http://www.tenontours.

com/travel-tips/difference-between-tour-operators-and-travel-agents/

The Difference between Tour Operators and Travel Agents

At times there can be confusion about the difference between tour operators and travel
agents and what exactly makes them different or what roles they play in the planning of
your vacation.

The main difference is that a tour operator is responsible for operating and providing
your vacation through the contracting, booking and packaging together of the various
components of your tour such as your hotel, transportation, meals, guides, optional
tours and sometimes flight.  Many tour operators are considered land only operators
and focus on the aspects of your package once you have arrived in your destination. 

Travel Agents hold the role of selling and administering packages from various tour
operators to their personal clients based on what they’re looking for and what package
suits each client best.  While many tour operators focus on a select concentration of
destinations most travel agents can specialize in a range of destinations and then they
can help you narrow down a package for that specific destination or area you are
looking to travel to based on your budget, preferred method of travel and interests. 
Travel agents will then work directly with the tour operator to perfect your requests and
provide the tour operator with the information and payments they need.

With the increase of internet use in everyone’s lives independently booking your tour
package directly with tour operators is now more available than it had been in the past
therefore requiring the use of an agent to know what operators were out there and
available.  Most tour operators these days do deal directly with clients and sell their own
packages therefore removing the middle man, however many people still prefer to use
their local or family travel agent they have relied on for years.

While Tenon Tours is a tour operator we glady work with and respect our relationships
with our Ireland travel agents as we both share the same goal of providing you with an
unforgettable and stress free vacation.

http://www.shareyouressays.com/93530/4-most-important-types-of-tour-operators-in-tourism-industry

4 Most Important Types of Tour Operators

in Tourism Industry
by Deepti Verma

Types of tour operators in tourism industry are as follows:

Important Types of Tour Operators
1. Inbound Tour Operator:
Tour operators who deal and handle directly inbound foreign tourists, provide them various services
on their arrival and departure such as transfer, accommodation, transportation, sightseeing,
entertainment, currency, insurance services etc. are known as inbound tour operators.

These tour operators formulate tour package individually or in collaboration with foreign tour
operators. The packages may be marketed directly or by means of the intermediaries. In fact,
inbound tour operators are the ‘image’ builders of a country as they convert all touristic resources of
a nation into a saleable commodity.

They also contribute valuable foreign exchange earnings to the economy of host country.
Recognizing the vital role played by inbound tour operators in the healthy growth and promotion of
tourism, every nation has extended several financial and non-financial incentives to these operators.

2. Outbound Tour Operator:

These categories of operators are specialized in promoting and designing multi-national tours
especially foreign countries. The outbound tour operator sells a package tour to an individual or a
group of people of his own country to another country or a number of countries for a specific pre-
decided period.

The outbound tour operator arranges travel documents, transportation to a central point where the
tour starts and contracts with inbound tour operators/ground operators to provide accommodation,
transportation, local sightseeing and other services as needed throughout the tour.

Generally, these operators work in liaison with the inbound tour operators/ground operators and offer
services involving meeting inbound tour group at the airport, transferring the tour group from the
airport to the arranged place of accommodation in town hotel, arranging/organizing local sightseeing
that may be a single day or multi days tour of the home state, region or area. These may be in the
form of business or leisure oriented tours.

3. Domestic Tour Operator:

Today, the domestic market has witnessed attractive growth rates as large players in the travel
industry are aggressively entering and promoting this market. Leading tour operators usually focus
on the international market where margins are higher but now, in addition, they are floating new
packages to create a niche in this segment to tap the vast potential in the domestic market.
Even leading hotel chains are also receiving healthier response in this context. In the UK, USA,
Japan, India, China and Hong Kong many tour operators are specialized in domestic holiday
packages.

Generally, domestic tour operators operate within the boundary of home country and cater the
diverse needs of individual and group travellers. They promote tour packages both through their own
outlets and other retail travel agents. In fact, they are contributing to the cause of national
integration.

4. Ground Operator:
Ground operator is also referred to as, ‘reception operator’, ‘destination management companies’
and ‘handling agencies’ e.g. ground operators in the United States— ‘reception operator, ‘handling
agencies’ in India and destination management companies in UK.

Ground operators are normally expected to provide ‘land arrangements’ at a particular destination.
Thus, a ground operator who provides the services required by large tour companies where they do
not have a local branch/office or are not dealing at the source with the principal suppliers such as
hoteliers, transport operators, car rentals, entertainment organizations and so forth.

The reception operator secures, coordinates, supervises and handles accounts/payments of all
services related to the tour in his region/area. His services are invaluable for an efficient and
successful operation of inclusive group as well as foreign independent tours.

The travel industry is very young compared to other industries, globally. It did not really gain
momentum until 1945. However, it has changed dramatically in just the past four decades and there
have been many drastic changes in the making of these fastest growing industry-deregulations of
airlines in 1978, introduction of AMTRAK in 1974, information technology, globalization, changing
public attitudes and so forth.

Many large scale travel agencies and tour operators have changed their product lines through
merger, acquisition and franchise. In today’s volatile business environment, not only is the
competition among travel agencies/tour operators intense but tourists have wide options of dealing
directly with tourism product suppliers.

Tourists can now obtain his/her airline ticket, hotel booking, car rental and other services through
computerized reservation system. Thereby, the success of travel agencies/tour operators is mostly
determined by their ability to design package tours and operation’s service quality concept.
According to Sasser, Olsen and Wychoff, in order to design quality tour package, travel agencies/
tour operators must define the ‘service concept’ in terms of tangible features, range of services, and
intangible features.

Thus, a tour operator must consider service concept to compete others and to match the demands
of the travellers. He should arrange, plan and manage the travel services/ingredients – travel
information, travel tickets, travel documents, itinerary, accommodation, transportation, car rental,
cruise ship, travel insurance, currency, and other ground services in an efficient, extensive and
profitable manner in order to win over the targeted market segment.

However, in the operational aspect, service delivery process is very complex and complicated, which
requires strategic management approach in maintaining the sequence of these activities.

It shows how successfully a tour company performs its service activities to create a travel, and
market it. Further, it creates a profound impact in ensuring satisfied travelers /clients and the image
building of the organization.

Travel agent and Tour operator - What role do they play?

Trips and Stays: on the surface the whole thing seems pretty simple (return trip, lodging, meals and entertainment), but in
fact it's a complicated equation with several factors involved. There’s the option of purchasing directly or going through
someone else. Who are these intermediaries and how do they manage to offer you a dream product: A holiday!
 
The travel agency
 
The travel agent comes to mind when we think about going on holiday.
They don't create the trip, they distribute it: in a simple way (with a flight)
and more complicated (with a stay), beginning with travel plans created by
tour operators. Therefore the travel agency becomes a purchasing advisor
and provides the client with a general idea about the trip when he or she
walks into their office. A travel agency can specialize in a particular
destination or a specific trip type, like adventure, fishing, rock climbing, or
perhaps in a near future, space.
How do they make money? Two ways: first by taking a percentage from
their providers (hotel, travel operators, airline companies), second on
commissions billed to the client. This goes for well-established agencies
and for online agencies that are often much less expensive. Be careful
with referred tour operators: this only means that the agency takes a
higher percentage that can go up to 15% of the price of the trip (instead of
12%).
 
The travel operator or tour operator (TO)
 
A tour operator produces the trip, creates it. 6 months prior to the tourist
season (there are 2 seasons: Autumn/Winter from November - April and
Spring/Summer from May - October), they construct their product by
combining the transport and the stay (lodging). They freeze seats on
planes and hotel rooms: this is the principle of allotment. They calculate the price of the trip (travel and stay included) by
adding in their cut and the price of the brochure which is then put together so that they can offer the trip to agencies or
directly through their own network. In the latter case though, the agency within the network is somewhat obliged to promote
the referred TO which, in exchange, gives the TO a higher commission, which is a little bit counteractive.
A hotel can be offered by several TO's. For 2 clients, you can also have 2 different prices for the same services offered: it all
depends on the contract that has been negotiated between the hotel and the TO. Some TO's have opened their own resort
hotels (or at least manage them) where they apply their trademark; enabling them to control all elements.

For a more complex stay, safari, a tour of Asia for example, it's best to contact a specialized TO.
 
On the receiving end
 
It's the country's local agency which represents the travel agencies of the country departed from: it offers products
(excursions, entertainment,...) takes care of reservations, and of “receiving” travelers. It resells their services to agencies
and to TO's who then recalculate their cut. The agency on the receiving end can be a local travel agency or a small
organization run by the main travel agency back home. For the client : the advantage of having the interlocutor and the
perfect guide, destination specialist (impossible to organize a safari without), and also the option of being able to go directly
somewhere when you arrive. Depending on whether or not you find a good one online.

Tour Operator or Travel Agent?

ASIDE
Posted on December 6, 2012

Are you looking to start your own travel company? Do you have a particular hobby or interest that you enjoy and
would like to earn money for as a job on a full or part time basis? If the answer is yes then starting a niche travel
company in the Travel Industry could be something to consider.

What are the main differences between starting a Tour Operator or Travel Agency?
There are a number of differences between the two options and considering which one your business will fit into
really depends on what type of travel you are looking to sell. The main differences are outlined below:

Tour Operator
A tour operator typically combines tour and travel components to provide a holiday. The most common example of
a tour operator’s package would include a hotel, a transfer from the airport, a specific activity and possibly a flight.
Niche tour operators may specialise in specific destinations, e.g. Italy, India, UK, activities and experiences, e.g.
skiing, music trips, special interest tours, or a combination of both.

For profit, tour operators usually negotiate net rates with suppliers and then add their own margins onto the package
on a percentage or per passenger basis.

As tour operators act as principle for the packages they provide they also have to provide financial protection in line
with the 1992 Package Travel Regulations or ATOL.
Travel Agent
A travel agent is a private retailer that provides travel related services to the public on behalf of suppliers such as
hotels, flights, car hire or package holidays (tour operators).
A travel agency’s main function is to act as an agent selling travel products and services on behalf of a supplier.
Consequently, unlike other retail businesses, they do not keep any stock in hand. A package holiday or a ticket is not
purchased from a supplier unless a customer requests that purchase. The holiday or ticket is supplied to them at a
discount and profitis therefore the difference between the advertised price which the customer pays and the
discounted price at which it is supplied to the agent. This is known as the commission.

As agents sell packages on behalf of tour operators financial protection is generally not required as the consumer’s
contract is direct with the financially protected tour operator. However, many travel agents now wish to provide
financial protection to provide their customers with an added level of protection and piece of mind.

Why start a Tour Operator over a Travel Agency?

Ultimately the decision is up to you. Whilst both have their benefits if you want the flexibility to design your own
packages using your own carefully selected suppliers, be in control of your own profit margins and put your own
personal touch on each trip you sell then starting business a tour operator is probably the best option for you.

If you have decided on starting a tour operator then please see our page regarding Starting a Travel
Company.Alternatively, please see our other pages if you would like to find out more regarding the UK Travel
Laws and Regulations.

How to Create the Perfect Itinerary

Ever noticed how some folks make the toughest trips seem like
a leisurely walk in the park? We'll wager that nine out of 10
times, those travelers created a near-perfect itinerary before
they even started packing. 

Modern itinerary-making tools, from Web sites to mobile apps,

allow travelers to build colorful trip timelines and share their
travel plans with loved ones. But the ability to engineer an
effective, seamless itinerary requires more than just bells and
whistles -- and well-laid travel plans are an integral component
of any successful trip. 

So what's the secret to creating a great itinerary? After you've snagged a solid airfare deal, arranged for a car
rental and even managed to pack light, there are some less obvious -- but equally important -- tactics you can
use to put together a seamless trip. 

Web Sites and Apps

Various Web sites and apps have facilitated the creation of itineraries, and the ability to share those itineraries,
for thousands of tech-savvy travelers. Here are a few of our favorites:

 TripIt.com allows users to create complex online itineraries and e-mail them to friends and family. The site
will automatically insert tons of useful information into your itinerary, including maps, directions and weather.
TripIt is free, but you can buy extra perks, like a mobile service that alerts you if your flight is changed or
canceled, for an annual fee. 

 NileGuide.com is a valuable resource for travelers. Pick your place from the Web site's list and you'll get an
impressive inventory of hotels, activities, travel guides and more, which you can use to build a personal
itinerary.

 Outer Level offers Knapsack, an itinerary program for Macs. The program's features, from interactive maps
and to-do lists to printed itineraries that appear professionally designed, make trip planning more fun than an
in-flight movie.

 The Itinerary app for iPhone helps you organize your trip by plotting each day's stops on a map and letting
you add notes.

 Cool Tools for Planning Complicated Trips

Be Realistic
Sure, you'd like to milk your trip for all it's worth by booking a red-eye flight and then scheduling a full day's
worth of activities on day one, despite an eight-hour time difference. But by the end of the trip, you're likely to
look and feel as if you've spent the week in correctional boot camp. If you really want to squeeze in every tour,
meal and excursion you've typed into your itinerary, but as it currently stands you're getting six hours of sleep a
night with no room for a time adjustment, you need to add a day -- or cut an activity.

Choreographing all you want to get done into a seamless schedule, especially if you're visiting multiple cities or
countries, can be a massive challenge. Make it easier by creating a list of everything you want to see or do in
your locale. Then put the list in priority order. To help estimate how long an activity will take, or how long it will
take to get there, consult a guidebook or check out online message boards for perspectives from other
travelers who've been there and done that. This will make it easier for you to feel out what you can and cannot
accomplish during, say, three nights inMontreal.

Research events happening in your destination while you'll be there (tourist board Web sites are good for this --
they usually have events calendars), and plan accordingly. There may be a nifty festival that you want to slot
into your schedule, or, at the opposite extreme, you may want to avoid a certain part of town if it's going to be
crowded or blocked off.

Also note local holidays coinciding with your trip, which can affect transportation schedules, business opening
hours, etc.

Ambitious travelers who plan to embark on a weeklong tour of Europe (yes, we've actually heard of people
who attempt to see a continent in less time than it takes to learn the Thriller dance) should do some serious
planning. In a case like this, a map is your best friend as you prioritize activities. Look at a map and start
grouping the different attractions you want to see by
neighborhood or region -- this will help you minimize transit
time between one part of your itinerary and the next.

There's more to consider than just time and location. Planning

to search for sunken treasures? Most scuba experts agree that divers should allow about 24 hours between
scuba diving and flying (so that your body can adjust to changes in altitude). If you have a cruise or a prepaid
excursion planned, arrange for your flight to arrive no less than a day prior to your departure date. Otherwise, a
missed or severely delayed flight could cost you. A good rule of thumb, regardless of what you have planned:
The more space your itinerary allows between activities and transportation, the better.

 10 Simple Tips for a Smoother Trip

Get It Right, from Door to Door

Is it me, or are economy parking lots are getting farther and farther away? It's important to reckon the drive to
the airport to account for time spent schlepping from the economy parking lot a few towns over. Allow yourself
plenty of time to make it through the security checkpoint's snaking line. 

Ask yourself a few questions: How far from the airport do I live or work? Will I have an opportunity to eat before
driving to the airport? If I miss the parking or rental car shuttle by seconds, will I have enough time to wait for
the next one, or am I going to be sprinting across the lot trying to hail down the driver?

The same thing goes for your arrival. Although travelers may sometimes save by booking flights to smaller,
more out-of-the-way airports (especially in when flying on discount airlines in many European countries), it's
important to weigh thrift against travel time. One of our editors saved some money by booking a Ryanair ticket
to Barcelona's secondary airport in Girona (instead of Aeroport de Barcelona, the city's main hub). But she
ended up taking an hour-long bus ride to get from the Girona airport to Barcelona's city center -- an
inconvenience that eclipsed what she saved on the ticket. 

 Five Worst Trip Planning Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Connections Are Key

Add a connection to your itinerary and plenty could go wrong that wouldn't have happened had you booked a
nonstop flight. Connections mean additional planes and additional opportunities for delays. Connections also
mean that your bags are being moved and mauled, which creates more occasions for your property to be lost
or damaged. God forbid you make a connection and your bags don't -- or vice versa. 

A connection will disrupt your sleep, too. If you're the type to take a sleep aid in transit, you know that there's
nothing more miserable than surfacing from the depths of a Dramamine-induced slumber to slouch off the
plane, lumber through the airport to a new gate and endure another complete boarding process.

 Airport Delays: Six Ways to Cope

The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men

Your itinerary is not a legally binding contract. It's more like a rough draft ... written in sand. Things will go
wrong. Restaurants will be closed. Buses will be late. Animals will attack.

Consider scheduling a free day into your itinerary. During your trip, it's likely you'll discover some worthwhile
attractions you didn't know about prior to your departure. This will also give you some wiggle room in case you
don't see everything you had originally planned.

All in all, the most flexible itinerary is often the best. Our final advice? Opt out of the hour-by-hour detailed
timeline that factors in bathroom breaks and photo ops. Instead, expect the unexpected, and leave plenty of
room for upsets. If you know where the bumps in the road might be, you can steer around them. And if you're
really lucky, you can put it all together for the perfect itinerary.
How to Plan a Travel Itinerary
Before you travel, creating a document that outlines where you'll go, when you'll arrive and how you'll get there
-- an itinerary -- is a common way to ensure that your travels go smoothly after you embark. Itineraries don't
have to be binding, but they allow you to represent the proposed trajectory of your trip tangibly, which makes it
easier to make last-minute changes that don't affect the overall course of your travels. Planning a basic
itinerary is simple to do but requires some time and concentration.

Step 1
Make an ideal outline of all the places you'd like to visit and arrange them in a sequence that makes sense with
the local or regional geography. If you're traveling to India, for example, and want to visit the southeastern city
of Kolkata, the southwestern city of Mumbai, the northeastern city of Agra, the northern city of Delhi and the
northwest city of Jaipur, plan to travel between adjacent cities -- Mumbai to Kolkata or Delhi to Jaipur, for
example -- rather than making long hops across the country, which will not only cause you to "backtrack" in
your travels, but also cost more.

Step 2
Notate ideal travel and accommodation options on your itinerary, even if you don't end up using them. If you're
traveling in Europe, download a European rail timetable and make note of two to three trains that run between
cities as options to take between them. Make a list of possible hotel options in a given city, either from a travel
guide like Lonely Planet or Rough Guides or from online resources like Trip Advisor or Orbitz.

Step 3
Book transport and accommodation in advance whenever your plans are set. If you're traveling internationally,
for example, book a round-trip ticket to and from the foreign country before you depart. If, on the other hand,
you're traveling to Thailand and know your visa runs out after 30 days, book a train to a neighboring county in
advance to avoid paying a penalty.

Step 4
Plan for activities within cities and regions whenever possible, again keeping in mind that these may be subject
to change -- plan alternates accordingly. Plan activities with the arrangement of your city and region in mind, as
well as the time you'll need for an activity. The Palace of Versailles in France, for example, is about 17 miles
from the center of Paris and requires not only time to get there and away, but to explore the massive extent of
the palace. Plan to visit attractions within the city, such as the Eiffel Tower and Jardin de Luxembourg, on a
different day.

Step 5
Remember that itineraries are often tentative and understand that your plans can change -- and they probably
will. Use your itinerary not as a fixed representation of where you'll be or what you've been doing at any given
time -- and how you'll get there -- but as a means of helping you make abstract travel plans concrete.

GUIDE | PLANNING A TOUR ITINERARY

Download an editable version of this guide
STEP 1:
RESEARCH OTHER TOURS IN THE MARKETPLACE
Careful planning is required when developing an itinerary for your tour. A helpful exercise is to take a tour
which will be similar to the tour you wish to develop and obtain copies of other tour brochures for
comparison. This will help you develop ideas for your tour, give you an idea of what is already in the
marketplace, give you detailed information on terms and conditions and provide possible ideas for brochure
design and content.

STEP 2:
NAME YOUR TOUR:

STEP 3:
MAP OUT THE DURATION, FREQUENCY AND DEPARTURE POINT OF YOUR TOUR
When will your tour depart? am / pm

When will your tour return? am / pm

How often will the tour operate? times per week

Where will the central departure point be?  

Will you offer accommodation pick up? yes   /   no

STEP 4:
LIST THE MAJOR LOCATIONS AND HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR TOUR
Where will your tour travel to? What are the main locations and highlights that visitors are going
to experience?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.
7.

8.

9.

10.

STEP 5:
RESEARCH YOUR TOUR CONTENT AND COMMENTARY
List the main topics you wish to include in your commentary, such as flora, fauna, history,
culture, as well as the main points to consider with each of these topics and the resources you
will use to find the information.

TOPIC MAIN POINTS TO CONSIDER RESOURCE

1.    

2.    

3.    

4.    

5.    

6.    

7.    

8.    

9.    

10.    
 

STEP 6:
LIST ANY THIRD PARTY ACTIVITIES, ATTRACTIONS, ENTRANCE FEES AND INCLUSIONS
List any activities offered by other companies or entrance fees and determine if they will be
included in your tour price or offered as extras. For example: cruises, bike rides, entry

SUPPLIER -
NAME OF COMPANY/ INCLUDED IN
ORGANISATION/ GOVERNMENT COST PER PRICE 
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY AGENCY PERSON Y/N

1.     Y/N

2.     Y/N

3.     Y/N

4.     Y/N

5.     Y/N

STEP 7:
ORGANISE SUPPLIERS FOR MEALS YOU WILL PROVIDE DURING YOUR TOUR
What meals will you provide during your tour - morning and afternoon tea, lunch or dinner? You
may wish to provide meals yourself or make arrangements for a restaurant, roadhouse, hotel or
farm to provide them for you. Should you choose to prepare your own meals, you will need to
ensure you have adequate food handling knowledge, food supplies and cooking facilities. You
may also need to seek food handling approval from your local council and meet health
department regulations.

SUPPLIER - NAME OF INCLUDED IN

DESCRIPTION OF COMPANY/ COST PER PRICE 
TYPE OF MEAL FOOD ORGANISATION PERSON Y/N

1.       Y/N

2.       Y/N
3.       Y/N

4.       Y/N

5.       Y/N

STEP 8:
ORGANISE ANY ACCOMMODATION NEEDS FOR YOUR TOUR
Whether you are passing through, stopping for meals or visiting attractions, it is imperative you obtain
permission in writing from the property owner prior to accessing any private property. If travelling through
property managed by the Parks and Wildlife you will need to apply for a Commercial Operator’s Licence.
If your itinerary includes entering Aboriginal Land, you will be required to apply for Entry Permits from
the Department of Aboriginal Affairs (DAA) . List the locations for which you will need to gain access
approval below:
LICENCE NEEDED 
SUPPLIER - Y/N
NAME OF COMPANY/ ORGANISATION/
LOCATION GOVERNMENT AGENCY  

1.   Y/N

2.   Y/N

3.   Y/N

4.   Y/N

5.   Y/N

6.   Y/N

7.   Y/N

8.   Y/N

9.   Y/N

10.   Y/N
 

STEP 9:
PERFECTING YOUR TOUR TIMING
It is crucially important to map out your tour itinerary accurately to ensure that you arrive on
time for activity and meal stops and return to your original destination at a reasonable time.

TYPE OF STOP / SCENIC, MEAL,

  TIME LOCATION ACTIVITY

Start      

Stop one      

Stop two      

Stop three      

Stop four      

Stop five      

Stop six      

End      

STEP 10:
TEST DRIVING YOUR TOUR ITINERARY
It is very important to several 'dry runs' of your itinerary to ensure you get the timing right. It is also a very
good idea to invite people who have some knowledge of the industry and are prepared to give you
constructive comments, to do a tour.

BACK TO TOP

Ten New Do's and Don'ts of Travel

The Internet, world events, and our own changing habits convene to change the nuts and bolts of travel almost
daily. Here are some tips from the travel scene of the moment, with some amusing and cautionary tales
interspersed.
1 - Don't be too quick to click when making travel reservations online.
A recent story of a Dutch traveler: a retired couple booked airfare for a two-week vacation to Sydney online -
the fare was outstanding, almost too good to be true, and they got on the first leg of their flight to North
America. 

They connected to a new flight in the US, and wondered why they were boarding a propeller plane for a flight to
Sydney, but they got on anyway. A short hop later they found themselves in Sydney - Sydney, Ontario,
Canada.

I've had experience with online reservations that were off by a day due to a simple misreading of a calendar
date - take your time reviewing your itinerary when booking online.

2 - Don't assume 24/7/365.

How many of us book our travel late at night or first thing in the morning on our home computers? I'd bet plenty,
but just because something is available for purchase on the Web doesn't mean there's someone there actually
to guarantee your booking.

For example, you can book almost any type of lodging almost anywhere in the world online at midnight Eastern
Standard Time. And you may think you have a reservation, but in actuality your reservation might sit in
someone's email box until Monday morning before anyone even looks to see if any rooms are available.
Despite "I love every minute of the day" appearances on the Internet, in reality local customs often still apply.

3 - Empty your bags completely after every trip.

Many travelers simply leave their most important travel accessories in their bags; that way, you're partly packed
when the next trip comes around, and you don't have to worry about losing important items between trips.

The new security environment, however, warns against this habit. A traveler fresh from a hiking trip near his
home was surprised to see his trusty Leatherman pulled from his carry-on luggage as he departed on a recent
trip to Europe. The security person in Logan Airport in Boston was understanding as he confiscated the knife -
"Ah, that's a nice one, sorry dude!" - of course the traveler never saw it again.

So you'll do well to empty your bags completely each time you use them. 

4 - Call ahead to confirm your reservations.

This is old news with a new twist. With airline customer service cutbacks in effect, you can forget about little
courtesies if there is any problem with your itinerary, seat selection, or other minor (and even major) issues
once you arrive at the airport. Where the airlines claim to be trying simply to save money and improve the
bottom line, and they need to do so, the truth is we're back to the "customer is never right" attitude that
pervaded the airport experience back before Congress put its foot down (well, sorta, anyway - let's say they
tapped their feet, lightly) a couple years back.

CYOB is your best approach - Cover Your Own Behind - by calling ahead, making sure you have the correct
seat assignments, that your itinerary is what you thought it to be.

5 - Have addresses and phone numbers for where you'll be staying.

More old news with a nasty new wrinkle: as new personnel, technology, and procedures are introduced into the
baggage screening process, especially as airports attempt to meet strict deadlines requiring x-rays of all
checked baggage, baggage delays are going to become more likely. Have addresses and phone numbers for
all lodging at your destination - these will be crucial during inevitable trips to the lost luggage counter.

6 - Have your laptop extremely handy.

Folks traveling with their computers are among the most security-savvy travelers I've seen; most are traveling
on business, have done this many times before, and know the drill. You'll save yourself some misery by
following their lead; have your laptop set up so you can easily take it out and put it away, with no other items in
the same compartment, locks open, etc.

7 - Know your rights as a traveler (the reprise).

Again, before Congress lightly tapped its foot, knowing your rights as a traveler was an essential travel tool.
Then the airlines did their lip service act to placate Congress (along with some aggressive lobbying), but in fact
life did get slightly better at the airport. 

That's all over now. Airlines are trying to save every nickel and collect every quarter, and airline agents seem
happy to go back to the old ways. For example, to my knowledge, airlines are still required by law to have their
policies for bumped and delayed travelers available upon request at the airport. However; on one recent trip, I
found these were not available anywhere at the airport, but only online - where no one in the airport could get
to them.

If you don't know the law and the rights granted to you as a traveler, you're simply a lowly chess piece, to be
moved at will and sacrificed as necessary while being led around by the head. Now that airlines are back to
their bad old days and ways, you'll need to know your rights; no one has your back anymore.

8 - Continue to purchase critical items at home.

A corollary of #2 above; although it's almost the case, you still can't yet assume you can get anything you need
at any time anywhere in the world. If there are certain things you just can't live without, buy them at home and
pack 'em. 

For example, despite increasing standardization of things like phone jacks (RJ-11 is becoming ubiquitous) and
the widespread availability of electric plug adapters, I can tell you that if you arrive in Sevilla, Spain, with a three
pronged grounded computer plug and need an adapter, and no Leatherman to carve up what you do find,
you're in trouble.

9 - Travel even lighter, and ship gifts and souvenirs home.

Another airline tactic to try to get more money from your bank account into their bank account has been to
tighten restrictions and increase fees on oversized and overweight luggage. Many travelers have taken their
favorite road-tested bags to the airport in recent weeks only to find it's mysteriously become "oversized." 

Airlines say these polices have always been in place, and that they're only now enforcing them. In some
instances this is true, but no matter the rationale, you'll have a hard time arguing your case at the airport.
Travel light, and lighten your load on the way home by shipping souvenirs and gifts ahead when possible. Many
shopkeepers, now versed in the art of mail order and Internet shopping, will pack and ship items for you at the
time of purchase.

10 - The old notion of peak season is shifting.

It used to be that peak season was easy to figure out; beaches and ski resorts peaked in winter, cooler
destinations peaked in summer. It's never been a perfect formula - the temperate climes of Hawaii have a
summer peak season - but as ski resorts turn themselves into spas during the warmer months to attract off-
peak clientele, and air conditioning becomes a universal human right, the old rhythms of peak season are
shifting. Be careful when assuming discounts and availability are the rule in off-peak season; it's not always the
case, and you may find no room at the inn at a time you thought the place would be deserted.
As I meet people and make the rounds, I'll keep bringing you more reports from the realm. To discuss this and
other Traveler's Ed articles, visit the Traveler's Ed Message Board!

Don't Make These 10 Common Itinerary Mistakes

A well-crafted itinerary is the cure for untold travel troubles. The right amount of pre-trip planning can save
money, keep you safe, and—this one's crucial—help you have the best time possible whether you're going on a
three-week cross-continent sojourn or spending a long weekend at the beach. A solid itinerary is the root of a
stress-free trip, to put it simply. Want to be a master planner? Here are 10 itinerary mistakes you probably make
—and how to avoid them.

Don't Bother with an Itinerary in the First Place

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It's nearly impossible to travel without some kind of itinerary—they're unavoidable. Your airline or hotel will
probably email you a simple outline of your travel dates when you book; these work as a kind of bare-bones
plan for the freewheeling traveler. The important part is to bring this information with you on the road, whether
it's printed out, stored on a device, or both. This is elementary stuff, but it's crucial.

Additionally, consider crafting a schedule of your day-to-day activities. The more complicated your travel plans,
the more it makes sense to draw up a detailed program. If you're hopping from city to city, an itinerary will help
you choreograph travel time between destinations. Take note of local holidays, opening and closing times for
attractions, train or bus schedules, hotel check-in and checkout times, and the like. Plan accordingly for a
smoother, less stressful experience on your trip.

Place a copy of your travel plans along with contact information in a prominent place inside any checked bags; if
your bag gets delayed, this will make it easier for airline staff to forward your luggage to you. (Airline staff
members sometimes open delayed bags when looking for contact information.) Traveling solo? For safety
reasons, leave a copy of your itinerary with a loved one.

Steer Clear of a Budget

First and foremost, you need to create a trip budget. And then you need to follow it. Surreptitious costs, such as
hidden fees, fluctuating exchange rates, taxes, tips, and more, can take a big, jagged bite out of your financials.
And if you don't put pen to paper or digits to keyboard to sketch out an estimation of travel expenses, you could
end up completely caught off guard by accumulating expenses—or worse, unable to afford your trip.

Become Fixated with an Exacting Budget

Budgets are important, yes. But let's not get too carried away. A blow-by-blow, itemized budget that has
achieved deity status in your mind will only make things more difficult if you come upon any emergency
expenses. Put aside some Murphy's Law cash to deal with any unforeseen events, from flat tires to lost luggage.

Be Overambitious
You'll only be in your destination for a limited stretch of time, so it can be tempting to pack in scads of activities
with no regard for conventional human needs like sleep, leisurely meals, or the sanity of your travel companion.
Remember to be realistic. Factor in plenty of time for local travel, check-ins, mealtime and, most importantly,
connections between flights. We recommend allowing for at least an hour-long gap between domestic flights
and at least 90 minutes to two hours between international flights. (For more information, read "Minimum
Connection Times for International Flights.")
If you crave a trip that jam-packs an impressive amount of sightseeing into one vacation, consider booking a
cruise or a multi-destination package tour.
Don't Prioritize
Fail to properly prioritize, and you could end up with post-trip regrets after skipping that sting-ray diving
excursion in the Caymans or failing to see the Louvre because you just didn't have time.

Ask yourself some big-picture questions: Why did you choose your destination? What are the primary factors
that inspired you to plan a trip to this place? Come up with a shortlist of three to five of the top activities you'd
like to do and sites you'd like to see during your trip, then lay out the rest of your itinerary around these
foundational points.

Book Your Flights Last

When building an itinerary, make your most expensive, big-ticket purchases first; this, in most cases, will
include your flight. As I mention in "How to Save Money Using Flexible Fare Search," one of the best ways to save
a nice chunk of money on your flight is to be flexible with your travel dates." Keeping your itinerary—and, if
possible, your travel dates—as unhampered and open as possible will allow you to choose flights based on the
lowest available fare.
Book the First Thing You Find
A good rule of thumb in life: Don't commit to the first attractive option that pops up in the initial stages of any
search, whether you're looking for a house, a husband, or, in this case, a hotel. The more research you do when
seeking accommodations, flights, local transportation, etc., the better you'll understand your available options,
as well as how much everything costs and what qualifies as a decent deal.

An in-depth search of major online travel agencies (OTAs) like Expedia and Orbitz, travel-review sites like
TripAdvisor (our sister site), airline websites, and even alternative booking sites will yield the best prices and
selection.
Overlook the Value of a Travel Agent
For travelers who tend to book the first thing they find—whether they're too busy to research or they just don't
want to spend evenings scouring flight schedules and fares under the glow of a computer screen—there's an
easy solution. Call an agent. In "When to Seek the Expertise of a Travel Agent," Ed Perkins writes, "An agent is a
big help if you value your time. A five-minute call to a travel agent allows you to avoid many hours of tedious
search through online sites." In the end, the fee you pay an effective agent could amount to less than the dough
you'd spend on overpriced flights or lodging—especially if you're not willing to do a lot of research.
Don't Even Think About Travel Insurance
Depending on the kind of trip you're taking, travel insurance could be vital. Or it could be unnecessary. But you
should always check to find out. Read "10 Essential Rules for Travel Insurance" for more information on
assessing whether you should look into buying a policy for your next trip.
Disregard the Days Before You Depart
The days before you depart could be the most important bits of your itinerary. Consider this: You probably have
a long to-do list to take care of before you leave, especially if you're traveling internationally. You must arrange
a pet- or house sitter, stop your mail, alert your credit card company and bank to your travels, and pack your
bags. Make the experience less stressful by adding a few pre-trip days to your itinerary and arranging your
travel-preparation tasks over the course of this time.

With travel dates, costly airfares, and a travel partner with contrasting opinions about what to see and where to
go, planning a trip can get complicated. What are your tips for building a successful itinerary? Share them in the
comments.

http://www.tripit.com/destinations/how-to-make-an-itinerary/

How to Make an Itinerary

Make an itinerary online in under 30 seconds with TripIt. All you need to do is forward any of your travel confirmation emails – flight,
hotel, car rental, or others – to plans@tripit.com , and watch as TripIt automatically builds your itinerary, organizing travel dates,
travel times, local maps, directions, and more.
To get started, create your free account online.

How TripIt Makes Your Itinerary

Step 1, TripIt reads the important details in your confirmation email – travel dates, travel times, airport name, flight number, hotel
name, address, booking website name, among other information – and then places all of these details into an easy to read itinerary.
Step 2, TripIt remembers your email address, so that after you forward your emails, TripIt puts your itinerary into your account
automatically. If you have multiple email addresses, you can merge your accounts, or add additional email addresses to your
account.

Make an Itinerary with These Details

A fully-equipped travel itinerary should include contact information for each of your bookings. Don’t forget these details with your
itinerary:

 Airline Name and Contact Number

 Booking Website and Contact Number

 Airport Name and Address

 Hotel Name and Address

 Local Maps and Driving Directions

 Travel Notes and Reviews from Friends

 Travel Dates and Transportation Times

 Local Weather

TripIt includes all of this information in your itinerary automatically. Learn more

How to Share Your Itinerary

Once you make your itinerary, you can also share it with your friends, family, or colleagues automatically by connecting with them
on TripIt, or by connecting your TripIt account to either Facebook or Linkedin.
You can also make your itinerary public and share it via a link or via email.
TripIt is a free service that lets you make a travel itinerary online.