Conduct of businesses
characterisation of the organisation
Golden Empire Tours has been operating in the field of traditional, cultural, archaeological and ecological tourism since June 2005. It is a Tourist Travel Agency located in Cusco and owned by Violeta Dueñas Pareja, a professional in the field of tourism. She is responsible for composing packages and selling them to other national and international travel agencies and tour operators. Moreover, Golden Empire Tours is part of other innovative Tourist Agencies that follow a sustainable approach.
The website www.goldenempiretours.com informs visitors about the various tours with detailed background information on activities, historical places and cultural attractions.
Policy
Golden Empire Tours communicates, conveys and shares the cultural and historical greatness of Peru, i.e. Peru's vast heritage, such as the remains of Inca and pre Inca civilizations, its traditions and customs as well as the astonishing diversity of natural environments to both, Peruvian and foreign tourists.
Being aware of tourism impacts Golden Empire Tours represents a sustainable policy. Profound respect and deep concern are placed on well being and conservation of natural ecosystems, native inhabitants of the Andean and Amazonian biosphere.
Thus, working with indigenous populations while sharing their traditions and respecting their goals is crucial for Golden Empire Tours to guarantee a harmonious cooperation. The principle of “Participative Tourism” forms a fundamental objective.
Product
The product is defined by self-composed tours, which range from city trips to Machu Picchu to 10-days packaged tours with various activities. Being located in Cusco, Golden Empire Tours offers five traditional tours, eleven adventure trips, two ecological excursions and ten other packaged tours within this area. Moreover, nine Peru trips can be found.
Market
The market is composed of domestic and foreign tourists with interest in Peruvian history and heritage.
Relation with the professional field
Golden Empire Tours is a pure tourism company that operates within the tourism industry. Although located in Cusco, it is important to establish relation with companies on an international scale.
Recent Developments
Being a young company Golden Empire Tours is striving to expand its market share and grow in business activities.
Workday activities
According to the placement premises, half of the placement period has to be spend on daily activities to gain practical experience working in a tourism company. Hence, I will carry out daily activities, which are typical for a Travel Agency; i.e. Selling package tours and flight tickets, making reservations for accommodations and transportations, and preparing payments. Since Golden Empire Tours makes their own packages, I will assemble individual tours as well. Moreover, I will use my language skills to improve and translate writings.
Placement Assignment
The other half of the placement period should be spend on specific assignments that benefit the company. The company asked to conduct a marketing plan to get more insight in potential international markets. In addition, a feasibility study has to be written for innovative tourism packages in Cusco. These assignments are going to be elaborated based on research on the internet, online questionnaires and through consultation of the company.
Furthermore, NHTV demands specific Placement Assignments, which have to be performed in different disciplines; i.e. area of marketing, financial management, management & human resources, and information technology. One assignment has to be selected to cover each discipline. However, the selection of these assignments is going to be made in accordance with the company supervisor to cover common interests. These specific assignments will be included in the placement report.
A destination analysis about Cusco will be written as well.
Attainment Targets
Improve Spanish in writing and speaking (telephone conversations, customer consultation)
Writing a marketing plan (External Business Analysis, Competitive Analysis, Internal Business Analysis, SWOT- Analysis, Marketing mix and Budget...)
Feasibility Study on tourism products (package tours, creative and innovative activities, tourism demand and supply...)
Compose a destination analysis (Destination Market Analysis, Tourism Supply, Tourism Impact Studies, Tourism Planning and Development)
Insight in Peruvian way of living (historical background, traditions and customs, social interaction, values...)
Increase knowledge of ancient civilizations and heritage (Inca civilization, geographical understanding, Machu Picchu...)
getting to know contacts within the tourism industry (4th year thesis report, future working possibilities)
Personal Aspects
Strengths and weaknesses analysis
Regarding my strengths in the professional field it can be said, that I consider it to be important to accomplish tasks as good as possible. I put a lot of personal effort and energy to deliver a satisfying result. Thus, I can be very flexible and able to put back personal desires. Using my observational skills, I try to estimate the situation in a realistic way in order to figure out what needs to be done. Once I got the point, I start to get the job done. Another strength is, that I am able to work independently without being dependent on anyone.
Referring to my weaknesses in the professional field I have difficulties working together with other members, especially with opposing characters. It becomes difficult for me to identify myself with the group and an aloof behaviour is the result. i.e. a strong decline in motivation and personal enthusiasm. Moreover, I am not satisfied with my leadership and organisational skills.
When it comes to describing my character qualities I have great difficulties because they depend on the environment and the people I am currently working with. However, it can be said that I have a strong character. Due to my diverse former experiences, i.e. international background, one year student exchange, military service and travel to India I have gained a cosmopolitan view on life. I am aware of my personal interests, which in some ways interfere with my professional development. Therefore, my prime goal is to balance these differences and find a way to progress in both areas. Describing my character it can be said, that I am very sensitive, adventurous and result-oriented. On the other side I can be easily discouraged and quickly lose initiative, once something is not going the way I would like it to be. Therefore, I would like to become more extroverted and authoritarian to be able to implement compromises, instead of drawing myself back. I would like to be able to take over the role of an initiator to put my ideas through with more self-confidence and security. Moreover, I need to develop a service-oriented and hospitality-minded attitude during moments that I am motivated to work as well as during situations when I dislike them. Although having seen different places and having socialized with amazing people I still feel the urge to further develop and improve my character, my professional skills and my behaviour.
Motivation for the placement
I feel great motivation for the placement in Peru for many reasons. First of all, it has been a yearlong dream to visit South America and to learn Spanish. Getting to know distinct cultures and values, which particularly differ from Europe, is a great personal enrichment that I am very grateful for. Moreover I get the chance to spend part of my life in Cusco, a central place for archaeological heritage and worldwide uniqueness. In reference to my personal career, I will broader my knowledge once again. I will get an insight in tourism motivation of South America while working in a travel agency. Despite my tourism studies, it is going to be my first practical working experience within the tourism industry. I am looking forward to meet new challenges, overcome language barriers and discover new working methods that supplement my education.
