TOUR OPERATORS A
tour operator puts together package holidays for customers, linking the flights,
hotel and in-destination activities together in one booking. They might specialise in a certain destination or region, such as the US, Australia or Caribbean; or a type of travel, such
as family holidays, ski trips or travel by rail. The main difference between a tour operator and a travel agent is that a tour operator will
sell only holidays they have created themselves, whereas a travel agent can sell packages
from a range of different travel suppliers. Tour operators are involved from the initial enquiry
through to post-trip support, organising flights, transfers, accommodation and excursions. Whether they’re selling pre-packaged or bespoke trips, tour operators usually have contracts with a selection of suppliers on the ground, so their product team can design a getaway using their preferred partners in the destination. These are complex businesses with both
T
Ticket provider Either third-party or in-house, ticket providers sell tickets for everything from attractions and historic houses to trains and air travel, offering roles in sales, logistics and technology.
Tour guide Experts based in a certain destination who lead groups of travellers, sharing their knowledge and bringing the area to life.
Tourist boards These organisations represent and promote all a destination has to offer, from towns or regions to entire countries, combining roles in governmental affairs, management, communications and trade representation.
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customer-facing and back-office roles, for example, producing brochures, researching destinations or new tours or hotels, making sales direct to customers or via travel agents, working with suppliers on the ground to check availability at different times of year and collecting and evaluating travellers’ feedback.
Training and development Help employees to attain professional qualifications, as well as ensuring staff are compliant with ever-changing regulations in the industry.
Transfers Arrange transport between airports, cruise ports, train stations and more to a customer’s accommodation or cruise ship.
W
Web developer This crucial position within the technology team covers everything from designing websites that lead customers all the way from an initial enquiry to the final stages of booking and checking in, through to working on back-end systems that help the company work efficiently to communicate with each other and with a complex network of suppliers around the world.
takeoffintravel.co.uk
PICTURES: Shutterstock/DavideAngelini, Nigel J Harris
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