Tour operator
Encyclopedia
A tour operator typically combines tour and travel components to create a holiday
. The most common example of a tour operator's product would be a flight
on a charter airline plus a transfer from the airport
to a hotel
and the services of a local representative, all for one price. Niche tour operators may specialise in destinations, e.g. Italy
, activities and experiences, e.g. skiing
, or a combination thereof. The original raison d'etre of tour operating was the difficulty of making arrangements in far-flung places, with problems of language
, currency
and communication. The advent of the internet
has led to a rapid increase in self-packaging of holidays. However, tour operators still have their competence in arranging tours for those who do not have time to do DIY
holidays, and specialize in large group events and meetings such as conferences or seminars. Also, tour operators still exercise contracting power with suppliers (airlines, hotels, other land arrangements, cruises, etc.) and influence over other entities (tourism boards and other government authorities) in order to create packages and special departures for destinations otherwise difficult and expensive to visit.
The three major tour operator associations in the U.S. are the National Tour Association (NTA), the United States Tour Operators Association
(USTOA), and the American Bus Association
(ABA). In Europe, it is the European Tour Operators Association (ETOA), and in the UK, it is the Association of British Travel Agents
(ABTA) and the Association of Independent Tour Operators
(AITO). The primary association for receptive North American inbound tour operators is the Receptive Services Association of America
(RSAA).
Holiday
A Holiday is a day designated as having special significance for which individuals, a government, or a religious group have deemed that observance is warranted. It is generally an official or unofficial observance of religious, national, or cultural significance, often accompanied by celebrations...
. The most common example of a tour operator's product would be a flight
Flight
Flight is the process by which an object moves either through an atmosphere or beyond it by generating lift or propulsive thrust, or aerostatically using buoyancy, or by simple ballistic movement....
on a charter airline plus a transfer from the airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
to a hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
and the services of a local representative, all for one price. Niche tour operators may specialise in destinations, e.g. Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, activities and experiences, e.g. skiing
Skiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
, or a combination thereof. The original raison d'etre of tour operating was the difficulty of making arrangements in far-flung places, with problems of language
Language
Language may refer either to the specifically human capacity for acquiring and using complex systems of communication, or to a specific instance of such a system of complex communication...
, currency
Currency
In economics, currency refers to a generally accepted medium of exchange. These are usually the coins and banknotes of a particular government, which comprise the physical aspects of a nation's money supply...
and communication. The advent of the internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
has led to a rapid increase in self-packaging of holidays. However, tour operators still have their competence in arranging tours for those who do not have time to do DIY
Do it yourself
Do it yourself is a term used to describe building, modifying, or repairing of something without the aid of experts or professionals...
holidays, and specialize in large group events and meetings such as conferences or seminars. Also, tour operators still exercise contracting power with suppliers (airlines, hotels, other land arrangements, cruises, etc.) and influence over other entities (tourism boards and other government authorities) in order to create packages and special departures for destinations otherwise difficult and expensive to visit.
The three major tour operator associations in the U.S. are the National Tour Association (NTA), the United States Tour Operators Association
United States Tour Operators Association
The United States Tour Operators Association is a 501 registered nonprofit professional association representing the tour operator industry. Its members are made up of companies whose tours, vacation packages, and custom arrangements encompass the entire globe but who conduct business in the U.S...
(USTOA), and the American Bus Association
American Bus Association
The American Bus Association, or ABA, is a trade association for motorcoach operators and tour companies in the United States and Canada. Its membership consists of about 1,000 companies that operate buses or bus-based tours, about 2,800 organizations representing the travel and tourism industry,...
(ABA). In Europe, it is the European Tour Operators Association (ETOA), and in the UK, it is the Association of British Travel Agents
Association of British Travel Agents
-History:Previously known as Association of British Travel Agents, its name was changed on 1 July 2007 to ABTA, The Travel Association to reflect its wider representation of the travel industry.On 1 July 2008 it merged with the Federation of Tour Operators ....
(ABTA) and the Association of Independent Tour Operators
Association of Independent Tour Operators
The Association of Independent Tour Operators is a British based travel trade organisation that represents around 150 specialist and independent tour operators. The organisation is typically composed of outbound tour operators but recently allowed domestic tour operators to join...
(AITO). The primary association for receptive North American inbound tour operators is the Receptive Services Association of America
Receptive Services Association of America
The Receptive Services Association of American is a 5016 trade association of major North American based receptive tour operator companies and suppliers ....
(RSAA).
See also
- S.J. MathesS.J. MathesSamuel Jay Mathes, known as S.J. Mathes, was a pioneer printer and newspaperman in Los Angeles, California, who in 1881 and 1882 directed the editorial policies of the newly established Los Angeles Daily Times, which later became the Los Angeles Times, until General Harrison Gray Otis took over...
(1849?–1927), an early tour operator - Trafalgar ToursTrafalgar ToursTrafalgar is a travel company that provides guided holidays to worldwide destinations. Trafalgar is owned by The Travel Corporation which has been in business since 1947 including Insight Vacations and Contiki Tours...
, one of the pioneers in international coach tours, began in London in 1947.