a grade three-four split. Through the use of a social environment, the students are brought together. Working at tables does more than simply bring students together to discuss and work on school work, but it also builds relationships and friendships. The social environment builds a community within the classroom, a community in which students can go to each other for help and not simply rely upon the aid of teachers. Although the students can discuss problems†¦show more content†¦Clark admires too. He understands that the social environment can sometimes lead to a distracted chatter, but it also provides something more. Clark is proud of the fact that his students chat about the ma terial within the classroom. Clark understands that through discussion within the classroom, the students obtain a deeper understanding of what he is trying to teach. Through this community enabled by cooperative learning, both friendships and trust are built among the diverse set of students. The final observation is a focus on my own personal inquiry. For this final inquiry, I decided to focus on the methods in which Mr. Clark uses to maintain order and focus within his classroom. Although through this observation I have learned the benefits of cooperative learning, this style of environment can lead to disorder and a lack of focus within the class. Although Clark supports discussion within his classroom, there becomes a point in which the discussion becomes more of a distraction for the students trying to learn. For this observation, I asked Clark his method’s of maintaining order and focus within the classroom. 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