Tour Package India

The seemingly never ending list of places to visit in India, with vibrant customs and cultures that vary from state to state is what makes India a popular tourist destination. The Indian travel industry is so large that is has various hierarchical levels that manage different functions of the tourism department. A lot of times we have been questioned on the difference between tour operators and travel agents. Though with similar meaning designations, their operational roles are quite different from each other.

At the top you’ll find the tour company that decides the contracts with hotels, resorts, airlines and ground transport companies like private cars, buses, vans, ferries and trains & etc using various budget levels to suit the needs of various classes of travelers. Tour operators usually are the people who organize and/or provide package holidays by using the prices, hotel and transport information etc. They are involved with handling things on the ground like the drafting of detailed tour packages and distribution of these packages to associated travel Agents. The travel agent then accumulates information of travelers who wish to use the tour packages being offered and sets them onto the appropriate tour.

A tour operator as the name suggests has a big hand in operating a tour and making sure that a tour runs smoothly with all the necessary bookings being made with allied transport companies, hotels, activities, events etc. Aimed at larger groups of travelers, they usually are responsible for booking and arranging:

• Licensed and qualified tour guides who will manage and guide a tour effectively and efficiently around a city.
• Transportation that is necessary to get to the designated spots. The transportation means could be anything between chauffeur driven cars, to train tickets to cruise tickets.
• Any accommodation like Resorts, or apartments, Camping Sites, etc that would accommodate a traveler during his period of visit.
• Food & Beverage packs that could include combinations of Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, buffet meals or packed food.
• Of course managing the essentials related to sight seeing like organizing night trails, treks, or even adventure sports like scuba diving or visits to places of historical significance.
• Special requests also are handled by a tour operator. For example if an event has been organized with an office tour, a tour operator would be responsible to ensure that any meetings or gatherings at a hotel or conference room of choice would be arranged with the necessary equipment, food, lighting etc that the tour group may require to function.

Travel agents on the other hand provide travel advice to travelers, and basically promote and sell tour packages received from various tour operators. They also are responsible for the administrative section of a tour like the management of tour bookings etc. Catering to more personalized smaller sets of people (of say 4 or 5 members), most travel agents may target to a special audience like only commercial trips. They are also responsible for organizing the insurance, car rentals, private tour guides etc of any tour party.

Armed with this information, the next time you go traveling, if your group of travelers is small it is advisable to choose a travel agent over a travel operator. Everyone runs under a budget and the travel companies are aware of it. You’re just required to look around to find a travel guide that fits into your budget and travel plans. However, if your tour is going to be a large one like a company tour, a tour operator would be more appropriate to help ensure that all your requirements and travel essentials are well taken care of.