Tourism Chapter 22 – Itinerary Planning and Tour Packaging

NIOS Class 12 Tourism Chapter 22A Solutions

INTEXT QUESTIONS 22.1

1. What is an itinerary?

Ans: An itinerary is a schedule or timetable prepared in association with a package tour.

2. Name the types of itinerary.

Ans: Client’s itinerary, tour manager’s itinerary, escort or guide’s itinerary, coach driver’s itinerary, vendor’s itinerary.

3. What is the difference between the client’s and vendor’s itinerary?

Ans: The client’s itinerary is given to the client or tourist who carries the actual route, points of halt, activities, stay, etc. Whereas the vendor’s itinerary is given to the vendor for his specific portions to provide the agreed services when the group arrives at his point.

4. List the steps in planning an itinerary.

Ans: Research other similar tours in the market, name the tour, list major locations and highlights, research tour content, list third-party activities, etc., obtain required permits, perfect the timings, and test drive the itinerary.

5. What types of permissions are required before finalising an itinerary?

Ans: Permissions such as access to private property, forests, sensitive zones, aboriginal lands, restricted areas, etc.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 22.2

1. What background information is required while preparing an itinerary?

Ans: Duration of tour, visiting time required, purpose, city and attractions information, mode of travel, special fares, cuisines of areas, special permits, nature of the group, etc.

2. List out some major do’s of itinerary preparation.

Ans: Add all places of halt, summary and details of places of visit, hotel, vehicle information, and route maps.

3. List out some major don’ts of itinerary preparation.

Ans: Don’t add too much information, do not leave directions confusing, not include shops, places, and services that are not registered.

4. Mention any two features of the itinerary for FIT.

Ans: Flexible for changes, designed with inputs of tourists’ interest, and enough space for tourists’ activities.

5. Mention any two features of the itinerary for GIT.

Ans: Fixed itinerary, religiously follows the schedule, no room for personal choice, cheaper than FIT, travel time limits.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 22.3

(a) What is a package tour?

Ans: The package tour is the total of a variety of services offered to tourists at one price, which is normally less expensive than that of each item.

(b) Name the types of tour packages.

Ans: Independent tours, escorted tours, incentive tours, hosted tours, and freedom tours.

(c) What is an escorted package tour?

Ans: An escorted tour is conducted by sending along with the group/individual a well-trained, experienced, and qualified, guide/escort to provide information and assistance to the group.

(d) List some major elements of package tours.

Ans: Transportation (means of travel such as flights, railways, buses, ships, etc.), accommodation facilities to stay at different points of halt, ground services such as luxury and other coaches, and car rentals. Guides and interpreters, entertainment and activities, attractions at the destinations, and insurance cover.

(e) What is the major difference between a FIT and a GIT package tour?

Ans: FITs are customised, flexible in changes, and are generally costlier, whereas GITs follow a fixed itinerary and provide only pre-decided services, are cheaper compared to FITs and are based on the common interest of a group.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 22.4

1. List the steps involved in the package tour formulation process.

Ans: Market research, itinerary preparation, deciding on the type of services and suppliers, signing contracts, costing, designing brochures, marketing, and documentation.

2. Who should the operators sign contracts with?

Ans: With service providers such as hotels, transportation, ground handlers, etc.

3. Mention some tips for a good tour brochure.

Ans: Visually appealing, conveys the right amount of information, is consistent, and is simple to follow.

4. What is your voucher?

Ans: Tour vouchers/travel vouchers are ‘proof of payment’ for the services by the clients in advance, to the tour operators.

5. What is the benefit of tour programming?

Ans: Programming adds value to a package and makes it more appealing. This is done by adding attractive elements to a package. In the process, including itineraries with attractive programs makes the clients feel the value of it in purchasing the packages.

6. What is docketing in tour packaging?

Ans: Docketing in package tours is integral to the whole process. All the necessary documents about a particular package tour are added to the list of documents and given to each tourist. Documents such as package purchase receipts, permit certificates, tour vouchers, special entry tickets, package tour client’s itinerary, brochure of the package tour, copies of the deal agreement, sheets of terms and conditions, do’s and don’ts during the tour, etc.

Terminal Exercises

1. Elaborate on the meaning, importance, and types of tour itinerary.

Ans: An itinerary is a plan of a journey showing the route and the places that the visitor will visit. Thus, it is a schedule or timetable produced in association with a package tour.

An itinerary is not just a piece of information but a selling point aimed at convincing potential customers. Itineraries are also produced for travellers’ booking flights; they then include departure time, airport, terminal details, flight number, baggage limits, transits, seat allocation and minimum check-in time, which doesn’t really include any marketing element. But package tour itineraries play a key role in attracting clients.

The five types of itinerary can be a tourist’s itinerary, a tour manager’s itinerary, an escort or guide’s itinerary, a vendor’s itinerary and a coach driver’s itinerary.

The tourists’ itinerary is given to a particular tourist for their reference as part of the package tour.
The tour manager’s itinerary includes the complete details of the whole tour from day one to the last day.
The tour manager’s itinerary includes the complete details of the whole tour from day one to the last day. Apart from the general details as listed in a tourist’s itinerary, a tour manager’s itinerary also carries information about alternative arrangements, contact details, quick references, differential rates and tariff details, details of coach drivers, escorts and guides.
Escort or guide’s itinerary: An escort or guide should know in detail where the group is being taken to, what activities and events are to be organised, time management of the tour and other group details.
Vendor’s itinerary: Vendors must be aware of the specific parts of the itinerary so as to make the necessary arrangements in advance and deliver to the fullest satisfaction of the guests when they arrive at their place.
Coach driver’s itinerary: A typical coach driver’s itinerary includes group arrival point and time, pick-up points and time, turnaround points, restricted areas of driving, sightseeing activities, other entertainment activities, parking spaces, entry points, drop-off points, all with specific times.

2. Describe in detail the background information required for drawing a good itinerary and the steps involved in it.

Ans: Background information required for drawing a good itinerary.

1. Duration of the tour.
2. Minimum time for visiting each city.
3. Purpose of travel and special interest.
4. Selecting cities to be included in the itinerary.
5. Mode of intercity travel. (by road, rail, air)
6. Selection of any special airfare or rail fare.
7. Selecting the hotels to be used.
8. First arrival and last departure from the international airport.
9. Inclusion of places requiring restricted area permits.
10. Best time for visiting

Steps involved in it.

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.
Step 2 – Name your tour.
Step 3 – Map out the duration, frequency and departure point of your tour
Step 4 – List the major locations and highlights of your tour
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.
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.
Step 7 – Obtain permission to access private and public properties: Whether you are passing through, stopping for meals or visiting attractions, you must obtain permission in writing from the property owner before accessing any private property.
Step 8 – 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.
Step 9 – Test driving your tour itinerary: It is very important to do several ‘try runs’ of your tour itinerary to ensure you get the timing right. It is also a good idea to invite people who have some knowledge of the industry and are prepared to give you constructive comments, to do a tour.

3. List out the do’s and don’ts of itinerary preparation.

Ans: Do’s

Do add all places of halt with date and time.
Do provide a summary of the city(s)/country and the sights.
Do provide the name of the hotel, type of vehicle, time of arrival and departure.
Do include meal plans.
Do provide links for additional information about the city, country, sights, restaurants, and hotels.
Do provide as many relevant maps as possible.
Do provide names and places written in the local language.
Do provide unique information about the destination (Ex, scams and customs).

Don’ts

Don’t add too many details, which might confuse.
Don’t leave directions ambiguous. There are lots of distractions when coming into a new city. Be as specific as possible.
Don’t forget about the nature of the group, age group, physical disabilities, eating habits and language barriers.
Don’t go overboard on the hotel recommendations. Most hotels are pretty similar in a given price range.
Don’t include shops which are not registered, restricted areas without availing permits, etc.
Don’t forget about restaurant recommendations.

4. Explain the meaning, types, and elements of package tours.

Ans: A package tour is the sum total of a variety of services offered to tourists at one price, which is normally less expensive than that of each items. Package tours are very economical and convenient for tourists as they help them locate tourist spots, hotel and modes of conveyance with ease and at the appropriate moment. It not only saves time and moneyfor tourists but also helps suppliers to ensure the sale of their services, thus balancing the demand and supply in the travel market.

Package tours are generally classified on the basis of their operation and the types of services included.

Escorted Tour: An escorted tour is conducted sending along with the group/individual a well trained, experienced and qualified, guide/escort to provide information and assistance to the group at the origin, en-route and the destinations about flight boarding, baggage handling, hotel check-in, meal arrangements along with interpretation about the places of tourist importance during sightseeing and all along the trip.
Independent Tour: A package tour is called an independent tour when tourists want to travel independently. It is designed for people who want the services of their interest to be included as part of the package. These tourists are very particular about selecting the mode of travel, types of attractions at destinations and accommodation as it suits their time, comfort and budget.
Hosted Tour: A hosted tour refers to a tour handled by another agency, ground operator or destination management agency as their representative of the tour operator, wholesaler or principal provider.
Incentive Tour: An incentive tour is an organised package tour conducted for employees, usually sponsored by the business firms or corporate house,s as incentives to their employees. These tours are also all-inclusive package tours that include all essential components of a standard package tour.
Freedom Tour: Working class, these days, is inclined to travel but has limited disposable income. Such tours are designed according to the choices of the tourists. Tourists, individuals or groups of common interest, select services like travel mode, hotels, destinations, meal plans and activities, etc. and plan for a tour.

5. Explain the steps involved in the tour package formulation process.

Ans: The sequence of steps followed in the formulation of tour packages:

Market research: Marketing research involves the study of the economy of the country to be visited, foreign exchange rate, demand for the product, consumer profile, competitors in the market, studying the product components like sightseeing, transport, baggage allowance, ground service, etc., sales status, channels of distribution, and promotional measures.
Prepare an itinerary: A well-planned itinerary holds the key to the success of a package tour. It needs to incorporate exciting places of interest and enough scope for events and activities.
Identification: Identify and decide on the mode of travel, hotels, destinations, dates, capacity and others.
Contracts: Sign contracts with principal service providers. Agreements with various service providers well in advance are important. Contracts for the timely delivery of services by hotels, transportation, entry permits, ground handler etc. have to be signed.
Costing of the package: After having signed contracts and designing the package, systematic costing of the package will be done, which includes the cost to be incurred towards all elements of a package tour, and then the package is given a mark-up price before a price tag is decided upon.
Tour Brochure: Promotional material is another important aspect in the formulation process. Both print and electronic media are widely used, but brochures are an integral part of them, which play a major role. Hence, designing and printing attractive brochures and other materials is essential for marketing.
Marketing of the product: In line with the demand requirements of the markets right kind of marketing strategies are framed, and then the product is marketed through the above-listed means of promotional material.
Documentation: This last step in the formulation process includes a copy of the client’s itinerary, tour vouchers, travel and other entry tickets, luggage labels and other useful information for the clients.

6. Design a brochure of your own for a domestic tour package.

Ans: Do it yourself.

7. Write short notes on the following:

(a) Tour voucher.

(b) Docketing for package tours.

(c) Tour programming.

Ans:

(a) Tour voucher: Tour vouchers/travel vouchers are ‘proof of payment’ for the services by the clients in advance to the tour operators.

As per the agreement, vouchers should be accepted by the supplier as proof of payment, retained and submitted to the tour operator along with an invoice for payment, after the service has been provided.
Payment for the service may not be provided before the clients make use of the service or participate in the supplier’s tour.
Collected vouchers or voucher codes are sent to the issuer for payment. Vouchers may be issued in the form of tickets or in the form of printed notes.
A voucher should carry on them key information such as what service is being provided by whom, so there is a clear understanding between the clients and the supplier when the service promised is availed.

(b) Docketing for package tours:

Docketing in package tours is integral to the whole process. All the necessary documents of a particular package tour are added to the list of documents and given to each tourist.

Documents such as package purchase receipts, permit certificates, tour vouchers, special entry tickets, package tour client’s itinerary, brochure of the package tour, copies of the deal agreement, sheets of terms and conditions, do’s and don’ts during the tour etc.
These documents, certificates and travel material are actually put into either a bag or wallet and handed over to each client before the commencement of the tour.
This enables the clients to have clear-cut prior knowledge of the tour, their terms of agreement and helps them in a safe and comfortable tour, having with them documents for immediate reference whenever and wherever required.
These documents may also formthe basis for a claim in case the operator fails to deliver the promised service in the package.

(c) Tour programming:

Better programming of a package is done by adding attractive elements to the package. In the proces,s including an itinerary with attractive programmes makes the clients feel the worth of it in purchasing the packages. It is important for tour operators to make their packages more appealing and attractive by adding value so as to motivate tourists to buy their products. This is only possible witha programme. Programming increases the quality of packages as a variety of activities are added. The benefits of tour programming are: