what is a retail travel agent?

Question

what's the difference between a retail travel agent and a tour operator?

Answer 1

A travel agent is a person who sells travel related products and services to end-user customers on behalf of third party travel suppliers, such as airlines, hotels and cruise lines. Customers of travel agents include tourists and business travellers. Some agents also serve as general service agents for foreign travel companies in different countries.

However, a Tour Operator is an operator who typically combines 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 e.g. skiing, or a combination.

Answer 2

A travel agent is one who works with tour operators and helps a consumer plan there holiday. There are some tour operators that sell direct to the consumer and there are some that only work with travel agents.

Many consumers think that by booking direct they save money as they think travel agents tack on commission. This isn't true, in fact many tour operators will encourage booking directly through them because then they don't have to pay a travel agency commission, but the consumer still pays the same price as with an agent.

Now if you choose to go through an agent then we do the research for you. We aren't bias to one company; we are just trying to get you the best rates. Unless you have hours upon hours to search yourself it is best to work with a professional. We look at travel day in and day out to where we know which companies tend to price better for certain locations/hotels.

Plus if you are unsure of where you want to go or where you want to stay we can help with that as well. A tour operator can't do this for you. They won't qualify a person or suggest hotels, etc. They are only interested in you telling them what you want, that's it.

Keep in mind sometimes it isn't best to go off a recommendation of say for example your neighbor who stayed at this resort and loved it because it may have been perfect for them...doesn't mean it will be perfect for you.

Happy Travels and best advice I can give is find yourself a good agent that has experience and knows there job well and continue in working with them. There are like any job good and bad agents out there find that good one and we WILL work hard for you.

Answer 3

hard matter. search on to yahoo. just that can assist!