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Colbourne College

Colbourne College. Tour Operations Research, Design and Planning Your Tour Week Six Elements of Researching Travel and destination information Design the Tour Planning the Program . Tour Research.

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Colbourne College

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  1. Colbourne College Tour Operations Research, Design and Planning Your Tour Week Six • Elements of Researching Travel and destination information • Design the Tour • Planning the Program

  2. Tour Research Once a tour planner has settled on a destination, he or she must gather information that will guide the itinerary process . The will take into consideration. • Which modes of transportation serve the area? • Which Hotels should be selected? • Which routes should be followed? • What attractions are a must-see? • How much will each tour component cost?

  3. Tour Research An arsenal of research tools can help this process along: • Standard Guidebooks – These detailed publications, intended for the general public, have a wealth of information that a tour planner can tap into • Industry Publications such as • Official Hotel & Restaurant Guides • Airline Guides

  4. Tour Research • Maps and Atlases- To plan out a tour itinerary it’s essential to have a clearly presented , detailed atlas. Atlases contain not simply maps but also statistics on: • Rain Patterns • Water Temperatures In addition Road Maps too can be useful in planning out a motor coach tour

  5. Tour Research • Tourist Boards- These are often useful in providing information about the destination often times through websites or publications. Chambers of Commerce can also be very cooperative in providing information. Example – the Chamber in of Commerce in Jamaica provides guides of their particular region. The St Ann Chamber of Commerce produces the Ocho Rios Guide, Negril Chamber of Commerce produces the Negril Guide

  6. Tour Research • Friends and Family who live in the destination- These can provide great insight into restaurants, attractions or a new hotel that no one has yet used for a tour. One might also take into consideration suggestions from locals

  7. Tour Research • On-site Visits- To visit an intended tour destination is the finest method of research possible. You are able to meet personally with your suppliers and are able to get a direct vital energy that first hand knowledge generates. The general industry term for tours that familiarize travel personnel with a particular destination or tour is Familiarization trip or FAM trip

  8. Getting information out and Back Brochure Design A striking , professional-looking brochure can help ensure that your tour will be a sales success. Conversely, a poorly planned one can undermine your entire promotional campaign. When designing your brochure keep the following in mind. • Study the brochures of other companies- pick things you might like and avoid things you don’t • Bring a professional look to your brochure • Be creative

  9. Getting information out and Back Brochure Design • Be careful about legal terms and conditions- It might be necessary to hire a lawyer to look at your terms and conditions. • Remember to include • Full details of the destination, itinerary, and times of travel • The means to transportation used • Duration of each tour • Full conditions of booking ,including details of cancellation conditions • A clear indication of price of each tour • Details of any insurance coverage • Details of documentation required for travel

  10. Getting information out and Back The distribution end of a tour is an essential step in the travel marketing. Since every tour dictates a different strategy and the size of the tour operator shapes its distribution system. Tour planners must ensure to: • Create a well organized sales tracking sheet ensure that information is well organized and easily accessible

  11. Getting information out and Back • Design forms that are orderly and efficient eg: • Reservation forms • Confirmations letters • Responses to enquires • Vouchers • Tour Evaluation form

  12. Getting information out and Back • Acknowledge all inquires promptly – Delay in responding is very likely to dampen client’s enthusiasm or drive them to competitors. Swift confirmations of deposits and timely mailings of final tour documents are also a must, if only to deflect calls from clients who are anxious about information

  13. Getting information out and Back Finally • Assume deposits , bookings and final payments will arrive very near the deadline you set.

  14. Following up the tour What must be done afterwards? The most neglected aspect of a marketing plan is rapid, alert follow up. • Distribute Tour assessment forms at the trip’s end. This forms provide vital feed back on your clients ‘ needs and satisfactions levels • Have new tours ready for clients to think about even before the current tour ends

  15. Following up the tour • Add your clients names to mailing list immediately upon a tour’s completion( good tours build client loyalty . Targeting your mailings and announcements of promotional events to these loyal clients ensures a high level of future bookings) • Send a follow-up thank- you letter to tour participants( shows your committed to the client beyond a single tour)

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