Exploring Management Performance in Activities Characteristics of Tourism

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to identify the management practices performed by business directly related to tourism activity, within the scope of intra and intersectoral action of the links in the tourism supply chain. The studied sectors were Hospitality, Food & Beverages, Transportation, Travel Agencies and Attractions. Methodologically, the study was quantitative in nature, with a descriptive approach. The data were collected through a structured survey, applied to 85 managers of companies in the tourism sector in the city of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais [Brazil]. It was observed that the Food & Beverage sector is the one that most needs innovation to face the lower longevity of the companies. Managers who choose to enter the Attraction, Food & Beverage and Travel Agencies sector will have to manage a greater diversity of products, which increases the complexity of their management. The Attractions sector proved the most structured sector when dealing with demand forecasting and quality management, while the food sector failed in collecting customer feedback and demand forecasting. Transportation travel agencies and transport companies have higher average remuneration than other sectors. Thus, this paper contributes by integrating a, so far, sparse literature and presenting variables that can be followed by managers of tourism businesses and public policies to monitor the performance of the sub-sectors.