🌍 MODULE 1: Travel Trade Intermediaries
& Integration
1. Travel Trade Intermediaries
Meaning:
Intermediaries are middlemen between tourists and service providers (hotels, airlines,
transport).
Main Intermediaries
● Travel Agencies
● Tour Operators
● Tour Wholesalers
● Online Travel Agencies (OTAs)
Role
● Link tourists with tourism suppliers
● Provide information, booking & documentation
● Reduce effort for tourists
● Increase sales for suppliers
2. History & Growth – Thomas Cook
● Thomas Cook (1841) – first organized tour
● Started with railway excursion in England
● Introdued:
○ Travel agency system
○ Hotel vouchers
○ Travel guide services
○ Traveller’s cheque
● Founder of modern travel business
3. Travel Agency Business
Definition
A travel agency is a business that provides travel-related services such as:
● Ticket booking
● Hotel reservations
● Tour packages
● Visa & passport assistance
Scope
● Domestic tourism
● International tourism
● Business travel
● Leisure travel
● Group tours
4. Tour Operators
Definition
A tour operator designs, organizes and sells complete tour packages.
Types
1. Inbound – handles foreign tourists
2. Outbound – sends tourists abroad
3. Domestic – within country
4. Wholesale operators
5. Retail operators
Scope
● Package tours
● Group tours
● Special interest tours
● Educational tours
5. Functions of Travel Agents
● Ticketing (air, rail, bus)
● Hotel booking
● Tour packages
● Visa & passport
● Travel insurance
● Foreign exchange
● Tourist information
6. Types of Travel Agencies
● Retail agencies
● Wholesale agencies
● Online Travel Agencies (OTA)
● Corporate travel agencies
● Inbound & Outbound agencies
7. Types of Integration
Horizontal Integration
● Same level companies join (two travel agencies)
Vertical Integration
● One company controls suppliers (agency + hotel + airline)
Diagonal Integration
● Different tourism sectors join (hotel + airline)
8. Segments of Travel Industry
● Travel agencies
● Airlines
● Hotels
● Tour wholesalers
● Cruise liners
● Car rentals
● Rail transport
✈️ MODULE 2: Package Tours & Modern
Tourism Industry
1. Package Tour
A package tour = combination of:
● Transport
● Accommodation
● Sightseeing
● Meals
● Guide
Sold at a single price.
2. Types of Package Tours
● Inclusive Tour
● Escorted Tour
● Independent Tour
● Student Tour
● Adventure Tour
● Luxury Tour
FIT & GIT
● FIT (Free Independent Traveller) – 1–9 persons
● GIT (Group Inclusive Tour) – 10 or more persons
3. Components of Package Tour
● Transport
● Hotel
● Meals
● Sightseeing
● Guide
● Insurance
● Transfers and Transit
4. Principles of Tour Packaging
● Affordable price
● Comfort & safety
● Time management
● Tourist satisfaction
● Proper sequencing
5. Factors Affecting Tour Design
● Budget
● Time
● Climate
● Interest of tourist
● Distance
● Local facilities
6. Planning & Producing a Tour
Steps:
1. Market research
2. Select destination
3. Arrange transport
4. Book hotels
5. Fix itinerary
6. Calculate cost
7. Promotion
7. Costing of Tours
Includes:
● Transport cost
● Hotel cost
● Guide cost
● Entry fees
● Office expenses
● Profit margin
8. Reservation & Documentation
● Ticket booking
● Hotel vouchers
● Itinerary
● Invoice
● Insurance
● Passport & visa
9. Programming Daily Activities
● Morning sightseeing
● Lunch break
● Evening leisure
● Night stay
10. Transfers
● Airport–Hotel
● Hotel–Station
● Sightseeing transport
🧭 MODULE 3: Tour Itineraries
1. Meaning of Itinerary
A day-wise travel plan showing:
● Places
● Time
● Transport
● Stay
● Activities
2. Types of Itineraries
● Inbound
● Outbound
● Domestic
● Common interest tours (religious, adventure, cultural)
Refer other notes
3. Sample Tour Companies
● Thomas Cook
● Cox & Kings
● Riya Travels
4. Sources of Income of Travel Agency
● Commission
● Mark-up
● Service charges
● Tour packages
● Insurance
● Forex
● Ancillary services
🏨 MODULE 4: Operational Areas &
Services
1. Travel Information
● Destinations
● Weather
● Culture
● Prices
2. Documentation
● Passport
● Visa
● Tickets
● Health certificates
3. Passport
Types
● Ordinary
● Official
● Diplomatic
Requirements
● Application form
● Photos
● ID proof
● Address proof
4. Visa
Types
● Tourist
● Business
● Student
● Transit
5. Health Certificate
● Vaccination proof
● COVID/Yellow fever etc.
6. Customs & Immigration
● Luggage check
● Currency rules
● Entry & exit clearance
7. Products & Services
● Leisure travel
● Business travel
● Tours
● Hotel booking
● Transport
● Travel insurance
8. Ancillary Tourism Services
● Forex
● Travel insurance
● Car hire
● Guide services
🏢 MODULE 5: Procedures & Approvals
1. Approval of Travel Agency
Steps:
● Business registration
● Office setup
● Qualified staff
● Bank guarantee
● Application to government
2. Organization Structure
● Manager
● Ticketing staff
● Tour executive
● Accountant
● Guide
3. IATA Approval
Requirements:
● Financial stability
● Trained staff
● Computer reservation system
● Office inspection
4. Approval from Govt. Bodies
● Ministry of Tourism
● State Tourism Dept
● IATA
● TAAI
● IATO
5. Entrepreneurial Skills
● Communication
● Leadership
● Marketing
● Planning
● Decision making
6. Business Trends
● Online booking
● Mobile apps
● Digital payments
● Customized tours
7. Problems & Issues
● Competition
● Seasonal demand
● High costs
● Technology changes
● Customer complaints