Supply Chain in Relation to Tourism and Crowd Management

Abstract

The tourism industry is one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the world, and the developments in the industry are linked to the operation of tourism enterprises and the products offered by them. Being one of the most competitive industries in the business world, the management of supply and demand is essential aspect of successful management in the tourism sector. A major issue that arises in the tourism sector is the management of crowds in many of the beautiful and renowned cities in the world. The massive flow of visitors is not only an issue for the travelers, but also imposes risks on the supply chain that operates within the tourism industry. The aim of this article is to gain an understanding of supply chain applications in the tourism industry and exploration of crowd management with regards to tourism industry. The article also explores the advantages of using supply chain for crowd management in tourism industry, particularly with reference to the Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry, along with suggestions to integrate crowd management strategies in supply chain.