Travel Agency and Tour Operations
Travel Agency and Tour Operations tests the difference between retail travel agencies and tour operators, plus documentation, itineraries and costing. Expect questions on IATA, TAAI, passports, visas and package pricing.
Core rules
- A travel agency sells and arranges travel services for clients, often as an intermediary. A tour operator designs, packages and operates tours, taking greater commercial risk.
- IATA accreditation allows agencies to issue airline tickets through the Billing and Settlement Plan; TAAI is a national travel trade association.
- A passport is the citizen's travel document; a visa is a permission granted by the destination country. A visa does not guarantee entry.
- Itineraries should be realistic: travel time, opening hours, rest and season matter. Package cost includes transport, accommodation, meals, guides, entry fees and markup, plus applicable taxes.
- GDS systems are used to check availability and fares; records must match passenger documents.
Worked example: Cost a two-night package for two people. Hotel is ₹3,000 per room per night, transport ₹4,000 total, meals ₹800 per person per day, guide ₹1,500 total, markup 10%. Reasoning: hotel ₹6,000 + transport ₹4,000 + meals ₹3,200 + guide ₹1,500 = ₹14,700 cost. Markup 10% = ₹1,470; selling price ₹16,170; per person ₹8,085 before taxes. Taxes must be added if applicable, not hidden in the markup.
Traps
Do not treat an agent and operator as identical. Do not promise a visa. Do not quote a per-person price from a double-room rate without dividing by two. Do not forget entry fees, taxes or transfer time.