SPTOUR 2101: TRAVEL AND TOUR MANAGEMENT

MODULE 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF TRAVELS AND TOURS

Introduction
Traveling and Touring have long been important social activities for human beings. Nowadays, tourist can
travel anywhere in the world. There are lots of choices from attractions to activities that they can do during
their visit. The travel industry is now developing because of the contributions of various sectors under it
such as transportation, accommodations, food and beverage, entertainment, and other related sectors.

Terminologies of Travels and Tours

Every industry has its own language. They abbreviations and acronym to save time and effort. However,
every industry who is interested in the industry must know what the acronym or abbreviation stands for
to avoid miscommunication and the feeling of speaking a different language. Below are the terms used
most frequently in the travel and tour industry.
• Domestic Tourism – refers to travel taken exclusively within the national boundaries of the
travelers country.
• FAM Tour – is an abbreviation for familiarization tours usually offered to travel agents and tour
operators as complimentary or at a reduced rate to familiarize them with a specific destination or
attraction to stimulate sales.
• Group Inclusive Tour (GIT) – is a tour in which the tourist travels with the company of other
tourists.
• Independent Inclusive Tour (IIT) – is a tour in which the tourist travels to his destination
individually.
• International Tourism – refers to travel across international boundaries. It is more difficult to travel
outside one’s own country because the country to be visited has requirements such as passports,
visas, and other conditions to be met by tourist.
• Package Tour – sometimes called “inclusive tour”, is an arrangement in which tourism
components such as transportation, accommodation, food, and beverage, entertainment, etc. are
bought by the tourist at an all-inclusive price.
• Tour operator – organizes package tours and purchases other tourism services such as transport
and accommodation in advance, usually at a lower price because he/she is buying it in bulk.
• Travel Insurance – is an insurance product designed for use by different types of travelers such as
for those who travel for business, are visiting relatives, and are students during their domestic and
overseas travel (Wang et al., 2019)

Nature of Travels and Tours

Travel refers to a movement from one place to another. This can refer to a short – and – long-distance
travel, domestic and international travel, and other various forms. It also includes both round trips and
one-way journeys, with a wide array of travel purposes.

The Travel Industry, therefore, refers to the several aspects of the service industry which cater to the needs
and wants of the people who have traveled and will travel from different parts of the world. The travel
industry is also called the tourism network. Below is the list of important sectors of the travel industry with
their descriptions.

Sectors of the Travel Industry

1. Transportation – The main purpose of this sector is to make it possible for people to go from one
to another. There are many ways to do this, from primitive and simple to moder complex. This
includes a wide variety of different types of travel including air, land, sea, and railways modes.
• Airline Industry – The airline industry is a popular choice among travelers who want to
arrive at destinations quickly.
• Car Rental – Car rental has been in close connection with airline and railway
transportations since its early years and is considered a similar part of the travel service
industry (Eronen, 2015).
• Water Transport – is a major factor in tourism and hospitality. An example of this is the
cruise ships which became known in recent years because of the idea of developing
“floating resorts” or “flotels”.

Module 1: Fundamentals of Travels and Tours 1|Page

Prepared by: Ms. Grace G. Cortes
SPTOUR 2101: TRAVEL AND TOUR MANAGEMENT

• Coach Services – Buses and coaches are the modes of transportation preferred by those
in any social class to reach their destination.
• Railway – The majority of seasoned travelers prefer to travel by train because of its safety
record and the convenience and satisfaction of viewing the scenery from a comfortable
air-conditioned car.
2. Accommodation – While away from home, the tourist needs to eat and sleep. Sleeping
accommodation range from hotels of international standards to condominiums, campgrounds,
and homes of relatives and friends. Appropriate accommodations should always be available for
all types of travelers.
• Hotels – The most popular form of accommodation for tourists, it provides meals and
refreshments for those who may reserve their accommodations in advance but need to
do so. It also provides facilities that meet the needs of modern travelers.
• Shared Accommodation – This type of accommodation usually includes all the facilities
and amenities of the entire home such as an apartment or a house or just a room space
where the owner/host usually stays.
• Hostels – Hostels provide minimal amenities such as a bunk bed and commonly shared
toilets and bathrooms. They are typically categorized as a budget choice and are usually
provided on a self-catering basis.
• Camping – This is a type of outdoor accommodation that makes use of temporary shelter,
usually in the form of a tent. It appeals mostly to families who travel in recreational
vehicles.
• Bed and Breakfast – They are known as BnBs. Bed and breakfast accommodations provide
a room, bath, and a hearty breakfast to tourist.
3. Food and Beverage – Tourist look for food and beverage services everywhere. It is a significant
aspect of anyone’s journey and often shapes one’s satisfaction with a trip. In some case, it is the
reason some people travel.
• Restaurants – A restaurant is a business where people sell food and drinks to customers
in a public in exchange for money (Han Dian, 2014)
• Catering – Like restaurants and take-away outlets, caterers provide products and services
to hotels and airlines. Catering services promote local food and culture of destination
through their offerings.
• Bars and Coffee Shop – Bars tend to focus on serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic
beverages. On the other hand, coffee shops tend to focus on serving hot drinks, frappes,
and light snacks. Both environments also provide a place for people to socialize.
• Nightclubs – Nightclubs are establishments that stay open until late at night and offer food
and beverage along with entertainment.
4. Entertainment – Tourist, once arrived at their chosen destination, often look for entertainment,
any form of activity that can stay the interest of the tourist during their stay in destination.
• Casino – Is an entertainment establishment that provides people with opportunities to
gamble. It is often connected with hotels, restaurants, resorts, cruise ships, and other
related tourism establishments that are also known for hosting entertainment such as
musicals, concerts, and comedy performances.
• Tourist Information – A tourist information center provides reliable information and
resources about the destination. Moreover, it motivates the tourist to stay longer by
feeding them information about what the destination can offer.
• Shopping – Shopping plays an important role in travel and tourism. The majority of tourist
travel to specific parts of the world to experience shopping.
• Tourist Guides and Tours – A tourist guide is an individual who, either as an employee or
an affiliate of a licensed tour operator, accompanies tourists, both foreign and domestic
for a fee or any other form of lawful remuneration on local sightseeing excursions to
provide pertinent commentary and look after their general well-being.
5. Connected Industries – These are industries that are linked to the travel and tourism industry.
They help boost interest in the travel industry itself. These include companies and businesses that
assist to connect travelers with travel and tourism products and local agencies that provide
practical support to and assistance for tourist and travelers.

Module 1: Fundamentals of Travels and Tours 2|Page

Prepared by: Ms. Grace G. Cortes
SPTOUR 2101: TRAVEL AND TOUR MANAGEMENT

• Foreign Exchange – The foreign exchange market is an institutional arrangement for

buying and selling foreign currencies. It is especially important when we travel because it
is the only way to transact in a foreign land, be it paying for a cab fare or just buying a
meal.
• Travel Agents – Travel agents are middleman that act as intermediaries between the
suppliers and the tourist. They sell tourist products and receive a commission from the
supplier as their income.
• Tour Operators – Tour operators are wholesalers of tourist products. They produce tour
packages which usually compose of complete itineraries from transportation,
accommodation, food and beverage, as well as entertainment and the service of a tour
escort or tour guide.
• Online Travel Agencies – They both connect with the tourist to sell travel product and
services on behalf of the suppliers. It uses the internet as its main source of operation.
• Tourism Organizations – Tourism Organizations could be government and non-
government unit as well as tourism councils which are usually composed of the different
tourism sectors.
• Educational – The educational subcategory includes academic institutions and tourism
organizations that organize or sponsor activities like seminars, conference, exhibitions,
training, and tourism skills competitions.

References:
Herrera, M., Ocampo, F., & Tugade, L. 2021. TOUR AND TRAVEL
MANAGEMENT. REX EDUCATION
Introduction P.1
Terminologies of Travels and Tours P.2
Nature of Travels and Tours P.3
Sectors of the Travel Industry P.3-P.9

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Prepared by: Ms. Grace G. Cortes