TRANSPORTATION

TRANSPORTATION
-generally pertains to the activity of transferring goods or people from one point to another destination and this
reveals to connection between tourism and transportation.
This plays a significant role in the travel and tourism industry as one of the major operating sectors.
IMPORTANCE OF TRANSPORTATION
Transportation is an integral component of the tourism industry that carries tourists to their desired tourism
destination. Badan and Bhatt (2007) identified reasons transportation is vital in the tourism and travel industry.

TOURISM IMPLIES MOVEMENTS

Tourism is defined by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as “activities of persons traveling to and staying
in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business, and other
purposes”. This definition implies that there is a movement of people from the origin of tourists to the destination
region and the role of transportation in the industry.
Transportation can easily provide tourists the fastest way to arrive at their preferred destination.
 TRANSPORT IS A PRODUCT OF THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY
• Transportation services such as air, rail tickets, car rental, motor coaches, and ferry services are
among the principal products of the travel industry.

• This requires travel and trade practitioners to be familiar with these services (products) and
facilities offered by these transports. Also, transportation is one of the components of a tour
package that is sold by both tour operators and travel agents.

• In certain cases, there is an evident overlap between components of the travel industry where
the transportation sector also offers package tours or services. For instance, Philippine Airlines
sells its domestic tour package called “palakbayan” or international tour package called “swing
around”. In addition, online reservations of airlines, particularly in the Philippines, do have
facilities for passengers to add travel-related services like hotel, booking, transfer, and travel
insurance.
 THE QUALITY OF TRANSPORT IS IMPORTANT IN TRAVEL AND BUSINESS
Transportation service quality is a significant factor in the tourist experience. Poor transport service quality can negatively
affect the vacation experience of the tourists, while high transport service quality could lead to a satisfactory tourist
experience. Therefore, it is essential to maintain and have quality transport service.

COMPONENTS OF TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

Transportation systems consist of the following:

SURFACE. Surface transportations include land and water transport.

Land transportation grew rapidly with an increase in rental cars and motor coaches, as well as the ownership of
automobiles. This type of transport provides easy access to the visitor attractions. A point-to-point pick-up and drop-
off are some of the advantages of utilizing car or motor coach rentals.

Water transport’s smooth sailing lies in the wind, but the advent of steam power made water transport far better. This
transport allows tourists to see visitor attractions that are only accessible by water.

AIR. Air transport has tremendously contributed to the growth of domestic and international tourism because it decreases
the travel time of the tourists. This mode of transport revolutionized the tourism industry through its high-speed aircraft
and comfortable passenger seats and services.
 ELEMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

• The transportation system is comprised of several elements. According to Sharpley (2006), these elements contribute to the
system of these different modes of transport.
THE WAY
It can classified as open like air and sea travel; it is free and does not have any cost. However, there are charges for the artificial
works for ports and inland waterways. Or it can be constructed like roads, rails, and canals. According to Dileep (2019), “the way”
can be artificial or natural media. Roads and railways are examples of artificial media, while airways and sea routes are natural
media.

THE VEHICLES
They serve as media or units that carry people to their destination. They can be an aircraft, trains, ships, or motor coaches. This
element is also called the “carrying unit”, which is the most essential element o the transport system (Dileep, 2019).

TERMINAL
It is a built structure that provides passengers with smooth transfers from and to major modes of transportation such as airlines,
buses, and ferries. According to Rodrigue and Slack (n.d), a terminal may also be considered a point of intercharge within that
same mode of transport.For example, a passenger from Manila who opts to travel to Chicago via air transport may have to
change planes in Narita,Japan, Also, terminals can be “point of transfer” between different modes. For instance, a passenger
arriving at the irport by car can change to air transport at the airport terminal.
According to Badan and Bhatt (2007), the terminal performs two functions:
1. Facilitate transfer or interchange between modes
2. Consolidate traffic

CONTROL AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

These systems are ways to ensure the safety of the passengers by monitoring the take-off and landing of the
aircraft. For land transport, railways use signals as their control systems, while road transportation is subject to
signs such as traffic lights and signs for speed limits as a form of communication and control system. Water
transports, like ships or ferries, have navigation systems to ensure a safe and smooth voyage.
Through control systems, arrival and departure or even delays can be monitored. These can be observed in the
airport or railway terminals. Such systems are very helpful because they can monitor the whereabouts of the
transportation. However, in road vehicles, these are not common but can be possible through tracking systems
or global positioning systems (GPS).