2. Meaning and Definition : Tour itinerary
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• An itinerary is a key and significant component of a tour package.
Basically it is designed to identify the origin, destination and all the
enrooted stopping points along with the transportation, accommodation
and other services on a travelers trip an itinerary has various portions
and these portions are known as segments.
• Itinerary shows the sequence of the various tour ingredients and
provides essential information such as assembling point, departure point,
days of departure, duration of a tour, legal requirements, features of a
destinations, optional activities, and meal and perhaps can be called as a
central point for the success of a tour company.
• To be more effective tour company needs to develop separate and
distinctive itineraries for the tourists, tour managers, tour escorts,
vendors and tourist itineraries.
3. Types of Itinerary
• An itinerary is a day to day plan of a journey. It includes all the
activities and destinations that the tourist will engage in or
visit during his or her journey. An itinerary is generally based
on a client profile.
• A client profile gives the travel agent an idea of the person or
persons they are drawing up a tour plan for. A tourist route that
includes visits to various historical sites, places of cultural
interest, or natural attractions—an itinerary undertaken for
cultural, educational, health, or sports purposes. Tour
itineraries may be worked out by tourist agencies and
organizations or by the tourist’s they. In terms of their
directional orientation, the various types of itineraries include
linear, circular, and radial ones.
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4. A. On The basis of Use:
Tourist itinerary
Manager’s itinerary
Tour Escort/Tour Guide’s itinerary
Drivers Itinerary
B. On The basis of Air Journey
One Way
Return
Open Jaw
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5. On Basis of Use
• Tourists’ itinerary : Tourists’ itinerary is given to a particular tourist for
his reference as part of the package tour. A tourist expects the tour to be
organized as per the itinerary mentioned in the package tour he/she has
purchased. Basically, a tourist itinerary is a reference for the tourist to
follow during his journey like points of halt, hotel, time taken between two
points, meal plans, activities, attractions to visit etc. apart from arrival and
departure points/time and check-in check-out time. Tour operators are
expected to strictly follow the itinerary.
• 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 organized, time management of the
tour and other group details. Vast experience, knowledge of practical
ground difficulties, presence of mind and readiness to handle crisis of an
escort or guide adds to the successful conduct of a tour. The escorts being
physically with the group/tourist all through the journey, they are more
than expected to deliver and keep the image of the company in high
esteem.
6. Types of Tour Itinerary –Uses basis
Continues
• Coach driver’s itinerary: A typical coach driver’s itinerary includes
group arrival point and time, pickup points and time, turn around
points, restricted areas of driving, sightseeing activities, other
entertainment activities, parking spaces, entry points, drop-in points
all with specific time. For instance, it may be seen that at places a
driver is asked to drive slow which is mentioned in his itinerary so
that tourist may have a better view of a monument and take
photographs.
• Tour manager’s itinerary : 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
managers itinerary also carries information about alternative
arrangements, contact details, quick references, differential rates and
tariff details, details of coach drivers and escorts and guides.
7. Basic elements of an Itinerary
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1. Program:
Tour programme is the most important element of an itinerary. The programs are related to the
travel or movement, stay and involve in different activities.
• 2. Timetable:
Timetable of the program is the another major component of the itinerary. Timetable supports
the tour program in an itinerary. It is the explanation of when to do what.
• 3. Duration:
Weight, length etc. measures the tangible goods. Intangible services are sold on the basis of
duration. So tourism as service, an itinerary must explain the duration of the service that is the
length of each activity, total tour.
• 4. Destination:
Tourism is related to the travel and travel is related to the destination. The places to be visited are
destinations.
• 5. 5 A:
Itinerary should have 4 A, they are attraction, accessibility, accommodation, amenities Ancillary
services . Attraction is anything that attracts the travelers. The main attraction of the program
should be mentioned in the itinerary. To reach the destination is accessibility. Next important
feature is to mention where to stay. which can be a hotel, camp, lodge etc. Finally, itinerary should
mention the service elements including what they see, enjoy, visit etc.
8. • Research other tours in the market place
• Name your tour:
• Map out the duration, frequency and departure point of your tour
• List the major locations and highlights of your tour
• Research your tour content and commentary
• List any third party activities, attractions, entrance fees and inclusions
• Obtain permission to access private and public properties
• Perfecting your tour timing
• Execution of Tour
• Feedback
Process of Tour Itinerary