Tour and travel services is an exciting and dynamic sector which offers a host of unique travel products and services not only for national and international travelers but also for tourists from all walks of life. The rise of low-cost airlines, strong economic recovery, and renewed promotions by many foreign tourism boards are all inviting more people to pack up their travel gear. It is a great time to be a tour and travel professional because opportunities abound in this rapidly changing field. You need to be creative in your approach and be able to provide the personal touch necessary to stand out among the sea of competitors.
There are plenty of different types of tours available to suit every travel whim and fancy. A tour and travel professional can help a visitor to identify his or her own specific needs and interests so that they can tailor their tour itinerary to meet those needs. For instance, an international traveler going to the United Kingdom could opt for a bus tour versus flying, or a group of American tourists interested in cultural exhibits in London may want to consider taking a tour on horseback instead of cycling. Even a cruise ship passenger who wants to explore the Greek Islands can take a customized cruise tour that meets his or her individual cruise schedule needs. Each of these options is unique, so it is important that a tour and travel professional understand the needs of the client and tailor an itinerary that meets those needs.
Tour and travel professionals can also make all the arrangements necessary for a specific group of travelers or a single traveler and even include food, lodging, and transportation for the trip. A person going on a cross country trek could arrange for transportation, hotel room, transportation to and from the hotel, guided tours, and meals during the trip. Travelers may be interested in a variety of options, including: group cruises, van hire, one-way tours, or overnight campgrounds. They may also want assistance with accommodations, customs paperwork, security, customs details, local laws and touring guidelines, local culture and historic sites, time and day of the trip, entertainment options, activities and attractions, personalized stops, personalized meals and shopping opportunities, personalized tips for local restaurants and attractions, personal vacation recommendations, personalized overnight accommodation, personalized travel directions and information, personalized awards and recommendations, customized pre-tour information and advice and more. The experienced tour and travel professional will be able to match the interests, tastes, preferences and specific needs of the individual traveler with a customized tour and travel package.