Investigating Magnetic Pendulum Essay Example

Investigating Magnetic Pendulum Paper Every magnet has two poles, North and South. When it is hung freely, it always settles in the direction North and South of the Earth. The following experiment is about the properties of magnetic pendulum. In all experiments find the time period of oscillation, and find relation in the direction of vibration and the time period of pendulum. Hypothesis: The effect of changing the vibration direction of magnetic pendulum on time period of the 20 constant oscillations. Apparatus: 1. Color indicated lab magnets 2. Strings and threads 3. Solution Tape (Transparent) 4. Measuring Scale (1 feet) 5. Set of compasses 6. Lab stand 7. Stopwatch 8. Scissors Methodology: A For Single magnetic pendulum investigation: 1. Hang a bar magnet horizontally using the thread string, tied in balance with the lab stand. The thread should be strongly tied with the magnet stand. 2. Make sure the magnet is not rotating from its point of centre. This is done in order to allow precise timed readings, as the oscillation progresses smoothly. 3. Use two or more compasses to check the North. Keep the compasses at a 1 meter distance from the magnets to avoid unnecessary deflection 4. Vibrate it in the direction as shown in the diagrams below. 5. Repeat steps 1-2 for varying directions Note: The side view of all direction combinations is in the horizontal plane. The top view uses vertical and horizontal terms in its own respective sense i. e. the as viewed from the birds eye projection. Part 1: Constant: 20 oscillations Distance of the string i. e. from the tied knot of the stand to the magnet = 6 Variables: Time (seconds) and Direction (arrow) of magnet pendulum swings We will write a custom essay sample on Investigating Magnetic Pendulum specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Investigating Magnetic Pendulum specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Investigating Magnetic Pendulum specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer In part 1 of the investigation, the magnet will be swung across constant amplitude with the constant no. of 20 oscillations. With each changing direction, the time period for the 20 oscillations will be noted down on paper. Then, the readings will allow us to deduce if the changing direction of magnet has an effect on the time period or not. Below are the four directions, named A, B, C and D along their time period readings. As per the results of the investigation, the change in the direction of vibration of the magnet for 20 oscillations does not affect the time period of the oscillation. As we can see he comparison chart above, the values for directions A, B, C and D are almost same, with very minuscule micro second differences. The possible uncertainty here can be human error in timing the experiment and secondly, the quality of magnets i. e. minor change in size and weight. Moreover, the balance of the string attached was not at most in perfect form, hence the unnecessary rotating of the magnets from the point of tied knot must have affected the time period readings. Hence, the part 1 of the investigation comes to suggests that the change in direction of the vibration of the magnet does not affect the time period of the oscillations. Part 2: Pole Combination A Methodology: B For Dual magnetic pendulum investigation: 1. Hang a bar magnet horizontally with the help of two strings. 2. Now put another magnet just below the hanging magnet, in the same direction as the hanging magnet, with similar poles facing each others. 3. Using the thread string, tied in balance with the lab stand. The thread should be strongly tied with the magnet stand. 4. Make sure the magnet is not rotating from its point of centre. This is done in order to allow precise timed readings, as the oscillation progresses smoothly. 5. Change the distance between the two magnets, keeping the oscillations constant at 20 and then note the change in the time period. 6. Now, vibrate the magnet (for different directions) with small amplitude, first along the length then along with width. Measure the time period of vibration. Also find the rate of decrease in the amplitude of vibration. 7. Repeat 1-6 for varying direction combinations. As per the results for part 2 of the investigation, we put hanged a magnet of the same size as used in part 1 of the investigation by a tied string, making it a dynamic object. Then, we placed a stationery magnet of the same size below it. As we vibrated the dynamic magnet along its width, we slightly altered the distance between the stationery magnet and the dynamic magnet to see if had affect on the oscillations time period. Now, the interesting part of the investigation arises. As you can see from the comparison chart of the same pole combination of N-N to S-S, a slight change in distance between the two magnets, that is a (1.6 minus 1. 0 = 0. 6 cm) 0. 6 cm change brings a 2. 0+ second change. The increase in the distance between the two magnets increases the time period for the 20 oscillations. The theory behind this is simple. As the two magnets move closer to each other, they face a higher amount of N to N and S to S repulsion, so they are pushed with a greater force than they would be when they would be apart (as the case is for d=1. 6 cm). This in result decreases the time period, as the 20 oscillations are completed in a lesser time period.

Hotel Description Location The Grand View Hotel Tourism Essays

Hotel Description Location The Grand View Hotel Tourism Essays Hotel Description Location The Grand View Hotel Tourism Essay Hotel Description Location The Grand View Hotel Tourism Essay The Grand View Hotel is a traditional hotel built in the 1950s offering traditional installations. It is sited on the seafront at a convenient location, which is near to its competition hotels and the chief shopping centre. Accessibility of the hotel is high. It is less than 30 proceedingss from the nearest airdrome and supported by good route, rail and coach associating to major metropoliss. The Grand View Hotel is a 250 suites constitution in which 200 are dual suites and 50 are king bedded suites, all includes private bathroom. The suites are of a good size, comfy and with different cosmetic manners. At present, there is a big garden and a little swimming pool in the hotel, parking infinite with a capacity of 120 autos is besides available. On top of that, there is a eating house which serves counter for breakfast and tiffin every bit good as a La menu for dinner. The anteroom sofa country is reasonably big which is suited to a concern type of hotel. There is besides a saloon ; nevertheless it is in hapless cosmetic order. There were several refurbishment plans launched which included the marks replacing, redevelopment and redecoration of forepart desk, eating house and saloon. By and large talking, the hotel is in good physical status except the forepart desk. On top of that, the hotel used to redecorate 25 guest suites each twelvemonth. Consistent Standard of Excellence: We will systematically supply our invitees with a superior quality merchandise and do a witting day-to-day attempt to be better than our competition. Personalized Guest Service: We will run into the specific meet of each invitee with a professional, friendly, prompt, gracious, and enthusiastic, attitude from all staff all times. Company Goals The intent and values of Grand Ford are to bring forth a multi-faceted success. Keeping the fiscal wellbeing of hotel by the rigorous control of all costs at all times without exclusion. Gain repute by supplying high quality of merchandises and services which beyond the invitees outlook. Increase the quality of the full work forces and cut down the staff turnover rate by supplying better staff preparation A ; benefit. Supply a antic and comfy environment to every valuable client in order to fulfill their demands. Company Aims In order to make our ends, several aims should foremost be achieved: Reduce the entire labour cost from 46 % to below 35 % within the first twelvemonth. Reduce the cost of gross revenues in F A ; B section to 35 % within the first twelvemonth. Reduce the one-year staff turnover rate from 102 % to 50 % within the first twelvemonth. Increase the mean room tenancy rate from 19 % to 55 % within 2 old ages and make the criterion of 70 % within four old ages. Human Resources Human Resources Policy The hotel is able to cut down labor costs and staff turnover by engaging the right individual for the right place at the right clip for the monetary value, or wage in another word. Training plans will be provided to staff mambers in order to heighten their public presentation therefore the guest satisfaction and eventually increasing profitableness. Organizational Structure Staffing It is known that decrease of staff can be a de-motivator, nevertheless, there will be a immense over staffing if we do non cut down any work force on such a low tenancy. It is planned to cut down serveral staff in some peculiar sections such as housework and front office. With the growing of concern and new coming building undertakings, the hotel will surely relocate and engage a certain munber of staff in order to keep a smooth day-to-day operation. Staffing degree will be monitored on a monthly footing in the first twelvemonth operation and quarterly in the remainder of the operation with high degree of flexibleness. Recruitment With the purpose of holding the most suited individual to be crew members who are able to bring forth an overall experience beyond invitees outlooks, both internal and external recruiting methods will be applied in the Grand View Hotel. Positive attitude, enthusiasm, outstanding interpersonal relationship and high criterion of making will be required for contraptions. Aiming to make the possible pool of contraptions, enrolling advertizement will be placed in industry diaries and in the hotel s official web site. For the internal readying, the hotel will reexamine the occupation analysis on a regular footing to guarantee that the paperss best describe the occupation and that they are decently prepared for effectual enlisting and choice procedure. On top of that, Torahs and ordinances will be taken under serious consideration during the procedure. Choice In order to be just and to acquire the most suited individual to make full up vacancies, a multi-hurdle scheme will be applied intending that riddance of campaigners during choice procedure will be based on the occupation specification. Interviews will be the most normally used tool to measure a campaigner. Furthermore, for external contraptions, occupation trials will be another method that the Grand View will utilize to choose an operational staff while group appraisals will be applied for the remainder. For internal choice significance publicity and resettlement of staff, possible employees public presentation and yesteryear records will be taken under consideration. Orientations Orientation plans are designed to supply new employees a clear way of their occupation and the hotel waies. The hotel can profit from a good orientation plan in footings of higher morale in the workplace therefore bettering the public presentation and the productiveness and hence a higher bottom line . Sing the above factors, orientation plans will be provided to each staff member within their probation period in the Grand View Hotel with the undermentioned elements. Aimed to better the accomplishments and public presentation of staff members, therefore heighten the clients comfort and satisfaction hence raise the repute and influence the gross of the hotel. Training for staff in all degrees is considered as the chief measure to accomplish ends. On the occupation preparation is one of the preparation methods that will be applied in the Grand View concentrating on operational and entry degree staff. It is effectual in both cost control and public presentation betterments as it is conducted during concern operation in existent work scenes. For managerial degree staff, group treatment and workshops will be utile in order to portion experience and maintain path of the hotel s operation by and large. All preparation plans will be reviewed on an one-year BASIC. Besides on-site preparation, off-site preparation is besides encouraged. The hotel will back up staff to take occupation relevant classs organized by recognized organisations. Staff Payroll We intend to keep an one-year staff paysheet with a upper limit of 35 % of entire gross. Salary of degree 1 will be offered to entry degree employees and degree 2 for section caputs for the first half twelvemonth in order to command costs. However, salary degrees will be adjusted harmonizing to the public presentation which will be reflected by the bottom line in order to actuate the staff and ecourage better public presentations. Salary decrease will remarkably be seen in the Grand View Hotel since this will de-motivate the employees and as a consequence, the staff turnover rate will increase. Environmental Scan Political The political environment includes such countries as authorities policies, political tendencies and internal political issues. The political environment is really stable and good for the hotel significance that the political state of affairs supports local concerns and constitutions. This is highly good for the hotel s hereafter because this means it can concentrate on pulling more markets intending more assortment in clients. We can besides concentrate on the client satisfaction which involves their demands and outlooks. September 11th had a immense impact in the touristry in the USA. The uncertainness of political state of affairs because of the September 11th attracts, have led possible clients to believe twice about going abroad or within the state itself. This has a immense consequence on the hotel s concern which we will besides hold to incorporate in to the analysis. Economic Since the chief industries of the country are Distribution/ Hospitality, Banking and Finance. We intend to run into the demand in these countries by offering assorted services particularly in the country of conferences since our mark market is concern costumiers during the weekdays. Unemployment degrees besides have a large consequence on the economic state of affairs. The employment degree is high particularly in the countries of management/professional and clerical/secretarial work. This in return AIDSs our hotel in the manner that the environment is safer due to the high employment rate and this attracts more travellers, giving us the chance to catch the attending of these clients, to maximise our gross. Social The employment degree is really high ; it is presently half of the national norm. A big proportion of the populations of that employment degree are in management/professional and clerical/secretarial occupations. But besides the employment degrees for skilled non-manual, skilled and semi-skilled manual work is besides high. But that is non the instance for unskilled employment. A big proportion of the population is households with the norm of 2 kids per household. Since one of the chief industries is Banking and Finance, we will be looking to pull concern travellers whose purpose is to turn up a convenient and appropriate belongings that accommodate their demands for a professional working atmosphere. Technological The uninterrupted altering universe of engineering can present a batch of menaces, but if the right actions are taken at the right clip it can besides be an chance. Technology can give us the competitory border in footings of conference and meeting equipment. Equipment is expensive, but with a big assortment of providers and different options like purchasing, leasing and renting, it can go a comparatively in expense manner of overhauling our installations. The hotel engineerings include fast wireless cyberspace, security cameras which guarantee the safety of the invitees, conference equipment, transit, and so on. We will besides seek to construct up and keep good dealingss with our technological and safety spouses to guarantee that when jobs do happen, that they can be solved every bit fast as possible. Legal In the United States there are 3 different sorts of legal systems. The first being Local statute law, the 2nd State statute law and the 3rd being Federal Legislations. There three have a immense sum of impact on how the hotel is run. The statute laws intending the Torahs that are imposed on the hotel include and are related to the operators of the hotel, consumers and employees. These 3 legal systems enforce assorted Torahs and ordinances which include the minimal pay, wellness and safety Torahs, anti-discrimination Torahs, employee rights and employer rights. Environmental The environmental facet is a really critical issue since it encompasses a broad scope of facets. It ranges from ecological issues to staff attitude/morale to environmental ordinances. This is where we split up the environmental issues into 2 subdivisions. They are internal and external. Internal is everything that is within the hotel that has a moderate sum of affect on the hotel. External is everything that affects the hotel coming from outside the four walls. Internal environment includes staff attitude and morale which has been low since the hapless public presentation of the hotel which can besides be seen from the high staff turnover. These will diminish enormously due to the new ordinances, preparation and vision of the hotel. External Environment includes environment ordinances which are set by local, province and federal statute laws which the hotel has to stay by. Selling Plan The selling program is a really of import usher to take a successful constitution. Our selling program will be based on the company s mark market, every bit good as the ends and aims of the belongings. Situation analysis: Internal environment The invitee suites, front desk, eating house and saloon, are all in hapless status. The eating house and the forepart desk were last refurbished 7 old ages ago. Merely 25 guestrooms were redecorated each twelvemonth, which demonstrates that the invitee suites are potentially non in the most desirable criterion and deficiency of modern comfortss. As the hotel is located in a popular country for conferences during both on and off seasons, there will be a really high demand of concern travellers. But when sing internally, there are no conference installations or any kind of concern services in the hotel. Furthermore, the guestrooms are non suited for keeping conferences or meetings. Those jobs have drawn the attending of the direction squad, and proper investings and buildings will be conducted in the really early phase of the operation in conformity with the aforementioned. By reexamining the information and statistical facts which were provided by the old proprietor, we found that the hotel tenancy was ever below the norm. On the other manus, the staff turnover rate was highly high, which means that the morale of the employees was unacceptable. The clients were all disappointed by the nutrient, the installations and the service quality of the hotel. As the repute of the hotel was bad, tenancy rate will necessarily be affected. In respects to the fiscal state of affairs, it was awful to see that the net income was turning negatively. Furthermore, there were plentifulness of long term debts and histories collectible, which even worsened the fiscal state of affairs of the hotel. Those liabilities should be of concern by the direction squad as they can potentially impact the approaching operation of the belongings. Customer environment Mentioning to the selling research and statistics, we found out that there are 2 chief types of clients, them being concern and leisure travelers. As the local country is going good known in footings of conferences, it is of import for us to recognize that many events will be held throughout the twelvemonth. Therefore, we predict that the demand for adjustment of the concern travellers will increase. Besides, we can see from the statistics that 80 % of the clients came for concern intents in the first one-fourth and more than 50 % for the full twelvemonth. In add-on, around 154,000 of those travelled during the weekdays harmonizing to the research provided by local Chamber of Commerce and Tourist Board, which contributed the most to the client base. These factors and Numberss provided us with important information about the importance of puting in concern and in conference installations. Besides, the hotel is located along the seafront, merely 30 proceedingss off from the airdrome, t herefore the leisure travellers will besides be our chief clients as our belongings can easy be accessed by the clients due to the geographical ground. Tourists presents are anticipating more they are willing to pass more in order to acquire better experiences for their stay. By this, we reckon that services and installations rank the first when it comes to taking hotels. Therefore our upcoming investings, buildings, and schemes would be tailored for our clients in order to fulfill or even to transcend their outlooks. SWOT analysis Strengths Convenient location for clients because of the nearby airdrome and first-class conveyance links. Prefect locale for conferences. Having the biggest capacity while comparing with the rivals within the same country. Failing Lack of development in footings of installations and services. No clear guidelines and competent direction squad to run the hotel. High turnover rate. Poor image and repute. Poor and inconsistent service. Limited fiscal support. Of hapless status including the forepart desk, eating houses, guest suites. Low liquidness and high liabilities. Opportunities Plenty of conventions and events will be held within the country. New engineerings to cut down the operation cost. Fast market growing Menaces The ever-changing market tendencies and demands. Government ordinances and Torahs which may curtail enlargements and developments Economic instability New entrants Target Market: The chief mark markets of the Grand View Hotel are Business and Leisure travellers. Particular bundles and installations will besides be promoted to pull the clients. Marketing Mix: 4Ps Merchandise As Grand View Hotel will be a 3 diamonds hotel, we provide different installations to suit with the demands of the market. We guarantee that the services will be delivered with high quality and all the employees will be trained for heightening the accomplishments and cognition. . The Grand View hotel has 200 Double suites and 50 King suites, a eating house, a sofa and a saloon. We besides provide room services, conference installations, fittingness installations including a fittingness nine and a swimming pool. Furthermore, parking infinites are besides available. Some of the installations will be constructed within one twelvemonth and we plan to invariably renovating the invitee suites and to supply more comfortss and amusement. There will be besides some alterations for the eating house so as to supply better services. Different bundles will be provided to pull more invitees, such as Honeymoon bundles, conference bundles every bit good as leisure traveller bundles in order to diversify our client base. Monetary value As there is high snap of demand in the cordial reception industry, it s a large challenge to set up the most appropriate monetary value. Therefore, the monetary value should be flexible to manage and suit in different mark markets. The room rate will be modified seasonally harmonizing to the demand and from the environing rivals every bit good. Particular monetary value and price reduction will be offered for big group and concern travellers. But, the groups have to discourse with the gross revenues section for more inside informations. The monetary value for the regular invitees will be consistent to maintain their trueness. The leisure travellers will be upgraded for free during the low seasons and besides free usage of the installations depends on the demand and season. The price reduction will be offered for weekends. The monetary value will be differentiates at different times. But, the chief thought for the monetary value is to maximise the gross but besides to fulfill our invitees. Topographic point The location of the hotel is fixed. The hotel is sited along the seafront, near to other hotels and a short distance from the chief shopping centre, and besides it is near the airdrome and with good conveyance links to major metropoliss and other resorts. Furthermore, the country of the resort has become a popular location for conferences, both in and out season. It s besides the best topographic point for keeping conferences which includes conference installations, fittingness nine, good substructure and superstructure in the metropolis, and a antic sea position. We will supply shuttle coach to take clients from the airdrome and to the airdrome every 30 proceedingss from 6a.m to 1a.m. Promotion We will advance through direct and indirect distribution channels. We will near our possible clients who are already targeted through the direct gross revenues call and mail, to pass on with them and happen out what s best suited for them. And so, we will besides publicize in local newspapers and concern imperativeness to allow people cognize about the hotel. Furthermore, we will besides set the hotel on the Local Visitor Guide to pull more transeunt invitees and topographic point postings throughout Stationss and airdromes. Furthermore, we will pay the Public Relation Agency to happen more possible clients and transeunt clients from all over the universe. We will utilize different advertisement media depending on different conditions for different markets. Furthermore, we will put up our ain hotel web site so that the possible invitees can hold entree to the hotel easier. Competitive advantages: As we are traveling to be a 3 diamond hotel, we are traveling to supply quality services and comfy atmosphere for our clients, and re-create clients satisfaction and professional image. The employees are the 1s to present the quality service so they will be trained to be professional and efficient by effectual preparation plans. As the employees can larn by working and preparation, they will be motivated and the morale will increase in order to supply and give the best services to the invitees. Furthermore, the invitees can besides maintain their memorable and happy experiences with us. These factors will lend to our singularity among our rivals and derive the repute. The Grand View hotel will supply many different concern services and installations such as photocopying, stationary preparing, direct dial phone, facsimile, etcaˆÂ ¦ Furthermore, we have a fittingness nine, including a swimming pool, step mounting machines, treadmills, fittingness walking, etcaˆÂ ¦ Since our hotel focuses to a great extent on our invitee suites, we will supply a broad scope of invitee comfortss and amusements. We try our best to keep a really competitory border and we strive to be the best amongst our rivals with our comfy guestrooms and quality services. Action Plan In order to turn around the worst state of affairs that we are confronting presently, we are traveling to make several revolutions, investings and buildings harmonizing to the selling program and seek to better and derive back the repute within the first operating twelvemonth. The first action that we are traveling to make is to set the staff Numberss of different sections since effectual staffing agenda can salvage the hotel twelve of money. In order to schedule the staff efficaciously due to the low tenancy, the figure of staff in nutrient and drink, hotel service and front desk will be cut down. The chief end for the F A ; B section is to maximise gross. For that to go on, the first action that will be taken is that employees are required to take part in legion preparation Sessionss ( developing plan 3 ) , which include general preparation for illustration up merchandising, but besides on the occupation preparation and coaching which will be carried out by the supervisors and/or the F A ; B director. Targets will be set for each and every employee, which they will hold to accomplish. If these marks or demands are non met so some disciplinary actions will hold to be taken, and this will be done in the signifier of farther preparation and coaching Sessionss but besides terrible employee ratings. The bill of fare types will be shortened ( Menu type 1 ) , to guarantee that we can minimise our costs but besides we will happen a right provider with the right quality for the right monetary value ( Supplier type 2 ) to guarantee that we find the perfect equilibrium between the qua lity of our nutrient and the production cost and the merchandising monetary value. All these determination will be in affect every bit shortly as we reopen the hotel. Revision of Standard runing processs will be set in topographic point to guarantee velocity, quality and to fulfill invitees to the fullest. Furthermore, we will make the renovation ( flat 2 ) of the suites and front desk upon we start the operation in order to make better working environment to our staff and more gratifying lodging locale to our clients. The renovations will include the new cosmetic strategy. Replace rugs, drapes, linen, light adjustments, deep clean other trappingss. Paint woodwork and ceilings, wallpaper walls. We are be aftering to renovate 50 suites every twelvemonth. In order to supply a better lodging experience to our clients, the in room amusements and comfortss will be added into service. Since our first mission is to pull the invitees to come to our hotel and addition repute by our first-class services and installations. As advertisement helps to advance our hotel, therefore we are traveling to make our advertisement in conformity with the most profitable market seasonably. First of wholly, we will make our advertisement through the local newspaper, concern imperativeness and direct mail in the first three months. We will concentrate on advertise the weekday and weekend suites, and besides the repast. Since the above media are the most effectiveness in advertise the suites and repast, therefore we will utilize those media for our first advertisement. Hazard Appraisals and Control Hazards are inevitable. We have to place different hazards to avoid and cut down the possibility of hazards happening. Investing in insurance is indispensable because if these hazards occur, it will be more and at the same clip impact the repute of our hotel. Here are some hazard appraisals identified: Asset A ; Property hazards There are some hazards, such as fire, detonation, offense or natural catastrophes such as hurricanes, inundations and tsunamis which could perchance happen and destruct our assets and belongings. Legal hazards Large sum of money are being won in consumer, single cases and in category action suits. Our hotel is apt to its employees, its invitees and, in some cases, to the general populace. Bomb menace After the 911 incident, the United States has the indispensable hazard of more terrorist onslaughts. Economic Crisis menace A loss sum of money may be happened due to the economic sciences crisis of state. For illustration: the great depression. Escape of private and confidential information of the hotel There are a batch of private and confidential information of the hotel and there is a hazard of employees leaking out the other information which can greatly impact the concern of our hotel. Budget 1st twelvemonth Premises: Room Division Wholly 50 suites under redevelopment Contribution to gross: 65 % Food and Beverage Department Cost per centum: 35 % Contribution to gross: 35 % Gross saless Room 4,823,174 Food A ; Bev 2,597,094 7,420,268 Cost of Gross saless Room 353,246 Food A ; Bev 908,983 908,983 Payroll A ; Related Room 558,495 Food A ; Bev 506,584 1,065,079 Gross Profit less Wagess Room 3,911,433 Food A ; Bev 1,181,527 5,092,960 Cardinal Admin Payroll 154,140 Other Direct Costss 256,250 Income before Fixed Charges 4,682,570 Entire Fixed Costss 674,325 Income before Taxes 4,008,245 Business Tax Paid 1,202,473 Income after Business Taxes 2,805,771 2nd twelvemonth Premises: Average room rate states the same Average tenancy increased to 55 % New installations: in room mini saloon, 2nd saloon, informations point, speedy cheque in/out, store concern service and extra parking country Gross saless Room 5,863,284 Food A ; Bev 3,420,249 Other 1,465,821 9,772,140 Cost of Gross saless Room 353,246 Food A ; Bev 1,197,087 Other 879,493 2,076,580 Payroll A ; Related Room 609,450 Food A ; Bev 506,584 Other 34,000 1,150,034 Gross Profit less Wagess Room 4,900,588 Food A ; Bev 1,716,578 Other 552,328 7,169,494 Cardinal Admin Payroll 154,140 Other Direct Costss 678,250 Income before Fixed Charges 6,337,104 Entire Fixed Costss 674,325 Income before Taxes 5,662,779 Business Tax Paid 1698834 Income after Business Taxes 3,963,945 3rd twelvemonth Premises Average room rate states the same Average tenancy increased to 62 % New installations: wellness nine, conference and map suites Gross saless Room 6,570,348 Food A ; Bev 3,832,703 Other 1,642,587 10,950,580 Cost of Gross saless Room 353,246 Food A ; Bev 1,341,446 Other 985,552 2,326,998 Payroll A ; Related Room 738,899 Food A ; Bev 680,428 Other 85,000 1,504,327 Gross Profit less Wagess Room 5,478,203 Food A ; Bev 1,810,829 Other 572,035 7,861,067 Cardinal Admin Payroll 154,140 Other Direct Costss 1,613,625 Income before Fixed Charges 6,093,302 Entire Fixed Costss 674,325 Income before Taxes 5,418,977 Business Tax Paid 1625693 Income after Business Taxes 3,793,284 4th twelvemonth Premises Average room rate states the same Average tenancy increased to 70 % Gross saless Room 7,394,419 Food A ; Bev 4,313,411 Other 1,848,605 12,324,032 Cost of Gross saless Room 353,246 Food A ; Bev 1,509,694 Other 1,109,163 2,618,857 Payroll A ; Related Room 834,449 Food A ; Bev 680,428 Other 85,000 1,599,877 Gross Profit less Wagess Room 6,206,724 Food A ; Bev 2,123,289 Other 654,442 8,984,455 Cardinal Admin Payroll 154,140 Other Direct Costss 1,634,000 Income before Fixed Charges 7,196,315 Entire Fixed Costss 674,325 Income before Taxes 6,521,990 Business Tax Paid 1,956,597 Income after Business Taxes 4,565,393

Divorce and the Issue of Reforms Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Divorce and the Issue of Reforms - Essay Example ich represents the most novel policy departure for it explicitly rejects long accepted wisdom that the divorce process can only bury and not save marriages. However, the marriage preserving effectiveness of these twin divorce reforms is limited by the fact that the marriage support interventions occur only after significant deterioration in the quality of the marital relationship has already taken place. In other words, the policies are reactive rather than preventive. An example of the latter approach is to use the school curriculum to teach appropriate communication and parenting skills that strengthen (future) marriages and make them more robust to unexpected shocks. This principle has been implemented in Florida's Marriage Preparation and Preservation Act of 1998 which will be discussed after outlining and evaluating both Louisiana's covenant marriage legislation and the English Family Law Act in greater detail. The key point is not that the couple will know more about their future lives, though there may well be some information acquisition, but that the future consequences of marital dissolution become more salient and less remote in their minds and decision making. Given evidence that many couples subsequently regret divorce, the effect may be marriage preserving. (Becker, 1988, 2) Conclusions At first blush, recent divorce reforms in the United States and England and Wales appear to be adopting different trajectories. The greatest social costs of divorce are usually incurred by children, especially when the divorce process is bitter and acrimonious. In an attempt to minimize unnecessary hostility, the Family Law Act places stress on the role of mediation rather than litigation in resolving disputes over asset division and child custody. However, evidence... The researcher of this essay was aimed to discuss the issues and the history of divorce as well as the reforms, that are related to it. Historically, family law either imposed a prohibition on divorce or adopted a fault approach in which divorce is only permitted on specific and restricted grounds such as adultery and desertion. Under fault, the presumption is that one spouse is guilty of a matrimonial offence which is responsible for the failure of the marriage and the law makes provision for its dissolution by the innocent party in adversarial court proceedings. The greatest social costs of divorce are usually incurred by children, especially when the divorce process is bitter and acrimonious. In an attempt to minimize unnecessary hostility, the Family Law Act places stress on the role of mediation in resolving disputes over asset division and child custody. However, evidence from the US suggests that divorce education which functions to equip parents with communication skills and reduces the exposure of children to conflict may be more effective in ameliorating some of the negative effects of divorce on the life chances of children. In summary, there is a hesitant trend in recent initiatives in family law to recognize that a good marriage and a good divorce both require mastery of basic relationship skills. It is concluded that better in the long run is to adopt a preventive rather than a reactive approach which teaches personal communication skills as an integral component of the school curriculum.

Blast Injuries Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Blast Injuries - Essay Example Upon detonation, a high explosive undergoes an almost instantaneous conversion into a gas at extremely high temperature and pressure. Rapidly, these high pressure gases expand generating a marked pressure wave known as the blast wave, which moves outward in every direction resulting into an abrupt shattering blow on everything in the immediate surroundings (Bailey and Murray, 1989). The blast wave inflicts on individuals in the surroundings injuries that are known as blast injuries, which this paper discusses. The blast wave is an intense rise in pressure that the detonation of a high explosive creates. In the ambient environment, the pressure rises almost instantly followed by an exponential decay and may have a brief reduced-barometric pressure period. The peak pressure as well as the period that the initial positive blast phase covers is dependent on the distance from the detonation centre (blast epicentre) and the explosion size. Energy transfer from the blast wave to bodies or objects in its path takes place causing damage (Elsayed, 2007). Below is a diagram showing a typical pressure/ blast wave. One may characterize explosive devices on the basis of their source. The bureau of Firearms, Tobacco and Alcohol classifies explosives into improvised and manufactured. While an improvised explosive denotes utilization of weapons fabricated in small quantities, devices used outside of their intended purposes, or alternative materials; a manufactured explosive entails a standard, quality tested and mass produced weapon. It is important to note that if somebody with training in explosives designs an ‘improvised’ explosive device, it may be professional in form and its operation may be somewhat lethal. In fact, high quality improvised explosive devices may bear a resemblance to military weapons both in appearance and effect (Bailey and Murray, 1989). The degree and

Discuss the legacy of Puritan thought in the work of Cotton Mather Essay

Discuss the legacy of Puritan thought in the work of Cotton Mather - Essay Example Still, he also used the technique of the constant application of religious and biblical ideology to the contemporary world. Mather serves as an icon for conservative, unapologetic Puritanism for social and political change. Mather was an outspoken Puritan thinker and an definitive conservative, lining as a clergyman, writer and sociologist in the sixteen and seventeen hundreds. He called for a return to the Puritanical ways of his grandfather and great grandfather if the new world (America) was to be saved and to thrive. Cotton Mather’s views are openly expressed in such works as Pillars of Salt and The Wonders of the Invisible World. Mather wrote personally and definitely not in an unbiased way, drawing on Biblical and figurative language to speak to the audiences of his time. Mather really emphasized the importance of the bible and conservative religious texts for characterizing moments in time and learning valuable lessons. For Mather, what he wrote was deeply personal. His biases can be seen in his writings and his writings are meant to unsettle, to stir the reader. Elements of this unrest lie in the fear that he invokes, and in the imagery and fiery language meant to press his cause. Cotton Mather’s pamphlet Pillars of Salt shows the self-criticality and sensational judgment of Mather’s writing and of the tenets of Puritanism. Pamphlets were a sort of true crime fiction, intended to show accounts of gruesome and sinful deaths. This example of an impious life was something Mather clung to in his own writings. Mather says to the condemned man James Morgan, â€Å"Mark what I say: You were born among the enemies of God, you were born with a soul as full of enmity against God, as a Toad is full of poison† (Mather). Humans are sinful- and the concept of original sin follows everyone, so they should live a holy life. Pillars of Salt included Mathers first sermon about

The Basic Tourism System Tourism Essay

The Basic Tourism System Tourism Essay Fennell defined tourism as the interrelated system that includes tourists and the associated services that are provided and utilized facilities, attractions, transportation and accommodation to aid in their movement (Fennell, 1999). 2. Tourism Defined Tourism, according to the Oxford dictionary, is the theory and practice of touring or travelling for pleasure. According to Leiper (1979) the foundations of tourism are thought to have Greek origins, with the term describing a circle, reflecting a key component of tourism, returning to the point of departure (Leiper, 1979: 391). The Leipers model which is also known as the basic tourism system is shown in the figure 1. Figure 1. The Basic Tourism System Source: Leiper (1995) Leiper.N. (2004) Tourism Management (3rd Edn) Frenchs Forest: Pearson p.53 A tourist, as defined by the World Tourism Authority is someone who moves away from home on a temporary or short-term basis for at least 24 hours and less than a year, it can be internal movements within a country (domestic tourism) or going to another country (international tourism) (Law, 2002: 2). McIntosh (1977) described tourism as the science, art and business of attracting and transporting visitors, accommodating them and graciously catering to their needs and wants (McIntosh and Goeldner, 1977: ix). Today, tourism is one of the worlds largest and fastest expanding industries. In 2010, the overall global tourism export exceeded US$ 1 trillion (World Tourism Organization, 2011). Tourism exports are accountable for 30% of the worlds commercial exports and as a category ranks fourth in size after fuels, chemicals and automotive products (World Tourism Organization, 2011). 2.1 Relationship between Tourism and Transportation Transport has a direct connection with the tourism industry. Progression in transportation technology has helped a lot to form the modern tourism industry we are evolving today. Since the beginning of time, people have been traveling by various modes. Tourism and transportation are inexorably linked (McIntosh et al, 1995). Without the element of transport there is by definition, no tourism. This means that, although transport contributes for only a part of the tourism business, without it there is no tourism business. However, transport is essential not only to tourism, it is also essential to the economy and indeed to society (Lockwood and Medlik, 2003). For that when we think of tourism we think of people who travels for main purpose of visiting ,that is, a particular place for sightseeing, visiting friends and relatives, taking a vacation and having a good time (Goeldner et al, 2009). These visitors will use all forms of transportation available. Furthermore, tourism is the entire world industry of travel, hotels, transportation, and all other components, including promotion that caters for the needs and wants of travelers (McIntosh et al, 1995). Thus, tourism can be seen as a whole range of individuals, businesses, organizations and places which works together in some way to deliver a travel experience (Leiper, 1979). In accordance with the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), tourism is the worlds largest industry surpassing autos, steel, electronics, and agriculture (McIntosh et al, 1995). Tourism set off important indirect development effects that improve the quality of life of citizens and enhance a countrys overall economic prospects. Crouch and Ritchie (2000) interestingly summarized (Figure 2) the various factors that together make the attractiveness of a tourist destination experience. Furthermore, they emphasized on the importance of the service infrastructure layer, which includes transport services, in the tourist destination experience. The destinations general infrastructure services in this category in fact represent one of the most important factors. The tourism phenomenon relies heavily on public utilities and infrastructural support. Tourism planning and development would not be possible without roads, airports, harbors, electricity, sewage, and potable water. The infrastructural dimension is thus a necessary element for tourism development and the factors below are all basic elements for attracting visitors to a destination. Kaul (1985) also recognizes the importance of infrastructure, more specifically transport as an essential component of successful tourism development meaning that it encourages the creation of new attractions and the growth of existing ones. Figure 2: The tourist destination experience Source: Crouch and Ritchie (2000) Transportation considered as one of the four main categories of tourism (transportation, accommodation, food and beverage services and other tourism goods and services). Dwyer and Forsyth, (1993) said that transport activities are fundamental for tourism because they provide the connection between generating and destination regions and the ability for tourists to move around the destination, that is, by making use of inland transportation services. The transport industry is also recognized as a central factor in destination development. Transportations included items such as ships, airplanes, buses, trains, limousines, taxis (Nariida et al, 2009), car traveling, (Rodrigue et al, 2009), cog railroads, aerial tramways, and similar passenger transportation facilities. Any and all of these modes may be relevant for tourism or recreational travel. Recreational facilities can include parks, stadiums, sporting facilities, and beaches. Furthermore, tourism sites are attractions for tourists as well as local residents and may include recreational facilities as well as cultural attractions (such as historical, musical, or educational facilities). Each type of recreational or tourism facility can have special and specific transportation needs (Petraglia and Weisbrod, 2004). Car traveling is usually an independent mean of transport. The driver is the one who decides where, when and how he is going to get to a destination. It is usually cheaper since roads fees are not directly paid but rather from taxes. It is the only transportation mode that does not require transfers, in the sense that the whole journey, from door to door can be achieve without even stopping (Rodrigue et al, 2009). Consumers choose cars based primarily on convenience and comfort (remote door openers, navigation systems, sound systems and cup holders) rather than maximum speed (Litman, 2007). Improving the quality of alternative modes is important for attracting discretionary travelers and therefore redu cing traffic problems such as congestion, accidents and pollution emissions (Litman, 2008). Ships as we know water travel is a major of tourism and contributes considerably to the development of travel as well as airplanes. Airplanes such as (Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Royal Jordanian) providing the seats which an individual traveler, business person or tour operator may purchase. On the other hand, rail travelers worldwide often prefer rail travel, (McIntosh et al, 1995). The operators of high-speed rail services find reliability and punctuality important factors that contribute to higher market shares (Jorritsma, 2009). Recently, train operating companies are delivering acceptable (and contractual) standards of service delivery in terms of information, comfort, cleanliness and quality of service on trains and at stations (Lyons et al, 2011) which are very important elements that tourists will consider in their decision process. High Speed Rail advantages are many, including getting people quickly and comfortably (Kinstlinger, 2009). But in Mauritius since we do not have tr ains therefore we will not lay much more emphasis on them. Consequently, having adequate taxi, limousine services are essential in a tourist area. Ideally, taxis should have removable and washable seat covers so the car always presents a clean appearance to the passenger. Also the taxi driver to make the best impression should show some courtesy by dismounting from the drivers seat and open the door for the passenger. He or she should assist his/ her passengers concerning their luggage or any other stuff and be courteous all times. Training taxi drivers in foreign language would ease communication and therefore create more foreign language ability (McIntosh et al, 1995). Usually, it is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing a service to those who may have no other form of transportation. Therefore, Taxi service is a very important source of demand response transportation in many communities (Ridley, 2006). Moreover, buses are the most likely transit mode, which inten ded for tour use should have large windows, air conditioning, comfortable seats and rest room facilities. Springs or other suspension systems in the coaches should be designed so that the joggling of passenger is kept to a minimum or eliminated. Personnel assigned to buses should be selected for suitable temperament, courtesy and spirit of hospitality (McIntosh et al, 1995). Bus Rapid Transit is considered a more affordable alternative to rail for improving transit service quality and attracting travelers who would otherwise drive on congested urban corridors (VTPI, 2007). Bus organization, bus industry advocates believe that this form of transportation is particularly well suited to certain needs of tourism, especially one way trips of 150 miles or less. Furthermore, rental cars an important aspect of automobile travel is the rental car industry, whose growth has been paralleling or exceeding the growth in air travel. Taxi and Limousine service companies play an increasingly import ant part in tourism. Local transportation companies perform essential services for airlines in servicing departing and arriving passengers as well as providing similar services for bus, rail, and shipping lines (McIntosh et al, 1995). When taking a look at the position occupied by the various modes of passenger transportation one find that air travel dominates long -distance and middle-distance tourism. The nations economy and the tourism industry need a healthy air transportation system. The private automobile dominates for shorter trips and is the most popular means of travel for most domestic journeys. The auto is also very important in regional and international tourism. Affordability, flexibility, and convenience make auto travel the most popular mode of transportation all over the world. Air is the primary competitor to the automobile when it comes to travel, especially for long trips. The advantages of air travel, the quantity of service, speed and comfort must be weighed by travelers against the automobiles advantages of price and accessibility (McIntosh et al, 1995). But in Mauritius since it is an island, it is mainly accessible from air and the sea, therefore this type of competition does not exist. Furthermore, it is important to consider demand and supply when talking about transportation as they are together forming the transport market (Lockwood and Medlik, 2003). Many of the components of the tourist trip for example, transport and accommodation are demands derived from the consumers desire to enjoy what a destination has to offer in terms of things to see and do (Cooper et al, 2008). So, demand and supply are the main components which made up the transportation industry. 2.2 Transport Supply and Demand It is very important for a country to have the most efficient transport system. Efficiency means to say that the transportation system need to satisfy the transport demand for freight and passengers by using the best systems and the most appropriate balance between public and private transport and between modes of transport (For example; rail or road). The objective is to decrease overall transport costs for the collectively including direct costs (operating costs of the rolling stocks, the costs of infrastructure and the costs of time, security and comfort) and indirect costs (such as noise, pollution, accidents etc.) Transport supply can be defined in terms of infrastructures (capacity), services (frequency) and networks (coverage). Capacity is often assessed in static and dynamic terms the number of passengers, volume (for liquids or containerized traffic), or mass (for freight) that can be transported per unit of time and space is commonly used to quantify transport supply (Rodri gue et al, 2009), and these depend on the four basic elements in any transportation system: the way, the terminal, and the vehicle and motive power (Cooper et al, 2008). Transport demand is expressed as transport needs, even if those needs are satisfied, fully, partially or not at all. Similar to transport supply, it is expressed in terms of number of people, volume, or tons per unit of time and space (Rodrigue et al, 2009), other refers it to the amount of mobility and accessibility people would consume under various conditions (ITE, 2003). There is a demand for tourism products and demand for alternative non-tourism products (Lockwood and Medlik, 2003). Tourism demand and non-tourism demand will not only determine whether we travel but also which travel mode we choose, should we decide to travel, and indeed which particular service and carrier we choose. Principal among these features, other than physical transplant, are the following: speed, frequency, comfort, safety, availability, user information, access and price. For each mode is dictated by the weakest element in the system (Cooper et al, 2008). Speed in assessing the value placed, on speed it is important to take account not only of time saved but also of reduced journey time. For most people the ideal is to travel without any perceptible duration of time, not only because it would give up more time for doing other things (including doing nothing) but also because it would remove the many unpleasant aspects of travel that have to be endured when transiting to other places. This mean that we all display a stronger preference for speed and for paying a premium price for speed, than can be explained by the value place on time saved (Lockwood and Medlik, 2003). Transport system performance is often evaluated based on travel speed and distance (Litman, 2008A), some transport system changes intended to increase travel speeds and save travel time tend to reduce other forms of accessibility and increase travel time costs for other users (Victoria Transport Policy Institute, 2011) So, speed is an important feature to consider when t aking about transportation as people are limited in time and since lost time cannot be recovered tourists will rather prefer to have a rapid transportation system while visiting a destination. Frequency is another feature of transport that is to be considered as a good frequency of transport will mean that there is a greater possibility to use transport. But still if a particular route is not profitable there will be an inevitable decrease in the frequency level. Most public service vehicles notably trains, are so large in relation to expected traffic that economic operation can usually be achieved-except on a few high volume routes only by reducing frequencies to levels that are often unacceptable in the marketplace (Lockwood and Medlik, 2003), and for availability. Service availability trends reflect changes in demand, mileage, taxi fares and to a lesser extent transit fares (Consulting, 2000). Therefore frequency and service availability is mainly based on the demand for transportation. Comfort, safety and convenience significantly influence transportation decisions. Consumers choosing a motor vehicle are as likely to decide base on seat comfort and the ease of using navigation systems as on more quantitative factors such as speed, price or fuel efficiency (Litman, 2011). Tourists will travel in a mode of transport in respect to the satisfaction the will get from it and here when taking about comfort, the tourists will somehow benchmark the product available in their own countries so as to choose a mode of transport they will prefer to travel in. Prideaux (2000) argued that if the ability of tourists to travel to preferred destinations is inhibited by inefficiencies in the transport system such as uncompetitive prices or lengthy and uncomfortable journey, the likelihood that they will seek alternative destinations may increase. The quality of information can affect the functional availability and desirability of mobility and accessibility options. For example, motorists need actual and appropriate information on travel routes, roadway conditions (such as when congestion, construction and accidents delay traffic), vehicle services, and the availability and price of parking. Potential transit users need information on transit routes, schedules, fares, comfort factors (such as whether vehicles will have seats or stations will have washrooms), and access to destinations. There are many ways to provide transportation information, including maps, brochures, websites and telephones systems (Litman, 2008A). Also Information centers, welcome centers, and information displays are all ways in which visitors can be informed and guided to use appropriate travel routes and transportation facilities (Petraglia and Weisbrod, 2004). Finally, Price cost are the final essential elements in transport to consider. As the most price-sensitive user of fuel, airlines are again proving to be the first to suffer. In the case of surface transport, the effects are masked by the unfair taxation which so distorts the market that accurate forecasting requires advance knowledge of how politicians are going to tax as well as subsidize the various competing forms of transport (Lockwood and Medlik, 2003). Price is also a very important feature to consider as tourists will look for competitive prices so as to travel. Therefore these are the main features that are considered so as to travel, whether it is a tourist or not. These features are considered by anyone who needs to travel and these features will determine the satisfaction of the customer. Customer satisfaction is the aim of any industry as satisfied customers are more economical to an organisation as they not only generate repeat business but they also recommend the service or product to others. 2.3 Service Quality, Customer Perception and Satisfaction A review of the existing literature indicates a wide variance in the definitions of satisfaction and service quality. The customer could judge the quality a service delivered as good but they may not have had satisfaction from the experience (Randall and Senior, 1996). Crompton and Mackay (1989) acknowledged that satisfaction and service quality are not the same thing, stating, Satisfaction is a psychological outcome emerging from an experience, whereas service quality is concerned with the attributes of the service itself. Parasuraman et al. (1988) agreed but stated that customers use the same criteria to judge both, as they are interrelated. Customer satisfaction can be experienced in diverse situations and interrelated to both goods and services. It is a highly personal assessment that is greatly affected by customer expectations. Satisfaction also is based on the customers experience of both contact with the organization (the moment of truth as it is called in business literature ) and personal outcomes (Mack and Peter, 1989). Hunt (1977) defines satisfaction as a kind of stepping away from an experience and evaluating it. Oliver (1997) notes that satisfaction is the consumers fulfillment response, it is a judgment of a product or service feature, or product or service itself in its ability to provide a pleasurable level of consumption related fulfillment, including levels of under or over fulfillment. Most of service quality writers have considerable difficulty in understanding how customers judge services. One of the original service quality theories is that customers are satisfied when their judgement of the service they have received (perception) equals or exceeds what they expected: Customer Satisfaction Equation Customer Satisfaction (CS) = Perceptions (P) = Expectation (E) Gap analysis theory (Zeithaml et al., 1990) Olivers expectancy disconfirmation (Anderson Fornell, 1994; Olivier 1997) 2.3.1 Customer Expectation Zeithaml et al. (1990) considered that the factors that influence customers formulation of their expectations are word of mouth, personal experience, external communications and past experience. Parasuraman et al. (1988) tried to set customer expectations to context by suggesting that they are what an organisation should offer. So, a customer should expect the product or service to be in a specific standard. C:UsersnathanielDownloadsMGT613_Handouts_(Lecture_1_-_45)_img_55.jpg Figure 3: Basic Perceived Service Quality Model Based on figure 3, a basic perceived service quality model, we can say that the customers will decide whether they is satisfied by matching their expectation of the service to the perception derived from the service experienced. In an attempt to know the customer satisfaction, we must know what is the perception of the customer. 2.3.2 Customer Perception The final part of the customer satisfaction equation is their judgement of the service they have received: their perceptions. Olivier (cited in Taylor, 1997) defined customer perception as a comparison to excellence in service by the customer. It is often considered that customer perceptions of a service are made at the end of a service encounter. Customer perceptions of a service are a complex series of judgement made during and at the end of the experience but are modified by a range of factors including their mood, importance of the encounter. The tourism and leisure industry has to be aware of these elements, especially when designing methods of receiving feedback from customers. Customer satisfaction therefore needs us to think in a holistic manner by considering various factors that can affect it. 2.4 Transportation services in Mauritius. 2.4.1 Air Transportation Mauritius is an island and therefore the main access to the island is the air. The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, the airport of Mauritius, consists of one runway which cover a distance of over 3,047 m. The airport is situated in plaisance nearly the south of the island. Air Mauritius is the name of the national airline of the island. Air Mauritius Limited, doing business as  Air Mauritius, is the  flag carrier  of  Mauritius. The airline is headquartered at the Air Mauritius Centre in Port Louis, Mauritius. The company is the fourth largest carrier in  Sub-Saharan Africa,  and has an important standing in the  European,  African, and  Indian Ocean  region markets; the airline won the 2011 Indian Ocean Leading Airline Prize, making it the seventh year in a row for it to win the award. Out of a five-star ranking, the carriers inflight service is awarded 3 stars by Skytrax. As of July 2011, the Air Mauritius route network consists of 26 destinations in  Africa,  Asia,  Europe, and  Oceania.  Shanghai  became the 26th destination served by the company in early July 2011.  In February 2012, the airline announced the suspension of some non-profitable routes, starting with  Milan,  Melbourne, and  Sydney, effective May 2012. As of April 2012, Air Mauritius has  codeshare agreements  with the various following companies, which are the actual operators on the routes specified: Air France, on the Port Louis-Paris-Port Louis route and on several  European  routes radiating from Paris Emirates, on the Port Louis-DubaÃÆ' ¯-Port Louis route Malaysia Airlines, on some routes radiating from  Kuala Lumpur South African Airways, on the Port Louis-Johannesburg-Port Louis route   The Air Mauritius fleet consists of the following equipment, with an average age of 8.8 years: Mauritius has well organised its air transport so as to reach the markets that it has targeted for the tourism industry development. 2.4.2 Maritime Transport The Maritime transport in Mauritius is mainly focused on cargoes and merchandising. Tourism is not really at stake when talking about maritime transportation but still there are passenger ships which go to Reunion Island, Rodrigues and also Agalega Island. So these ships take tourists to the island. Cruise ships are another way where tourists can visit the island. The CRO (Central Statistics Office) published statistics for the year 2011 where it can be noted that total arrivals by sea included 29,900 cruise travellers (around 14,220 tourists, 5,500 excursionists, 330 Mauritian residents and 9,850 crews) aboard 18 cruise ships, which visited our port during the first nine months of 2011. Therefore we can conclude that there are tourists who travel to Mauritius by sea. 2.4.3 Public Transport The public transport in Mauritius consists mainly of the buses, the taxis and the car rentals. The most usual way of transport for Mauritian people is the bus. Bus is a quite easy way of transport in the island. The two main bus companies in Mauritius are the NTC (National Transport Corporation) and the UBS (United Bus services). These two companies deserve almost every regions of the island. Here is a list of all bus companies in Mauritius; NTC National Transport Corporation UBS United Bus Service RHT Rose Hill Transport TBS Triolet Bus Service IO Individual Operators MBT Mauritian Bus Transport Another way of transport and more comfortable is the taxis. A taxi  is a  mode of transport  that falls between  taxis  and  buses. These  vehicles for hire  are typically smaller than buses and usually take passengers on a fixed or semi-fixed route without timetables, but instead departing when all seats are filled. They may stop anywhere to pick up or drop off passengers. Often found in  developing countries,  the vehicles used as share taxis range from four-seat cars to minibuses.  They are often owner operated. Taxis are found in almost every corner of the towns, cities and villages in Mauritius. These taxis are individually owned as there are no taxi companies in Mauritius. In spite of those the taxis are well maintained and very comfortable. Mauritian taxis do not use a taxi meter even if they have it in their taxis, so it is usual here before entering a taxi to decide of the price before. A taxi driver knows usually all the interesting places of the island and therefore can help the tourists to go to a destination. Car rental can also be a good mode of transport in Mauritius. A car rental agency generally rents  automobiles  for short periods of time (generally ranging from a few hours to a few weeks) for a fee. In Mauritius it has become quite common to rent cars as various car agencies are offering this service now. Below is a list of car rental agencies that are available in Mauritius; Avis Rent Car Ada ABC Car Rental Budget Rent A Car Hertz Easy Drive Rent A Car Europcar National Car Rental In Mauritius these are the main in land public transport that is available for the citizens and also for the tourists. There are also some companies like Mauritour and Summertimes who offer small buses on rent to tourists who come to Mauritius and these buses are mainly for tourists. 2.5 Importance of Public transportation and inland transportation. Khadaroo and Seetanah (2008) link the importance of an effective and accessible transportation system to the length of time any given tourist would stay in one particular area in a destination. They go on to argue that if the ability of a tourist to travel within a preferred destination is hampered by inefficiencies in the transport system, then the tourist, may seek out alternative destinations. In regards to this identification by Khadaroo and Seetanah (2008) transport to and from the airport is viewed as perhaps the most essential element of a tourist city. This linkage plays an important role delivering visitors from the airport to the main area of accommodation, most commonly in the central city. Law (2002) stated that in the absence of such facilities, as with the city of Florence, it can be a deterrent for potential visitors (Law, 2002: 71). Public transport and other inland transportation services, like taxi or rented cars, provide an important role in enhancing accessibility to the various tourism attractions within a city. Meanwhile, Khadaroo and Seetanah (2008) noted that inadequate public transport provision in an urban environment can result in limiting the amount of attractions visited, resulting in negative implications on the potential tourism revenue of a city. This inability to derive maximum benefits with an inefficient transport network was also emphasised by Kaul (1985). Kaul recognised that transport plays an important role in the successful creation and development of new tourist attractions within a city and also regarded transport as a catalyst for many city transformations. Within this recognition was the fact that transport and accessibility were essential for profitable tourist attractions. Leask et al., (2000) also noted the significant connection between tourist attractions and tourism transportation, stating that transport and tourism have a close relationship due to the need for access (Leask et al., 2000: 212). In the past accessibility to attractions has been based primarily on access by private modes, however, by not providing public transport connections, the number of visitors that can reach an attraction are consequently reduced. Gimeno and Vita (2006) also recognised that the easier it is made for tourists to travel between points of interest, the visitor gains more ability to participate in activities, which in turn will generate enhanced tourism revenue for the destination (Gimeno and Vita, 2006: 14). When talking about public transportation and inland transportation, we should also think of who are those tourists who will travel in the p ublic transportation services available in a destination. Lew and Mckercher (2006) noted that tourists have access to four basic modes of transport within a destination personal vehicle, commercial vehicles in organized tours, public transportation and walking. However, conventional public transport system tends to remain majorly inaccessible/ non-preferred mode of transport to tourists for various reasons (Law, 2002): unfamiliarity with the system and the associated risk of entering terra incognita (unknown territory) should they choose the wrong bus route or get off at the wrong stop (Lew and Mckercher, 2006: pp. 408), need for negotiation with the staff in local language and a system design optimized to cater to everyday needs of the local population (Lumsdon, 2006; Thompson Schofield, 2007) Specialised or custom made tourism transport potentially offers a higher level of accessibility to tourists within the destination. While a large segment of such services is covered under tourist packages offered by private operators, there remains a definitive demand for tourism-specific public transport within the destinations. A large segment of tourists choose not to opt for tourist packages due to lack of flexibility in the choice of both tourist spots and lodging, higher costs and a reduced adventure factor. As such intra-destination public transport can become a vital factor in tourists choice of destination and their ability to access their nodes of interest within the destination. These types of tourists will use the transportation services available in the destination to travel by themselves. Therefore in this research I will aim at categorizing the tourists who prefer travelling by them and not to choose a ready-made package for their travelling at the destination. Another important facto

Dells Direct Business Model Essay -- essays research papers

Subject: Dell’s Direct Business Model   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Will Dell’s direct business model continue to provide a competitive advantage as fellow competitors Compaq, IBM, and HP emulate Dell’s direct model? Dell’s direct business model bypasses the dealer in the supply chain and sells computers directly to customers, building each to order. Dell does not manufacture the computer components; they merely assemble computers based on components that are available in the market. Dell’s use of technology and information to blur the traditional boundaries between suppliers, manufactures, and users is named virtual integration. To achieve the advantages of an integrated company, Dell treats suppliers and service providers as if they were inside the company. Their systems are linked in real time to Dell’s system and their employees participate in design teams and product launches. Dell measures inventory velocity which is defined as the reciprocal of the average amount of time a product spends in inventory. Accumulating inventory is the fast moving PC computer industry is very risky due to the fact that many components quickly become outdated. In 1998 Compaq, IBM, and Hewlett-Packard all announced plans to mimic portions of Dell’s direct business model, with various build to order plans. All have had difficulty in making the transition. These companies are moving towards a target inventory level of four weeks, conversely, Dell maintains just eight days of invento...