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Dare to Understand Travel Terms, Then Sit Back and Enjoy Tra |
by:
Etienne A. Gibbs, MSW |
PERMISSION TO REPUBLISH: This article may be republished in newsletters and on web sites provided attribution is provided toauthor, and it appears withincluded copyright, resource box and live web site link. Email notice of intent to publish is appreciated but not required.
When planning your travels or buying your airline tickets, you have probably come across definitions and terms that might have seemed strange to you. Granted, many ofdefinitions and terms become more understandable as you become familiar withindustry asfrequent flier. While there are many terms for hotel room types, car types, and travel amenities,area that we shall attempt to define would be tours.
Tour operators try to make their brochures and websites as attractive, informative and understandable as possible; however, in reading this information you will undoubtedly encounter some terminology that is new and unfamiliar. To assist you, here'sglossary covering some ofterminology you will most most frequently find in brochures, fliers, and on websites.
Accommodations:
* Single Room: A room with one bed for one person.
* Twin Room: A room with two beds for two people.
* Double Room: A room for two persons withdouble bed.
* Triple Room: A room for three persons, usually consisting of twin beds (or double beds, plusrollaway bed.
* Ocean Front: A room directly facingocean. Usually it is onfirst floor withdoor that exists ontobeach.
* Ocean View: A room from which it is possible to viewocean, whetherroom is onfirst floor,onetwoth floor, or onhillside.
* Service Charges/Taxes: Service charges arefixed percentage automatically added to room and meal charges. The city, state or federal government sets taxes.
Air Transportation:
* Add-on Fare: The cost of air travel fromdomestic city to another domestic city from whichtour/vacation package originates and vice versa.
* Baggage Allowance: The weight or volume of baggage that may be carried bypassenger without additional charge.
* Connecting Flight: A segment ofongoing trip, which requireschange of aircraft, but necessarilychange of airline.
* Direct Flight: A flight on which passengers do not have to change planes, but may involve one more stops enroute.
* Non-stop Flight: Service between two points with no scheduled stop enroute.
Car Rental:
* Drop-off Charge: Fee charged bycar rental company to defraycost of returningvehicle to its original location.
* Value Added Tax (VAT): Tax imposed by governmental authority.
Charter Travel:
Thanks to improved Federal regulations andnew generation of operators, air charters have becomepreferred way to reach many ofworld's most popular vacation destinations for reasons of value and convenience. Here's how they work: The tour operator rentsairplane and sellsseats, often in combination withhotel package and perhaps other ground components. The result issubstantial savings.
Conditions:
* Force Majeure: An event or effect that cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled (such as storms or war).
Consular Information Sheets: Governments issue Consular Information Sheets for every country ofworld. They include such information as location ofU.S. embassy or consulate insubject country, unusual immigration practices, health conditions, minor political disturbances, unusual currency and entry regulations, crime and security information, and drug penalties. Ifunstable condition exists incountry that is not severe enough to warrantTravel Warning,description ofcondition(s) may be included underoptional section entitled Safety/Security.
Documents:
* Passport: An official government document certifying identity and citizenship and granting permission to travel abroad (overseas).
* Visa: An official authorization appended topassport permitting travel to and withinparticular country.
Escorted Tours:
The most traditional tour product is alsomost misunderstood. The options are so varied that it's easiest to identifyfew elements they share: Group travel, usually by motor coach but sometimes by ship, or train;set itinerary, with lodging, activities, and most meals included andtour director to coordinate, guide, and managetrip. Traveling onescorted tour providesmeasure of security and peace of mind. And today, more tour operators build in free time on group tours, giving travelersbest of both worlds.
Independent Travel:
There's no group on these trips, no guide and no fixed itinerary, unlessclient wants one. The sole difference between this and fully independent travel is that by booking throughtour operator from its available inventory, your clients getadvantage of group buying power, withoutgroup.
Package Travel:
Like group tours, packages tend to have fixed itineraries, with ground transportation and hotels booked in advance. But like independent travel, there's no organized group; clients are on their own, free to do as they please at each destination, but they still haveconvenience and reliability that come with booking throughtour operator.
Public Announcements:
Public announcements (PAs) aremeans to disseminate information about terrorist threats and other relatively short-term and/or trans-national conditions posing significant risks tosecurity of American travelers. The PAs are made when there isspecific threat that cannot be countered. Inpast, Public Announcements have been issued to deal with short-term coups, violence by terrorists and anniversary dates of specific terrorist events.
Tours:
A group of people traveling together who followpre-planned itinerary. Most tours include accommodations,number of meals, sightseeing, land transportation, and/or other transportation, plusservices ofprofessional tour manager or escort who accompaniesgroup.
Travel Warnings:
Travel warnings are issued whenState Department decides, based on all relevant information, to recommend that Americans avoid travel tocertain country. Countries where avoidance of travel is recommended will have Travel Warnings as well as Consular Information Sheets. You may also want to review specific country Background Notes.
Vacation Packages:
Vacation packages are designed for those traveling independently. They includecombination of two or more travel services (e.g. hotel accommodations, car rental, air transportation) that are offered atpackage price. Many vacation packages offerchoice of components and options, thereby enabling you to customizepackage to your tastes, interests and/or budget.
Vouchers:
Documents issued by tour operators to be exchanged for accommodations, sightseeing and other services.
© MMIV, Etienne A. Gibbs, MSW
AboutAuthor
Etienne A. Gibbs, MSW, Management Consultant and Trainer, conducts lectures, seminars, and writes articles on his theme: ... helping you maximize your potential. For more information visit www.executiveandgrouptravel.blogspot.com.
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