According to statistics, the growth rate of the popularity of air transport is higher than that of motor transport, which is due to the increasing expansion of the geography of travel and the existing steady trend towards reducing travel times in favor of their frequency (growth of short-term long-distance tours). All this causes close attention of the tourist business to air transportation. Airplanes are the most popular form of transportation in the world. The same can be said about air travel in tourism. And there are a number of reasons for this:

• - firstly, aviation is the fastest and most convenient mode of transport when traveling long distances;
• - secondly, the service on flights is currently attractive for tourists;
• - thirdly, aviation companies, directly and through international booking and reservation networks, pay travel agencies a commission for each seat booked on the plane, thereby motivating them to choose air travel.

Air transport is one of the most rapidly and dynamically developing sectors of the world economy and every year it occupies an increasingly strong position in the global transport system.

There are more than 1,300 airlines in the world now. On average, about 1.5 billion people are transported on flights annually. International air services are now provided by more than 470 carriers, about 250 of them make international regular flights. More than 1,000 airports of the world take part in servicing international air communications, about 650 of them serve international scheduled air services.

The largest airlines in the world in terms of traffic are American Delta Air lines, Pan Amerikan, United, French Air France, German Lufthansa, British British Airways, and others. Russian Aeroflot is considered a major airline.

However, the international air transport system is made up not only by international air carriers and airports, but also by states connected by international air lines and providing these communications, as well as international organizations in the field of air transport, taking measures to ensure its effective functioning and safety.

The international transport network currently covers all geographic regions and more than 150 countries of the world.

Air transport is regulated in three ways:

• 1) national regulation - licensing of air carriers operating both on domestic and international routes;
• 2) intergovernmental regulation - when regular air routes are based on agreements between the governments of the countries concerned;
• 3) international regulation - when tariffs for scheduled flights are set (for members of airlines) on the basis of mutual agreements between the participating airlines through the mediation of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) or a third party.

Travel agencies participate in IATA's activities through its dedicated branch, the International Travel Agents Network (IATAN), the International Organization of Airline Agents, and also through international civil airport organizations.

As part of the organization of tourist travel, there are several forms of interaction between travel companies and airlines:

Ё seat reservation and redemption of air tickets through airline agencies;

Ё seat reservation and redemption of air tickets through reservation systems;

Ё agreement with an airline for a quota of seats on regular airlines;

Ё agency agreement and work as an agency for the sale of air tickets for their tourists;

Ё organization of charter flights for tourist transportation.

In order to correctly choose the most convenient and profitable section of tourist transportation, as well as correctly conclude a contract for air transportation of tourists, you need to know all the features, advantages and disadvantages of one or another type of interaction with the airline.

The travel agent also needs to know the rules for booking air tickets, working with stocks, fares and discounts provided by airlines.

Professional ethics requirements when booking air tickets. To avoid additional inconveniences for air carriers, as well as to facilitate the booking process and improve the quality of passenger service, travel agents should adhere to the following simple rules:

• - Follow the standard airline-specific booking procedures.
• - Never book a double booking for a passenger if they can't decide which flight to fly. Moreover, never issue two or more tickets for such a passenger if it is obvious that he will be able to use only one of them.
• - Regardless of the passenger's route, be sure to try, as far as possible, to provide the airline with emergency contact telephone numbers for the passenger along the way.
• - If the passenger changes the route, immediately cancel the corresponding reservation with the airline, as well as refuse all other related services that are not required
• - Strictly adhere to the terms and procedure for ticketing required by air carriers. Never issue tickets with a guaranteed seat until this guarantee has been confirmed by the airline concerned.
• - All seats booked with airlines must be accurately registered and properly documented. The documents to be drawn up and the copies remaining with the agent must contain an indication of the flight number, date and class of the flight, status (guaranteed / non-guaranteed seat) of each individual flight, surnames and initials of passengers and their contact phones or addresses. Report immediately in the prescribed form on the receipt of all deposits.

Always remember that the convenience of passengers and the normal operation of other agents and airlines depend on your efficiency, accuracy and consideration.

Charter (aircraft rental). When organizing charter air transportation, the customer determines the route with the airline, the obligations of the parties are negotiated with him, the compliance of the lease agreement with international rules is determined, and the cost of the flight is determined. Then a special charter agreement is concluded, which stipulates:

Ё type (brand) of the aircraft;

Ё number of places for sale;

Ё the cost of renting an aircraft;

Ё route indicating the airports of departure and arrival;

Ё the term of the contract (season, year, etc.);

Ё regularity of flights;

Ё the possibility and deadlines for canceling (canceling) the flight and the corresponding sanctions.

The peculiarity of charters is that one full flight (the second and penultimate flights - the first return after the first delivery and the last one there before the last export) is performed without tourists: on the last flight, the plane picks up the last tourists, but does not bring new ones, since it is no longer behind them. will return (that is, there are 11 flights for 10 tourist arrivals). The formula N + 1 applies here. Thus, the largest number of flights during the period of the air charter program reduces the cost of the “drop-out” flight, which means that it also reduces the transportation tariff.

It should be noted that it is realistic to organize 20 races per season (with weekly flights). However, a charter can also be launched with a frequency of 2 times a week - then the number of flights per season increases to 40. This significantly reduces the tariff, but is not available for loading by the absolute majority of travel companies. This explains the emergence of "intermediate" entrepreneurs on the tourist transportation market - wholesalers, who consolidate large charters in their hands and distribute them in the future among smaller companies in the form of block charters (that is, 10-30 seats ). The wholesale tour operator, as a rule, conducts the sale of blocks of seats on its charter according to three worked out options: hard, soft and combined blocks of seats.

A soft block, in which the customer does not have any financial responsibility and has the right to fully or partially abandon his seats within a predetermined time frame, is more convenient for the travel agent. However, if the refusal occurs later than the deadline, the customer will have to pay a fine. Usually, soft blocks are rarely used, since they are not always beneficial to the charter holder (be it an airline or a wholesaler tour operator).

The hard block provides for strict contractual obligations in terms of sale and payment terms. The customer makes an advance payment, the amount of which usually includes the cost of two paired flights. At the same time, tariffs for the implementation of a hard block are approximately 5-10% lower than for a soft block. In addition, with an agreement for a rigid block, the operator and the agent fix the price for the entire charter period, which gives a good opportunity for sellers to vary prices during the "high" period of the season and at the end of it.

The most common sale of seats for charter flights is the so-called combined method, combining elements of the two above options. The total number of places included in the block being implemented is divided in a certain proportion into two parts: one of which is implemented according to the "hard" system, and the other according to the "soft" system.

Often, not one, but several tour operators act as the initiator of the charter program. At the same time, they negotiate in advance the conditions for organizing flights.

Normal relations with airlines when renting an aircraft provide for payment according to a contract with the obligatory summing up of the balance after each flight.

Aeroflot remains the undisputed leader of the Russian aviation business. Aeroflot Russian International Airlines is the national flag carrier of Russia. And in Belarus the national airline Belavia is the leader in passenger traffic. The airline's operations are based on the principle of creating a positive image, which is formed on the basis of safety, regularity and accuracy of flights, and improving the quality of passenger service.

Belavia is a modern, dynamic company that meets the latest innovations in the field of civil aviation, strives for constant development and improvement, as well as attracting a new number of passengers. The priority tasks are the modernization of the air fleet, the efficient use of resources, the introduction of new information technologies and the continuous improvement of the quality of service, both on board and on the ground.

The main emphasis in its work of the airline is on providing customers with the opportunity to fly both by direct flights, and without delay to continue their journey to anywhere in the world, trying to take into account all the wishes of the passenger.

The attitude to work of Belavia employees and the Belarusian hospitality can be appreciated every time you travel by airlines on business or on vacation. Thanks to the close-knit team of high-class professionals who love their work and are proud of it, Belavia has established itself as a reliable and competitive air carrier in a short period of time.

Belavia also provides services such as:

Ё Transportation of goods;

Ё Transportation of animals;

Transportis one of the most important parts of the economy of any country.

Many years ago, people used various means to transport people, as well as goods. With the advent of the wheel and other modes of transportation, such types of transport as carriages, carriages, steam locomotives began to appear. The person began to travel faster over long distances.

Currently, transport with a highly developed economic and social base is one of the mechanisms of the state economy.

Transport is the engine for the development of tourism around the world. It ensures the normal functioning of the economy, allows the development of such industries as agriculture, trade, etc.

The role of transport services in tourism is manifested in the organization of tourist and cultural trips, cultural exchange, and solving social problems.

With the development of tourism and the increase in demand for travel, transport routes are constantly expanding, which, in turn, has a beneficial effect on the development of transport infrastructure.

Transport serviceare among the most important in the tourism business. They account for most of the tour cost. Tourists use various types of transport to travel.

The bulk of the transport services sector belongs to aviation... Long-distance tourists use the services of airlines. Air transport is not very common among tourists traveling for resort or entertainment purposes.

Road transport ranks second among the modes of transport used for travel. This type of transport is also called universal transport. It is used from transfers and excursions to intra-route transportation, and is also rented by tourists for personal use. Sightseeing buses are especially popular. During the excursion program on the bus, tourists get to know new cities and countries. But sometimes difficulties arise with parking both in Russia and in Europe.

The main rival of bus transportation is the railway. Within our country, it is widespread in comparison with air or road transport. The advantage of the railway is lower tariffs, as well as the widespread use of travel tickets, a system of discounts, which allows you to travel around the country, saving your own money.

Water, river and sea transport implements cruise-type services. Water travel has both advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of water transport include an environment that meets any client's requests, the ability to accommodate a large number of people at the same time, the implementation of various types and purposes of tourism, good rest, a full range of life support. The disadvantages of water transport are the low speed of movement of vehicles, high tariffs, and limited mobility.

12.2. The use of different modes of transport in the hospitality industry

Water transport.The first means of transportation on water appeared in ancient times. The period of the birth of water transport can be considered the transition to the Neolithic - the new Stone Age, when man already knew stone tools and knew how to work wood. Proof of this can be found in the boats made of oak about 40 centuries ago, which were found by archaeologists. At 4 thousand years, scientists have estimated the age of the boat found on the shores of Lake Ladoga. More than 2 thousand years old there is an oak boat found during the excavations of the town of Izium in Ukraine.

The oldest large ocean-going ships were the Chinese imperial ships, which, judging by the available archaeological data, were quite capable of sailing long distances for many months.

Since ancient times, the design and equipment of sea and river vessels have been improved. With the advent of advanced sailing equipment, navigation aids, equipping a ship with ancient weapons, ships became not only a means of delivering goods, but also one of the main methods of warfare, as well as a way of expansion of ancient states. Well known are such outstanding examples of ancient shipbuilding as Greek triremes and Roman triremes (from lat. triremis, from tres, tria- "three" and remus- "oar") - combat rowing ships with three rows of oars, arranged one above the other in a checkerboard pattern, and a displacement of over 200 tons.

The next and most important revolution in water transport after the invention of the sail was the creation of a steamer.

The first steamer was created by Robert Fulton. In 1807 he built the Claremont, a ship equipped with a steam engine and a paddle wheel. Subsequently, he cruised the Hudson River from New York to Albany. The speed of the first steamer was approximately 5 knots (or 9 km / h).

In Russia, the first steamer was built in 1815. It made voyages between St. Petersburg and Kronstadt.

Modern water transport is a strategically important industry for the economy. Possessing undeniable advantages of reliability and safety, a high level of comfort, this type of transport forms the basis for a whole sub-industry in the hospitality industry - water tourism.

The share of water transport in domestic and international transport is small. This is primarily due to the high cost of sea tours and cruises, as well as the displacement of this type of transport by other, cheaper and faster means of delivering tourists.

In Russia, according to Rosstat, the share of water transport (inland waterway, sea, international) in 2007 was only about 0.1% of all passenger traffic. Nevertheless, water and mainly cruise tourism remains an elite form of recreation.

Water transport can be classified according to different indicators:

3) the purpose of the vessel.

Depending on the level of comfort and service on board, the technical equipment of the ship, the following vessels are distinguished:

1) river;

2) marine;

3) ocean.

Cruises, along with sightseeing and pleasure cruises, are the main types of tourism based on the use of water transport.

Cruise is a complex of services including accommodation, three meals a day, service and entertainment programs on the ship. The cost of such a tour may include excursions and other activities in port cities.

Equipped for sea voyages, the ships of the highest category (deluxe and deluxe) are the real "floating cities" with five to six decks, dozens of shops, bars, restaurants, several swimming pools, sports and health centers. So, on one of the most expensive liners in the world "The World" of the American company "Residence", sailing around the world route, there are swimming pools, tennis courts and even golf courses. The living part of the ship includes 110 apartments ranging from 70 to 300 m2 for permanent residence and 88 cabins, which can be rented for a period of three days.

The world's largest liner, Queen Mary 2, is a 21-storey building owned by Cunard Lines. Even a 10-point storm does not interrupt casinos and entertainment centers. On board there is a winter garden and an auction, where paintings are put up for auction, among which were works by Pablo Picasso and other famous masters, including Russian artists.

According to the duration, experts distinguish round-the-world (over 14 days) voyages, sea voyages (10-14 days) and weekly cruises. Weekly cruises are the most popular with customers, accounting for about half of all cruise trips. There are two types of cruises: travel with a call to seaports (the so-called European system, which provides for excursions and other events in seaport cities) and the American system, which allows tourists to rest on the beaches when the liner enters the port along the route.

Recently, short-term cruises without calling into ports are gaining popularity. The duration of such trips usually does not exceed several days.

The main regions of sea tourism are the Caribbean islands (winter season), the Mediterranean Sea (summer, autumn) and cruises around Europe and Scandinavia (summer, autumn).

Cruise companies are classified into four categories:

1) standard, or three stars (companies "Norwegian Cruise Line", "Costa Cruises", "Royal Caribbean International", "Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises", etc.);

2) premium, or four stars (Azamara Cruises, Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises, P & O Cruises, Oceania Cruises, etc.);

3) luxury, or five stars ("Crystal Cruises", "Regent Seven Seas Cruises", "Cunard Line", etc.);

4) deluxe suite ("SilverSea Cruises" and "Seabourn").

River cruises are more accessible, independent of weather conditions and a richer program of onshore tourist activities. These are excursion programs, discos, rest on the beaches, etc. The routes of such travels are rivers, their tributaries, river channels, and also lakes. The most popular cruises in Europe are on the Rhine, Danube, Elbe and Seine rivers. Popular and widely used for the organization of river travel and Russian rivers - the Volga and Don. Popular cruising rivers include the Nile, Amazon and Yangtze. For river cruises, as a rule, relatively small single- and double-deck motor ships with low draft and folding masts are used. This is due to the need to overcome low fixed bridges and shallow rivers.

A distinctive characteristic of pleasure and sightseeing trips on water vessels is their short duration. It does not exceed 24 hours and can be performed not only on motor ships, but also on small river vessels, such as boats, sailing yachts, passenger skiffs, hydrofoils (such as "Rocket", "Meteor"), etc. Tourists are not provided the service of accommodation in separate cabins, and guests are located on the open decks of the ship, which combine the functions of a cafe-restaurant.

In our country, sea and river transportation of passengers and cargo is controlled by the Ministry of Transport and the Federal Agency for Sea and River Transport. The main regulatory legal acts regulating sea and river transportation are the Merchant Shipping Code of the Russian Federation (KTM RF) and the Code of Inland Water Transport of the Russian Federation (KVVT RF).

Air Transport.It is generally accepted that the first aircraft was invented by the brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright and took off in 1903 by A.F. Mozhaisky developed a project for an aircraft heavier than air and in 1881 received a patent for it. Having hardly raised money for a prototype, A.F. Mozhaisky built an airplane with two small steam engines ordered in England (gasoline engines at that time were low-powered). During the first test, the plane took off from the runway and, having flown several tens of meters, banked and hit the ground with its wing. The inventor was not given money to restore the aircraft and refine the prototype. Only ten years later, a more primitive American airplane took off and flew 37 meters in 12 seconds.

After more than a century of development, aviation has become the most efficient means of delivering passengers and cargo over long distances.

Using the services of airlines is the optimal solution for traveling long distances. At the same time, air transport has a number of disadvantages, such as a low level of comfort and a high ticket price. Currently, the leading airlines offer quite acceptable levels of comfort and service. Due to its rapid development, promotion of aviation services, the latest systems for booking and selling electronic tickets, increasing the comfort of servicing and equipping airliners, aviation maintains its position, gradually increasing its share in the transport services market, effectively competing with other modes of transport.

Modern passenger aircraft can be categorized according to various parameters.

Depending on the flight range:

1) long-distance trunk lines (A-380, A-340, A-350, B-787, etc.);

2) medium trunk lines (V-737, A-320, Tu-154, Il-86, Yak-42, etc.);

3) short-haul (Tu-134, An-24, etc.).

Depending on the speed at which the flight is carried out:

1) subsonic;

2) supersonic aircraft.

Passenger aircraft can be distinguished by engine types:

1) with piston motors;

2) turboprop engines;

3) jet motors, etc.

There are many other systems of classifications of passenger airliners, adopted in manufacturing firms, depending on the level of comfort, the placement of seats in the cabin and other indicators.

The largest airline in the world in terms of the number of passengers carried is the American Delta Air Lines (118.9 million passengers in 2005). Other major world airlines are American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, US Airways, United Airlines, French Air France-KLM, German Lufthansa, Japanese Japan Airlines, British British Airways. The largest Russian airlines are Aeroflot, Air Union, Domodedovo Airlines. More than 1300 airlines operate in the world. Their activities are regulated by both national laws and executive bodies, and international organizations and agreements. The main executive bodies of the Russian Federation supervising the activities of airlines and compliance with the rules for transporting passengers are the Ministry of Transport and the subordinate Federal Air Navigation Service (Rosaeronavigatsia). The procedure for the provision of air transport services is governed by the following regulatory legal acts:

1) the Air Code of the Russian Federation (VK RF);

2) General rules for air transportation of passengers, baggage, cargo and requirements for servicing passengers, consignors, consignees, approved by order of the Ministry of Transport of Russia dated June 28, 2007 No. 82.

Bilateral agreements are concluded between two states that already cooperate in the framework of broader treaties (such as the European Union, the Commonwealth of Independent States, etc.).

Global agreements include a large number of states that have developed and signed international rules governing air traffic. The first important document in the field of civil air transportation was the "Agreement for the unification of the basic rules of international air transportation" of October 12, 1929, as amended in 1955 and 1975, also known as the Warsaw Agreement. The rules applied to all air transportation on a commercial basis and preferential service options (free use of the air carrier's services). The 1955 Hague Protocol, the 1971 Guatemalan Protocol and the 1975 Montreal Protocol supplemented the Warsaw Agreement.

For the first time, the Warsaw Agreement established the carrier's financial liability for damage to the life or property of passengers, but according to this document, the airline's liability was almost always limited to the amount of 10 thousand US dollars. For the loss of luggage, the company had to pay only $ 20 for 1 kg of missing luggage and for hand luggage - $ 400.

Another important international agreement on air passenger transportation was the Montreal Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Air Carriage, which entered into force on November 4, 2003. The Convention, concluded in 1999, thanks to the efforts of ICAO, abolished the fines for airlines established by the Warsaw Convention for damage to life and health and property of passengers during the flight, establishing new rules.

The new bilateral carrier liability scheme provided for payments of $ 135,000 to each passenger if the airline was not at fault. In case of admission of guilt by the airline, the amount of compensation was not limited at all.

"Convention on International Civil Aviation" (Chicago, 1944) along with "Agreement on International Air Transport" (Chicago, 1944), "Agreement on Transit on International Air Lines" (Chicago, 1944), Tokyo " The Convention on Offenses and Certain Other Acts Committed on Board Aircraft "(Tokyo, 1963) standardized international rules for the carriage of passengers and gave the countries parties to the agreement equal rights (flying over the territory without landing, boarding with unloading and loading baggage and passengers, and etc.). It was decided to leave a number of issues for regulation by the national air transportation rules of the member states (for example, regulation of charter flights).

The oldest international organization regulating air travel, which has existed since 1947, is the ICAO - International Civil Aviation Organization. The USSR joined it in 1970. ICAO is part of the United Nations Organization, establishes international rules for the functioning of civil aviation and controls its development in order to improve the safety and efficiency of transportation. It was established by the "Convention on International Civil Aviation". The International Civil Aviation Organization is based on the provisions of the second part of the 1944 Chicago Convention. By ICAO rules, the world airspace was divided into flight information zones, in accordance with the boundaries of which navigation equipment and air traffic control devices are installed. ICAO is responsible for assigning four-letter codes to airports used for the exchange of navigational and meteorological information.

Another major international organization related to civil aviation is IATA (International Association of Air Transportation). IATA, the coordinator of all major airlines, regulates the tariff scale of aviation services, establishes uniform rules and procedures for international passenger traffic. Members of the organization are also travel agents and tour operators working with it through a special division of ITAN (International Travel Agents Network) - associations of airline agents that establish uniform rules for booking air tickets. Within the framework of the organization, the rules of partnership between a travel agent and an air carrier have been established, including, for example, the possibility of redeeming blocks of seats on scheduled aircraft, ordering a charter flight, etc. the latter charges a commission to the agent's account. This type of cooperation must be secured by the Agency Agreement on the sale of transportation between the travel agency and the airline.

Automobile transport.The prototype of modern cars were carts equipped with steam engines as engines. In Europe in the 1780s. The first invention of this kind was the three-wheeled artillery tractor by J. Cunu, and in Russia at about the same time the first self-propelled vehicle was invented by I.P. Kulibin.

Ideas and diagrams of self-propelled wheeled vehicles on a spring drive were found among the drawings of Leonardo da Vinci. However, the creation and production of cars had to be preceded by the development of a powerful, efficient and safe gasoline engine. Only in 1885-1886. German inventors G. Daimler and K. Benz built and received a patent for their first self-propelled carriages with gasoline engines. In 1895 K. Benz also built the first bus. In Russia, the first bus with an internal combustion engine was designed in 1903 in St. Petersburg.

Despite the achievements of the modern global automotive industry, road transport is considered the least comfortable and cheapest among the main modes of transport.

According to statistical data in Russia, domestic and foreign road transport occupies 54% of the total number of transportations by all types of passenger transport.

According to the Russian classification, a bus is a vehicle used to transport passengers with a capacity of more than eight seats. In the class of minibuses

vehicles with a length of less than 5.5 m are distinguished separately. There are several classification systems for buses, depending on their size, number of seats, level of comfort in the cabin and purpose. A bus, like any vehicle built in Russia or imported from abroad, must undergo a mandatory certification procedure in accordance with the UNECE rules. By type and layout, buses are distinguished:

1) front-engine;

2) rear-motor;

3) central motor;

4) bonnet layout;

5) cabover layout;

6) low-floor;

7) high-floor (high-deck);

8) single;

9) articulated;

10) one and a half storey;

11) double-deckers (“Doubledeckers”, for example, “Routemaster” buses, which have become the symbol of London);

12) shuttle;

13) terminal;

14) semi-trailers;

15) trailers.

The quality and comfort of tourist buses is determined by the IRU - International Road Transport Union, which has classification committees in 18 countries. Together with member organizations, the IRU practices certificates that give a bus from one to four stars, depending on the level of comfort. The certificates are renewed annually after checking the quality of the equipment and comfort of the tourist buses.

The class is determined by the number of stars (from one to five), marked on the body of the bus at the front door, serving as indicators of the level of comfort (similar to a hotel star system).

The most important difference between tourist types of buses from other classes is the equipment and comfort of the cabin. The main indicator of the level of cabin comfort is the seats for passengers. The main parameters are: the distance between the seats (68, 72, 77, 83, 90 cm by class, respectively), the height of the seat back (50 × 70 cm each), the obligatory presence, starting from the third class, two armrests for each chair, as well as dry closet, refrigerator and kitchenette. In the fourth and fifth class of comfort, it is necessary to have an air conditioner, a wardrobe and other means of ensuring a comfortable journey in the bus. Tourist buses differ from each other not only in the special level of comfort and equipment (for example, audio and video systems with monitors, microphone for the guide, personal information panels, etc.), but also in layout. Tourist buses are usually one and a half and double decker. This is due not only to the mandatory provision of 0.5 m2 of space for each tourist's luggage, but also to improve visibility for passengers. Proven manufacturing countries and well-known brands of tourist buses "MAN", "Mercedes", "Neoplan", "Setra" (Germany); "Alexander", "Autobus", "Caetano", "SCC", "Cannon" (Great Britain); "Carrier", "Durisotti" (France), etc.

International carriage of passengers by road is regulated by national laws, bilateral interstate treaties and global agreements. The most important agreements facilitating international road transport:

1) Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Passengers and Luggage by Road, CVR, including a protocol and an additional protocol to the Convention (Geneva, March 1, 1973);

3) The Hague Declaration of the Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Tourism 1989

The conclusion within the framework of the European Union of the Schengen Agreement, which was signed on June 14, 1985 in Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, and Germany, became important for international tourism (in particular, for international road transport). The treaty abolished passport customs control within the zone and introduced a single visa for all tourists from third countries to move freely through the territory of the countries participating in the agreement. It entered into force on March 26, 1995. In 2007, the treaty was signed by 30 states, but with the abolition of border controls, it was in effect only in 24 countries. By mid-2008, the Schengen zone included such states as Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Germany, Greece, Denmark, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia , Finland, France, Czech Republic, Sweden, Estonia. Switzerland has announced its intention to join the Schengen Agreement by the end of 2008.

The basis for the regulation of international road transport of passengers in the CIS countries is the Convention on the International Road Transport of Passengers and Luggage of October 9, 1997, signed by all member states of the Commonwealth, except Georgia and Turkmenistan. The document defines the procedure for organizing international transportation of passengers and baggage, as well as the carrier's responsibility. The practical rule for organizing transportation is the annex to the Convention - Rules for the carriage of passengers and baggage by road in international traffic of the member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

For international tourist bus travel, uniform travel checklists are used. According to the rules approved by the decision of the Ministry of Transport of Russia dated February 7, 1997 No. LSH-6/60 "On the use of a unified set of travel sheets", they must be on board the buses.

When planning bus and car tours, it is important to keep the following factors in mind:

1) speed limits on the territory of different states;

2) the obligatory presence of a working tachograph on board the bus (a device that monitors the mileage, the driver's condition, recording the speed of movement, etc.);

3) mandatory availability and correct filling of waybills;

4) if tourists have foreign passports with a visa.

When organizing a car tour to European countries, it is necessary to obtain medical and special insurance - "Green Card". During their stay in Europe, the tourist's Green Card helps to solve various problems arising from road accidents. Insurance is provided in the event of harm to life and health and damage to property of third parties through the operation of the insured vehicle.

Car and bus tours are among the least expensive travel, so they are extremely popular with middle-income clients. Of the features, except for the price and transport, one can note a less pronounced seasonality in comparison with others.

Railway transport.The railway, having passed a long way of development, is today a strategically important transport industry for any national economy.

The railway track appeared before steam locomotives. Back in the middle of the 18th century. In the mines of Altai, a regular track and horse-drawn carts were used, and the first railway (also for industrial purposes) appeared at the Aleksandrovsky plant in Petrovsk in 1788. Later, a horse-drawn passenger railway was developed. The first railroad between different settlements was built in England in 1801.

The first steam locomotive appeared in 1804. It was designed by R. Trevithick on the basis of J. Watt's steam engine. The most successful in the following years was the invention of the steam locomotive, which later became the first locomotive of the passenger railway.

In 1812-1829 J. Stephenson proposed several successful steam locomotive schemes that began to be used on mine railway tracks. Subsequently, it was Stephenson's Raketa steam locomotive that became the main locomotive of the Manchester - Liverpool route.

At present, the length of the railway tracks is in the hundreds of thousands of kilometers, and the designs of modern express trains allow to reach high speeds (the speed record of 581 km / h belongs to the Japanese train "Maglev"), trains have become one of the fastest and most comfortable means of travel.

Different countries use different classifications of passenger trains and wagons. In Russia, depending on the speed of movement, the level of comfort, the equipment of cars and the route, there are fast, long-distance, local and suburban passenger trains of regular service. As a rule, tourist and charter trains, formed by preliminary orders, are referred to the trains of the irregular (non-permanent) service.

Classification of passenger cars by type and their designation adopted in Russia:

1) L - double soft, SV (nine double coupes);

2) M - soft (luxury car);

3) K - compartment (several types, for example, for 36 seats with a double compartment of the conductor);

4) P - reserved seat (54 berths);

5) O - general (81 seats);

6) C - seating position. 56, 60, 62 or 64 seats depending on model.

Luxury cars for the range of services provided:

1) E - economic;

2) B - business.

Branded trains and exclusive luxury tourist passenger trains are very popular among tourists. Traveling on trains with a high level of comfort is sometimes even called cruises. These are real hotels on wheels. They have everything from air conditioners to marble baths. The passengers are provided with dining cars with a menu from several European cuisines, bar cars, club cars, etc. Excursions and other events are arranged during train stops. Such tourist trains have their own names, the most famous of which belong to the Orient-Express company (one of its trains crosses Europe from Paris to Istanbul, another runs along the southern coast of Australia, the third - in Thailand and Malaysia.) The Blue train Train ”takes tourists to the African savannas and to Victoria Falls. The famous Edinburgh tourist train The Royal Scotsman regularly takes tourists through the green valleys and mountains of Scotland.

Several branded trains run between Moscow and St. Petersburg, in particular, "Aurora", "Krasnaya Arrow", "Nikolaev Express", "Grand Express", "Megapolis".

The world famous Orient Express train (owned by the Orient-Express company) was designed in 1883 by the Belgian engineer J. Nagelmakers. The passengers of this fashionable train at one time were Emperor Franz Joseph, Elizabeth II, Charles de Gaulle, N.S. Khrushchev, Agatha Christie and others. Initially, the train ran on the route Paris - Istanbul. Since 1993, after the transfer of part of its carriages to Russia, it functioned as a tourist train between Moscow and Beijing.

In 2004, after restoration, the train returned to the route. The interiors of the early 20th century were restored in the carriages, combining the historical setting and modern technical equipment.

Currently, national and international transportation in the Russian Federation is regulated by the following regulatory legal acts:

1) Federal Law of January 10, 2003 No. 18-FZ "Charter of Railway Transport of the Russian Federation";

2) Rules for the carriage of passengers, baggage and cargo luggage on federal railway transport, approved by order of the Ministry of Railways of Russia dated July 26, 2002 No. 30;

3) Agreement on international passenger traffic (SMPS) (effective from November 1, 1951), etc.

The main executive body responsible for the regulation and development of railway transportation in the Russian Federation is the Ministry of Railways of Russia.

On regular scheduled trains, tourists travel as ordinary passengers. As a rule, they are used to deliver pre-formed tourist groups to and from the holiday destination. Travel agencies must reserve seats 45 days before train departure.

For more than ten years Russia has been using the Express 2 automated seat reservation system. It makes it easier for travel agencies to reserve seats on regular passenger routes. To form a separate tourist train (renting a passenger train), the travel agency concludes an agreement with the railway department, which indicates the route of the trip, travel dates, places and duration of stops, the number and type of cars in the train, the cost of renting cars and other conditions. After the conclusion of the contract and payment of the lease of the train, travel cancellation is possible no later than 20 days before the train departure.

The following types of transport are used in the tourism industry:

air, land and water.

The main means of transport are:

a) air - planes, helicopters, hang gliders, parachutes,

paragliders, balloons;

b) ground - trains, buses, cars, motorcycles, bicycles;

c) watercraft - sea and river vessels, boats, yachts, motor boats,

Each of the listed types and means of transport has its own advantages and disadvantages, as well as characteristic features (Table 1). The following criteria are traditionally used to compare modes of transport: speed, comfort, safety and efficiency.

The fastest mode of transport is air. For long distance, transcontinental travel, the benefits of air travel are clear.

Railway transport is considered the most comfortable and spectacular. This is due not only to the fact that the movement of the passenger is not limited within the compartment or carriage, and at the same time any position preferable for a person is possible (sitting, lying, etc.).

At the dawn of the development of railway transport, studies were carried out on the influence of train movement on the condition of the passenger.

After a series of studies, Dr. K. Grum-Grzhimailo published the results in the popular St. Petersburg newspaper "Friend of Health", which substantiated the beneficial effects on blood circulation, digestion and the nervous system of traveling by rail. Thus, with the beginning of the operation of railways, doctors began to prescribe not only sea and river walks, but also travel by train for therapeutic and preventive purposes.

Traveling by river and sea transport is also spectacular and comfortable. Modern ships offer an unusually wide range of modern services: superior accommodation, gourmet food, lots of entertainment, etc. However, despite modern anti-motion sickness systems, due to the dependence of water transport on weather conditions, sometimes they do not allow the liner to enter the port or comfortably deliver tourists to the coast, in general, in terms of convenience, sea and river vessels are inferior to modern comfortable trains.

According to many years of statistical research, road transport is the most dangerous. This is primarily due to the frequency of its use all over the world and special operating conditions: the high dependence of safety on the qualifications, experience and discipline of all road users, the technical condition of vehicles, road surface, weather conditions, etc. At the same time, road transport is most accessible for all comers and the least controlled.

Efficiency when choosing a transport is determined primarily by the type of travel and its route. Sometimes, at distances of up to 1000 km, the cost of air travel does not exceed the cost of travel by rail, and the gain in time can be several hours. However, taking into account the procedures for passing formalities at the airport, the time to travel to the airport and back, the gain in time may be minimal. Over long distances, the advantages of air transport in speed are obvious, because no comfort will brighten up a multi-day trip in an enclosed space.

For a complete description of air transport, the listed advantages should include its disadvantages: the constantly growing cost of air transportation, the remoteness of airports, dependence on weather conditions, the complexity of passport and customs control procedures and special control of flight safety, the presence of transits, and uncomfortableness.

Air transport, namely, aircraft, is the most frequently and traditionally used for long-distance travel, when delivered to a destination. Helicopters - demonstration flights over cities, forests, lakes, jungles (panoramic sightseeing tours, air safaris). Balloons are sometimes used for these purposes. Small aircraft and helicopters are used to deliver divers, off-piste skiers (free-riders) to the dive site, start, which may be difficult to reach. It is possible to use air transport for traveling in the summer and on domestic routes, for example, Moscow-Kostroma, if there are those who wish to travel in this way.

Automobile transport, yielding in comfort to railway transport, allows you to make a stopover, does not require special stations, tracks, practically does not depend on weather conditions, allows you to travel across borders and even, in combination with other modes of transport, make transcontinental travel. Its disadvantages are cost and accident rate. The disadvantages of water transport include low speed, dependence on weather conditions.

Automobile transport in tourism is used to organize bus tours, excursions, group and individual transfers.

Railway trains have traditionally been used to transport tourists to their destination. In addition, there are the concepts of "tourist trains" and "railroad tours". For example, in domestic tourism: health trains, for mushroom pickers and fishermen; at the exit: "Glassir-Express" (Switzerland), "Emperor" (Vienna-Salzburg); at the entrance: "Golden Eagle" (Russia).

Thus, there is no single criterion for choosing a vehicle for a tourist trip, because each trip has its own parameters, and each type of transport has its own advantages and disadvantages. If we go to Australia, the plane is the only means of transport that can take us to our destination. And if - in St.

Petersburg, then the choice between plane, train, or car

carried out by the passenger based on personal preference or circumstances.

Table 1 - Main characteristics of different types of transport

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction ................................................. .................................................. .. 3
1. Air transport in tourist traffic ................................ 4
1.1 International Organizations Regulating Air Transport ........................................... .................................................. 7
1.2 Interaction of travel agencies and airlines ..................... 9
1.3 Air transportation in Russia ………………………………. 13
2. Characteristics of Ural Airlines ………… .. 16
2.1 Results of the airline's activities ……………………………… 21
3. Ways to improve the quality of passenger service in air transport ……………………………………………………… 27
Conclusion …………………………………………………… ................. 29
List of sources used …………………………………… .. 30

INTRODUCTION

Transport is one of the most important components of the material base of the economy of any country.
Tourism is completely dependent on transport, its safety, speed and convenience provided to the tourist during his travels. Understanding the basics of relationships with transport companies, the rules for interacting with them in matters of ensuring the safety of passengers and their property, service is important for both tourists and travel organizers.
The relevance of this topic is that air transport is the most popular mode of transport in the world. Air transport is one of the fastest and most dynamically developing sectors of the world economy and every year it occupies an ever stronger position in the global transport system.
The purpose of this course work: to prove that air transport is popular in tourist transportation, to consider tourist transportation in the airline "Ural Airlines" and to identify ways to improve the quality of service in air transport.
To achieve the goal in the course work, you must solve the following tasks:
1. Consider the features of air transportation and identify the reasons for the popularity of transportation;
2. To study some aspects of tourist service by air;
3. Consider the work of the airline "Ural Airlines";
The object of the research is: the airline "Ural Airlines".
The subject of the research is: the place of air transport in the tourist transportation system in the Ural Airlines.

1. AIR TRANSPORT IN TOURIST TRANSPORTATION

Transport is one of the most important components of the material base of the economy of any country. Since ancient times, transport has been the engine of progress. The man used any available means to transport people and goods. With the invention of the wheel, and somewhat later of various types of engines, man began to develop the means of transportation accordingly: carts, carriages, steam locomotives, airplanes, etc. This made it possible to travel long distances and for various purposes.
International tourism involves the movement of people from country to country. In studying its development, it is very important to define its relationship with the transportation industry. Success in generating tourism markets and adequate transport infrastructure are one of the most important prerequisites for the development of any tourist center. For its part, the demand for tourism has stimulated the rapid development of the transport industry.
Tourism is completely dependent on transport, its safety, speed and convenience provided to the tourist during his travels. Understanding the basics of relationships with transport companies, the rules for interacting with them in matters of ensuring the safety of passengers and their property, service, the use of appropriate discounts and discounts in sales is important for both tourists and travel organizers. The development of tourism is constrained by the fact that transport systems in a number of countries do not meet world standards for convenience, efficiency and safety, and transport projects in terms of the construction of new airports, roads and railways require huge investments and time for their implementation.
Less than half of all international travel is by land, with the role of air transport increasing annually.
In 1992, only 5% of travelers used the rail system for international travel (mainly in Europe) and 8% traveled by steamships and ferries (for example, between the UK and France, Italy and Greece, Sweden and Denmark), and 40% of tourists got to their destination by plane.
According to statistics, the growth rate of the popularity of air transport is higher than that of motor transport, which is due to the increasing expansion of the geography of travel and the existing steady trend towards reducing travel times in favor of their frequency (growth of short-term long-distance tours). All this causes close attention of the tourist business to air transportation.
Airplanes are the most popular form of transportation in the world. The same can be said about air travel in tourism.
And there are a number of reasons for this:
- firstly, aviation is the fastest and most convenient mode of transport when traveling long distances;
- secondly, the service on flights is currently attractive for tourists;
- thirdly, aviation companies, directly and through international booking and reservation networks, pay travel agencies a commission for each seat booked on the plane, thereby motivating them to choose air travel.
Air transport is one of the most rapidly and dynamically developing sectors of the world economy and every year it occupies an increasingly strong position in the global transport system.
There are more than 1,300 airlines in the world now. On average, about 1.5 billion people are transported on flights annually. International air services are now provided by more than 470 carriers, about 250 of them make international regular flights. More than 1,000 airports of the world take part in servicing international air communications, about 650 of them serve international scheduled air services.
The largest airlines in the world in terms of the number of traffic are American Delta Air lines, Pan American, United, French Air France, German Lufthansa, British British Airways, etc. The Russian Aeroflot is considered a major airline.
However, the international air transport system is made up not only by international air carriers and airports, but also by states connected by international air lines and providing these communications, as well as international organizations in the field of air transport, taking measures to ensure its effective functioning and safety.
The international transport network currently covers all geographic regions and more than 150 countries of the world.

1.1 International organizations regulating air travel

Air transport is regulated in three ways:
National regulation - licensing of air carriers operating on both domestic and international routes;
Intergovernmental regulation - when scheduled air routes are based on agreements between the respective governments;
International regulation - when fares for scheduled flights are set (for airline members) based on mutual agreements between participating airlines ........

LIST OF SOURCES USED

1. Azar V.I. Transport and tourism. - M .: Transport, 2007.
2. Birzhakov M.B., Nikiforov V.I. Tourism industry: transportation .- SPb .: Publishing house. house "Gerda", 2008.
3. Zorin I.V., Koverina T.P., Kvartalnov V.A. Tourism management. - M .: Finance and Statistics, 2007.
4. Nikolaenko V.N., Skorobogatova L.G. Management of transport services in the field of tourism. B2h. Part 1: Lecture notes. - Yekaterinburg: Publishing house of USUPS, 2011.
5. Osipova O. Ya. transport services for tourists: Educational. manual for students of higher. educational institutions. - M .: Publishing Center "Academy", 2009.
6. Transport support for commercial activities: Textbook. allowance / Ed. G. Ya. Rezgo. - M .: Finance and Statistics, 2009.
7. Russian tourist newspaper. - URL: www. turizm.ru
8. Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation. - URL: www. favt.ru/favt_new -

Air transport infrastructure. According to statistics, the growth rate of the popularity of air transport is higher than that of motor transport, which is due to the increasing expansion of the geography of travel and the existing steady trend towards reducing travel times in favor of their frequency. Consequently, air transport is the fastest growing industry in the world. The international transport network covers more than 150 countries of the world.

There are more than 1,300 airlines in the world now. On average, about 1.5 billion people are transported on flights annually. International air services are now provided by more than 470 carriers, about 250 of them make international regular flights. More than 1000 airports of the world participate in servicing international air traffic, about 650 of them serve international scheduled air services.

However, the system of international air transport includes not only international air carriers and airports, but also states connected by international air lines and providing these services, as well as international organizations in the field of air transport, taking measures to ensure its effective functioning and safety.

Almost every country in the world has an airline, which is a kind of visiting card of the country, whose reliability, punctuality, service and comfort meet the highest international standards. Such a company is called national flag carrier... Such airlines in different countries are: French "Air France", German "Lufthansa", British "British Airways", Austrian "Austrian Airlines", Spanish "Iberia", Swiss "Swiss", Finnish "Finnair" and others. the carrier is Aeroflot - Russian Airlines.

Three quarters of the existing airliners are located on the American continent. The largest US airlines are: Federal Express, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Nortwest Airlines, US Airways, Southwest Airlines, TWA (Trans World Airlines), America West Airlines, Alaska Airlines. Their sales volume is up to 15 billion dollars per year. Large airlines also operate on the American continent in such countries as Canada - Air Canada, Canadian Airlines; Brazil - "Varig", "Brasilian Airlines"; Mexico (three largest airlines).

The largest airlines in Europe are: "British Airways" (Great Britain); Lufthanza German Airlines (Germany); Air France (France); SAS (Scandinavian Airlines System - Sweden, Denmark, Norway); Alitalia (Italy); Iberia Airlines (Spain); KLM - Royal Dutsh Airlines (Netherlands); "Crossair", "Swiss" (Switzerland); Sabena Belgian World Airlines (Belgium); Finnair (Finland). Bulgaria and Hungary have the largest aircraft fleets of Eastern Europe.

In Asia, the largest airlines are: ANA (All Nippon Airways), JAL (Japan Airlines) (Japan); Korean Air (Republic of Korea); Saudia - Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudi Arabia); Malaysia Airlines (Malaysia); China Southern Airlines, Air China (China); Cathay Pacific Airways (Hong Kong); JAS ("Japan Air System") (Japan); Singapore Airlines (Singapore); Thai Airways International (Thailand); Iraqi Airways (Iraq); THY - Turkish Airlines (Turkey); Philippine Airlines (Philippines).

On the African continent, there are major airlines in Libya, South Africa, Egypt, Algeria. Australia and Oceania also have relatively large airlines. In Australia, these are Qantas Airways and Ansett Australia. The Indonesian company Garuda Indonesia and the New Zealand ANZ (Air New Zealand) have a large fleet of aircraft.

Among the airlines are public(public, that is, regulated by the state) and private(privatized and being private companies). In Europe, airlines are largely governed by national governments. In the US, by contrast, all airlines are privatized and privately owned. Airlines "Swiss", "Scandinavian Airlines" (SAS) are partially privatized, partially owned by the state. British airlines are all privatized.

In most countries, there are generally three main types of airlines operating on a scheduled basis:

· large- national companies flying throughout the country and abroad;

· regional- airlines operating within certain regions of one country;

· local- small local airlines flying short distances from small suburban airfields. As a rule, they operate small propeller-driven aircraft with a capacity of up to 40 passengers and carry them to airports for subsequent transfer to flights of major airlines.

For example, the list of the best airlines in the world traditionally includes:

§ best overall: "British Airways" and "Virgin Atlantic" (Great Britain), "Singapore Airlines" (Singapore), KLM (Holland) and some others;

§ the best on long haul: Virgin Atlantic, British Airways (UK), Singapore Airlines (Singapore), Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong, China), Qantas (Australia);

§ the best in first and business class: Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates (UAE), Cathay Pacific (China);

§ the best in economy class: Virgin Atlantic, Emirates Airways (UAE), British Airways, Swissair (Switzerland), Singapore Airlines (Singapore);

§ the best in the frequent flyer program:British Airways, American Airlines (USA), Virgin Atlantic, Swissair (Switzerland), KLM (Holland).

Air transport infrastructure also includes airfields and airports. According to the Air Code of the Russian Federation aerodrome Is a land plot with a complex of engineering structures and buildings, specially allocated and equipped for takeoff and landing, taxiing, parking and aircraft maintenance.

Aerodromes located at an altitude of over 1000 m are considered mountainous, located in rugged terrain with a relative elevation of more than 500 m - airfields in mountainous areas. Aerodromes are divided into main (for which landing is provided for by the flight plan) and alternate (intended for landing, when such is impossible on the main one for any reason, the departure aerodrome usually belongs to alternate ones).

The main structure of the aerodrome - the runway (runway) - one or more, as well as the space for taxiing and parking of aircraft. This is a specially equipped strip with a hard surface at the airport for takeoff and landing of aircraft. The runway is equipped with light and electronic means of navigation and flight support. At modern aerodromes with the proper equipment, the airliner can be landed automatically without the participation of the pilot.

Airport - a complex of buildings and structures intended for receiving and dispatching aircraft and servicing air traffic, which has an airfield, an air terminal, ground facilities for aircraft maintenance, as well as the necessary equipment, aviation personnel and other workers.

Domestic airport - serving domestic carriers - designed to serve domestic flights of aircraft (within the territory of a given state), the international airport serves international flights. However, in practice, international airports also serve domestic flights, although the actual terminals for domestic and international flights are separate. international Airport - an airport open for receiving and dispatching aircraft performing international air transportation, in which customs, border, sanitary and quarantine and other controls are carried out.

There are about 1000 international airports in the world. The 30 largest airports carry more than 10 million passengers a year, with more than half of them in the United States. Six major airports handle over 30 million passengers annually. O-Hara Airport in Chicago has the highest capacity with 60 million passengers a year. In Europe, the most powerful is Heathrow Airport near London (UK). There are 76 international airports in Russia and their number is constantly increasing. Russian airlines operate flights to 175 major airports in 120 countries.

The number of airports in the world is practically not increasing, but the passenger capacity is growing, their infrastructure is developing, and the service technology is improving. According to experts, the airport of the XXI century. should be and is already becoming something more than just a place to board and disembark from an airplane. For example, the British company BAA, which owns Heathrow (in London) and Gatwick (in Glasgow), as well as Edinburgh Airport (in Scotland), has already turned its terminals into the most profitable retail outlets in the UK.

According to IATA, most of the world's largest airports are located in the Americas. The top ten airports include seven American, two European and one Asian. But just because the airport is the largest in the world does not mean that it is the best in terms of passenger service. This is confirmed by IATA's annual surveys of large numbers of passengers.

The best airports in terms of passenger service are determined according to several criteria: information service, catering, a variety of shops, communication services, etc. The research results showed that the best airports in the world are located in the cities: Dubai (UAE), Singapore, Hong Kong, Copenhagen (Denmark ), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Seoul (South Korea), Athens (Greece), Vancouver (Canada), Cincinnati (USA), Sydney (Australia).

Dubai Airport, launched in 2000, has been recognized as the most convenient and operational in the world. Singapore Airport received the highest score for its helpful staff. Copenhagen Airport came in fourth place, becoming the best in Europe. Seoul Airport was ranked sixth. None of the major airports were rated by the passengers surveyed.

Despite the expanding infrastructure and service capabilities, the airport retains its main function - the place of boarding and disembarking from an aircraft. Place of departure and arrival from the flight. Based on this, the main task of the airport is to service flights of various airlines and serve air passengers.

IN airport tasks includes: servicing passenger traffic, cargo and mail; providing flights of foreign and national airlines within the airport; ensuring the regularity and safety of flights, meteorological observations; ensuring the proper operation of communication facilities and light signaling; aircraft maintenance and refueling; change of toilet tanks, garbage collection; an important operation is the prompt preparation and supply of compact food for each flight.

Each airport has the following units: a runway and field service squad; lighting personnel; air navigation service; technical personnel for servicing passengers on boarding and disembarking from the aircraft, as well as loading and unloading baggage; "cargo" service (cargo handling); aircraft engineering; meteorological service; medical service, including a sanitary and quarantine point; help desk.

In each airport, in close cooperation with the airport employees, there are representative offices of airlines operating on the lines to which the airport belongs. Control services (border, customs, sanitary and quarantine, veterinary, phyto-sanitary, etc.) operate at international airports.

The territory of each airport is strictly divided into two zones: a) the arrival (arrival) zone and b) the departure (departure) zone. Each airport is allocated a special place - the so-called the waiting area(for meeting passengers, transit passengers, etc.). A special area of \u200b\u200beach international airport is neutral zone.Departing passengers after customs and passport control before departure of the aircraft, and arriving passengers - before customs and passport control must be in this zone. On this neutral territory, there are usually all kinds of duty free shops, exempt from taxes and duties.

Railway infrastructure. Railways with varying network density and level of technical equipment have been built in most countries of the world, but there are a number of countries where there are no railways. These include: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Belize, Bhutan, Brunei, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guinea, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Congo (Zaire), Kuwait, Lesotho, Libya, Mauritius , Niger, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Yemen, Qatar, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, UAE, Uruguay and some others.

Until the intensive development of road and air transport from the middle of the XIX century. and in the first half of the XX century. the railroad was one of the main means of moving travelers from their primary residence to another locality or country. Since the intensification of technological progress, road transport and air carriers have taken over a significant share of transportation. However, the creation of high-speed railways restored competitiveness to the railway.

Within the main European countries - Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Great Britain - travel between major capitals and tourist centers today is even more convenient to travel by train than by bus or plane. The journey from Milan to Rome takes just over 2 hours with a train speed of over 200 km / h. Moreover, the train travels along a fairly straight line, which is always shorter than any road connecting two settlements.

In the presence of high-speed trains, the greatest efficiency of movement on the railway is observed when traveling over distances of up to 500-600 km. In this case, high-speed railways make it possible to overcome this route in 2-3 hours, which is quite convenient for tourists. In addition, trains usually arrive at stations traditionally located right in the very center of large cities and capitals, which minimizes transfers and creates significant advantages over aviation. If we add to this the fare several times lower (compared to air transport), then the advantages of rail transport (especially when moving over medium and relatively short distances) are obvious. For transportation distances less than 500 km, it is more efficient to use road transport, and for more than 1000 km, air transportation.

In addition to its original purpose - transportation - the railway is actively used for entertainment purposes. Unhurried "steamboat trips" on old trains (retro trains) with unique locomotives in the national parks have become a great entertainment for tourists spoiled by super-highways. Clubs of railway lovers were organized all over the world, zealous collectors of old steam locomotives and even owners of small private roads equipped with rolling stock of the late 19th and early 20th centuries were found. The subject of tourist interest is photography and video filming of retro locomotives with a plume of black smoke from a picture chimney against the background of beautiful landscapes, and even phonograms of original and characteristic sounds of mechanisms when driving.

The role of railway transport in the Russian Federation and on the territory of the post-Soviet space remains traditionally large. This type of transport is invariably very popular with the overwhelming majority of the country's population and is used as the main mode of transport in the implementation of both domestic (to a greater extent) and international tourist trips. At present, in Russia, rail transport accounts for almost 50% of passenger traffic.

The structure of railway transport is based on the production-territorial principle, according to which the entire railway network of the country is divided into separate large sections - railways. In turn, the railways are divided into departments, which are the main production links of the railways. The departments manage the financial and production and economic activities of all production and line divisions located within this railway: stations, train stations, railways, track infrastructure, track structures, etc.

Consequently, the railway transport infrastructure is formed by linear and nodal elements. Linear railways include the railways of a country or region. The nodal and point elements include passenger stations, railway stations, technical services of the railway. Let's consider them and their functions in more detail.

Passenger stations - separate points of the railways, where operations with passenger trains and wagons are carried out - formation, reception and dispatch, transit, maintenance of rolling stock, passenger service. Special stations are being built to serve passengers. Passenger stations are divided into through, nodal, dead-end, combined, technical, and cargo-passenger.

Depending on the destination, passenger stations have tracks for receiving and dispatching passenger trains, performing shunting operations, and temporary parking of trains; railway station buildings and pavilions for passenger and service personnel; platforms and transitions. The stations have technical services and parks, baggage and cargo services.

Train Station - a complex of buildings and structures specially designed and properly equipped to service passenger trains and passengers. The station generally contains the station building itself with waiting rooms, ticket offices, food points, baggage services, office space, platforms, station tunnels and crossings.

Railway stations are separate (for servicing only long-distance trains and suburban lines), semi-separate, when the station is structurally divided into two parts for long-distance and suburban lines, as well as single (the station is not divided into zones for long-distance and suburban trains; all platforms are located together and are used in a complex manner). Depending on the location of the station buildings in relation to the tracks, side buildings are distinguished, located on one side of the tracks, island buildings - the building is located between the tracks, dead-end and channel (subway and above-track).

Large railway stations have a huge capacity - up to 20 million passengers per year or more. At the same time, intense passenger flows are generated as trains leave and arrive. Accordingly, they are allocated passengers of departure, passengers of arrival, transit passengers, passengers of passing long-distance trains and passengers of tourist trains who have a long stay at this station. For each category of passengers, the zone, the area of \u200b\u200bthe station premises and the service system are determined.

At the stations themselves, the zones of departure and arrival of passengers are highlighted. This is important, especially at dead-end and junction stations, when more than 1000 passengers with luggage leave the train at the same time. The correct organization of service areas for passing high-speed trains is important. Station crossings connect platforms, station premises, waiting rooms and the station square. Among them, there are crossings on the same level with the tracks, at the level of platforms, bridges and concourses, viaducts, ramps, tunnels, stairs, escalators.

Waiting rooms are designed for passengers of various categories, including transit, lounges for passengers with children and a comfortable waiting room for VIPs. Toilets, shops, food outlets, bars, restaurants, ticket offices, information and service services, business centers, currency exchange offices, medical assistance and security points are located in them or in adjacent premises of the station.

The technical services of the railway are very diverse. In addition to the actual organization of train traffic and the technical maintenance of rolling stock, these services perform multiple duties of booking and selling tickets to passengers, information functions, supplying fuel, water, bed linen, food, garbage and waste collection, security.

Road transport infrastructure. Car services used in the tourism industry include the following main areas: 1) the organization of bus travel (including caravans); 2) organization of car travel: using your own car; car rental in the place of permanent residence; car rental at the holiday destination.

Several types of transport are involved in international passenger transportation: air, international, sea and road, which includes cars and buses. At the present stage of development of international transportation, road transportation has a high proportion in the total volume of international passenger transportation.

By 2007, the share of road transport decreased significantly and amounted to less than 40% due to an increase in the share of air transport in transport travel. Nevertheless, road transport is still the leader in tourist transportation, performing two main functions: independent type of travel and excursions; auxiliary (transfer) transport. It should be noted that 92% of all excursions are conducted using road transport.

The most popular tourist transport - the bus, in most cases is the property of large tourist companies, associations, concerns, associations. Other travel companies use the services of trucking companies on the basis of long-term leases or one-time orders.

Tourist road transport is carried out mainly by bus (78%), cars (17%) and other types of road transport (5%). With their high maneuverability and mobility, tourist buses are out of competition on short and medium (up to 500 km) routes. Highly comfortable tourist buses are also used on long routes (tours around Europe, the Golden Ring, etc.). At the same time, the rest of tourists at night is provided, as a rule, in hotels or motels (roadside hotels). According to the international classification, according to a number of criteria, buses are certified by category (number of stars).

Tourist and excursion transportation is the most popular type of travel in our country. They are widely used by travel agencies in organizing domestic and inbound tourism. In particular, many travel agencies in the country are developing bus tours for both Russian and foreign tourists. Such routes are classified according to a number of characteristics: time of implementation, duration, region of conduct, topic, travel conditions.

Most domestic tours usually range in length from one to ten days. For example, the most famous multi-day bus route (4-5 days) is the route through the cities of the Golden Ring. The theme of tourist and excursion bus routes is also very diverse. Tour operators offer programs of religious themes (visiting monasteries and religious buildings of the country), pilgrimage tours, space tours (visiting cosmodromes, aviation and cosmonautics museums), theater tours (visiting famous theaters in Moscow and St. Petersburg), nature tours (outings, weekend trips -end, etc.), holiday tours (participation in festive events) and others. We also offer non-traditional bus tours - sauna tour, jeeping, anglers, hunters, tasting and gastronomic tours.

In addition to the organization of guided tourist and excursion bus tours, unaccompanied charter tours and excursion trips for independently formed groups of tourists are organized on domestic routes. In the first case, buses are used for organized transportation of sports fans, businessmen, scientists, and participants in festivals. In the second case, motor transport companies or travel agencies organize a short trip for everyone along an interesting city or suburban route, accompanied by a guide.

International bus tours differ in duration, content of excursion programs and conditions of service during the trip. In terms of these factors, all international bus tours can be divided into economy, standard, branded and exclusive. IN economical tours the trip includes a varied excursion program, accommodation in 2-3 star hotels located on the outskirts of cities, night transfers. IN standard tours one night transfer, accommodation in 2-3 star hotels near metro stations or public transport lines, a varied excursion program and free time in large cities. IN company tours there are no night transfers, accommodation is organized in 3-5 star hotels located in the city center, a rich excursion program and free time in the visited settlements are provided. Exclusive tours are formed on the basis of brand names, customer wishes are accepted if desired.

Currently, international passenger transportation by buses in Russia is actually two directions, namely, irregular transportation in the framework of international bus tourism and passenger transportation on regular international lines. With the formation of the CIS, there has been a significant change in each of these areas of transportation activities.

In contrast to the irregular transportation of tourists, international regular bus lines have become widespread relatively recently, after Russia entered the market path of development, which made it possible to provide the necessary regulatory framework and freedom of movement of Russian citizens abroad. One of the pioneers in this area was the Reichert company, which for the first time opened a regular route Russia - Germany.

For more than ten years, the Eurolines bureau, an international association of road carriers, has been operating in Moscow, uniting 35 largest European bus companies. For those who prefer to travel on their own, the Eurolines bus system is the most suitable way to travel, cheap and at the same time allowing you to see almost all of Europe. Currently, the Eurolines bus system connects more than 40 largest cities in Europe: London, Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Lyon, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Berlin, Frankfurt am Main, Cologne, Munich, Vienna, Basel, Madrid, Barcelona, \u200b\u200bRome, Milan , Florence, Prague, Budapest, Warsaw, Stockholm, Gothenburg, Zurich, Bordeaux, Venice, Dublin, Krakow, Bratislava, etc.

Bus tourism. Bus tours - travel of groups of tourists on their own or rented buses. They can be carried out everywhere and with little or no restrictions. Due to its mobility and relative independence from transport communications and schedules, bus travels allow organizing routes to interesting places at the most convenient time for tourists. Bus travel routes are subdivided into urban, suburban and intercity routes.

The advantages of bus tours are their relative cheapness: a bus trip costs about 1.5-2 times cheaper than a regular tour with air travel, and the fact that the price of bus tours does not change throughout the season, regardless of demand. A lot of experience has been accumulated in the organization of bus tourism and there are long traditions in comparison with other types of tourism. The possibility of including small towns on the bus route makes such trips convenient for family tourists and the elderly. The participation of cars and buses in international tourism reflects the ratio of individual and group tourism, as international bus tourism is mostly group tourism.

Modern bus tourism is currently characterized not only by quantitative growth, but also by constant qualitative change, expressed in a wide variety of bus use in international tourism. A traditional type of international bus tourism is route trips, the essence of which is that the programs for them are drawn up taking into account the maximum use of buses during the entire trip. Recently, combined bus tourism has been developed - route tourism and recreation, attracting tourists with a combination of educational and health-improving recreation.

Thus, bus transportations in international traffic are very popular among tourists in various countries. The main advantage of this type of transportation is the optimal price / quality ratio, which makes it possible to use them in mass international tourism. Currently, the world market for international bus transportation is experiencing rapid growth in sales volumes and quality indicators of service.

There are two ways to organize the irregular transport of tourists:

1. A travel company develops a specific bus tour and entrusts the transportation to a transport organization that develops a route, performs flight maintenance, etc.

2. A travel agency rents a bus from a transport organization (or a private person) and carries out the transportation itself. However, in this case, such a company must have a license to transport passengers in the international direction, the necessary permits, etc.

Bus companies offer the following tour packages and bus rental service:

1. Charter tours - service of evenings, one-day trips to competitions, week-long trips - holiday tours;

2. Guided tours - trips of pre-planned groups lasting from five days to one month, accompanied by a leader;

3. Independently formed groups - the tour includes visits to cities and attractions using regular buses;

4. Flexible tours - the combination of bus transport with other vehicles.

The rights and obligations of the carrier and tourists are regulated by the contract for carriage, contract for tourist services and a voucher. Bus travel can be organized on our own buses owned by travel agencies, as well as on rented buses owned by independent transport companies of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation. Currently, only in Moscow there are more than 30 transport companies specializing in international tourism: "Old City", "Avtotour-Sputnik", "Avtoturtrans", "Inters", "Turtrans-Voyage" and others.

Automotive tourism and car rental... The advantage of using road transport is that it makes travelers independent in time, routes, and schedule. The main forms of auto tourism are:

· individual tourism - a tourist, going on a trip, knows that no one guarantees him accommodation and meals (provided that this is a long trip);

· organized tourism - a trip of one or several cars on an exact schedule and with a full range of services during stops;

· caravanning- a type of automobile tourism in which a caravan (autocaravan) is used as a means of accommodation.

A very common service among tourists, especially on stationary and resort tours. The leading car rental company in the world is Hertz. The competing company Avis in the mid-90s. XX century was named the best car rental company by the English magazine "Institutional Investor".

Infrastructure of water transport... Tourist business has different forms of travel organization and one of them is cruises. Cruise is a tourist trip on a river or sea, usually with a call to ports, on board a special passenger vessel. Currently, dozens of cruise companies around the world operate hundreds of passenger ships with a capacity of 70 to 2000-3000 passengers and offer exciting trips to almost any region of the world.

In fact, a cruise is a sea or river tour, the base price of which includes a comprehensive service on board. In particular: travel by ship, accommodation in a cabin (depending on the chosen class), three meals a day, entertainment and, as a rule, a number of special events on board (holidays, festivals, competitions, concerts, etc.).

Cruise companies and the cruise ships they own are most often included in the infrastructure of water activities. The vast majority of the nearly fifty companies operating in the global cruise market are North American. But today there are no more than fifteen significant companies left, and due to the active process of their merger, this number is constantly decreasing. The top ten mega-companies include Carnival, Royal Caribbean, P&O Princess, Star Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Festival, Crystal. Among the main market players, about 85% of companies are from the United States (often sailing under the flags of other states - Panamanian, Liberian, etc.). The first three leaders - Carnival, Royal Caribbean, P&O Princess and their affiliated companies “hold” approximately 81% of the world cruise market.

Another feature of the modern cruise business is the emergence of giant ships. Leading cruise companies have staged a real race of titans among themselves. In the next few years (2007-2010), about 50 new generation 4-5 * airliners with a displacement of 70-100 thousand tons will be launched, which will replace ships built in the 80-90s. The new superliners will accommodate 2.5-3 thousand passengers and will be equipped with arcades of shops and restaurants, casinos, ice rinks and golf courses.

There are several common classifications of passenger ships and cruise routes. The international association of cruise companies CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), as well as the leading international cruise directories "Berlitz", "Fodor" subdivide sea routes, depending on the cost of a day of stay, into four categories: economy, classic, premium cruises and luxury cruises. ". The first in the international lists of luxury companies is Silversea Cruises, the only ultra all inclusive six-star company offering a high-class, but more democratic Crystal vacation.

In turn, cruise ships are classified by star rating - from 1 to 6 stars and groups: Standart ("2-4 stars"), Premium ("5 stars" - "5 stars plus") and Lux \u200b\u200b("6 stars"). Cruise ships are certified in 6 categories (stars). Only four vessels in the world belong to the super-luxury category (6 stars). The cost of a cruise of this class is $ 6000-8000 per week. Here passengers are accommodated only in apartments. The cost of such a cruise includes everything, including tips. Vessels of this class are designed for 200 passengers and 150 crew members.