What is a BATS Project?

A project is a preliminary form of research, involving independent investigation and largely representing your own work. It is a continuous effort from inception to completion, aimed at providing you with practical experience. Through the project, you will apply the knowledge gained during your coursework to specific situations in the field of Tourism.

Key Details:

1. Credits and Study Hours:
   • Your project work, BTSP-001 and BTSP-002, constitutes 4 credits each.
   • Each project requires approximately 120 study hours for completion.
2. Completion and Evaluation:
   • Successful completion of the project is required for the award of the degree.
   • A minimum of 40% marks (Grade D) is needed to successfully complete the degree.
3. Submission Format:
   • Preferably, submit a typed and bound copy of your project work.
   • If typing is difficult, ensure that your work is neatly and legibly hand-written on one side of the page only.
   • The front page format is provided in Annexure B.
   • The project length should be between 4000 to 5000 words.
4. Language:
   • You can write your project in either English or Hindi.

Keep these requirements in mind when choosing your project theme to ensure you can effectively communicate your findings within the specified word limit.

Choosing a Topic: Here’s where it gets exciting! Pick a topic that you really care about. It could be something from your courses or any area related to education. You’ll be putting your own unique spin on this topic.

Finding Your Guide /Supervisor : When selecting a guide for your project work, it’s important to follow specific guidelines to ensure that your guide is qualified and suited to assist you in your area of research. Here’s what you need to consider:

Step-1 Selecting The Topic or Theme

Choosing the right theme or topic for your project is crucial, and it’s important not to rush this decision to avoid future regrets. The methodology you will use will depend on the theme you select. Here are some guidelines and examples to help you in this process:

1. Selection from Coursework:
   • Select your theme from the courses you have completed for your diploma or degree.
   • Refer to Part 2 of this guide for potential themes.
2. Examples of Themes and Topics:
   • Indian Culture:
     • Possible Topics:
       • Study of old monuments in your area and local attitudes towards them.
       • Local crafts, theater groups, folk music.
       • Patterns of urbanization in your town.
       • Impact of cinema on local culture.
     • Skills Required: General readings, library work, observation, interaction with people through group meetings, interviews, and questionnaires.
   • Ecology, Environment, and Tourism:
     • Possible Topics:
       • Documentation of the flora and fauna of your region.
       • Sources of water or levels and sources of pollution in your town.
       • Environmental consciousness among different social groups.
       • Impact of environmental degradation on the human population.
     • Skills Required: Observation, documentation, library work, surveys, and interviews.
   • Tourism Marketing:
     • Possible Topics:
       • Management and functioning of a tourist agency.
       • Problems involved in running a hotel or a restaurant.
       • Issues related to the presence of outside tourists in your area.
       • General profile of tourists coming to your town.
     • Skills Required: Observation, analysis, interaction with industry professionals.
3. Key Considerations:
   • Personal Inclination: Choose a theme that aligns with your interests and passions.
   • Working Aptitude: Ensure you have the skills and resources needed to pursue the project successfully.
4. Discussion and Proposal:
   • After identifying your area of interest, discuss it with your supervisor.
   • Decide on a specific topic to work on and prepare a detailed proposal.
   • Remember, preparing a proposal is a critical stage in your project work and may take longer than expected.

By carefully considering your interests, skills, and available resources, you can select a theme that not only fulfills the project requirements but also provides you with a valuable learning experience.

Suggested Topics for Your IGNOU BATS Project Ideas:

• Finding new ways to make travel more eco-friendly.
• Looking at how using the internet and social media changes the way people travel.
• Keeping traditions and history alive in tourist spots.
• Making sure that tourism doesn’t harm the environment.
• Improving how hotels and resorts treat their guests.
• Coming up with good rules and plans to make tourism better.
• Organizing big events and festivals to attract tourists.
• Studying how tourism can help a country’s economy grow.
• How to handle emergencies and tough times in tourism.
• Getting local people involved in making decisions about tourism.

Steps-2 Selecting a Supervisor for Your Project

Your project will be guided by a supervisor recognized by the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). All counselors are recognized as supervisors for the project. Here is what you need to know:

1. Finding a Supervisor:
   • A list of supervisors is available with the Coordinator of your Study Centre.
   • After selecting a broad area for your study, contact your Coordinator or Supervisor.
2. Eligibility Criteria for BTS Project Supervision:
   • Academic Criteria: Any teacher in the related field or discipline from recognized colleges or universities.
   • Professional Criteria: A graduate with at least 5 years of managerial experience in any tourism or hospitality-related enterprise.
3. Supervision Load:
   • Each supervisor can supervise up to 40 BATS projects (BTSP-001, BTSP-002) per semester.
4. Payment to Supervisors:
   • Supervisors will be compensated according to the University norms.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that you have a qualified and supportive supervisor to guide you through your project.

How Can the Supervisor Help You?

Your supervisor plays a crucial role in guiding and supporting you throughout your project. Here are some specific ways in which your supervisor can assist you:

1. Networking:
   • Acquaint you with local groups and agencies that may be relevant to your work.
2. Authorization:
   • Provide you with letters of authorization, enabling you to make inquiries and conduct investigations in various offices related to your project.
3. Library Access:
   • Make the library at the study center accessible to you for consultation purposes.
4. Guidance and Advice:
   • Offer advice on your theme, help with locating data, and provide guidance on your general work plan to the best of their abilities.

By leveraging the support and resources provided by your supervisor, you can navigate the various challenges of your project more effectively and achieve better outcomes..

Step-3 Making a Project Proposal

After identifying the area of study and selecting a suitable theme, you should prepare a Project Proposal or Synopsis of no more than 400 words. Your Proposal should succinctly describe what you intend to do and how you plan to accomplish it. Here are the key elements to include in your Proposal:

1. Objectives:
   • Clearly outline the objectives of your study.
2. Data Availability:
   • Mention the type of data that is available for your research.
3. Work Plan:
   • State a work plan that you propose to follow, including the issues you will address during your project.
4. Discussion and Feedback:
   • Discuss your Project Proposal with friends, colleagues, your counselor, and any experts in the field.

Tips for Selecting a Theme

• Personal Interest: Choose a theme that interests you and will keep you motivated.
• Familiarity and Accessibility: Select a geographical area you are familiar with and which is easily accessible. It’s advantageous to be close to your sources.

Submission Process

1. Preparation:
   • Prepare two copies of your Proposal (preferably typed).
   • Obtain the approval of your supervisor using the format provided in Annexure A.
2. Submission:
   • Send one copy of your Proposal to the following address:

Programme Coordinator (BATS) School of Tourism and Hospitality Services Management SOTHSM, Block 15 I, Indira Gandhi National Open University, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi – 110 068

1. Important Reminders:
   • Keep a copy of the Proposal for yourself, as it will not be returned.
   • Ensure your Proposal is accompanied by a letter of approval from your supervisor.
   • Send your Proposal via Registered Post to ensure it reaches the destination.
   • Do not change your topic or its wording after submitting the Proposal. The topic of your Project Work should match the Proposal.
   • Include the name and code of your course, your enrollment number, the name of your Study Centre, and the Regional Centre on the first page. Fill out the proforma in Annexure A carefully.
   • Start working on your Project immediately after obtaining your supervisor’s approval, as their approval is final.

Step-4 Writing Your Report

Having collected and analyzed your data, it is now time to start writing your report. Follow these steps to ensure a well-organized and effective project report:

1. Preparation:
   • Jot down your main points.
   • Prepare a rough draft of your narrative.
   • Finally, write (or type) your report.
2. Language:
   • You can write in English or Hindi.
   • Use simple words and short sentences to ensure clarity and readability.
3. Content:
   • Include both factual presentations and your own views/opinions/observations.
   • Attach any relevant documents that support your main argument.
   • If you have collected responses through a questionnaire, attach a copy of the questionnaire.
   • Use illustrations, graphs, and diagrams as appropriate for your theme.
4. Structure:
   • Divide your report into sections and sub-sections:
     • This provides coherence and prevents different ideas from spilling into different places.
   • Introduction:
     • Gives a clear entry point to your report.
   • Conclusion:
     • Helps to wind up your report and tie up various loose ends.
   • Integration:
     • Ensure that the sections and sub-sections are related and form a cohesive report.
   • Argumentation:
     • Each section should end logically, and arguments should be neatly tied up and culminated at the end.
5. Writing Style:
   • Use your own language.
   • Avoid using complex language that might distract the reader.
   • Treat your language as a potent medium to communicate your ideas effectively.
6. Methodology and Ideas:
   • Your Project will be assessed based on the strength of your methodology and ideas.
   • Avoid copying from other sources, but citations are allowed and should be properly formatted.
7. Citations:
   • Ensure quotations are relevant and maintain the original language of the author.
   • Provide detailed references for quotes, including the author’s name, book title, year and place of publication, and page numbers.
   • For periodicals, include the name, issue number, and publication date.
   • For websites, provide the complete web address.
   • Avoid lengthy quotes; aim for 50 to 100 words.

Example of a Quote:

“Who are the travelers and the tourists? Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary defines a tourist as one who makes the tour for pleasure or culture. A nineteenth-century dictionary had a more interesting definition: people who travel for the pleasure of traveling, out of curiosity, and they have nothing better to do and even, for the joy of boasting about it afterwards.’’ (Donald E Lundberg, The Tourist Business, Sixth edition, New York, 1990, p.1).

Submission of Project Report

1. Copies:
   • Prepare two copies of your Project Report.
   • Send one copy to the following address:

Dispatch Section, SED Block 12, Indira Gandhi National Open University, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi – 110 068 Ph. No. : 29535924-32 Extn. : 2216

1. Keep a Copy:
   • Retain a copy of your Project Report for yourself, as it will not be returned.
2. Declaration:
   • Ensure your Project Report includes the declaration given in Annexure C, duly signed by you and your supervisor.

By following these guidelines, you can create a well-organized, coherent, and effective project report that demonstrates your analytical capacity and communication skills.

Evaluation

Upon submission, your project report will be evaluated by an examiner. To successfully complete your course, you must secure a minimum of 40% in your Project Work. Here are some key points to remember:

1. Originality:
   • Your Project Work should be original and written in your own language.
   • Avoid copying or reproducing anyone else’s published or unpublished project, as this will result in cancellation.
2. Substantiation and Documentation:
   • Ensure your arguments are supported by data.
   • Properly document all information.
3. Research Methodology:
   • State the research methodology at the beginning of your work.
4. Bibliography:
   • Include a bibliography at the end, listing all your sources (records, documents, reports, interviews, group meetings, newspapers, magazines, etc.) under separate headings.
5. Quality:
   • Maintain a high quality of the Project Report.

If You Secure Less Than 40% Marks

In case you secure less than 40% marks, you will need to redo your Project Work. Follow these steps if you need to resubmit:

1. Fee Payment:
   • Send a Demand Draft of Rs. 600/- drawn in favor of IGNOU, payable at New Delhi (please verify the fee applicable at the time of submission).
2. Resubmission Address:
   • Send your Project Report along with the Demand Draft to:

Dispatch Section, SED, Block 12, Indira Gandhi National Open University, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi – 110 068

By adhering to these guidelines and ensuring the originality, quality, and thorough documentation of your work, you can successfully complete your Project Work and meet the required evaluation standards.

Why We’re the Best Choice for Your IGNOU BATS Projects:

• Personalized Projects: We’ll make sure your project is just right for you and follows all of IGNOU’s guidelines.
• Research That’s Top-Notch: We use the latest and best information in tourism for your project.
• Always On Schedule: We understand how important deadlines are, so we’ll make sure your project is ready on time.
• Guaranteed Approval of Your Synopsis: We’re so confident in our help that if there’s any problem with getting your project plan approved, we’ll fix it at no extra cost.
• Expert Team Ready to Help: Our team is full of people who really know about both school stuff and the real world of tourism. This means your project will be smart and practical.
• Help From Start to Finish: We’re here to guide you through every single part of your project.
• Fair and Affordable Prices: We offer really good help at prices that are fair and easy for students.

Starting Your Project Journey:

• Give Us a Ring: Just call 9891268050 and we’ll get started on helping you with your project.
• Let’s Work Together: Share your ideas with us, and let’s team up to make a project you’ll be proud of.
• Prices That Work for You: Our services are priced just right, so you get all the help you need without spending too much.

Our Promise to You:

• You’ll Be Happy With Your Project: We really want you to love your project plan. If it’s not quite right, we’ll work on it again for free.
• Prices Tailored to Your Needs: Every project is different, so we’ll find a price that fits just what you need for your BTSP-01 and BTSP-02 projects.