Travel agent what. How is a travel operator different from a travel agent? Who works in tourism and why

Working with travel agencies is currently one of the main areas of the current and strategic action any tour operator. The role of travel agents in the prosperity and success of the operator's business cannot be overestimated, since no matter how famous the operator is, no matter what interesting tours that meet the needs of the market segments he offers, without an efficiently working expanded agent network he could not achieve anything in the tourism business. That is why in the structure of any operator there is either a responsible person, or even a whole department that works with agents and develops new ways, means of stimulating and increasing the efficiency of agency activity.

Tourist agency - is it legal or individual, engaged in advertising, communicating to the consumer and selling travel packages developed by the tour operator. The need for agents is due to a number of reasons:

The need to promote the operator's tours in the regions - not every tour operator has the opportunity to open its own representative office or branch in every promising region, while attracting regional agents to working together allows the promotion of the operator's tours far from the place of his permanent deployment;

The need to bring the tours to the client - not every client is inclined to the desire to travel tens or hundreds of kilometers to another city in order to purchase a tour. It is much more profitable for the client to purchase a package in hometown from an authorized agent of a distant tour operator, similarly, it is beneficial for the operator, the presence of an agent network in which allows you to serve nonresident tourists;

The operator does not have the ability to independently service all the customers leaving for him. The presence of an agent network is an indispensable condition for minimizing the costs of a tour operator. The more people he serves on his own, the more expenses he has (the need to maintain a large staff of workers, in the first place) and vice versa.

Functions of travel agencies:

Advertising tours offered by tour operators in the regional market at their own expense and under their own financial responsibility - the agent, thus, independently decides which of the tours offered by the operator will be positively received and in demand in the regional market, and then advertises them with all available to him in ways for his own money;

Bringing reliable information about the tour to a potential client (in the case of a client contacting the travel agent's office, the latter should be popular, available to convey reliable information about the upcoming tour organized by the tour operator. Moreover, the information required by the client who applied can be of any content that requires the agent high experience and knowledge of the direction);

Selling a tour, that is, pre-booking a tour with an operator, receiving from the last booking confirmation and receiving payment for the upcoming tour from a client;

The completing function of the agency is to purchase (from a tour operator or directly from suppliers) additional travel products that provide maximum convenience for the tourist;

The tourist-forming function of the agent consists in the possible purchase of certain tourist products by him in various tour operators and the independent formation of a tourist package from them. This function is most optimal for organizing customized individual or group tours, as well as in cases where the purchase of a component of the tours from different operators more profitable in terms of the final price of the travel package.

The legal status of the operator and the agent cooperating is enshrined in the agency agreement (or, as options, agency agreement, agency agreement, etc.), the subject of which is the delegation of the operator to the agent of the right to sell their own tours for a set amount of commission. The agent can sell tours of the operator both on his own behalf, both with reference to the tour operator, and on behalf of the tour operator. However, in any case, the client's claims for an organized tour must be accepted by the agent who has implemented this travel package. According to the standard agency agreement, the agent's duties are: to bring reliable information about the upcoming tour, organized by the tour operator, to the client;

Sale of the tour after pre-booking and receiving confirmation of the booking conditions from the operator;

Collecting the necessary information and documents from the client and sending them to the tour operator in a timely manner (so the agent is obliged to promptly inform the operator of the personal data of the tourists, and in some cases organize the sending of the tourist's documents to the operator on time, for example, when selling tours to visa countries);

Timely payment of the tour operator's tour - the agent is obliged to fully pay the sold tour to the operator within the period specified in the contract or specified in the booking confirmation.

It is worth noting that in the event of claims from the client arising from the agent's improper performance of his duties (for example, the agent provided false information about the client's identity, as a result of which the tourist was not met at the airport or checked into a hotel), the agent is fully responsible.

The tour operator under the agency agreement undertakes:

Inform the agent about the formal requirements, conditions, restrictions imposed on tourists by foreign suppliers, air transport, consular, customs and other institutions;

Provide the agent with comprehensive information about the peculiarities of travel, as well as about the dangers that tourists may encounter during their implementation;

Not later than the period specified in the contract (usually 24 hours) from the moment of receiving the booking request, confirm the possibility of organizing the tour according to the stated conditions; issue invoices for payment of the tourist product for which it is requested;

Issue to the agent (or send him by registered mail) documents required by the tourist for the trip (for example, air tickets, accommodation voucher, information sheet, insurance policy, etc.);

Inform the agent about the occurrence of circumstances that prevent the fulfillment of certain requested tourist products or the departure of the tourist, as well as about changes in the tour programs;

Pay the agent a commission in the amount established by the agency agreement or a specific proposal of the tour operator.

The last point, regarding the commission, is the most important in the system of relations between the tour operator and the agent. The role of the commission is not only to stimulate the agency (strengthening its material interest in more active sale of operator's tours), but also to encourage tourists to buy tours from the official agencies of a particular tour operator (since the presence of a commission ensures the equality of selling prices for both the operator and and from an agent, which makes it pointless for potential tourists to contact the operator to purchase a tour directly). It is thanks to the commission that the identity of selling prices is achieved in different regions in different agents, which indicates the civilization and high level of development of the tourist market.

Ex., Number of synonyms: 1 agent (57) ASIS synonym dictionary. V.N. Trishin. 2013 ... Synonym dictionary

travel agent - travel agent … Dictionary of abbreviations and acronyms

Travel agent - see Tourism activities ... Encyclopedia of Law

TRAVEL AGENT - TRAVEL AGENCY ... Legal encyclopedia

travel agent - 3.9 travel agent: Organization or individual entrepreneurcarrying out activities on the promotion and implementation of the tour on the basis of a license. Source: GOST R 50690 2000: Tourism services. General requirements original document ... Dictionary-reference book of terms of normative and technical documentation

- (see TRAVEL AGENCY) ... Encyclopedic Dictionary of Economics and Law

travel agent - see travel agency activities. * * * see Tourist activities ... Big Law Dictionary

travel agent - a, h. A legal person or an individual entrepreneur, which is based on a license, good performance from the provision and implementation of a tourist product ... Ukrainian Tlumachny vocabulary

Travel agent - entity or an individual entrepreneur engaged in the promotion and sale of a tourist product. Wed Tour operator. an organization conductor engaged in the implementation of tours formed by the tour operator. Most of… … Tourist lexicon

Books

  • Information technology in the tourism industry. Study guide for bachelor degree
  • Information technology in the tourism industry. Study guide, Shitov Viktor Nikolaevich. Information processes and technologies, information security of the activities of enterprises in the tourism industry, public computer technologies from ...

How to become a travel agent?

The fastest option that does not require higher education would be specialized courses. It is budgetary, does not take much time and will give the first results in a few months.

But there is a side effect: a huge amount of information is given in such a short period of time - not all people are able to assimilate it in full. Upon completion, you will receive a certificate of completed courses and the opportunity to work in initial positions.

Of course, if you want to move further in this area, you should go to college or university.

Another opportunity to get the profession of a travel agent is presented by various colleges of service and tourism. Faculty name: Tourism Manager. Such institutions create a more complete picture of future specialization in the mind of a young student.

Education lasts on average two to three years, it can be both paid and free. At the end of the study period, the college usually guarantees the student a job, which is a good help for specialized courses.

The third option is higher educational institution... Faculties: tourism manager, travel agent and others. In universities, students get a complete picture of the tourist destination, study management and marketing, without which this profession is of little use.

This is the longest and surest way to become a travel agent. Specialists with higher education are always in demand and have every chance to have a good salary, because the main income of a travel agent is a percentage of sales.

Travel agent work

A tourism manager or travel agent sells and arranges tours, advises clients on various issues: from the specifics of a particular country to the presence of wi-fi in the hotel room.

It is important to be able to find an approach to each client, to understand and take into account his needs, to be stress-resistant, and most importantly - to have information. A good travel agent is the most erudite person who knows the most important and relevant information about different countries.

How much do travel agents earn?

A travel agent's salary consists of a rate and a percentage of sales. The lowest salary is for the assistant tourism manager, on average in Moscow it is 20-35 thousand rubles, and in Russia 15-20 thousand rubles. A beginner tourism manager earns 35-45 thousand in Moscow and 20-30 thousand in Russia per month - it all depends on sales.

A good agent with experience and an established base can earn 50 thousand and more, it all depends on himself.

In tourism, people are valued who know how to sell tourism products in a circle regular customers, which will subsequently generate income.

The prospects for this profession are the director of a travel agency or his deputy. If these professions are successfully mastered, a top manager follows, he manages the tourism business and creates a direction for its development. The top manager monitors the increase in the company's profits and bears a huge responsibility.

Explore tourism schools and education systems. Get your travel agent training at a college or independent training school.

  • Colleges can offer degrees or certifications in tourism and hospitality, and provide broad or in-depth study of all aspects of the travel and hospitality industry.
  • Travel agent training schools, on the other hand, offer the opportunity to take more accelerated programsspecializing in specific travel agent duties such as researching travel destinations, booking systems or sales and marketing.

Get a certificate. Certification shows clients that you are familiar with the standards and professional ethics set by the certification body or educational institution in your field of study. The tourism industry has several widely recognized certification bodies.

  • The Travel Institute offers a range of certified programs (Certified Travel Counselor, Certified Travel Associate, or Certified Travel Industry Executive).
  • The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) also offers industry-respected and recognized certification programs.

  • Find a job. To become an online travel agent, look for a job at a travel agency from home or contact a leading agency to help you manage your travel business.

    • Work with a reputable travel agency. Many travel agencies make a higher stay at home possible by working online through their resources and computerized systems. The advantage is that you can be a permanent employee with support, resources, wages and benefits offered by the company.
    • Find a lead agency to start your own independent travel agency. The premier travel agency offers tour operator services, marketing support, online assistance and access to booking sites and travel service providers. If you work with a leading agency, you receive only commission.

  • Inquire about the requirements for registering a travel agent in your area or country. Some states in the United States require travel agents to be registered as travel sellers. This regulatory provision helps protect the consumer and ensures that travel agencies follow the law when implementing travel offers. In addition, countries such as Australia provide a travel agent license, which you should be aware of when starting your online travel business. Make sure you comply with local regulations set by local authorities.

  • Become a member of tourism associations, societies and organizations. Joining travel associations is considered a great way to stay connected with the news and trends in the travel industry. Travel associations can also offer support and continuing education to their members.

    • The International Air Transport Association (IATA) / International Airlines Travel Agent Network (IATAN) are important merger organizations if you intend to book flights as a travel agent online.

    • Going on a vacation trip, people often turn to different travel agencies. At the same time, many people think little about the main difference in the companies providing travel services. Federal Law "On the Basics of Tourist Activities in Russian Federation»Subdivides travel agencies into travel agents and tour operators and defines their areas of activity.

    Using the services of travel agencies greatly facilitates travel planning: specialists will provide everything from accommodation and meals to all kinds of cultural programs. The client only needs to decide on a place of rest. A travel contract can be concluded with both a travel agent and a tour operator. And the trips purchased (bought) in such organizations are called tours.

    Speaking about the difference between a travel agency and a tour operator, let's say right away that the main difference between them is the following: the former sell, the latter produce.
    Let us express the difference in this comparison. A travel agent is a shop that sells tours, and a travel operator is a factory that produces them.

    The travel agent searches for and accumulates offers from tour operators and sells them to clients. Profit from this type of activity is generated by remuneration of manufacturers of travel products for the sale of tours.
    Tour operators work more varied. To offer a tour, the tour operator must contact and agree with many, figuratively speaking, performers:

    • FROM transport companiesto take the client away and bring him back in order to carry out transportation for the organization of leisure at the very place of stay;
    • With hotels and inns at the place of stay, because the client must live and eat somewhere;
    • With museums, entertainment and shopping centers, local travel agencies and so on for the organization of recreation;
    • With local health and social security authorities to provide health insurance coverage for clients.

    The list goes on. After all this has been done: the price that the tour operator must pay for the client is determined, the time and place of leisure activities are specified, the travel agency's own extra charges are set to make a profit, a new tour appears in the list of offers of the tour operator and its cost is announced. When the work is completed, the tour operator can offer the tour for sale at travel agencies.

    In their work, travel agencies, as business entities, can combine the activities of an operator and an agent. Like a store with a factory: a factory can open a store selling any goods, and a rich store can open own production... Of course, companies operating in the tourism business do not open stores, and the combination of activities takes place without going beyond the scope of tourism activities. For example, a travel operator can develop tours in Russia and at the same time offer foreign trips of another operator, that is, act as an agent.

    When going on a tour, you need to know exactly which organization is the operator. And if you use the services of a travel agency, you need to clarify whether the agency has concluded an agreement with the operator offering this tour. In the event of disputes, the contract must specify the procedure for resolving them with the operator. If this procedure is not specified, then all issues are resolved with the tour operator, as with the main seller of the service.

     

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