The tour operator would be the wholesaler and the travel agent is the retail outlet.
Every year there is a travel show called "Pow Wow" (don’t ask how it got the name). Every major tour operator attends, as many travel agents as possible come, and every person/vendor that has a travel/tourist related product, tries to display that product. The vendor wants to establish a business relationship with the tour operator, as they will then put out the major travel programs for the travel agent to promote.
For example, I’ve been in the RV Rental Industry since 1981 and have worked this show as a vendor, promoting motor home rentals…the company I worked for did this every year of course. As a result, over the years, the company’s business has grown substantially, and approximately 65% of their business is from the international market. Unfortuantely, the domestic travel agent does not do a very good job of marketing RV Rentals and they miss a good opportunity to make a good sales commission.
Some tour operators might also operate separate travel agencies and some don’t.
Ask them both they will tell you exact which you want to know.
References :
The tour operator would be the wholesaler and the travel agent is the retail outlet.
Every year there is a travel show called "Pow Wow" (don’t ask how it got the name). Every major tour operator attends, as many travel agents as possible come, and every person/vendor that has a travel/tourist related product, tries to display that product. The vendor wants to establish a business relationship with the tour operator, as they will then put out the major travel programs for the travel agent to promote.
For example, I’ve been in the RV Rental Industry since 1981 and have worked this show as a vendor, promoting motor home rentals…the company I worked for did this every year of course. As a result, over the years, the company’s business has grown substantially, and approximately 65% of their business is from the international market. Unfortuantely, the domestic travel agent does not do a very good job of marketing RV Rentals and they miss a good opportunity to make a good sales commission.
Some tour operators might also operate separate travel agencies and some don’t.
References :