Tour Operator and Travel Agency

Objective To distinguished the difference of a tour operator to a travel agency Classify what are the job description and responsibilities of tour operator and a travel agent.

History of travel agency 1841 Thomas Cook ( the Father of Travel Agencies) 570 people to accompany him in traveling from Leicester to Loughborough. 1880 emerged in the US 1st travel agents selling steamships and tickets and some arranged tours.

Definition of Tour operator Puts together a vacation, packages and sells it to consumer at a cheaper price. Is the person responsible for actual arrangements of transport and accommodation facilities in any tour or vacations. Creates packages from the value chain of tourism Shall mean an entity which may either be a single proprietorship, partnership or corporation regularly engaged in the business of extending to individuals or groups, such services pertaining to arrangements and bookings for transportation and/or accommodation, handling and/or conduct of inbound tours whether or not for a fee, commission, or any form of compensation;

Definition of Travel Agent Acts as intermediaries for the customers. Acts as brokers for the tourist They arrange everything, from tour operators to accommodation. Receives commissions from their suppliers, such as hotels, F&B establishments and tour operators. Middlemen between tour operators and prospective clients as these people have a client base and are expert in matching tours and vacations according to the needs and requirements of their clients. 

Travel Agent Tour operator is like a waiter at a restaurant as he welcomes the guests and takes orders that are prepared by the tour operator. has many vacation packages under his belt, and he suggests or recommends tour plans to their clients based upon their budgets and other requirements. has the responsibility to look after the finer details of a vacation or tour such as hotel, accommodation, meals, conveyance etc. taking up the bulk of the responsibilities, his fee is obviously much greater than that of a travel agent.

Relationship Tour operator Travel Agent Tourist

Types of Travel Agency (Europe) Independent Miniples Multiples

Types of Travel Agency (Europe) Independent Private companies that have 1 or 2 branches close to each other Usually cater to niche market and rely on repeat business from satisfied customers Miniples Several have branches plus a head office in a local area Different branches may trade under diff. name Independents may be bought and added as miniples Multiples Private companies, usually with a high street presence in most UK tours and cities. They attract customers by offering big discounts

Major Tour Operator group USTOA 1972 by a small group of California tour operators concerned about tour operator bankruptcies. These founding members recognized the need for a unified voice to protect the traveling public, as well as to represent the interests of tour operators. 1975, USTOA became a national organization with headquarters in New York.

USTOA  “Integrity in Tourism” requires members to adhere to the highest standards in the industry. Among these is the principle of ethical conduct, which requires members to conduct business according to a set of professional standards which include representing all facts, conditions and requirements relating to tours and vacation packages truthfully and accurately.

National Tour Association  is the leading business-building association for professionals serving customers traveling to, from and within North America.

Major Tour Operators in The Philippines Rajah Tours Philippines, Inc. Sharp Travel Service (Phils.), Inc. Thresher Shark Divers Blue Horizons Travel and Tours, Inc.