What is the difference between a travel agent and a tour operator? This has to be answered so a 15 year old can understand!!!
Thanx :-) xx
2007-03-26 22:27:49 · 6 answers · asked by leanne07 2 in Travel ➔ Travel (General) ➔ Other - Destinations
Travel agent - A retailer who sells indepedent tour or tour packages created by tour operators. Originally, the client did not pay for a travel agent's services because agents receive commissions from hotels, airlines, wholesalers on packaged tours, and other travel vendors. Since agent commissions have now been dramatically reduced, especially by the airlines, many agents charge a fee for their services. The trend in the industry is toward all agencies charging for their services.
Tour operator - A tour operator 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.
So a tour operator creates the holiday by putting the hotel, flights etc into a package, and the travel agent sells the tour and takes a fee for doing so.
2007-03-26 22:31:30 · answer #1 · answered by Guy M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A travel agent sells you holidays, flights, and accomodation so that you may travel. A tour operator merely runs the holiday tour (which typically includes flights and acommodation) that you are on.
A perhaps better way to answer:
A travel agent sells you all the components you need to buy for a holiday. A tour operator has already put these components together for you and organised the holiday for you.
2007-03-27 08:05:29 · answer #2 · answered by Penfold 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My understanding is that a travel agent will sell you holidays and flights directly ie- Thomas cook, Travelcare, Trailfinders etc....
A tour operator are the holiday creators. For example when you go into your local Travel Agents and you see all those holiday prospectuses these are all prepared by Tour Operators (they create your holiday with all inclusives such as the flight, hotel, coach tours ect...).
Hope this helps somewhat.
2007-03-27 05:33:21 · answer #3 · answered by Pearl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Travel agent is someone who merely sells holidays
A tour Operator buys a Lot of hotel rooms Buys Flights and puts them all together...they then use Travel agents to sell the package...........IE Package Holidays
2007-03-27 05:32:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A tour operator actually provides the holiday/tour. A travel agen will provide you with a list of tour operators to choose from.
2007-03-27 06:15:33 · answer #5 · answered by France50 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A travel agent is the one who will assist you when you want to travel to a particular country by taking care of your travel papers, airline fares and insurance during your trip. And the tour operator is the one who will accompany you in every place your want to go as your companion and as your guide.
I hope you understand what I mean :) Have a nice day and kindly include the Philippines as your destination.
Take care and GOD BLESS :)
2007-03-27 05:35:44 · answer #6 · answered by Mutya P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋