2006-12-30 14:25:44 · 6 answers · asked by john h 1 in Travel ➔ Travel (General) ➔ Other - Destinations
A tour operator specialises in perhaps one or more resorts/holiday locations, usually 2/3 places depending on the size of the operator of course. They do not get involved with anything except the places they go to, and deal directly with customers (usually over the telephone) or bookings through travel agents who contact them for availability.
Travel agents deal with holidays virtually anywhere, and are most often on the high street. They book holidays for people mainly through tour operators, and claim their commission for being the middle man. As far as the customer is concerned, the holiday is through the travel agent they book with. It is arranged by them, but the actual booking is dealt with through the tour operator/s who deal in that particular location.
2006-12-30 15:23:00 · answer #1 · answered by rikerlock 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tour Operators plan, arrange and execute tours or packages, and advertise it.
Travel agencies (Tour agencies) act as middle man between the public and the tour operators.
They make bookings with the tours operators on behalf of the public, and collect payment and give vouchers. Then they deduct commission from the payment and pay the tour operator.
They are literally "agencies" i.e they don't do any of the work on the tours or packages themselves, they only book it, and get paid by both the traveler and the tour operator do perform this service.
2014-05-15 04:29:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The travel agent books the trips, the tour operator runs the tours.
2006-12-30 23:58:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A travel agent sits in the office in the high street and books your holidays for you. A tour operator is the company they book through - Thomson, Kuoni, whatever... and they have people all over the place.
2006-12-30 22:32:07 · answer #4 · answered by Vix 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tour Operator: They create the packages and contract all the service provides (hotels, airlines, guides, etc). Usually tour operators dont sell to individuals.
Travel Agent: Is the one that promotes and sells the package to tourists and by doing so, they get some comission from the tour operator.
2006-12-31 14:38:50 · answer #5 · answered by sweetiegirl_mx_99 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A travel agent can be found in the high street
A tour operator can't
2006-12-30 22:35:14 · answer #6 · answered by Scotty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋