TRS400 - Managing and Building Your Own Travel Business - Capstone Course

Subject Title
Managing and Building Your Own Travel Business - Capstone Course

Subject Description
Capstone can be defined as "The crowning achievement or final stroke; the culmination or acme." This course will focus on "the final stroke" idea and provide for a final demonstration of the student's learning in the travel services stream as she/he enters the industry. Also this course can be viewed as an opportunity to "bring together" the learning and skill sets developed in previous courses in the stream and apply, make connections, clarify, practice at a higher level to provide "the culmination" of the student's studies. The course will be designed to be of interest to all learners regardless of the intended area of the future travel services career specialization.

Credit Status
Students will require a credit in this capstone course to graduate from Seneca's Tourism and Travel Diploma - all streams.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

1. Apply the legal requirements of TICO and the Ontario Travel Industry Act when opening a travel business
2. Demonstrate the process for setting up a travel company and understand the financial responsibilities of such businesses
3. Analyze the intricate organizational, societal, economic and environmental impacts of the travel trade industry.
4. Practice travel service procedures for identifying the motivations, needs and expectations of the tourism market
5. Demonstrate the importance of selling the travel product using techniques such as but not limited to, problem solving, decision-making and overcoming objections
6. Analyze and present various business plans and proposals based on case studies
7. Recognize and solve issues pertaining to customer service, human resource and everyday business scenarios in a business-simulated environment
8. Identify, by using research methods, career opportunities and the skills, knowledge, and behaviours required to take advantage of such opportunities in the travel trade industry. Students will then evaluate their own level of interest and suitability for a position of choice.
9. Use correct business etiquette and adhere to professional standards of dress, hygiene and grooming.

Essential Employability Skills
Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken and visual form that fulfils the purpose and meets the needs of the audience.

Respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication.

Execute mathematical operations accurately.

Apply a systematic approach to solve problems.

Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems.

Locate, select, organize, and document information using appropriate technology and information systems.

Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources.

Show respect for diverse opinions, values, belief systems, and contributions of others.

Interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.

Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.

Take responsibility for one's own actions, decisions, and consequences.

Cheating and Plagiarism
Each student should be aware of the College's policy regarding Cheating and Plagiarism. Seneca's Academic Policy will be strictly enforced.

To support academic honesty at Seneca College, all work submitted by students may be reviewed for authenticity and originality, utilizing software tools and third party services. Please visit the Academic Honesty site on http://library.senecacollege.ca for further information regarding cheating and plagiarism policies and procedures.

Discrimination/Harassment
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Student Conduct Office at student.conduct@senecacollege.ca.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Disabilities Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.