English for Tour Guides

Being a tour guide is a very important job. In many cases, the tour guide is a traveler’s first
impression of a foreign country. In other cases a tour guide may be responsible for teaching
tourists about the culture and sites in a city or town. In addition, many tour guides hold the
responsibility of teaching tourists about safety. Even if you are only responsible for taking a
tourist from the airport to his or her hotel, it is your responsibility to make the short trip
interesting, informative, and safe. The following pages will help you learn some important
vocabulary and phrases that you can use with your English-speaking tourists. Check your
understanding as you go.

Nouns

word meaning example sentence

activities things to do There are lots of activities that the

whole family will enjoy.

architecture design of a building The architecture of this building is

typical of the Renaissance age.

art gallery place to look at professional We are going to visit the art

paintings and drawings gallery where local painters exhibit
their art.

attractions places for tourists to see The water park is our most
recent attraction .

bearings feeling for understanding If you're having trouble getting

one's location/ surroundings your bearings just remember that the
in an unknown area mountains are west.
business district area in a city that has many Keep in mind that this is the business
offices district so that grocery store may be
expensive.

castle a building for royalty No one has lived in this castle since the

last king died twenty years ago.

church a place to worship God The church is the central meeting place

in this town.

conveniences things that make life easier There you will find all of
your conveniences, from suntan lotion
to shampoo.

custom something people of a region It's a custom to hang beads in the

do often windows at this time of year.

en route on the way While we are en route to the hotel I

will point out the beach and the golf
course.

entertainment a place where there are If you want to catch a movie while
district theatres and concert halls you're here, the entertainment
district is off to your left.

exception something/ someone that With the exception of Johnson

does not follow the usual Street, it is safe to walk around here at
rules or expectations night.

exhibition objects (i.e. art) displayed for It may be tough to find parking with the
a short time for the public to car exhibition on this week.
 view

grocery store/ place to buy food to take Since you have a kitchenette at your
supermarket home hotel you will need to know where
the grocery store is.

highlight the best part People often say that the highlight of

their trip is the botanical gardens.

legend a person or story known for a According to an old legend, a sea

long time monster lives in this lake.

lobby front entrance We will meet in the lobby at 8 am

sharp.

locals people who live in an area The locals are usually happy to show

tourists around.

location place where something can be This location is the best because you
found don't need to bother renting a car.

map shows roads and directions to I'll give you each a map so you can
places follow along as we walk.

market place to buy fresh food and Every Sunday there is a

homemade items farmer's market on Wade Street.

monument a statue/ structure that This monument honours the men and

honours an event or person women who died during the war.

museum a place where historical items The museum charges a small fee for

are displayed adults, but children are free.
necessities things that people need for We recommend that you only
every day living carry necessities in your purse and
leave everything else at the hotel.

original state the way something appeared Except for the roof, this home has been
from the beginning left in its original state.

photograph picture taken with a camera You may not take photographs here,

but you can purchase a postcard.

postcard a card with a picture on one The gift shop has many great souvenirs,
side(usually an object or such as postcards of the beautiful
place that tourists see) that waterfalls.
can be mailed without an
envelope

questions or things that tourists may want The plane almost missed
concerns to say or ask the runway because it was such a bad
storm.

request something that has been The driver has made a request that you
asked for politely throw all of your garbage in the bin at
the front on your way out.

restaurant part of a town/ city with You will see there are many more
district many places to eat eateries to choose from when we head
to the restaurant district.

ritual tradition, custom, action It is an old native ritual to dance during

(religious or cultural) that the sunrise.
people do often
scenery natural beauty to look at It is impossible to capture the beauty of
this scenery in pictures.

settlers people who first made a The original settlers relied on oxen to

home in an area carry their wares.

shopping area of town where there are You may want to save some spending
district many stores money because we'll be visiting
the shopping district this afternoon.

site place,location This is the site of a very famous battle.

stairway/ steps going up or down The stairwell is very steep, so please

stairwell watch your step.

street people people who live on the street, You may be surprised how many street
often begging for money people ask you for money.

surroundings things that you see around I hope you enjoy the castle and
you its surroundings, including the secret
garden.

voice the sound you make when I apologize for my voice today as I have
speaking a bit of a cold.

voucher a piece of paper that shows Don't forget to bring your voucher for a

you have paid free coffee in the hotel lobby.

waterfront piece of land next to an There will be plenty of live

ocean, lake, or river entertainment down at the waterfront.

window glass that you look out We can peer in the window but I think
 they are probably closed for the day.

Verbs

word meaning example sentence

arrive reach a destination I am glad to see you all arrived safely.

close to finish We will close the tour with a view of the

city at sunset.

continue on keep going If you're all finished looking here, we

will continue on with the tour.

depart leave The last ferry departs at 4pm, so make

sure you don't miss it.

enjoy have a good experience I have enjoyed meeting all of you today.

expect think that something You probably weren't expecting to see

will be/ happen a snow.
certain way

permit allow You are permitted to have a beverage

on the bus, but please do not eat any
food.

proceed go forward Please proceed all the way to the back

of the bus.

raise (a hand) lift If you have any questions during the

tour, please raise your hand.
 recommend suggest We recommend that you only keep a
small amount of cash in your wallet.

refer suggest I will gladly refer you to my favourite

restaurants, if you are interested.

relax sit back and enjoy time Tomorrow you will have a day to
in peace just relax on the beach.

show someone around take people to see an When we get to the museum someone

area else will show us around.

sit back relax in a seated Please sit back and enjoy the bus tour.
position

speak up talk louder If you need me to speak up or slow

down, please let me know.

Adjectives

word meaning example sentence

ancient very old The ancient village has been left untouched.

beautiful/ very nice looking You will find beautiful homemade jewellery in

gorgeous that shop.

breathtaking when a view is very Under the starlight the waterfall is

impressive simply breathtaking.

customary traditional It is customary to shake hands and bow as you

enter.
dangerous not safe It is dangerous to accept a ride from a local.

devastating very sad, unfortunate The tsunami was devastating for local hotels.

elegant attractive, yet simple There is an elegant dining room for guests to

eat in.

enormous very large This enormous sculpture stands one-hundred

feet high.

exciting makes one feel very It's so exciting to see new places, isn't it?
happy/ energetic

extensive covers a lot This house has an extensive history, and you

can read more in the brochures.

fascinating very interesting to It is fascinating to know how people lived back

learn about/ see then.

haunted believed to have The house is said to be haunted and no one has

ghosts living there lived in it for fifty years or more.

heritage of historical The government named this school as

importance a heritage site last year.

international around the world Every year it is an international celebration,

with people coming from as far away as Africa.

lovely very nice (appearance This is a lovely place to sit and watch the local
or personality) birds.

magnificent amazing This part of town is known for

 its magnificent wall murals.

popular liked by many June is the most popular time for tourists to

come here.

prevalent very noticeable Crime is prevalent in the old parts of town.

reconstructed built again The village was reconstructed after the major

fire in 1910.

restored returned to its original All of the antique furniture has been
state professionally restored.

safe not dangerous The water is safe to drink here.

scenic nice to look at (nature) We will go up to the balcony for a scenic view

of the grounds.

superb very good (i.e. service, The children put on a superb concert at

food, entertainment) Christmas time.

thrilling exciting Cliff jumping is a thrilling experience for those

of you who aren't afraid of heights.

unbelievable too amazing/ strange It is unbelievable what some of these street

to seem true entertainers can do.

visible able to be seen The top of the tower may not be visible because
of the fog.

Answer the question

1. There are many _______ for kids including a zoo and a museum.
a. districts
b. attractions
c. conveniences
2. It is difficult to get your _______ in this city, so please carry a map at all times.
a. Bearings
b. Placings
c. scenery
3. The _______ will try to sell you their homemade jewelry and housewares.
a. Lobby
b. Location
c. Locals
4. You will find a free shuttle _______ with your airline ticket.
a. Voucher
b. Request
c. Highlight
5. In order to appreciate the _______ of the building, you really need to get off the bus and get
closer to it.
a. Bearings
b. Architecture
c. exception
6. We’ll be driving through farmland for a while, so just sit back and enjoy the _______ .
a. en route
b. scenery
c. sites
7. Please feel free to wander anywhere you like in the castle and its beautiful _______ .
a. Surroundings
b. Conveniences
c. customs
8. Smoking is not _______ on the bus at any time.
 a. Expected
b. Proceeded
c. permitted
9. The _______ north tower is the only part of the castle that has been changed since the early
1900's.
a. Reconstructed
b. International
c. prevalent
[Link] are coming up to the waterfall I mentioned earlier, which in my opinion is the most
_______ part of this tour.
a. Customary
b. Scenic
c. Restored
Answering Questions - English for Tour Guides
As a tour guide, you will face new challenges every day. One of the hardest parts of your job
may be answering questions. Unlike a speech that you can memorize, you won't always know
what questions people will ask. However, you can anticipate certain types of questions and
certain ways that questions will be asked. You should also learn how to use variety when you
answer questions or respond to comments. You may lose interest in your job if you say the
same thing each time. Finally, it is important to know how to politely explain that you don't
understand a question.

Tour Guide
 Do you have a question, Sir?
 Yes? (if you see a hand raised)
 Is there something I can help you with?
 I'll try my best to answer your questions.
 I'm afraid I don't have the answer to that. (Sorry I don't know.)
 That's an interesting question.
 I wish I knew the answer. (Sorry, I don't know.)
 [Link]'s a tough (difficult) question.
 I'll have to look into that further.
 I'll have to ask someone about that.
 Hmm. I've never been asked that before.
 Pardon my English; I don't quite understand your question.
 I'm not sure, but I can find out for you.

Tourist
 Where is the ______ from here?
 How long has _______ been here?
 Where are we headed (going)now?
  What time does _______ stay open until?
 What else is there to do here?
 Which _________ do you recommend?
 Are we allowed to take pictures?
 What's that over there? (tourist points)
 Where's the best place to buy _______?
 My son wants to know if _________? (parent asking a question for shy child)
 Do you know where the nearest washroom is?
 Could you tell us where the nearest bank is?
 You don't happen to have a first-aid kit, do you?

Sample Conversation
Guide: If you have any questions while we're going along, please don't hesitate to ask.
Man: I have a question actually.
Guide: Sure, what's that?
Man: Where's the best place to have dinner around here?
Guide: Well, that's a tough question. There are so many good restaurants. My personal favourite
is Spaghetti Alley.
Man: How do we get there?
Guide: I'll point it out when we pass it. It's going to come up on your right in a few minutes.
Woman: My daughter wants to know if we're going to be be passing any castles today?
Guide: Castles. No I'm afraid all of the castles are further into the city. We're going to be
staying near the coast today. I can give you a map of the city, though. It shows where all of the
castles are.
Man: Sorry, I have another question.
Guide: No problem. That's what I'm here for.
Man: Are we allowed to take pictures once we get inside the museum?
Guide: Oh, I'm glad you asked that. I forgot to mention that taking photographs inside the art
gallery and the museum is prohibited. However, you can take pictures of the grounds and the
outside of the buildings. The architecture is beautiful.
Woman: Oh, and what time will we be stopping for lunch?
Guide: We'll break around noon and meet back at the bus at 12:45 sharp.

Check your understanding

Test your understanding of the conversation above with this quick quiz.
1. What does the tour guide recommend?
a. his favourite tour
b. his favourite meal
c. his favourite restaurant
2. The tour will NOT be
a. passing any castles
b. stopping for lunch
c. visiting an art gallery
3. The tour guide says tourists are prohibited from photographing
a. the museum and gallery
b. the grounds nearby
c. the exhibits and artworks
Explaining Safety, Rules and Etiquette - English for
Tour Guides
When giving a tour there may be rules and safety precautions that you need to explain. It is best
if you memorize a speech rather than read from a card. People will pay more attention to you
and understand you more clearly if you look into their eyes as you speak. After you have
explained the rules and safety precautions make sure that guests have understood you, by
asking, "Are there any questions about this?" or "Is everyone clear on the rules?". Also, tourists
will appreciate any helpful advice you can give them, such as where to exchange their money,
what types of transportation to use, and how to obey the traffic rules. Finally, if there are any
customs or matters of etiquette that you think tourists should be aware of, this is a good time to
let them know.

Explaining rules
Tour Guide
 You are strictly forbidden from taking photographs inside the museum.
 Please stay on the marked path.
 I'm sure this goes unsaid, but remember to place all trash in the garbage bins.
 Please pay attention to the time. We don't want to keep the driver waiting.
 Classes are in session, so we need to keep our voices down.
 The bus will be leaving at 5:00 pm sharp.
 You'll have some free time to look around after lunch.
 Please meet back here in one hour.

Explaining safety
Tour Guide
 Please keep your seatbelts fastened at all times.
 I ask that you keep your hands inside the train.
 As a safety precaution, please stand behind the yellow line.
  For your own safety, we ask that you refrain from putting your arms out the window.
 Please do not feed the animals.
 Please remain seated until we come to a full stop.
 Please stay with your group at all times.
 Please keep to the sidewalk.
 I do not recommend swimming here. The water is very rough.
 We suggest only carrying small amounts of cash.
 These rules are for your own comfort and safety.

Explaining etiquette and customs

Tour Guide
 It is customary in our country to tip the friendly bus driver.
 In this region we bow rather than shake hands during a first meeting.
 Though the all-inclusive includes tips for the servers, it does not include tips for the
bellboy.
 To indicate that you want to get on or off the bus simply wave your hand at the driver.

Check your understanding.

Choose the word that makes each sentence grammatically correct.
1. The tour will begin at 4pm _______ , so don't be late.
a. Sharps
b. Sharpened
c. sharp
2. I do not _______ carrying large amounts of cash.
a. Recommendation
b. Recommend
c. Recommended
3. It is _______ to leave a gift for the hotel staff on your bed.
a. Custom
b. Costumed
c. Customary
 Showing Places of Ianterest - English for Tour Guides
Silence can be uncomfortable during a tour. While you can't talk the whole time, you should try
to know as much about the history, scenery, and culture (in English) for the places where you
are giving tours so that you can keep the tourists interested. If you ever run out of something to
say, you can always point out something such as a landmark or a type of tree or flower. Here
are some different ways you can point out interest points during the tour.

Tour Guide
 In front of you is...
 On your right/left you will see...
 Up ahead...
 On your left you will see...
 As we turn the corner here, you will see...
 In the distance...
 If you look up you will notice...
 Off to the north...
 Look to the east...
 To your west...
 In a few minutes we'll be passing...
 We are now coming up to...
 As you will see...
 You may have noticed...
 Take a good look at...
 I'd like to point out...
 Keep your eyes open for...

 Tourist Questions
 Is that the...you were talking about?
  Are we going to pass the...?
 Are we going to see any...?
 Is it on the right or the left?
 I don't see it. Can you point it out again?
 Did I miss it?
 Will we see it on the way back?
Sample Conversation
Guide: It's about a three minute ride up to the top of the mountain. As we pass the two towers
the gondolla may sway a little.
Man: This thing is safe, right?
Guide: Yes, you don't have anything to worry about. We do about 100 trips a day up the
mountain, and these tours have been going on for over ten years without any accidents. Keep
your eyes open for wildlife as we ascend. It isn't uncommon to see deer and even bears.
Woman: What's that mountain to the left called?
Guide: That's Mount Karen. And to the right of that with the three small points is Mount
Brown. Now, if you look up straight ahead, you should be able to see a large eagle's nest. Does
everyone see it there?
Man: Are there any baby birds?
Guide: That's a good question. I haven't seen any yet, but we usually see them around this time
of year.
Woman: What's that lake down there, to the right of the green meadow?
Guide: I'm glad you asked. That's John Lake. It's actually a man made pond that was built as
part of a conservation effort over twenty years ago. During the 70's there was a lot of
clearcutting of forests in the area, and much of the wildlife was lost. Since John Lake was built,
ducks, swans, and geese have returned to the area.
Man: Is this the highest mountain in this region?
Guide: No, actually, Mount Heather, which you we will be able to see in just a minute or so has
the highest peak. But, this is the highest mountain for recreational purposes like skiing and
guided tours.
Woman: Can you ski throughout the year?
Guide: No, it warms up enough to actually suntan up there in the summer. Oh, look everyone.
There are two deer feeding in the clearing right below us.
Man: Thanks, that should be a great photo. So... what is there to do besides ski at the top of the
hill at this time of year?
Guide: Oh, there's plenty to do. We have horseback riding, snowmobile tours, and a petting zoo
for children. If you look to your left you'll see the snowmobile trail going through the mountain.

Check your understanding

Test your understanding of the conversation above with this quick quiz.
1. Where is this tour taking place?
a. on top of a mountain
b. on the way up a mountain
c. at the bottom of a mountain
2. Which of the following does the tour guide NOT point out during the tour?
a. Scenery
b. Wildlife
c. Restaurant
3. What does the tour guide do after he points out John Lake?
a. suggests they all go swimming
b. provides a brief history of it
c. quickly takes another question
 Sample Tour Guide Speech in English
Listen to a tour guide on a shuttle bus from the airport to the resort. You can listen first, and
then read. After that, test your understanding with the quick check.
Read
[Welcoming tourists]
Hello everyone. My name is Luca. On behalf of Suntan Tours I'd like to welcome you all to Los
Cabos. The bus ride to your hotel will take about fifteen minutes. Right now I'd like to take a
minute to familiarize you with the area and discuss some brief safety precautions. Firstly, I ask
that you remain seated until we reach our destination and that you not eat or drink while on the
bus. Secondly, please realize that it is against the law to get drunk in public. Enjoy your
vacation, but do drink responsibly and do not drink and drive.

[Describing the location]

I promise you are going to enjoy your stay here in San Jose, Los Cabos. This is a beautiful,
quiet city where you can relax, sit by the beach, enjoy great meals and feel very safe. You can
walk into town and enjoy the fountains or take a moonlit walk along the water. Please do not
swim here. This is not a safe place to swim because there is a strong undertow. Cabos San
Lucas is the place to go if you want to enjoy swimming in the ocean. You can take a short bus
ride from your hotel. There you will also enjoy entertainment and dancing.

[Introducing special events and offers]

Suntan tours offers a variety of special discounts depending on your travel plans. We have golf
packages, as well as guided whale boat tours, and fishing charters. There will be a short
information session at 1pm in the lobby of the hotel tomorrow where you can learn all about
these offers. We recommend that you do not purchase packages from street vendors as they are
not always 100 percent reliable. They also may charge you more than what they say. Please take
my advice and allow Suntan tours to book all of your day trips and activities while you are here.
[Offering advice]
If you need to exchange your dollars into pesos, please use a bank or money exchange. We
don't recommend exchanging your money at the hotel because you won't get a fair rate. Some
restaurants will accept American or Canadian money, but you are better off to exchange your
money and pay with pesos. Or, if you prefer, you can always use your credit cards. Also, if you
want to get around the city, or travel to Cabos San Lucas, we recommend that you take the local
bus rather than a taxi. The bus costs about one American dollar, and the driver can give you
change if you don't have the exact amount. If you do decide to take a taxi make sure that you
negotiate a price before you go.

[Closing remarks]
We're going to be pulling up to the hotel in just a few minutes. Please sit back and enjoy the
view of the ocean on the left hand side of the bus as we enter the city. I ask that you remain in
your seats until we have come to a complete stop. Javier will be meeting us at the bus to help
you with your bags. Please double check to make sure your bag has been taken off the bus. On
behalf of Suntan Tours, have a wonderful vacation in San Jose and I hope to see you tomorrow
at the information session.

Check your understanding

Test your understanding of the speech above with this quick quiz.
1. What does the tour guide say is illegal in Los Cabos?
a. drinking alcohol
b. renting cars
c. being drunk in public
2. What advice does the tour guide give about getting around the city?
a. have the correct change
b. use public transport
c. don't travel at night
3. Where are tourists recommended to exchange their money?
a. at a bank
 b. at the hotel
c. on the bus

How to Organize Package Tours

Package tours are excursions or holidays which “package” a variety of services together to
make a single “combined” trip. Commonly they combine such things as transport,
accommodation and meals. They may also include the provision of a tour guide and/or leader.
Tours can be long or short in duration and distance. They may be a one-day or overnight
package, or they could be a period of a month or more.

Packaged tours typically include:

 All transfers between airports/harbours/stations and hotels
 Twin share tourist and first-class accommodation with private facilities, as specified
 Cruises
 Rental cars
 Entrance fees to attractions
 Insurance
 Tickets for entry to events or attractions
 Insurance

Types of Tour Packages

The types of packages available in today’s market are vast and varied. This ensures all
consumers’ needs and desires are met. Package tours can be further broken down into specific
tour types. Tours available range from Special-interest tours, Adventure tours, City or Regional
tours, Group tours and Fully Escorted tours.

Special-interest tours are designed around a particular interest area which could include arts,
food and wine, sport, cultural or agricultural. Specialist tours may include an expert or celebrity
guide who relates to the theme of a tour (e.g. a gardening expert accompanying a garden tour, or
an art expert accompanying an art tour).
Tur minat khusus dirancang di sekitar area minat tertentu yang dapat mencakup seni,
makanan dan anggur, olahraga, budaya, atau pertanian. Tur spesialis dapat mencakup
pemandu ahli atau selebriti yang terkait dengan tema tur (misalnya, pakar berkebun yang
menyertai tur taman, atau pakar seni yang menyertai tur seni).

Adventure tours are designed to allow the consumer to participate in their area of interest for
the length of the tour and more experience based. They generally are physical and require a
certain level of fitness, however, can sometimes be modified to meet your needs depending on
the other travelers. Some examples of this tour type include diving, rock or mountain climbing,
horse riding, skiing or cycling.
Tur petualangan dirancang untuk memungkinkan konsumen berpartisipasi di bidang minat
mereka selama tur dan lebih banyak pengalaman berbasis. Mereka umumnya bersifat fisik
dan memerlukan tingkat kebugaran tertentu, namun terkadang dapat dimodifikasi untuk
memenuhi kebutuhan Anda bergantung pada wisatawan lain. Beberapa contoh jenis wisata
ini antara lain menyelam, panjat tebing atau mendaki gunung, berkuda, ski atau bersepeda.

City/regional tours normally last for one full day or less. They follow a fixed itinerary and will
visit areas of interest in a specific place, whether that is historic, religious or cultural,
refreshments or meals are often included.
Tur kota / regional biasanya berlangsung selama satu hari penuh atau kurang. Mereka
mengikuti rencana perjalanan tetap dan akan mengunjungi area yang diminati di tempat
tertentu, apakah itu bersejarah, agama atau budaya, minuman atau makanan sering
disertakan.

Group tours also follow a fixed and pre-arranged itinerary. They often only take place
depending on the number of travelers i.e. they require a certain number of travelers in order to
go ahead or it becomes a financial cost rather than profitable. It is also worth noting there are a
maximum number of travelers on group tours too, as determined by the mode of transport – a
56 seater coach can accommodate no more passengers and therefore the number limit is
defined. Group tours are generally always escorted or a tour guide service is provided.
Tur grup juga mengikuti rencana perjalanan tetap dan yang telah diatur sebelumnya.
Mereka sering hanya terjadi tergantung pada jumlah pelancong, yaitu mereka
membutuhkan sejumlah pelancong untuk melanjutkan atau itu menjadi biaya finansial
daripada menguntungkan. Perlu juga dicatat bahwa terdapat jumlah maksimum wisatawan
dalam tur kelompok juga, sebagaimana ditentukan oleh moda transportasi - gerbong
berkapasitas 56 kursi tidak dapat menampung lebih banyak penumpang dan oleh karena itu
batas jumlahnya ditentukan. Tur grup biasanya selalu dikawal atau layanan pemandu
wisata disediakan.

Fully escorted tours are often a good idea for solo travelers and especially women travelling
alone. This type of tour offers a sense of security or overcomes language and cultural barriers.
Also, these types of tours are often somewhat educational, the escort providing local, historical
and cultural knowledge or insight gives the consumer are more worthwhile experience and
understanding of the country (place) visited.
[Tur dengan pengawalan penuh seringkali merupakan ide yang baik untuk pelancong solo
dan terutama wanita yang bepergian sendiri. Jenis tur ini menawarkan rasa aman atau
mengatasi hambatan bahasa dan budaya. Selain itu, jenis tur ini sering kali bersifat
mendidik, pendamping yang memberikan pengetahuan atau wawasan lokal, sejarah, dan
budaya memberikan pengalaman dan pemahaman yang lebih berharga kepada konsumen
tentang negara (tempat) yang dikunjungi.]

Advantages and Disadvantages of Packaged Tours

From both a travel agent’s and a consumer’s perspective, package tours provide a number of
advantages, which often outweigh the disadvantages.

Advantages for the consumer:

Cost saving and budgeting - the price of a trip when organised as a package is generally
less as travel agencies bulk buy their package deals and therefore can sell the tours at a lower
and more competitive rate. This is an instant cost saving benefit for the consumer, as the
discount travel agencies receive is generally passed on to the consumer. Also, as the tour often
includes all meals or trips for example, this reduces any uncertainty about the additional costs
and allows the consumer to budget properly for costs associated with their travel. For example,
if airport pick-ups or taxi transfers are pre-booked and paid for beforehand there is no
potentially expensive surprise when travelling to the accommodation on arrival at the
destination.
Responsibility is on the operator - the lack of responsibility on the traveler is an
advantage. If something goes wrong, e.g. a flight is delayed, resulting in the traveler missing a
connecting flight, it is not the traveler’s responsibility to arrange a new ticket. The
responsibility lies with the airline or tour operator. In a certain respect, travelers can relax
knowing if something goes wrong, someone else is there to solve the problem.
Convenience and time-saving - this is definitely the most convenient way to arranging a
vacation or tour. The travel agency deals with all the arrangements relating to airlines, hotels,
transfers directly through the tour provider. This saves the consumer the effort and the time of
contacting each company/service individually.
Social - this is frequently a main reason why people may opt to travel on a package tour. The
chances of social interaction are higher, allowing the fostering of short or long term friendships.
People regularly choose a tour which ensures they are socialising with people of a similar age,
for example, young people who like to party may opt for an 18-30 party group tour, some adults
may choose to stay in accommodation which caters to the needs of children and will opt for a
family tour or some people may choose to go on adult only tours to avoid children completely!
Quality of service - tour operators (those who provide the travel agency with the tour
package) spend a great deal of time assessing the airlines, hotels, sight-seeing operators etc,
which they use to make up the tour package. By doing so they ensure a high standard of quality
and the consumer can have peace of mind. Tour companies are eager to meet their own business
needs and so they ensure that the most frequented areas of interest (cultural or geographical) are
included in their tour, thus meeting the needs of the consumer.
Advantages for the travel agent:
Agent commission - travel agents normally receive 10% commission on all tours they
confirm. Clearly the financial incentive means travel agencies find it extremely advantageous to
sell tour packages and not solely flights and/ or accommodation.
Savings in time and cost – in order for a travel agent to put together all the components of a
package tour, this would take extensive communication with the different service providers,
initially to check rates and availability and then to send through deposits and secure bookings.
By using a tour provider, the travel agent only needs to makes one call, send one email or use
an online booking system once to confirm the tour package. Clearly this saves a great deal of
time, freeing up the agent to work for other consumers, thus increasing sales and commission.
Wide variety of package tours available - this means the travel agent can always make
suggestions on tours which match the needs of the consumer. The high number of very different
packages available allows people with possibly lower budgets to still enjoy tours.

Disadvantages for the consumer:

Inflexibility - when a traveler purchases a tour they commit to follow the itinerary, flight
schedule and accommodation arrangements. Generally they are unable to change or reschedule
their tour and whilst on the tour they cannot change their plans as they wish. For example, they
must be at a point of pick-up at a certain time and if they are not there they delay the rest of the
tour (if they are booked onto a group tour that may create problems and possibly complaints
from other travelers). Also, if travelers have any special requirements, again for example,
dietary requirements, but they are out camping in the bush overnight, the tour provider may not
be able to meet their needs but substituting the food provided. It is the responsibility of the
travel agent at the time of booking to ensure all possible issues are raised and the traveler’s
needs are addressed due to the inflexible nature of a tour package

Disadvantages for the travel agent:

Control - travel agents have little or no say over the tour operator’s choice of services,
restaurants, accommodation or attractions included in a tour package. As a result they must
ensure they carefully choose the correct package which provides a high standard of quality, or is
the most appropriate for the particular market. Also the business of tour packages and the
number of tour providers is vast. This makes is very difficult for all travel agents to become and
remain knowledgeable of all the available tour ‘products’ and so extensive time must be spent
researching choices and selecting the best one for the consumer.
The saving in time and money a travel agent saves a consumer is invaluable. Contacts in
the industry regarding reservations and availability then acquiring the best prices to suit an
individual cannot be overlooked when considering travelling.
Travel agencies receive 10% commission on most packaged tours; however if the
agency has a preferred product arrangement with a certain company this amount could be
higher. As a commission is taken out before forwarding the final payment to the tour operator,
the agency is able to receive the reward for its effort without delay.
Tour operators and wholesalers often reserve the right to alter their itineraries
for various reasons such as weather, strikes or the outbreak of fighting in a particular area.
Any price changes that might occur prior to departure are likely to be passed on the client.