Chapter 5: Transportation Services
Overview
The global growth of the hospitality and tourism (HOST) industries is strongly correlated with advancements in transportation infrastructure and technology. Over the past century, planes, trains, automobiles, ships, railways, and public transit have enabled increasing numbers of people to travel greater distances for leisure and business. For example, commercial air travel has exploded from just 25 million passengers in 1950 to over 4 billion in 2019 (International Air Transport Association [IATA], 2023). High-speed rail networks have also proliferated; since 1964, over 44,000 km of high-speed rail lines have been built worldwide, allowing convenient overland travel at speeds up to 350 km/h (Union Internationale des Chemins [UIC], 2015, 2018).
Emerging technologies like hyperloop systems and eventual space tourism promise to further transform transportation and expand HOST industries. However, virtual and augmented reality may redefine “travel” itself, allowing immersive experiences without physical displacement. In a survey, 71% of travelers said they would be willing to use extended reality on future trips (as cited in Howell & Hadwick, 2017).
This growth has necessitated complex, interconnected transportation ecosystems. Key players must cooperate to provide safe, efficient, and enjoyable journeys. For example, airlines and airports must collaborate to optimize hub-and-spoke route networks, implement advanced logistics like just-in-time catering, and deliver excellent customer service. Moreover, transportation and tourism firms increasingly utilize data analytics, AI, and business intelligence to improve key performance indicators like load factor, yield management, and operational efficiency. As technology progresses, emerging innovations combined with astute management will shape the future of transportation and travel.
Objectives
Reading and reviewing this chapter will enable an attentive learner to accomplish the following tasks:
- Define terms integral to the transportation industries
- Identify components of global transportation operations most often used by travelers
- Explain the fit of career pathways into organizational structures available in the transportation industries
- Summarize the most integral regulations (e.g., Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Regulations) to global transportation operations
- Recognize the role of public input and funding into transportation facility decision-making and policy development
- Analyze the impact of globalization on the transportation industry including how it affects the movement of goods and people
- Identify the key challenges faced by the transportation industry, such as congestion, environmental impact, and competition, and evaluate potential solutions
- Develop an understanding of the various stakeholders involved in the transportation industry including how they interact with each other, such as governments, industry associations, and consumers
Key Terms
- Commercial Air Travel
- High Speed Rail
- Interconnected Transportation Ecosystems
- Transportation Systems
- Global Transportation Ecosystem
- Railway Networks
- Recreational Vehicles
- Chartered Buses
- Rideshares
- Stagecoach
- Cruise Industry
- Transatlantic Liners
- Transcontinental Railroad
- Airline Industry
- Multi-terminal Hubs
- Air Traffic Control (ATC)
- Car Rental Operation
- Ports
- Electic Vehicle
- Ridesharing
- Decarbonization
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
- Airport Operations
- Ferry
- Public Transportation System
Attributions
- Chapter opening image: M/V Tacoma by Jim Culp/WSDOT is released under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
passenger flights operated by airlines for the purpose of transporting travelers between destinations, either domestically or internationally, for business or leisure purposes.
railway systems designed for trains to travel at faster speeds than conventional rail services, offering rapid and efficient transportation between urban centers and regions.
proposed transportation systems that use vacuum-sealed tubes and magnetic levitation to propel passenger pods at high speeds through low-pressure environments, offering ultra-fast and energy-efficient travel over long distances.
the commercial activity of offering individuals the opportunity to travel into outer space for recreational or leisure purposes, typically aboard spacecraft or space vehicles.
integrated networks and systems that enable seamless connectivity and interoperability between different modes of transportation, such as air, rail, road, and maritime, to facilitate multi-modal travel and mobility.
