The Pfizer Company Business Model

Table of Contents Customer value Capabilities Sustainability Conclusion Works Cited Customer value The value the company attaches to its customers contributed to its thriving into limelight of drug business in the year 1941. This was due to the mass production of penicillin which saved many lives during the World War II. This was then later followed by the manufacture of Viagra. Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Pfizer Company Business Model specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Before the firm developed Viagra, it had to create around 1,500 chemicals, tested their effectiveness as compared to previous drugs and finally screened them to come up with the best quality for the consumers (Magretta 3-8). The firm also went as far as researching to find out which of the age groups suffered most from the erectile dysfunction (Hedman). The Viagra invention had the ability to cause erections only during sexual stimulati on. This was contrary to other injection therapies provided by other companies which at times induced the patient to prolonged erections, making the patient uncomfortable. Hence, the invention of Viagra was so much encouraging to the consumers who expressed their willingness to continue with the treatment as it satisfied their expectations. The firm had a stated maximum prescription for each patient diagnosed with erectile dysfunction, this ensured reimbursement of up to 6 tablets per month for each patient 18 years and above. The plan ensured that consumers were protected from any form of misuse of the drugs and danger (Mahadavan 4).The use of Viagra was dropped from the formularies since it became one of the lifestyle drugs. This helped majority to cut on Medicaid expenses. The introduction of online sales made it possible for the company to reach so many customers within the shortest time possible. This helped in increasing the revenues of the firm; this included the consultatio n and the shipping fee offered by the company which was averagely $ 715 for one year supply (Magretta 3-8). Capabilities The Pfizer firm recorded the highest earnings growth in the Pharmaceutical industry, which was rated at 25% between 2000 and 2002. This growth rate was attributed to the strong drug pipeline and its stability in blockbuster drugs. The firm also had the lowest risk when it came to the market share loss from the drugs as compared to other pharmaceutical firms. This was due to the fact that most of its pharmaceutical sales were given to generic cannibalization before 2005. The firm’s capability to increase its research and development expenses saw it venture into new field of medicine. This enabled the firm to invent new pharmaceutical drugs and also open many operational facilities all over the world (Army).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More For the Pf izer firm to overcome the competitors they embarked on continuous launching of new products and aggressively acquiring the best possible strategies. They bought drug maker companies and also ventured into the consumer products, bought companies that produced hospital related products. The company also extended an invitation hand to other related companies which saw it merge with some popular companies like Warner-Lambert. The company ventured in the sale of the brand name from its operating groups to the consumers. The brand name groups included Animal Health Group and Consumer Health care. These brand names made the company to be known as one which improved the health not only of human beings but also of livestock, hence became very popular to the consumers (Porter 62-78). The introduction of the internet enables the firm to reach so many companies at any given time. It also enhances the devising of the strategies since the progress of other firms can easily be monitored from the internet. It has enabled international expansion of the company (Stabell 413). Sustainability For sustenance purposes the firm invested heavily on the research and development, half of the employees of the company taken to the section dealing with research and development. The mixture on the labor force was also a contributing factor, which comprises the British and the Americans (Sandberg 3). The firm strategizes on conducting more clinical trials on Viagra as compared to its competitors. This made it to enlarge its market base since most of the patients came back with positive results. The firm also deployed a good number of sales representatives to that went direct to the doctors, who eventually prescribed the drug to the patients (Army). The firm uses the Direct-to-Consumer Advertising which ensures that patients are updated on new medical treatments, right prescriptions and also allows them to discuss their health conditions with their physicians. The company also focused on r aising awareness on how important men’s health was to them (Porter 62). They used the brand name that made so many identify themselves with the brand i.e. so many became brand loyal to the company. The firm spent so much money in advertisement on medical journals, meetings and events that were mostly attended by the physicians. These promotional activities ensured some increase in revenue with the Direct-to-customer contributing around 16% in the year 2000. The use of the internet exposes the firms secrets to the competitors hence considered not safe at all for sustainability purposes (Porter 78).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Pfizer Company Business Model specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Conclusion The business model shows clearly the level of competition of the company, it reveals whether the company is the most cost-efficient company in the industry or not. The business model should be understood because it provides vivid information about the market and can be used by investors and financial analysts. Works Cited Army, Barret. â€Å"The formula at Pfizer. Don’t run with the crowd†. Business week may 11, 1998. Hedman, Thomas. â€Å"The Business Model: A Means to Understand the Business Context of Information and Communication Technology†. Institute of Economic Research Working Paper Series, School of Economics and Management, Lund University 2001. Magretta, Joan. â€Å"Why Business Models Matter,† Harvard Business Review, May 2002: 3-8. Mahadevan. â€Å"Business Models for Internet-Based E-Commerce,† California Management Review, Vol. 42, summer 2000: 4 Porter, Michael. â€Å"Strategy and the Internet,† Harvard Business Review, March 2001: 62-78. Sandberg. Is it time to trade in your business model? Harvard Management Update, January, 2002: 3-5.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Stabell, Fjeldstad. â€Å"Configuring value for competitive advantage: On chains, shops and networks†. Strategic Management Journal, Vol. 19, 1998: 413–437. Timmers, Paul. â€Å"Business Models for Electronic Markets,† Electronic Markets, ol. 8, No. 2, 1998: 3-8 This essay on The Pfizer Company Business Model was written and submitted by user Maurice A. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Implikasi Strategis dari Teknologi Baru essays

Implikasi Strategis dari Teknologi Baru essays IMPLIKASI STRATEGIS DARI TEKNOLOGI BARU Sampai saat ini, hanya beberapa perusahaan mulai menyadari kebutuhan akan strategi dan teknologi aliansi, dan masih banyak yang belum mengerti dan menyadari pentingnya strategi ini. Namun perusahaan yang menyadari akan kebutuhan ini, belum sepenuhnya menghargai semua isu yang terlibat. Hal ini disebabkan karena konsep dari teknologi ini masih relatif baru dan belum dikembangkan. Bab ini akan membahas mengenai peran dari manufacturing sebagai fungsi dan teknologi sebagai sumber daya dalam strategi perencanaan proses, keuntungan strategi potensial dari teknologi baru, dan komponen-komponen utama dari strategi teknologi. Apa yang dimaksud dengan Perencanaan Strategis? Pada umumnya, strategi sesuai dengan tujuan dari perusahaan, focus dari produk/pasar, dan daya saing perusahaan. Perencanaan strategis adalah sebuah proses yang berlangsung dimana perusahaan mengembangkan sebuah strategi yang konsisten dengan lingkungannya ( contohnya, industri dan lingkungan kompetitif), sumber daya, nilai managerial, dan organisasi. Hax and Majluf (1984), dan Hamermesh(1987) mengidentifikasikan empat level strategi : Strategi institusional mengarah ke pengembangan dari karakter dasar dan tujuan dari organisasi. Strategi ini dapat disebut juga dengan misi perusahaan. Strategi ini meliputi visi kedepan untuk menjawab pertanyaan seperti : Siapa kita? Kemana arah perusahaan Strategi kerjasama ini mengarah pada praktek dari kerjasama. Strategi ini meliputi penentuan bisnis dalam perusahaan yang harus dilepas, bisnis mana yang dapat diperoleh untuk memperkuat organisasi, dan bagaimana bisnis individual akan berinteraksi dalam pembagian sumber daya, focus pasar. Strategi ini mengacu pada pengembangan perencanaan yang jelas dan detail dari tujuan dan objektif unit bisnis individual(pertumbuhan, pangsa pasar, pengenalan produk baru), dan cara apa yang akan digunakan untuk mencapai tujuan tersebut (biaya ...

The Position of Greek Women in the Archaic Age

The Position of Greek Women in the Archaic Age Evidence About Greek Women in the Archaic Age As with most areas of ancient history, we can only generalize from limited available material about the place of women in Archaic Greece. Most evidence is literary, coming from men, who naturally didnt know what it was like to live as a woman. Some of the poets, notably Hesiod and Semonides, appear to be misogynist, seeing the role of woman in the world as little more than a cursed man would be well off without. Evidence from drama and epic frequently presents a stark contrast. Painters and sculptors also portray women in a friendlier manner, while epitaphs show women as much-loved partners and mothers. In Homeric society, the goddesses were just as powerful and important as the gods. Could the poets have envisioned strong-willed and aggressive women if there were none in real life? Hesiod on Women in Ancient Greece Hesiod, shortly after Homer, saw women as a curse sprung from the first female whom we call Pandora. Her name means all gifts, and she was a gift to man from an angry Zeus, crafted in Hephaestus forge and cultivated by Athena. Thus, Pandora was not only never born, but her two parents, Hephaestus and Athena, had never been conceived by sexual union. Pandora (hence, woman) was unnatural. Famous Greek Women in the Archaic Age From Hesiod until the Persian War (which marked the end of the Archaic Age), only a few womens exploits were recorded. Best known is the poet and teacher from Lesbos, Sappho. Corinna of Tanagra is thought to have defeated the great Pindar in verse competition five times. When the husband of Artemisia of Halicarnassus died, she assumed his place as a tyrant and joined the expedition of the Persians led by Xerxes against Greece. A bounty was offered by the Greeks for her head. Archaic Age Women in Ancient Athens Most of the evidence about women in this time comes from Athens, like the influential Aspasia in the time of Pericles. Women were needed to help run the oikos home where she would cook, spin, weave, manage servants and raise the children. Chores, like fetching water and going to market, were done by a servant if the family could afford it. Higher class women were expected to have a chaperone accompany them when they left the house. Among the middle class, at least in Athens, women were a liability. Occupations of Archaic Age Greek Women Priestesses and prostitutes were exceptions to the generally low status of Archaic Age Greek women. Some wielded significant power. Indeed, the most influential Greek person of either sex was probably the priestess of Apollo at Delphi. Spartan women may have owned property, and some inscriptions show that Greek tradeswomen operated stalls and laundries. Marriage and Family Roles in Archaic Greece If a family had a daughter, they needed to raise a substantial sum to pay the dowry to her husband. If there was no son, the daughter passed her fathers inheritance to her spouse, for which reason she would be married to a close male relative like a cousin or uncle. Normally, she was married a few years after puberty to a man much older than herself. Main Source Frank J. Frosts Greek Society (Fifth Edition).

To what extent can the marketing mix be quintessentially standardised Essay

To what extent can the marketing mix be quintessentially standardised within the international marketplace - Essay Example strategies which are incorporated into the new competition that is a part of the market as well as the changes which have occurred within the internal and external environment are also altering the strategies which can be used. Defining the marketing strategies in the marketplace as well as the standardization which can be used can also offer new implementation of marketing in a different manner at a global level. The foundational concepts that are associated with marketing and the international marketplace are relevant because of different activities, organizational structures and practices which are required by organizations. The marketing strategies which are used are now an integral part of building an international marketing scenario, specifically with corporations that are beginning to expand globally and which are interested in creating multinational corporations. The strategies which are incorporated into the marketplace are essential because they create a relationship within the internal organization as well as through the customers that are interested in a business at an international level. The activities which take place, structure of the company and the ability to communicate effectively with those that are looking into different corporations then become an integral part of the marketing initiatives. Ensuring that the communication from marketing as well as the responses that are incorporated into the different organizations is effective makes a difference in the capabilities of an organization to work toward an international reputation (Czinkota, Ronkainen, 17, 2007). The concept of marketing is not only important because of the need to create new strategies to meet the international expectations within the market. There are also alterations that are related to the process which has to be incorporated as well as the ability to move through the benefits and challenges which are associated with international marketing. Surviving through

Magic Realism Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Magic Realism - Research Paper Example The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende is a text peopled by characters with magical capabilities. Characters, such as Clara, are endowed with uncanny, spiritual ability such as clairvoyance, interpretation of dreams, and telekinesis (moving objects with the mind). In the novel, writing is not a mere activity. It becomes a spiritual affair in which the writer undergoes a catharsis or inner purging, wielding the power of the pen. Clara records her dreams and spiritual encounters to be passed down to future generations. In this world, â€Å"conventional resources were not everything† (Conniff 1990). Spirits aid man in a mutually beneficial relationship. She relates well with the good spirits and they abide in her home, giving her a contentment that nothing material could bring. Characters can see the apparition of ghosts and experience comforting spirits participating in daily life so much so that the residents of the home accept them as normal. The paranormal constantly take s place in the novel. For example, Clara miraculously finds the lost head of her mother who accidentally gets decapitated. The spirits reveal to her the head's exact location when no one could retrieve it.  The punctuation of the novel with magic and surreal occurrences impresses on the mind the intersection of the spiritual world (embodied as Clara) and the material (embodied as Esteban).   In Monkey Beach, Lisa, the protagonist equally has phenomenal spiritual ability to foresee events through dreams before they come to pass. In the Haisla culture in Canada, the Native Indians cherish the culture of supernatural consciousness and communication with dead ancestors. Ma-Ma-Oo, Lisa’s grandmother, appreciates Lisa’s unusual gift and teaches her how to sharpen and control it. In magical realism novels, the presence of older generations is indispensable because the work â€Å"is the simultaneous impetus of atavism and modernism† (Gish 1990). Lisa learns about he r sixth sense and later ‘sees’ a vision of her dead brother relaying an urgent message to her. Lisa also receives a vision that her best friend has died. Magical realism is woven into Monkey Beach not only through Lisa, but also through the old witch, Screwy Ruby, Sasquatch (an fabled animal from another world) and a strange little man who appears to Lisa whenever something imminent is about to take place. These personas are gifted with premonitions and foretelling. Some of Lisa’s family members also have strains of her spiritual gift but choose to deny it. Setting is key in structuring a text with magical realism. In One Hundred Years of Solitude, the setting is a fantastic, timeless village called Macondo, whose inhabitants are immortal. Setting not only signifies space, but also time. Time laws in magical realism works operate outside of the normal sphere. â€Å"Time is curved and coincidental in a whole moment that is outside of clock time† (Rabassa 19 73). Marquez’ title emphasizes a timelessness which also points to an otherworldliness. Gabriel Garcia Marquez describes the Macondo village as a place untainted and uncorrupted by

Tourist Data In Himachal: An analysis

Tourist Data In Himachal: An analysis Himachal Pradesh is one of Indias best tourist attraction regions, with its green valleys, snow covered Himalayan ranges and unique beauty, it is indeed a comfortable place for tourists. The region has a rich cultural heritage that attracts thousands of tourists each year. The outer fringe of Himachal is formed by the Shiwalik hills, which are characterized by shallow valleys and dense scrub forests. The mid ranges have the majestic Himalayan cedar and the spruces followed by alpine meadows that intersperse themselves with the snow clad peaks of the Greater Himalaya.(tourism policy 2005) The variances in climate and forest cover in Himachal make it attractive in different seasons of the year. The region also has a varied topography with beautiful flora and fauna. According to tourism policy 2005, Himachal has 32 sanctuaries, that is; Simbalwara (Sirmour), Churdhar, Chail (Solan), Maharana Pratap Sagar (Kangra) Manali (Kullu), Kanwar (Kullu), Kalatop Khajjiar (Chamba) and Daranghati (Shimla)., 2 national parks, Pin Valley National Park, Spiti and the Great Himalayan National Park, Kullu; and 3 game reserves, Kufri (Shimla), Manali (Kullu) and Gopalpur (Kangra). There has been an increasing number of tourist visits to Himachal since the 90s to date. Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur districts have emerged as the most common destinations. Table 1. Below shows the increasing rate of tourist visits in the region. Visitors come from different nations all over the world, some of which are; United Kingdom, United States of America, France, Germany, Canada, and Malaysia. There are also domestic visitors that have been recorded and the ratios predict that there are more domestic visitors as compared to foreign visitors. The trend of tourists visits follows the climate seasons of Himachal, the seasons in Himachal are not different from those of the whole India, India has quarterly climatic seasons, occurring every three months in a year. The first quarter is snowing and stormy, the second quarter is dusty because of the sun, it is a dry season, the third is the rainy season and the fourth is just fine weather. The tourist season normally begins in the snowfall and the numbers escalate in the summer. More Data on Tourists Visits to Himachal Number of domestic tourists between 2003 and 2004 was 5 million [HT May 2004] Number of foreign tourists between 2003 and 2004 was 15,000 Total Number of tourists in 2007 was 720,000 [CNEI Jan 2007] Increase of foreign tourist inflow from 2005 to 2006 was 20% Target for foreign tourist inflow from 2006 to 2007 was 18% Table3: Tourist Visitation to Himachal YEAR(Monthly visitors) DOMESTIC FOREIGN 2001 521,866 8,171 2003 673,914 8,501 Source: Hindu times 16th May 2004 In 2003 the average population in Kulu Valley found in Himachal during summer was 50,000; the number of foreign visitor to the Kulu valley is 35,000 annually. The number of visitors to Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh during the peak season can go up to 10,000 daily. Governments Involvement in Tourism In 2005 the government came up with a policy to improve tourism in Himachal and other areas and below are the objectives of the policy; (1) To establish Himachal Pradesh as a leading tourist destination in the country and abroad; (2) To make tourism a prime engine for economic development and prosperity of the State and as a major means for providing employment; (3) To encourage a strong and sustainable private sector participation in creation of tourism infrastructure especially through public private partnerships; (4) To promote sustainable tourism, which is not only environmentally compatible but also leads to economic betterment of the rural people; (5) To attract quality tourists and to increase their stay in the State; (6)To safeguard the States natural and manmade heritage; (7) To encourage civil societies non-governmental organizations for promotion the conducting of tourism related activities; (8) To position Himachal Pradesh as a one stop destination for adventure tourism; The Tourism Department proposes to work actively with the Wild life Wing of the Forest Department to further develop and improve wild life parks/zoos, bird watching towers and other public utility services for the facility of the tourists. The government plans to set up a reasonable fee for the maintenance of the parks. The state government together with the central government is also planning to make some efforts in developing the unexplored destinations to improve the sanitation, the accommodation, the parking, the roads, toilets, beautification and land scaping of areas that are of interest to the tourists. According to the government efforts will be made to keep these areas clean. And in the area of construction there is a plan to limit construction so as to control the population and hence reduce congestion in these new areas, the construction that is to be accepted is supposed to preserve the architecture and ecology of the state. The government is concerned with preserving the cultural uniqueness of tourist areas so as to maintain the tourist visitations. By focusing on quality tourists the State Government also aims at promoting sustainable tourism and encouraging the private sector to develop tourism related infrastructure in the State without disturbing the existing ecology and environment.(India tourism Policy 2005) To promote tourism in the countryside and to lesser-known areas, appropriate infrastructure will be developed within available resources. Himachal was earlier known only for the summer season. Efforts are being made to break the seasonality factor and tourism products have been diversified to attract the tourists in other seasons too. Involvement of Other Local and National Authorities in Hospitality According to the tourism policy, the private sector will continue to be encouraged to set up guest houses for which subsidy will be provided from the State budget. Tented accommodation will be encouraged with local participation so that maximum benefits accrue to the local economy. The government has also set up tourism councils under the Tourism Act 2000 in the tourist attraction areas so that some fee is charged from the trekkers and tourists the proceeds of which will go to the locals for the maintenance and upkeep of the tourism related infrastructure and for regulating tourism on sustainable basis. To Improve on Transport The Manali Leh route which has already become a favorite for both domestic as well as international tourists will be further improved in coordination with the Government of J K and efforts would be made to link it to the Buddhist Circuits of Shimla Kinnaur- Spiti Udaipur -Pangi and Palampur -Dharamshala Dalhousie. Economic Implication of Tourism in India and Himachal in Particular Tourism is a key sector in Indias economy. It is presently Indias third largest foreign exchange earner after garments, and gems and jewellery. The best way in which the tourism industry is helping in income generation is through generating employment opportunities to the locals, hence improving their life styles. Many women and youths have gotten jobs in hotels, travel agencies, airline services, making art pieces and other cultural activities. Tourism also offers potential for utilizing natural resources like landscapes, rivers, beaches, mountains and others for the economic benefit of the population. The tourism industry employs more than 3% of the total Indian labor force while about 23 million persons derive their livelihood from tourism indirectly. So many new jobs are being created as the sector grows and because of this it is clear that tourism has become a very important sector in the Indian economy. The economic contribution of tourism income to state revenue is around 5 billion Rs annually. (Hindu times 12th May 2004) which is 8%, the tourism Policy of 2005 proposes to increase it to 15% by the year 2020 and the contribution of tourism to Himachal Pradeshs state domestic product is 2%. The Hospitality State of Himachal; By 2003 Himachal had 53 hotels, having 963 rooms and 2,052 beds; there were 60 restaurants and cafes, 25 luxury coaches, 1 Tata Sumo. These are all HPTDC (Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation) tourist facilities. News has it that some of these facilities have been privatized and others are also up for the same. Himachal Pradesh has 1,512 hotels that have been registered by the tourism department and these have a bed capacity of 32,302. In Manali there are 14,000 registered hotel beds. More Data on Hotels Hotels in Shimla Shimla being the capital city of Himachal Pradesh is always frequented by visitors either on official duty or for holidaying. Shimla boasts of a few heritage hotels in addition to luxury and comfort hotels. Hotel Woodville Palace is a premier heritage hotel has 31 rooms, Hotel Springfields is spread over 4 acres of land but only has 11 rooms. Guests checking into this heritage hotel experience a wonderful blend of old world charm and modern facilities; it is a hotel for high class tourists. Another hotel is the Cecil belonging to the Oberoi group, is a deluxe luxury hotel having 79 aesthetically designed elegant rooms. The other hotels in Shimla include Hotel Span Resort, Hotel Snowcrest Manor, Hotel Ashok, Hotel Banon Reosrt, Ram Regency Honeymoon Inn, Hotel Devlok, and Manali Inn. The Regent Center Point and Apple Valley Resort. Five Star Hotels in Shimla There are three major five star hotels in Shimla. Those are Radisson Shimla, Hotel Windflower Hall and Shilon Resort. These 5 star hotels offer excellent accommodation facilities and are highly preferred by visitors. Four Star Hotels in Shimla There are three major four star hotels in Shimla. Those are Hotel Asia The Dawn, Hotel Quality Inn Himdev and Hotel Pineview. These hotels are well known for the facilities offered by them and are highly favored by visitors too. Three Star Hotels in Shimla The three star hotels in Shimla are well known for providing visitors with good facilities at reasonable prices. The three star hotels in Shimla are Hotel Ashiana Regency, East Bourne Resort, Baljees Regency, Hotel Combermere, Fair Mount Shimla and, Himanis Premium Shimla. Heritage Hotels in Shimla The heritage hotels in Shimla are normally buildings with historical importance or are old buildings. The leading heritage hotels in Shimla are Chapslee Palace, Hotel Oberoi Shimla, Clarkes Hotel, Woodville Palace Resorts and Hotel Springfields. Luxury Hotels in Shimla There is a wide range of luxury hotels in Shimla. Those are The Cecil (Oberoi Group),Shimla, Radisson Jass Hotel , Shimla, Wildflower (Oberoi Group), Mashobra, Hotel Willow Banks, ( The Mall ) Shimla, Woodville Palace, Shimla, Hotel Combermere, Shimla and The Destination, Kalka-Shimla Highway, near Kandaghat. Deluxe Hotels in Shimla There are a lot of deluxe hotels in Shimla. Those are Woodpark hotel, (near Kufri), Shimla, Hotel Silverine, Shimla, Ashiana Regency, Shimla, Brightland Hotel, Shimla, Hotel Baljees Regency, Shimla, Hotel Himdev, Shimla, Hotel Surya, Shimla, Hotel Leela Regency, Shimla and, Honeymoon Inn, Shimla. Standard Hotels in Shimla There are eight major standard hotels in Shimla. Those are Hotel Victory, Shimla, Hotel Shingar, Shimla, Hotel De Park, Shimla, Sukh Sagar Resort, Shimla, Hotel Himland West, Shimla, Hotel Blossom, Shimla, WILDSIDE- Eco Retreat Campsite, Shimla and Cedar Heights Resort, Shimla. Budget Hotels in Shimla The budget hotels in Shimla are for those who want good facilities at lesser costs. There are five major budget hotels in Shimla. Those are Galleu Resort, Shimla, Hotel Mayur, Shimla, Park Woods Resort, Shimla, Hotel Dreamland, Shimla, and Hotel Taj Palace, Shimla. This is where most of the domestic visitors with a relatively low but not so low standard of life spend their nights when they visit Himachal. Banjara Camps and Retreats in Shimla There are 5 major banjara camps and retreats in the vicinity of Shimla. Those are Sangla Valley, Himachal, Mori Retreat, Shimla, Thanedar Retreat, Shimla, Sarahan Retreat and Shoja Retreat, Shimla. Resorts in Shimla There are a couple of resorts in Shimla that are well known for the superb facilities offered by them. The major resorts in Shimla are Snow King Retreat, Whistling Pine Resorts and The Chalets Naldehra. Hotels in Kullu Manali Kullu Manali is among the most visited hill stations not only in Himachal Pradesh but also in India. A few of the notable hotels in Kullu Manali include Hotel Span Resort on the River Beas banks, Hotel Snowcrest Manor, Hotel Banon Resort, Ram Regency Honeymoon Inn, Sagar Resorts, and Manali Inn. The other noteworthy hotels in this north Indian hilly state are Hotel Grand View in Dalhousie, Hotel Hill Top in Chamba, Hotel Aupam Resort in Dharmsala, Hotel Taragarh Palace in Taragarh, and the Judges Court in Kangra. About Transport in Himachal Because of shortage of vehicles in Himachal, there are many other vehicles from out of Manali that are used for tourist activities, the number of vehicles entering Manali on a daily basis are over 1,000 during the peak season. The number of vehicles heading to Rohtang Pass during the peak season can go over 2,000 vehicles daily. During the peak season, many vehicles come to these tourist areas causing a lot of traffic jam and therefore discomfort to the tourists, the traffic jam can go on for about two hours or so, which is time consuming on the side of the site seers. This is also attributed to the size and number of roads which seems less as compared to the number of visitors trafficking Himachal Pradesh for tourism. Also because of development purposes the towns are under construction, for example in Shimla, the roads have had several disturbances because of the electricity boards that have been digging from time to time and not only them but also the telecommunications people as well as the road constructors. Traffic is not only experienced by the vehicle owners but also the increasing number of pedestrians is becoming a problem in this tourist area, the malls and shopping are no longer as attractive because of the masses that crowd the places, dropping all sorts of waste papers, waste bottles making the place so hard to maintain, the government has been trying to find ways of improving the situation but there is still a lot of work to be done in order to ensure that the environment is taken care of. Because of the different developments the forest areas of Shimla have not survived the saw and many trees have been lost in the process. The rise in population has led to increased air pollution in the area; the mountainous areas are no longer as clean and attractive as they used to be. The pollution levels goes to the peak during the winter season because of the heating machines which use coal and others wood, releasing a lot of carbon monoxide into the atmosphere, and it reduces in the rain y season. The pollution is also increasing because of the vehicles that use fuel for their running, the exhaust into the atmosphere is increasing day by day and it is worse during the peak tourist seasons, burning garbage is another factor leading to increased pollution. Below is a SWOT analysis that has been carried out on Himachal Tourism SWOT refers to Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats According to the tourism policy of 2005 the STRENGTHS are: Himachal is one of the rare places in the world offering five distinct seasons, thus having potential to attract tourist inflow round the year; It is both politically and socially stable. India is Recognized as a peaceful and hospitable State; The climate is healthy. It is a pollution free environment; Offers a rare conglomerate of eco-tourism, pilgrimage, adventure, culture, heritage, leisure, wilderness etc.; Fairly good infrastructure; High literacy; Rich history and heritage that has something to offer to all. Its Buddhist monasteries, which are of thousand years of old, ancient temples, churches and cemeteries; Special package of incentives for setting up of tourism units; Strong political will to promote tourism; WEAKNESSES: Negligible air and rail link in the State; Inadequate flow of foreign tourists; Non-disbursal of tourists round the year, putting severe strains on civic infrastructure during the peak season; Lack of trained tourist guides at important tourist places and historical tourist sites; Saturation at the established tourists destinations; No new major tourists destination has come up recently; Lack of adequate parking places at important tourist places; Poor marketing of the State abroad and inadequate marketing within the country; Very little budget; Problem of land acquisition; Problem of conversion of forest land. OPPORTUNITIES: Strong potential for activity based tourism such as white water rafting, Para-gliding, trekking, mountaineering, water sports, mountain biking, Car Rallies etc.; A strong base for heritage tourism to attract persons from all walks of society and religious beliefs; To develop an ideal destination for nature lovers by promoting eco-tourism; Create synergy between heritage and pilgrimage tourism; Development of wetlands of the State to attract nature lovers especially bird watchers; Promote the State as an open university and learning centre in mythology, anthropology and ornithology etc.; Position it as an ideal destination for the film industry; Himachal has something to offer to persons of all ages, groups, beliefs and interests. There is unlimited scope for development of varied tourist packages; Himachal can become one of the leading adventure destinations in the world; Promote wilderness tourism for lovers and seekers of nature, peace and quiet. Create new destinations in yet unexplored but beautiful areas. This would also ease the burden on established tourist destinations. THREATS: Tremendous strain leading to collapse, at times, of civic amenities at leading tourist destinations during the season; Haphazard growth construction threatening the environment, especially at the leading tourist destinations; An alarming growth of concrete structures creating a disharmony with the local environment; Unscrupulous commercialization of tourism could erode the social and cultural values; Aggressive competition amongst the leading tourists States and a strong promotion of tourism by other States; Lack of coordinated strategy by the different Government Departments; A large increase in volume and limited increase in value; Poor garbage/ waste disposal posing threat to the environment. Discussion and Analysis of Data Quantitative Analysis According to the data above, the number of tourists coming to India and to Himachal Pradesh in particular increases every year, on average the number increases by 10,000 tourists annually, this has an implication that the income generation of the nation through ecotourism in Himachal Pradesh is also increasing annually. This large increase would therefore call for an increase in the number of hotels and transport facilities in the tourist areas. The 53 hotels and 60 restaurants in 2003 cannot be counted sufficient to hold the increasing number of tourists, the number of hotels and restaurants are also supposed to be increasing at the same rate as the number of tourists. Looking at the government plans in the data above, there is hope that more hotels, restaurants and transport facilities will be put in place but there is also a challenge of space and environmental conservation which have to be considered while thinking of increasing the number of hotels and other facilities. In reality it is hardly impossible to consider increasing facilities depending on the number of tourists because according to the data above tourists will continue increasing and therefore if buildings are to increase depending on tourist numbers then there will come a time when the government will have to encroach on the natural resources space to meet accommodation needs, if this ever happens that means the whole sense of tourist attraction wont have meaning because there will be very little left in terms of scenery to attract tourists. The SWOT analysis above shows that the government is so aware of the potential that is within the tourist attraction areas and therefore knowing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats it is easy to know where to invest much. But the challenge comes in on the national budget, despite the fact that the above data tells us that tourism industry contributes 8% to the state revenue, the government analysis shows that the industry has a limited budget, and that is why development is becoming so hard. This shows some contradiction, the contribution of the tourism industry to the national revenue is enough to develop the tourism industry and therefore there should not be a shortage in terms of budget since the industry can run on its own. According to the data, there are more domestic tourists visiting Himachal as compared to foreign tourists, any nation would prefer to have more foreign than domestic tourists, for the case of Himachal the reasons have been explained in the data that there is a shortage in the airline services and of course accommodation as well, government has realized this need and has come up with ways of increasing availability of air transport for the tourists which is good, all this has been stated in the policy above. Qualitative Analysis To start with the point of increasing the available airlines and air crafts in order to allow more tourists to visit Himachal, this is a bright idea on the part of the government, and the data depicts a gap by not clearly explaining how the government plans to do all this without degrading the environment of the area and therefore without disturbing the eco system, there is an obvious challenge here which the government and local authorities need to address and integrate in their planning. According to the above data, the government is fully involved in developing ecotourism and data shows that the government is ready to work hand in hand with the local and national authorities in improving the hospitality sector, something which is really encouraging. The SWOT analysis shows that one of the strengths of Himachal is that the environment is pollution free, as the number of tourists increase in Himachal this strength is turning into a weakness and a threat at the same time, pollution is increasing at a high rate as some part of the secondary data is showing us that the more the people, the more garbage, the more fuel use and therefore combustion activities are increasing which cause greenhouse gas emission in the environment, there is need for the government to think highly on this. Some of the threats spelled out by the SWOT analysis can be controlled by the authorities for example the alarming growth of concrete structures leading to destruction of the environment, the authorities can think of an alternative to concrete structures and as for the threat of haphazard growth and construction also threatening the environment, there is need to restructure the tourist areas and come up with infrastructure standards to be followed by the local and national authorities who are dealing with hospitality. According to the data on hotels in Himachal, the luxury hotels are very few in number, with the governments aim of increasing quality tourists, tourists who know and appreciate the environment, tourists who come with the aim of not only enjoying nature but also getting educated through nature, there calls for increase of the number of luxurious hotels in the area because such would prefer to spend their time in a more comfortable place. In this case the local authorities have to work hand in hand with the government because such developments need a lot of land and funds.

Organic Foods: Is It Worth It? Essay

Organic foods cost more than regular food, but are they worth it? Is it really better for your health? And are they really more nutritious? Should you buy organic food even though you are a student and has very little money? These are all questions that have probably passed through your mind now that you no longer have your parents to go grocery shopping and cook for you. But because there are no research that can prove that eating organic is healthier, and there is no research that shows that eating regular food is just as healthy, no real answer for your question exists. However, there are some articles like Alex Berger’s â€Å"Organic Foods are a Healthier Alternative† and Nancy Sprague’s â€Å"Counterpoint: Organic Food is Unnecessary and the Current Food Supply is Safe† that can help you make a decision. Alex Berger, the writer of â€Å"Organic Foods are a Healthier Alternative†, however, believes that eating organic food is not only beneficial to one’s health; organic foods also have many other benefits. He says, â€Å"Organic foods tend to be richer in nutrients, perhaps because they are grown in soil with more complex micronutrients. †[1] Gerber then continues to say that organic foods have more than just health and nutritional benefits; it also has environmental benefits and social stability. [2] Berger views organic foods as a friend. Although, they are expensive, they are much healthier, provide much more nutrition, and they also help the environment. The benefits of organic foods outweigh the negativities that were never mentioned in his article. Berber’s argument is truly persuasive. His words makes the reader feel moved to believe that organic food is healthy, such as â€Å"agricultural chemicals may pose a greater risk to some individual. †[3] His threat makes the reader feel scared that eating normal, processed food can harm them, which will lead readers to feel that organic food is the healthier option. Although Berger seems to be a very reliable source, Berger is just a writer with no scientific background except for a PhD in Anthropology, a degree that doesn’t have anything to do with nutrition. This makes him seem to be a rather unreliable source for nutritional advice. Another writer, Nancy Sprague, thinks otherwise. She believes that the food supply that we have now is safe as it is. Organic food is an unnecessary luxury that is expensive and there is no guarantee that it is healthier. She says, â€Å"When food is defined as organic, it simply means that the producer has employed an approved organic food production system—the producer is not guaranteeing the safety or quality of the product. By being misled into believing that buying organic guarantees food safety, consumers are sometimes more likely to be harmed by an organic food than by one purchased from a commercial supplier. †[4]. Sprague views organic food as a luxurious item that she doesn’t need. She argues that there are no research that can prove organic food is healthier. Instead, research have shown that organic food has as many bacteria, vitamins, and etc. as processed food. [5] Sprague’s method of writing easily persuades her readers. Her choice of words scares readers into believing that the organic industry’s goal is to fool their consumers. For example, she says, â€Å"Organic raw mulch is outlawed by many farm bureaus because it is likely to carry pathogens and infectious potential†. In one sentence, Sprague overrides the other sides’ argument that organic food is safer, and points out that instead of being safe, organic food is more likely to carry infectious bacteria. This scares readers into wondering whether or not the organic food industry is lying; and forces readers to think, have I been a fool for trusting the companies’ advertisements all this time? Sprague’s writing style of inflicting fear and doubt into the reader makes readers feel that she is a knowledgeable source. This in turn develops her credibility as an author in nutrition. However, before trusting Sprague completely, readers have to realize that her opinions are very one-sided and they should question their trust in all of her information. Both sides have points that make their side very convincing, both sides have research that proves their points, and both sides have important things to say. However, in the end it is still up you, as the reader, to decide what you want in your food. It is up to you to decide if you want junk food, healthy food, and/ or organic food. But, you have to choose wisely because food has the power to decide your future. Food affects everything from your weight, to your health, and many times it even has the ability to affect your person as a whole. Today, you might be eating a cheeseburger, but tomorrow you might be in the hospital emergency room with a heart attack. This is why a few bad food choices can put your education and, maybe one day, even your life in imminent danger. Overall, what goes into our food is so important that both sides of the argument agree that the government has and needs regulations that force both regular food processors and organic farmers to meet; and that the EPA has and needs their standards to rise continuously to improve our food source. Both authors believe what you put into your mouth is an important issue. But, their beliefs are not enough to change the world. In the end, their belief systems are not the most important thing because you are the one who chooses what you eat. You are the one who has to find the answer. So, please tell me, who are you and which side of the food debate are you on? Bibliography Berger, Adam. â€Å"Point: Organic Foods are a Healthier Alternative. † Points of View Reference Center: EBSCOhost. August 2009. (accessed June 14, 2010). Lindner, Larry. â€Å"Organically Grown Food: Is it Really a Better Choice?. † Environment Complete: EBSCOhost. May 2002. (accessed June 14, 2010). Peterson, Elizabeth. â€Å"Organic Foods: To Buy or Not To Buy?. † Environment Complete: EBSCOhost. October 2004. (accessed June 14, 2010). Sprague, Nancy. â€Å"Counterpoint: Organic Food is Unnecessary & the Current Food Supply is Safe. † Points of View Reference Center: EBSCOhost. 2009. (accessed June 14, 2010). [1] Adam Berger, â€Å"Point: Organic Foods are a Healthier Alternative,† Points of View: Organic Food (August 2009): 2. Points of View Reference Center, EBSCOhost (accessed June 14, 2010). [2] Adam Berger, â€Å"Point: Organic Foods are a Healthier Alternative,† Points of View: Organic Food (August 2009) [3] Ibid. 2. [4] Nancy Sprague, â€Å"Counterpoint: Organic Food is Unnecessary & the Current Food Supply is Safe,† (2009): 3, Points of View Reference Center: EBSCOhost (accessed June 14, 2010). [5] Ibid.