Tour Operations, Itinerary Planning and Travel Documentation
This domain tests product assembly, realistic itinerary design, cost build-up and correct travel papers.
Tour operations
Functions: research, product design, supplier negotiation, costing, marketing, operations, tour manager and feedback. Types: FIT, GIT, escorted, hosted, incentive, MICE, package and tailor-made. A tour manager escorts and troubleshoots; a tour guide interprets at the site.
Itinerary principles
Logical geographic flow, realistic travel time, opening days and seasons, permits, buffer for delays, meal and rest breaks, budget fit, safety and a contingency plan.
Costing
Net cost = land arrangements + transport + guiding + permits + GST + contingency. Add markup for profit; agents may receive commission. Quote per person on twin sharing, with a single supplement stated separately. Tour operator services attract 5% GST without input credit - verify current rates.
Documentation
Passport: 10-year validity for adults, 5 for minors; many countries require six months' validity beyond travel. Visa types: tourist, transit, business, student; e-visa is applied online before travel. Indian citizens need an Inner Line Permit for Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram; foreigners need Protected Area Permits for restricted zones. Nepal and Bhutan need no visa for Indians. Add travel insurance, e-ticket/PNR, customs channels and yellow-fever certificates where required.
Worked example
3 nights, 2 guests. Hotel ₹3,000 per room-night → ₹9,000 ÷ 2 = ₹4,500 per person. Vehicle ₹3,500 × 4 days = ₹14,000 ÷ 2 = ₹7,000. Two jeep safaris at ₹2,200 per jeep → ₹4,400 ÷ 2 = ₹2,200. Guide ₹1,000 × 4 = ₹4,000 ÷ 2 = ₹2,000. Net ₹15,700; GST 5% = ₹785; total ₹16,485; markup 15% ≈ ₹2,472 → quote about ₹18,960 per person. Reasoning: markup is applied to the cost base, GST to the package, and everything is divided on twin sharing.
Traps
Forgetting GST; unrealistic travel times; quoting per room instead of per person; confusing a visa with an Inner Line Permit.