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HospitalityTeam Decision Making2 members

TTDM

Travel and Tourism Team Decision Making

Two competitors solve a travel and tourism management case for a destination, travel agency, cruise line, airline, or tourism authority. Cases require understanding of travel consumer behavior, destination marketing, revenue management, and distribution.

Prep Time

30 min

With Judge

15 min

PI Source

Hospitality + BA Core

Team Size

2 members

Format

Team Case + Objective Test

Who Should Compete

Students drawn to tourism management, destination marketing, airlines, or travel agency operations.

The Judge's Role

Panel of tourism executives or destination management professionals

Competition Format

Event structure.

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Preparation

30 min

Both team members receive the case study. Divide the analysis, identify the key problem and sub-issues, and build a cohesive recommendation. You may use the printed case and scratch paper provided.

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Presentation

15 min

Present your analysis and solution to the judges panel. Split delivery evenly. Use clear structure: situation overview, alternatives considered, recommended solution, and implementation steps.

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Q&A

5 min

Judges ask clarifying or challenge questions. Both members should be ready to answer any aspect of the case. Stay composed and defend your recommendations with data from the case.

Performance Indicators

What you'll be tested on.

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Destination marketing and DMOs

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Tourism distribution channels (GDS, OTAs)

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Travel consumer behavior and trends

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Revenue management for airlines/cruise

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Sustainable tourism practices

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Convention and meetings industry

Browse all performance indicators

How to Prepare

Preparation framework.

01

Master PI lists for your cluster + BA Core

Both members should know all relevant PIs cold. Questions from judges often test PI knowledge directly.

02

Develop a team case-cracking framework

Agree on a shared structure: problem statement → root causes → alternatives (at least 2) → recommendation → implementation → metrics for success.

03

Practice splitting the presentation evenly

Each member must speak substantially. Assign sections, but both must understand the full case, judges direct questions to either member.

04

Work through past cases

Request sample cases from your advisor or use DECA's official resources. Time the 30-min prep and 15-min presentation.

05

Study together, take the objective test seriously

The objective test score is averaged, so a weak score from one member pulls both scores down.

Sample Scenario Themes

Representative topics.

Not official DECA scenarios, representative themes based on past competitions.

Revitalizing a destination hit by negative press

Developing a post-pandemic recovery marketing plan for a tourism board

Creating a sustainable tourism strategy for an eco-destination

Advising an airline on ancillary revenue expansion

Building a meetings and incentives (MICE) sales strategy

Competition Tips

Notes from experienced competitors.

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Know travel distribution: GDS (Amadeus/Sabre), OTAs (Expedia/Booking), direct channel strategy.

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Sustainable tourism is increasingly tested, know the key principles and certification programs.

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Be specific about target traveler segments and their booking behaviors.

Ready to prep for TTDM?

Practice exams for Hospitality · Review Hospitality + BA Core performance indicators · Roleplay framework.