Tour operator

An open top double decker bus is used worldwide to provide sightseeing tours, such as this one in Washington, D. C., USA

A tour operator is a business that typically combines and organizes accommodations, meals, sightseeing and transportation components,[1] in order to create a package tour. They advertise and produce brochures to promote their products, holidays and itineraries. Tour operators can sell directly to the public or sell through travel agents or a combination of both.[2]

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. Each tour operator may specialise in certain destinations, e.g. Italy, activities and experiences, e.g. skiing, or a combination thereof.

  1. ^ "For Travelers". National Tour Association. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  2. ^ Beaver, Allan (2005-01-01). A Dictionary of Travel and Tourism Terminology. CABI. ISBN 978-0-85199-020-0.