BTEC Travel and Tourism

The Ownership of Travel and

Tourism Organisations
 Travel Agencies
Travel agents can be grouped into three
different categories:
• Independent
• Miniple
• Multiple
 Independent Travel Agents
• These are private companies (see Biz/ed’s
Glossary for a definition)
• They have one or a few branches, often
close to each other
• Independents are often found in market
towns
• They rely on repeat business from
satisfied customers
 Miniple Travel Agents
• Miniples are similar businesses to independents
• But they have more branches and usually a
head office in a local area
• The different branches may trade under different
names
• Other small independents may be bought up and
added to the miniple
 Multiple Travel Agents
• Private companies usually with a high
street presence in most UK towns and
cities
• Part of large organisations which trade in
other areas of travel and tourism
• Many customers attracted by large
discounts
 Trade Associations
• Travel agents often belong to trade
associations
• These organisations help them offer better
services to their clients
• Some of the most important are:
• ABTA, NAITA and CARTA
 Trade Associations
ABTA: The Association of British Travel
Agents
• UK’s leading travel trade association
• Represents about 90% of UK travel
industry
• Offers security and reliability to consumers
 Trade Associations
NAITA:The National Association of
Independent Travel Agents
• Trades under the brand name of
Advantage Travel Centres
• Has over 800 independent travel agent
members
• Large membership means stronger buying
power
 Trade Associations
CARTA:The Campaign for Real Travel
Agents
• Has over 400 members from independent
travel agent sector
• Formed to promote choice and expose
vested interests
• Closely linked to the Association of
Independent Tour Operators
 Business Travel Agencies
• Some agencies exist solely to offer travel
services for business customers
• An example of a trade association in this sector
is the Guild of Business Travel Agents
• GBTA members account for about 80% of
business air travel bookings
 Public-Private Partnerships
Where the Government and private sector
work together to achieve mutually
beneficial aims, for example:
• Regeneration of industry/areas
• Promotion of UK travel and tourism