Chapter-3: World, National, Regional,

and Other Organizations

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
 Know why states support official offices of
 Understand the magnitude of world tourism in
tourism.
terms of the vast numbers of organizations that
 Learn how national, regional, and trade
serve the needs of their diverse memberships.
organizations are structured and operated.
 Recognize the variety of types and functions of
tourism organizations.

The Taj Mahal in Agra, India, is a favorite travel destination along the
Asian Highway. The Asian Highway was initiated in 1958 and funded by
the national governments in Asia. Photo courtesy of the United Nations.

3.1 Introduction
This chapter focuses on some of the organizations that perform the catalyst, planning, development, and
promotion functions within destinations. As Figure 3.1 stresses, all of these functions must be carried out
with a high degree of cooperative interaction between the public and private sectors at all levels of the
destination hierarchy. This destination hierarchy provides a geographical classification and sub-
classification of the world. The world is divided into nations, which in turn commonly consist of regions,
states/ provinces, and urban centers (cities/municipalities).
In addition to a geographic classification, tourism organizations can also be classified by ownership, such
as government, quasi government, or private; by function or type of activity, such as regulators, suppliers,
marketers, developers, consultants, researchers, educators, publishers, professional associations, trade
organizations, and consumer organizations; by industry, such as transportation (air, bus, rail, auto, cruise),
travel agents, tour wholesalers, lodging, attractions, and recreation; and by profit or nonprofit.
 Figure 4.1 Tourism organizations.
The purpose of Chapters 3 through 7 is to discuss the major types of tourist organizations and how they
interrelate and operate, focusing on illustrative examples. The discussion begins with official international
tourism groups in this chapter and ends with the private organizations and firms that make up the tourism
industry, covered in Chapters 4,5,6, and 7. Additional important supplemental areas that facilitate the
tourism process, such as education, publishing, and marketing and publicity, are included in Chapter 7.

3.2 Tourism Organization

As tourism has great social, cultural, economic and environmental impact on the image of a country, many
tourism organizations are set up on different levels. Some of them are bring together national tourist
organizations or other service providers directly connected with tourism - airlines, hoteliers, travel agents,
etc.
An organization or organization is an entity comprising multiple people, such as an institution or an
association, that has a particular purpose. The word is derived from the Greek word organon, which means
tool or instrument, musical instrument, and organ.
The tourism organizations consist of international, national, and nongovernmental organizations that help
develop and manage tourism. They may be into education and training, marketing. regulations, investment,
environmental management, or socio-cultural programs.
There are also several tourism organization that play significant roles in tourism industry. The organization
influence and contribute to the smooth running of the tourism industry
3.3 International Organizations
International tourism organizations help develop and manage tourism in the world. They may be into
education and training, marketing. regulations, investment, environmental management, or socio-cultural
programs. There are several international organizations that play significant roles in tourism industry. The
organization influence and contribute to the smooth running of the tourism industry. A list of some
important international tourism organizations is given below:
1. United Nations World Tourism Organization
2. World Travel and Tourism Council
3. Skål International
4. International Air Transport Association
5. International Civil Aviation Organization
International tourism organizations promote and develop sustainable tourism to contribute to economic
development, international understanding, peace, prosperity and universal respect for, and observance of,
human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion. In
pursuing these aims, International tourism organizations pays particular attention to the interests of
developing countries in the field of tourism. Now we shall discuss about these organizations.
3.3.1 United Nations World Tourism Organization
 What is UNWTO?
The United Nations has an agency devoted to
promoting sustainable, responsible, and universally
accessible tourism. It's called the United Nations
World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The main
purpose of this organization is to encourage and
promote tourism as a means to encourage economic
growth, inclusive development (taking the poor into
consideration), and environmental sustainability.
This organization has also implemented a global code
of ethics for tourism to help minimize its possible
negative effects and maximize its potential benefits
such as economic ones. For example, when people visit
Africa, they may purchase products made by the poor
in the area, thus boosting the local economy. As of
2017, there are 157 member countries of the UNWTO.
The United Nations World Tourism
These member countries are encouraged to embrace Organization is an official specialized agency of
tourism and take hold of any opportunities it presents, the United Nations and has the objective of
such as setting up tourist services in remote rural and promoting and developing tourism worldwide.
mountain areas. Shown here is the UN headquarters building in
New York City. Photo: Ron Nelson

 Structure of the World Tourism Organization

The main gathering of the Word Tourism Organization is the General Assembly, composed of full,
associate, and affiliate Members; other representatives of International Organizations are also invited
to participate as observers. The General Assembly meets every two years to discuss topics and programs
 important to the tourism sector and approve the budget. Every four years an election for the Secretary
General is held. Other than this, there are six regional commissions which meet yearly. The Executive
Council meets at least twice yearly in order to ensure that the work of the World Tourism Organization
is being carried out efficiently and within its budget. The individual programs are advised by specialist
committees.
The World Tourism Organization has an important role to play in International Tourism today. It is
especially valuable in its work with developing countries. It ensures the ethical development of tourism,
making sure that the benefits are spread out throughout the countries involved. It works to protect the
uneducated, the innocent, and the poor, who might otherwise be left behind economically, while
supporting growth through tourism.
1. General Assembly: The General Assembly is the principal gathering of the World Tourism
Organization. It meets every two years to approve the budget and program of work, and to discuss
topics of vital importance to the tourism sector. In every four years it elects a new Secretary-
General. The General Assembly comprises of Full Members and Associate Members. Affiliate
Members and representatives of other International Organizations participate as observers. The
official languages of UNWTO are English, Spanish, French, Russian and Arabic.
2. Executive Council: The Executive Council is UNWTO’s governing board, responsible for
ensuring that the Organization carried out its work and adheres to its budget. It meets twice a year
and it’s composed of 29 Members elected by the General Assembly in a ratio of one for every five
Full Members. As host country of UNWTO’s Headquarters, Spain has a permanent seat on the
Executive Council. Representative of the Associate Members and Affiliate Members participate in
Executive Council meetings as observers.
3. Regional Commissions: UNWTO has six regional commissions, Africa, the Americas, East Asia
and the Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and South Asia. The commissions meet at least once a
year and are composed of all the Full Members and Associate Members from that region. Affiliate
Members from the region participate as observes.
 Fundamental Tasks of UNWTO
The transfer of tourism know-how to developing countries is one of the World Tourism Organizations
fundamental tasks. As an executing agency of the United Nations Development Program, UNWTO
contributes to the sustainable development goals of Nations throughout the world.
1. Business Council: UNWTO is unique among International Inter-Governmental Organizations
because it is open to membership by the operating sector and promotes various methods of
cooperation amongst its members. Airlines, hotel chains, tour operators, trade associations,
consultants, promotion boards and educational institutions make up approximately 350members of
the UNWTO Business Council (UNWTOBC).
UNWTOBC utilizes a partnership approach to tourism as a method to promote public and private
integration and as a model of understanding between the two sectors. To achieve their objective,
UNWTOBC aids members in expanding their tourism business through industry networking,
working contacts with the necessary Government officials, strengthening industry education
relationship and conducting specialized research project of the private sector.
Currently, the UNWTOBC is undertaking numerous projects with the hope of creating more public-
private partnerships and sustained cooperation amongst tourism industries. These projects include
 investigations into the factors that affect tourism, methods of managing congestion on sites,
assisting small and medium size enterprises, and implementing new technology. Under the
guidance of its Board of Directors, UNWTOBC continues the research on the above –mentioned
projects accompanied by annual studies, data compilation, research publication and organization
of conferences. The Council continues to promote integration between public and private sectors
with themes that are of special interest to the business community which include;
(a) Public-private Sector Cooperation – Enhancing Tourism Competitiveness;
(b) Marketing Tourism Destinations Online – Strategies for the Information Age;
(c) E-Business for Tourism;
(d) Tourism Taxation Striking a Fair Deal; and
(e) Changes in Leisure Time.
2. Tourism and Technology: The internet and other computer technologies are revolutionizing the
way tourism business is conducted and the way destinations are promoted. UNWTO’s work in the
area of new Information Technologies (IT) aims to provide leadership in the field of IT and tourism,
as well as helping to bridge the digital divide between the have and have-nots among UNWTO’s
membership. It carried out new research and studies of IT in connection with the promotion and
development of tourism, such as the publications, Marketing Tourism Destinations Online, and E-
Business for Tourism. It communicates the content of these studies throughout the world in a series
of regional seminars. It also operates a Strategic Advisory Board on IT and Tourism that brings
together a small number of high-level experts from destination, private businesses and researchers.
Tourism technology is especially suited for cooperation projects between the public and private
sectors. The objective is to keep all members updated on the constantly changing technologies that
will affect the tourism industry in the years to come.
3. Education: The UNWTO Human Resource Development Department (UNWTO. HRD) works to
add value to tourism sector of UNWTO member States by improving their capacity building and
providing direct support in tourism education, training and knowledge. It coordinates the activities
of the UNWTO Education Council as well as those of the UNWTO Themis Foundation with the
common goal of achieving the tourism competitiveness and sustainability of UNWTO members
through excellence in tourism education. Its mission is to build the knowledge capacity of UNWTO
members, provide leadership, initiative and coordination in quality tourism education, and provide
for training and research activities through public-private partnership among institutions and
UNWTO member States.
4. UNWTO. Themis Foundation: Based in Andorra and generously sponsored by its Government,
the UNWTO Themis Foundation provides the administrative back-up to UNWTO. HRD to develop
and disseminate tourism education, training and knowledge products, thus optimizing service to
UNWTO members. Its mission is to promote quality and efficiency in tourism education and
training in close coordination with UNWTO and its Human Resource Development Department
(UNWTO HRD), facilitating administration and management in implementing its program of
work, and enlarging the scope of services to UNWTO members.
5. Education Council: The UNWTO Education Council (UNWTO EdC) is made up the leading
tourism education, training and research institutions as well as business schools worldwide that
 have obtained the UNWTO Tedqual Certification for at least one of their tourism education
program. With over 100 members, it forms a chapter of the UNWTO Affiliate Members, and is
well represented in the Board of the Affiliates, their decision-making body. The UNWTO. EdC is
an active agent within UNWTO and in the development and implementation of the UNWTO. HRD
Program of Work.The main human resources development products are
o UNWTO’s Tedqual : UNWTO’s Tedqual is a framework of program for quality in tourism
education. The UNWTO. Tedqual Certification is granted to training and education institutions by
means of a quality audit. The Tedqual institutions can request membership in the UNWTO
Education Council (Affiliate Members). There are also Tedqual Seminars (Educating the
Educators) for Member States and Tedqual Consulting on quality issues for education and training
centers.
o UNWTO’s Practicum: This is a biannual program for officials from UNWTO Member States. It
is carried out at UNWTO Headquarters for a period of two weeks and includes GTAT. TPS
seminars, workshops, technical visits and working meetings with the responsible staff of the
Organization.
o UNWTO’s Themis Tedqual Practicum: A practicum program is especially designed for officials
from UNWTO Member States who are proposed by their Governments as liaison officers with
UNWTO in matters of education and training.
o UNWTO’s GTAT: General Tourism Achievement Test (GTAT) is a set of programs, designed to
improve the performance of teaching and learning in tourism. These include software for
examinations and course development and implementation. Courses aiming to improve specific
knowledge and/or prepare for exams; aims to ascertain strong and weak points in specific subjects
through diagnosis, and conducts Exams and offers Certification of Proficiency for students and
tourism professionals.
o UNWTO’s Best Initiative: UNWTO has also developed a framework for a range of UNWTO
Programs that aim at contributing to excellence in destinations and tourism companies through
quality training and education. These programs include the UNWTO’s Best Training, Audit and
Tourism Labor Market Observatory. Institutions companies and destinations satisfactory
completing these programs receive UNWTO’s Best Awards. Many of these programme are
executed in co-ordination with the UNWTO Destination Management Task Force.
 Functions of UNWTO
o Generates Market Knowledge. Promotes Sustainable tourism policies.
o Focus tourism Education and Training.
o Effective tool for development through technical projects in 157 countries around the world.
o Provide leadership, and quality education.
o Destination development and management.
o Promote technology.
o Develop statistical measurement. Develop ethics and social responsibilities.
o UNWTO is well known for its statistics and market research.
o Human resource development is another UNWTO goal.
o UNWTO attempts to facilitate world travel through elimination or reduction of governmental
measures for international travel as well as standardization of requirements for passports, visas, and
so forth.
 o They work to improve the quality of tourism through trade liberalization, access for travelers with
disabilities, safety and security, and technical standards.
o They also work to improve the promotional efforts of member governments through effective
media relations and serve as a clearinghouse for international tourism information.
o UNWTO engages in regional activities. They are also involved in regional promotion projects. The
Silk Road is a project being implemented in cooperation with the United Nations Educational,
Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
 Role of World Tourism Organization
The World Tourism Organization is the leading International Organization in the field of travel and
tourism. It serves as a global forum for tourism policy issues and a practical source of tourism know-
how. Its membership includes 138 countries and territories and more than 350 Affiliate Members
representing local Government, tourism associations and private sector companies, including airlines,
hotel groups and tour operators. With its headquarters in Madrid, WTO is an Inter-Governmental body
entrusted by the United Nations with the promotion and development of tourism. The World Tourism
Organization is the most prominent International Organization working for the promotion of tourism.
Its aim is to encourage economic growth and environmental sustainability. It works throughout the
world to lead and provide knowledge about tourism policies. Its role is to get Governments to
implement the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, so that tourism can contribute to social and economic
growth, help reduce poverty, and create sustainable development.
The World Tourism Organization works in several important fields to encourage competitiveness,
reduce poverty, build capacity, and form partnerships. It has 14 programs running at the moment. They
are: Coordination in Destination, Education and Training, Ethics and Social Dimensions of Tourism,
Information and Communications, Information Resources and Archives, Institutional and Corporate
Relations, Knowledge Network, Market Trends, Risk and Crisis Management, Statutory Meetings,
Statistics and Tourism Satellite Accounts, Sustainable Development of Tourism, Silk Road, and
Technical Cooperation. There are five projects in which it is involved: Consulting Unit on Tourism and
Biodiversity, Hotel Energy Solutions, Protect Children, Tourism and Poverty Alleviation.

 UNWTO Tourism Labor Market Observatory

This program was recently initiated by the UNWTO Education Council in conjunction with UNWTO.
HRD and the UNWTO Destinations Management Task Force. Its objective is to obtain quantitative and
qualitative information on tourism labor markets in key destinations worldwide through panels of
employers, workers consumers and students. This is coordinated through UNWTO’s best tourism
destinations and UNWTO Tedqual Centers.
The activity of Quality and Trade in Search of Common Denominators, Fairness and Transparency,
This activity follows the previous program on Quality in Tourism Development. With an increased
focus on the economics of tourism, trade and enterprise, it seeks to assist Government and private sector
members in determining and pursuing quality related objectives, standards and measures as a
contribution to sustainable development and poverty alleviation.
The inclusion of Safety and Security area is being considered as a fundamental quality factor. The
current focus is on preparing a model work plan for tourism destinations based on objective safety and
security criteria, a model code of conduct on travel advisories and a revised UNWTO document Health
Information and Formalities in International Travel has been submitted to the 16th session of the
 General Assembly in 2005 and took stock of the new International Health Regulations of the World
Health Organization (IHR 2005).
Under the chapter on quality standards, the specific aims include guidance to members undertaking
tourism quality programs, the design of standards based on common denominators and cultural
diversity, a hotel classification guidance document, and contributions to the work of the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) on tourism signs and symbols and other tourism related
standards.
In relation to each area, the Quality and Trade in Tourism department is also engaged in the preparation
of implementation parameters for the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. The operation of the Code
and the Secretariat of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics are now dealt with by the Sustainable
Development of Tourism department.
 Global Code of Ethics for Tourism
This was adopted by the UNWTO General Assembly in 1999 and acknowledge by the United Nations
General Assembly in 2001 by a special resolution. It sets out a ten-point blueprint for safeguarding the
resources upon which tourism depends and ensuring that its economic benefits are equitably shared. It
is based on the principles of sustainability that underpin all of the UNWTO’s programs with special
emphasis on involving local communities in planning, managing and monitoring tourism development.
It also includes nine articles outlining the rules of the game for destinations, Governments, tour
operators, travel agents, tourism workers and developers, and travelers themselves.

3.3.2 World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC)

 What is WTTC?
The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) is the forum for global business leaders in travel and
tourism. It is comprised of the presidents, chairs, and chief executive officers of 100 of the world’s foremost
companies. These include accommodation, catering, cruises, entertainment, recreation, transportation, and
travel – related services. WTTC is the only body representing the private sector in all parts of the industry
worldwide. Established in 1990, WTTC is led by a nineteen - member executive committee, which meets
twice a year and reports to an annual meeting of all members. Day - to - day operations are carried out by
the president and small staff based in London.
The mission of the council is to raise awareness of the economic and social contribution of travel and
tourism and to work with governments on policies that unlock the industry’s potential to create jobs and
generate prosperity. Their vision of travel and tourism is that of a partnership among all stakeholders,
delivering consistent results that match the needs of national economies, local and regional authorities, and
local communities with those of business, based on:
(1) governments recognizing travel and tourism as a top priority;
(2) business balancing economics with people, culture, and the environment; and
(3) a shared pursuit of long - term growth and prosperity.
 Functions of WTTC
The activities of the council can be summarized under three broad themes:
1. Global Activities. WTTC addresses challenges and opportunities that affect all sectors of the global
travel and tourism industry. The council actively promotes public and private sector examples of best
practices in tourism.
2. Regional Initiatives. Regional initiatives are set up in countries and regions that have huge potential
for travel and tourism development but lack the framework or resources to achieve growth.
3. Economic Research. WTTC now uses Oxford Economics and Accenture to undertake extensive
research to determine travel and tourism’s total size and contribution to world, regional, and national
economies.
In fact, they continue to increase the number of economic impact reports, and under the auspices of the
UNWTO, they have developed proposals for an international standard Satellite Accounting System.

3.3.3 Skål International

Skål is a professional organization of tourism leaders around the world, promoting global tourism and
friendship. Skål, founded as an international association in 1934, has approximately 22,000 members in
500 locations in 90 countries. Skål headquarters is in Torremolinos, Spain.
Skål International is an affiliate member of UNWTO and supports UNWTO’s mission to promote the
development of responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism. Skål has adopted the Global
Code of Ethics in tourism and is a sponsor of the Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from
sexual exploitation in tourism.
Following the United Nations declaration of 2002 as the Year of Ecotourism and the Mountains, Skål
launched their Ecotourism Awards to highlight and acknowledge best practices around the globe. Skål is a
powerful force in the tourism industry to initiate change and encourage the conservation of the environment
to promote tourism. Visit their Web site at www.skal.org .

3.3.4 International Air Transport Association

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is the global organization for virtually all the
international air carriers. The principal function of IATA is to safely facilitate the movement of persons and
goods from any point on the world air network to any other by any combination of routes. This can be
accomplished by a single ticket bought at a single price in one currency and valid everywhere for the same
amount and quality of service. The same principles apply to the movement of freight and mail.
Resolutions of IATA standardize not only tickets, but waybills, baggage checks, and other similar
documents. These resolutions coordinate and unify handling and accounting procedures to permit rapid
interline bookings and connections. They also create and maintain a stable pattern of international fares and
rates. In effect, they permit the linking of many individual international airline routes into a single public
service system.
While developing standards and procedures for the international airline industry to support interlining and
enhance customer service continues to be a principal aim, IATA is involved in many other areas, such as
industry support, the environment, consumer issues, regulatory monitoring, legal support, corporate
communications, scheduling, facilitation, safety, security, and services.
IATA is a valuable information source on the world airline industry. Their Airline Product Database
provides a comparison of the product across thirty major carriers. Their annual publication, World Air
Transport Statistics, is an authoritative source of international airline data. In addition, IATA makes
passenger and freight forecasts. Their market research helps the industry develop its strategic and tactical
marketing plans.
In summary, IATA ’ s mission is to represent and serve the world airline industry.
They serve four groups interested in the smooth operation of the world air transport system: (1) airlines, (2)
the public, (3) governments, and (4) third parties, such as suppliers and travel and cargo agents. IATA
works closely with the International Civil Aviation Organization. IATA ’ s head office is in Montreal; its
executive office is in Geneva, Switzerland; and it has regional offices around the world. The IATA Web
site is at http://www.iata.org .

3.3.5 International Civil Aviation Organization

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a UN specialized agency, is the global forum for
civil aviation. The organization was established in 1944. ICAO works to achieve its vision of safe, secure,
and sustainable development of civil aviation through cooperation of its member states. To implement this
vision, the organization has established six strategic objectives for the period 2005 to 2010:
(1) enhance global civil aviation safety,
(2) enhance global civil aviation security,
(3) minimize the adverse effect of global civil aviation on the environment,
(4) enhance the efficiency of aviation operations,
(5) maintain the continuity of aviation operations, and
(6) strengthen law governing international civil aviation. Visit the ICAO Web site at
http://www.icao.int .

3.4 Developmental Organization (International and National)

Financing is always a major problem in tourism development. Large financial organizations are willing to
make developmental loans. Examples include the World Bank (United States), International Finance
Corporation (United States), the OPEC Fund for International Development (Austria), African
Development Bank (Côted’ Ivoire), East African Development Bank (Uganda), Inter - American
Development Bank (United States), Caribbean Development Bank (Barbados), Asian Development Bank
(Philippines), European Investment Bank (Luxembourg), European Regional Development Fund
(Belgium), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (United Kingdom), Islamic Development
Bank (Saudi Arabia), and the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (Kuwait). Examples of
national organizations are FONATUR (Mexico) and Embratur (Brazil). Further sources include
governments of countries that want additional hotel development or other supply components and are
willing to make low - interest loans or grants or offer other financial inducements for such types of
development.
3.4.1 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) was set up under a convention,
signed in Paris on December 14, 1960, that provides that the OECD shall promote policies designed to
(1) achieve the highest sustainable economic growth and employment and a rising standard of living in
member countries while maintaining financial stability, and thus to contribute to the development of
the world economy;
(2) contribute to sound economic expansion in member as well as nonmember countries in the process of
economic development; and
(3) contribute to the expansion of world trade on a multilateral, nondiscriminatory basis in accordance
with international obligations.
Members of OECD are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New
Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United
Kingdom, and the United States. OECD’s. Tourism Committee acts as a forum of exchange for monitoring
policies and structural changes affecting the development of international tourism. It encourages further
liberalization of tourism activities, both within and outside the OECD area, and has undertaken the
development of innovative statistics to improve the understanding of the role of tourism in the economy.
Visit the OECD Web site at http://www.oecd.org .

3.5 Regional International Organizations

Regional International Organizations is either a mix governmental and non-governmental bodies that work
together to promote tourism industry professionalism or a regional organization with a specialized interest
in tourism. The two main Regional International Organizations are
1. The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and
2. European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC)
1. The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA): Pacific Asia Travel Association is founded in Hawaii
in 1951 to develop, promote, and facilitate travel to and among the destination areas in and bordering
the Pacific Ocean, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) brings together governments, airline
and steamship companies, hoteliers, tour operators, travel agents, and a wide range of other tourism -
related organizations.
Today, PATA is the global leader in Pacific Asian tourism. Members exchange ideas, seek solutions to
problems, and participate in shaping the future of travel in Asia and the Pacific area. Membership totals
over two thousand organizations worldwide.
The future of the tourism industry depends on protecting the region’s environmental, heritage, and
cultural resources. PATA develops industry - wide initiatives and sponsors conservation conferences
to ensure sustainable growth. The association also honors significant accomplishments in this arena
under its Gold Awards program.
The work of the official PATA organization is greatly augmented by thousands of travel professionals
who belong to a global network of PATA chapters. PATA’s operational headquarters is in Bangkok,
Thailand; the association’s administrative headquarters is located in Oakland, California. Other offices
are located in Sydney, Beijing, Dubai, and Frankfurt. Visit the association’s Web site at
http://www.pata.org .
2. European Travel Commission(ETC): The European Travel Commission (ETC) is the strategic
alliance that provides for the collaboration between national tourism organizations (NTOs) of thirty -
six member countries. Founded in 1948, the ETC fills a unique role functioning as a “National Tourism
Office of Europe.” Its goal is to attract millions of potentials and existing overseas customers from the
major overseas markets to come to Europe. This is done through promotional campaigns and industry
trade shows. The headquarters of the ETC is located in Brussels, Belgium. Visit their Web site at:
http://www.visiteurope.com.

Asia is one of the fastest - growing travel

destinations in the world. Kuala Lumpur, the
capital of Malaysia, is one of the many
locations in Asia that can provide rewarding
experiences for visitors from Western
cultures. Photo courtesy of the Malaysia
Tourism Board.

3.6 National Organizations

Government involvement in tourism relates to areas such as income generation, image of a country,
economic stability, protection of natural resources, national security, public health and employment. Some
examples of national organizations include Singapore Tourism Board, Tourism Malaysia, British Tourism
Board etc. Now we shall discuss about Office of Travel and Tourism Industries.
 What is Office of Travel and Tourism Industries (OTTI)?
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Travel and Tourism Industries (OTTI) serves as the
National Tourism Office for the United States. It provides the primary source of international travel
statistics, provides policy coordination and industry relations, and develops international promotion
programs. OTTI was created in April 1996 when Congress defunded the U.S. Travel and Tourism
Administration (USTTA), the national tourism office for the United States. USTTA was charged with
developing tourism policy, promoting inbound travel and tourism from abroad, and collecting and
reporting on international travel to and from the United States. USTTA was created in 1981 to replace
 the U.S. Travel Service, which was created in 1960. OTTI has a staff of thirteen, headed by an office
director, who reports to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Services. Services reports to an Assistant
Secretary for Manufacturing and Services area of the International Trade Administration within the
U.S. Department of Commerce. Commerce is one of the 15 major departments within the U.S. Federal
Government.

 Functions of OTTI
The primary functions of OTTI are:
1. Management of the travel and tourism statistical system for assessing the economic contribution of
the industry and providing the sole source for characteristic statistics on international travel to and
from the United States
2. Design and administration of an international promotion program and export expansion activities
3. Development and management of tourism policy, strategy and advocacy
4. Technical assistance for expanding this key export (international in bound tourism) and assisting
in domestic economic development.
 Research programs of OTTI
The OTTI oversees nine research programs that provide comprehensive, complementary information
on international travelers to assist the industry to understand the dramatically changing international
market. Research programs overseen include:
1. An international arrivals database obtained from the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) that provides the only source for a count of overseas travelers to the United States (note:
“overseas” excludes Canada and Mexico).
2. An international air traffic database also obtained from DHS that provides the only estimates
of U.S. outbound travel as well as data on the U.S. flag and foreign flag total international air traffic
to and from the United States by port and country.
3. The Official Airlines Guide database, which is used to provide the sample frame data on
outbound flights from the United States.
4. The Survey of International Air Travelers (or In - Flight Survey). This is the major research
program for the office. It is a contract in which OTTI administers the collection and dissemination
of data on international travelers to and from the United States.
5. A Travel and Tourism Satellite Account (TTSA), which is an economic tool to more accurately
measure the impact of the travel and tourism industries on the U.S. economy.
6. International travel receipts and payments data, where OTTI staff work with the Bureau of
Economic Analysis to develop estimates of the travel and passenger fare exports and imports for
the United States and for over thirty countries.
7. Canadian travel to the United States with data provided based on the Statistics Canada survey
program. Each year, OTTI issues state visitation estimates and traveler characteristics for this
largest inbound arrival market for the country.
8. A forecast for international travel to the United States developed with a private sector firm to
project the number and percent increase of arrivals to the United States for forty top inbound
markets for the next several years based on an econometric model.
 9. An Internet - based Travel Trade Barometer each quarter for several of the top inbound markets
to the country. The Barometer provides a short - term forecast on travel demand and market
conditions in each of the participating countries.
 Outreach/Promotion
The OTTI staff work with travel and tourism trade associations, state and city tourism offices, and
travel businesses. They also work to educate them on the products and services available from the
Department of Commerce and other government offices. For the past four years, OTTI has been
responsible for designing, developing, and implementing a fully integrated pilot marketing campaign
aimed at increasing international travel to the
United States from the United Kingdom and Japan. The office currently oversees a cooperative
agreement to design, develop, implement, and market multiple - language Web sites that will encourage
international consumer travel from the top international markets of the United States. The U.S.
Department of Commerce (DOC), Office of Travel and Tourism Industries was the recipient of the
2006 Odyssey Award from the Travel Industry Association (TIA); this prestigious award, sponsored
by National Geographic Traveler, honors excellence in achievements in international travel promotion.
The OTTI staff also work with the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, which serves as the
advisory body to the Secretary of Commerce on matters relating to the travel and tourism industry in
the United States. The board advises the secretary on government policies and programs that affect the
U.S. travel and tourism industry, offers counsel on current and emerging issues, and provides a forum
for discussing and
proposing solutions to industry - related problems. The U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board
consists of up to fifteen members appointed by the Secretary of Commerce. Members represent
companies and organizations in the travel and tourism industry from a broad range of products and
services, company sizes, and geographic locations. Members serve at the pleasure of the secretary.
 Export Assistance
The OTTI offers export assistance to American travel and tourism industry suppliers, from communities
to individual establishments, through consultations using market analysis and intelligence. Working in
conjunction with the promotional efforts of Commercial Service officers nationwide and around the
globe, these services offer in - depth market conditions and industry knowledge to position a specific
market to
expand this vital export, encouraging more international travelers to visit the United States.
The focus of export assistance is outreach carried out through the tourism trade specialists and research
analysts at OTTI. Outreach involves a concerted effort with convention and visitor bureaus to reach
communities, trade associations to reach industry players, state tourism offices, and other federal
agencies involved in tourism - related activities or products. A key partner in the effectiveness of export
assistance
efforts is the Commercial Service, both domestic and foreign, in the International Trade Administration.
This covers over 100 export assistance offices throughout the United States and over 150 foreign
Commercial Service offices in more than 80 countries throughout the world.

 Policy
OTTI plays an active role in domestic and international policy issues as they relate to the U.S. travel
and tourism industry. From a domestic policy perspective, OTTI serves as the Secretariat for the
Tourism Policy Council. The Tourism Policy Council (TPC) is an interagency committee established
 by law for the purpose of ensuring that the nation’s tourism interests are considered in federal decision
making. Its major function is to coordinate national policies and programs relating to international
travel and tourism, recreation, and national heritage resources that involve federal agencies.
The TPC, originally established in 1981, was reauthorized by the U.S. National Tourism Organization
Act of 1996 and began to hold meetings from that time. The TPC has been involved in visa policy
issues, the new entry/exit requirements, opening China as a tourism destination for the United States,
and numerous other government policy issues. OTTI participates in the activities of global tourism
development in multiple international intergovernmental organizations. Serving as the National
Tourism Office for the U.S. Government, OTTI is the representative to the Asia Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) Tourism Working Group, Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD) Tourism Committee, and the United Nations World Tourism Organization. A
list of the Tourism Policy Council members includes:
 Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
 Department of Agriculture
 Department of Commerce
 Department of Education
 Department of Health and Human Services
 Department of Homeland Security
 Department of Housing and Urban Development
 Department of Interior
 Department of Labor
 Department of State
 Department of Transportation
 Environmental Protection Agency
 Executive Office of the President
 Office of Management and Budget
 President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
 Small Business Administration
 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

3.6.1 Other Departments and Agencies

Other departments and agencies are requested to join in discussions as issues affect their organization.
1. Canadian Tourism Commission: The Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) was created in 1995
to promote Canadian tourism in order to capitalize on one of the fastest - growing international
industries. The CTC is dedicated to promoting the growth and profitability of the Canadian tourism
industry by marketing Canada as a desirable travel destination and providing timely and accurate
information to the Canadian tourism industry to assist in its decision making. The CTC is a unique
public/private - sector partnership that provides an innovative approach to tourism: one that is industry
led and market driven.
The commission recognizes that the greatest source of tourism knowledge and expertise rests with the
tourism industry itself. Therefore, the CTC designs, delivers, and funds marketing and research
initiatives in partnership with provincial and regional tourism associations, government agencies,
hoteliers, tour operators, airlines, and attractions managers. CTC has one of the best and most
 comprehensive tourism programs in the world and serves as a model that many other nations strive to
equal.
2. Tourism Australia: On July 1, 2004, a new body, Tourism Australia, was created that brought together
the Australian Tourist Commission, See Australia, the Bureau of Tourism Research, and the Tourism
Forecasting Council, harnessing the skills and knowledge of these organizations under one umbrella.
Two new business units, Tourism Events Australia and Tourism Research Australia, were also
established to focus on industry and market needs. Tourism Research Australia incorporates a merger
of the Bureau of Tourism Research and the Tourism Forecasting Council. Tourism Australia is now the
federal government statutory authority responsible for international and domestic tourism marketing as
well as the delivery of research and forecasts for the sector. The main objectives of Tourism Australia
are to influence people to travel to and throughout Australia, help foster a sustainable tourism industry,
and help increase the economic benefits to Australia from tourism. Tourism Australia is another
outstanding national tourism organization and would be a good model for others to follow.
3. U.S. Federal Aviation Administration: Numerous responsibilities for efficient and safe air travel are
assigned to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is illustrative of governmental
regulating bodies. This U.S. government organization in the Department of Transportation formulates
regulations and supervises or controls various aspects of airline and airport operations.
Examples of these functions are air traffic control, air safety, flight standards, aviation engineering,
airport administration districts, airways facilities, and certification of new aircraft. The FAA also
examines and licenses pilots and flight engineers.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration provides air traffic control, air
safety, and other vital aviation regulation and services. Shown here is the
FAA control tower and Concourse C at the Denver International Airport.
Photo courtesy of Denver International Airport.
4. U.S. Department of Transportation: The Department of Transportation has the federal authority to
protect air travelers and to police industry practices. It has responsibility for in - flight smoking rules,
charters, denied boarding compensation, baggage liability, handicapped - traveler rules, passenger
notices, computer reservations bias, and antitrust authority.
5. U.S. Department of Homeland Security: The events of September 11 brought another government
agency that impacts tourism, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). One primary reason for the
establishment of the DHS was to provide the unifying core for the vast national network of
organizations and institutions involved in efforts to secure the nation. The Transportation Security
 Administration (TSA) is responsible for protecting our nation’s transportation systems and is the most
visible at airports. TSA screening is no easy task since 730 million people travel on commercial aircraft
each year and more than 700 million pieces of baggage are screened for explosives each year. A new
tourism position has been established in the DHS to represent the interests of the tourism industry and
to work to meet security objectives while minimizing travel disruptions.
6. U.S. Department of State: The U.S. Department of State plays an important role in international travel.
The department issues passports to U.S. citizens and visas to foreign citizens. State Department policies
have a worldwide impact. An example is the recent Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). The
Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 required the Department of Homeland
Security and Department of State to develop and implement a plan to require all travelers, U.S. citizens
and foreign nationals alike, to present a passport or other document, or a combination of documents,
that denote identity and citizenship when entering the United States. Congress amended portions of the
act in 2006. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative implements this mandate.
7. Other (U.S.) Government Agencies: Numerous other government agencies play an active role in
tourism. The U.S. Customs Service monitors international travel, the U.S. Bureau of the Census
compiles travel statistics and data, the Interstate Commerce Commission regulates bus transportation,
the National Maritime Commission deals with ships, the National Park Service and the Forest Service
provide and administer many scenic attractions and facilities, the Bureau of Land Management is
involved in several tourism initiatives (such as Back Country Byways, Adventures in the Past, and
Watchable Wildlife), the Bureau of Reclamation administers over three hundred recreation areas in
seventeen western states, and the Federal Highway Administration is involved in the National Scenic
Byways program, with the objective of increasing tourism while preserving the environment. Other
agencies involved in tourism are the National Trust for Historic Preservation, National Marine
Sanctuary Program, Tennessee Valley Authority, Army Corps of Engineers, Fish and Wildlife Service,
and the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
8. Travel Industry Association of America: The Washington, D.C. – based Travel Industry Association
of America (TIA) is the leading private tourism organization in the United States. The nonprofit
association serves as the unifying organization for all components of the U.S. travel industry. The
business of travel and tourism in America is served by more than one - half million different
organizations that offer a wide range of services to the traveler. Originally founded in 1941, TIA has
grown from a small association of travel officials into a national nonprofit organization with a
membership that now represents all components of the travel industry: airlines, attractions, hotels and
motels, travel agents, tour operators and brokers, convention and visitors bureaus, state government
travel offices, area and regional tourism organizations, food service establishments, auto rental
companies, intercity bus and rail lines, cruise lines, and other segments of what is known today as the
travel industry.
The current mission of the TIA is to represent the whole of the U.S. travel industry to promote and
facilitate increased travel to and within the United States. TIA fulfills this mission by accomplishing
these objectives to:
(1) promote a wider understanding of travel and tourism as a major industry that contributes to the
economic, cultural, and social well - being of the nation;
(2) develop, coordinate, and implement the industry’s umbrella marketing efforts to promote travel to
and within the United States;
(3) pursue and influence policies, programs, and legislation that are responsive to the needs of the
industry as a whole;
 (4) improve domestic and international travelers’ experience, including gaining access to, arriving in,
traveling within, and departing the United States;
(5) enhance TIA’s position as the authoritative source for travel industry information and research of
the industry as a whole;
(6) promote travel industry cohesion and provide communications forums for industry leaders; and
(7) leverage resources to develop and execute programs that benefit the travel industry.

3.6.2 Tourism Organizations of Bangladesh

The main tourism organizations of Bangladesh are: Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC); Bangladesh
Tourism Board (BTB); Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) and Association of Travel
Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) These are discussed below:
1. Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC): Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) is a statutory
board under the Ministry of Civil Aviation & Tourism of Bangladesh, tasked to promote the tourism
industry of the country. It is the National Tourism Organization of the country .Recently Bangladesh
Government has formed Tourist Police unit to better protect local and foreign tourists as well as look
after the nature and wildlife in the tourist spots.
a) Establishment: The Board of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, established in the year 1973
consists of a Chairman and 3 whole- time Directors. According to the Bangladesh Parjatan
Corporation Order 1972, the purpose of the board are:
 It shall be the function of the corporation to promote and develop tourism, provide facilities,
undertake measures and carry out all forms of activities connected with or ancillary to tourism.
 To promote tourist undertakings and to control and regulate tourist installations and services.
 To organize reception and information facilities in or outside Bangladesh.
 To create tourism awareness among the people.
 To establish institutes for instruction and training of potential tourism personnel.
b) Functions: The corporation performs following functions:
 To promote and develop tourism.
 To establish tourism infrastructures in Bangladesh.
 To provide facilities to undertake measures and carry out all kinds of activities connected with
tourism
 To acquire, establish, construct, arrange, provide and run hotels, restaurants, rest houses, picnic
spots, camping sites, theatres, amusement parks and facilities for water skiing and
entertainment.
 To establish institutes for instruction and training of potential tourism personnel.
c) Objectives:
 To construct various rules under the law where the main objective is to fill in the gap of existing
tourism rules and let regulations proceed;
 To develop tourism industries through various planning related activities and side by side give
advice as well as directions;
 To create general awareness regarding tourism protection, development and exploration;
 To execute responsible tourism through creation of some helping hand on behalf of government
like as personal sector, local people, local administration, NGO, women federation, media;
 To create better communication channel for the International Tourists Organizations in
Bangladesh with both government and private tourism related organizations;
 To create a strong and safe foothold for the Bangladeshi Tourist by coordinating with respective
government organizations;
 To create a tourism friendly environment in Bangladesh and to market its tourism potential in
both domestic and foreign nations;
  To develop human resource for tourism sector by creating training facilities and provide them
with the right directions;
 To attract tourists by maintaining quality and relevant material which in turn can provide
smooth tourism service and ensuring necessary actions that need to be taken for maintenance;
 To ensure the participation of physically challenged people;
 To protect women rights and ensure their participation in the tourism sector;
 To research on tourism industry, to survey international markets and to analyze the data.
2. Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB): Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) is the National tourism
organization of Bangladesh, responsible for promoting tourism and providing necessary training. The
board is a statutory body established in 2010 Located at Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, Dhaka. It is
responsible for the promotion of tourism in Bangladesh. It is under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and
Tourism of Bangladesh.
Functions: Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) performs following functions:
 To develop tourism as a driving force for poverty and vital force for peace & social harmony.
 To initiate a key sustainable development of local tourism as the tool of protecting environmental
degradation, flora & fauna and the ways & means of leading quality life.
 To promote Bangladesh as a global tourist destination and to attract tourists from all over the world,
as well as to provide information to tourists and tour operating organizations across the globe about
events and places of interest in Bangladesh.
 To set up tourism research and training institute, publishing journal and other publications,
consultancy and academic institutions.
 To facilitate investors the appropriate fields of Bangladesh tourism industry for equal growth.
 To promote festivals, cultural events and heritages as tourism product.
 To arrange fair, meeting, incentive, conference, exhibition, campaign, rally, debate, seminar,
discussion, round tables on travel & tourism.
 To introduce awards in different contributory sub-sectors of Bangladesh travel and tourism.
 To introduce merit scholarships and incentives for education and research in tourism.
 To promote Code of Ethics in Tourism developed by United Nations World Tourism Organization
(UNWTO).
 To support women those who want to involve themselves in tourism development activities and
business also.
3. Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB)
Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB), was formed in the year of 1992. This was the time
when a handful of agencies operating tours inside Bangladesh, felt the need of such an association or
trade body to overcome immense problems and difficulties being faced by them regularly. Besides this,
the other main objective or aim of the organization was to develop and nourish tourism in Bangladesh
and to promote tourism products of Bangladesh in the international arena.
After long wait and completion of different formalities, the association was recognized as a trade
organization by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh in
2002.
In tourism, all over the world tourist's expectations are very high for a hazardless traveling, secured
food & lodging, efficient spot-visits, economically cost-effective transaction in every step whether it is
a business or a personal recreational tour. To fulfill these demands of an individual or group of tourists
the tour operators come into picture and provide all the services they need. They are like one-stop
service provider starting from their arrival to departure in case of the overseas tourists and from your
house back to your house in case of local tourist either it is inside the country or to a foreign land. In
Bangladesh where the infrastructure of this industry is not well developed it is always recommended
that a tourist should arrange his travel here through a member of TOAB, which will be more safe and
authentic.
 It is a fact that due to different limitations prevailing in the field, TOAB failed to perform to its full
capacity in the past years. However, they still hold meeting to exchange views with the Aviation and
Tourism Journalist Forum, observed World Tourism day and organized seminar in collaboration with
Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation. It also organized seminar in association with Federation of
Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI). It is expected that, with the change in the
whole atmosphere in Bangladesh including the executive body of TOAB, they will do much more in
the coming years. TOAB is the Premium Partner of Dhaka Travel Mart since its inception.
TOAB maintains excellent relationship with Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Bangladesh
Parjatan Corporation, Bangladesh Hotel Owner Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh, PATA
Bangladesh Chapter and other trade bodies.
Since the beginning of TOAB, its members have been actively participating in different international
trade fairs like ITB - Berlin, WTM - London, BITE - Beijing, ATA Travel Mart -Bangkok, TTF -
Kolkata, SATTE - Delhi etc. in collaboration with the Ministry and BPC from to time.
4. Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB): Association of Travel Agents of
Bangladesh (ATAB) is a renowned travel agency in Bangladesh. It is one of the leading travel agency
in our country. ATAB mostly arranged indound tours. ATAB’s travel packages are Dhaka to
Chittagong, Dhaka to Sylhet, Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar, Dhaka to Shundarban, Dhaka to ST.Martin, Dhaka
to Bandarban, Dhaka to Kuyakata, Dhaka to kaptai, Dhaka to Rangamati and so on. They arrange some
beautiful trip on some extraordinary places in Bangladesh. In the demand of the time, we have increased
our inbound tour any places of our country destination. They show us the beautiful sites of our beautiful
country. ATAB were registered and “incorporated” as an Association with the Registrar of Joint Stock
Companies on 28th February, 1980.

3.6.3 The First Travel Agents

Travel Agents help individuals, groups, and business travellers plan and organize their travel schedules,
from purchasing tour packages to booking flights and hotels. Travel Agent is a person whose job it is to
arrange travel for end clients (individuals, groups, corporations) on behalf of suppliers (hotels, airlines, car
rentals, cruise lines, railways, travel insurance, package tours). His task is to simplify the travel planning
process for their customers in addition to providing consultation services and entire travel packages.
In 1822, Robert Smart of Bristol, England, announced himself as the first steamship agent. He began
booking passengers on steamers to various Bristol Channel ports and to Dublin, Ireland.
In 1841, Thomas Cook began running a special excursion train from Leicester to Loughborough (in
England), a trip of 12 miles. On July 5 of that year, Cook’s train carried 570 passengers at a round - trip
price of 1 shilling per passenger. This is believed to be the first publicly advertised excursion train. Thus,
Cook can rightfully be recognized as the first rail excursion agent; his pioneering efforts were eventually
copied widely in all parts of the world. Cook’s company grew rapidly, providing escorted tours to the
Continent and later to the United States and around the world. The company continues to be one of the
world’s largest travel organizations.
The first specialist in individual inclusive travel (the basic function of travel agents) was probably Thomas
Bennett (1814 – 1898), an Englishman who served as secretary to the British consul general in Oslo,
Norway. In this position, Bennett frequently arranged individual scenic tours in Norway for visiting British
notables. Finally, in 1850, he set up a business as a “trip organizer” and provided individual tourists with
itineraries, carriages, provisions, and a “ traveling kit. ” He routinely made advance arrangements for horses
and hotel rooms for his clients.

3.7 Tour Operators

Tour operator is an organization, firm or company who buys individual travel components, separately from
their suppliers and combines them into a package tour, which is sold with their own price tag to the public
directly or through middlemen, is called a Tour Operator.
Poyther (1993) defines, “tour operator is one who has the responsibility of putting the tour ingredients
together, marketing it, making reservations and handling actual operation.”
Holloway (1992) stated that tour operations undertake a distinct function in the tourism industry, they
purchase separate elements of tourism products/services and combine them into a package tour which they
sell directly or indirectly to the tourists.
Today, tour operators have become highly competitive. They endeavor to achieve a high volume of
turnover, and maximum International and domestic market share by effectively operating. Moreover, the
success of many developed and developing nations as tourists destinations depend heavily on a tour
operator’s ability to attract tourists, development and promotion of tourism plant, diversification of tourism
product and their social responsibilities to develop a remote and backward area.

3.7.1 Types of Tour Operators

Tour operators are basically categories into four types. These are categories on the basis of their nature of
the business and their operations.

1. Inbound Tour Operators

2. Outbound Tour Operators
3. Domestic Tour Operators
4. Ground Operators
1. Inbound Tour Operators: These are also known as incoming tour operators. Technically, the
operators who receive guests, clients/tourists and handle arrangements in the host country are called
inbound tour operators. For example, a group of American Tourists is coming through TCI Ltd. to India
and the company makes arrangements and handles the group in India then TCI is called an inbound
tour operator.
Incidentally, the inbound traffic to the country for the last two decades has been decreasing. Essentially
the tour operators need to adopt innovative marketing strategies and should introduce a special interest
tour to cater the special needs of Japanese, Americans, French and British people.
2. Outbound Tour Operators: Tour operator who promote tours for foreign destinations, maybe
business tour or leisure tour is called outbound tour operators. For example a group of American tourists
going to a trip of India and Thomas Cook handle arrangement in America like as ticket reservation,
hotel booking etc. then Thomas Cook is called Outbound Tour operators in the context of America.
3. Domestic Tour Operators: Domestic tour operators are those who assemble, combine tourist
components into inclusive tours and sell it to the domestic travelers. In general, these tour operators
provide travel services within the tourist’s native country.
 The domestic tour operators operate within the boundary of the home country and offer package tour
to the travelers viz. Domestic inclusive tours or independent tours.
4. Ground Operators/ Destination Management Companies: These are commonly known as handling
agencies and their main function is to organize tour arrangements for incoming tourists on the behalf
of overseas operators. Let us take the case of India as a destination that – has a varied culture.
When a tour operator himself promotes beach holidays, wildlife holidays, adventure tours, heritage
tours at the different places, the difficulty arises. It is the ground operator then who by handling the
incoming travelers in the same season but at different places ensures that the entire operation is
according to the package tours or agreements.

3.7.2 Functions of Tour Operator

A tour operator is an organization, firms or a person who is responsible for the actual arrangement of
transport and accommodation facilities in any tour or vacations. They are also responsible for operating and
providing vacation through contracting, booking and packaging together of the various components of the
tour such as hotel, transportation, meals, guides, optional tours and sometimes flights.
A tour operator is like a service provider, providing the most convenient option for tourists to stay, visit, as
well as leave from the city. A tour operator owns a high volume of travel services across carriers, services,
and accommodation. Some most important functions of the tour operators are following as:
1. Planning a Tour: The most important functions of the tour operators are planning a tour. Tour
operators plan a tour and make tour itinerary which contains the identification of the origin, destination
and all the stopping point in a traveler’s tours. A prospective tour operator also gives advice to intending
tourists in various types of tour programs, which they may choose for their leisure or commercial travel.
2. Making Tour Package: Tour operator buys individual travel components, separately from there
suppliers and combines them into a package tour. Tour operators make tour package by assembling
various travel components into a final product that is called tour package which is sold to tourist with
own price tag. Making tour packages is also an important function of Tour Operator.
3. Arranging a Tour: Tour operators make tour package and also arrange a tour according to tourist
demands. Tour operators arrange the tour package and various tourists activities to provide the best
experience to tourists/traveler.
4. Travel Information: Whatever the size of tour operators, it has provided necessary travel information
to the tourists. This task is utterly difficult and very complicated. A tour operator must give up-to-date,
accurate and timely information regarding destinations, modes of travel, accommodation, sightseeing,
immigration, health and security rules about various permits required to travel in a particular area etc.
5. Reservation: It is a very important function of all type tour operators and travel agencies. Tour operator
makes all the reservation by making linkages with accommodation sector, transport sector and other
entertainment organizations to reserve rooms, and seats in cultural programmes and transportation.
6. Travel Management: Tour operators manage tour from beginning to the end of the tour. A tour
operator has the responsibility to look after the finer details of a vacation or tour such as hotel,
accommodation, meals, conveyance etc. Tour operators provide travel guide, escorting services and
arrange all travel related needs and wants.
7. Evaluate the Option Available: Tour operators evaluate all available options to provide a unique or
unforgettable travel experience to tourists during their journey. Tour operators evaluate the various
options available for a tour package and provide best of them to tourists.
8. Promotion: Tour Operators makes tour packages and promote them into various tourists markets at
domestic as well international level. Tour operators promote a travel destination to attract a large group
 of tourists at domestic as well as international level. In the promotion of tourist destination, tour
operators play a key role. Travel agencies or tour operators are called as image builder of a country.
9. Sales and Marketing: Tour operators do sales and marketing of tourist products. Tour operators buy
individual travel components, separately and combine them into a tour package, which is sold with their
own price tag to the public directly. Tour operators do marketing of tourist destinations and tourism
product to attracts the attention of the tourists/travelers.
10. Taking Care of Glitch: Tours operators are also called handling agencies which handles tour package
and take care of all the glitches and problems arises during a tour package. Tour operators fix the
glitches and provide the best available alternative to tourists during their journey.

3.8 Regional Organizations

Regional tourism organizations have the goal of attracting tourists to their specific geographic region. There
are several types of regional associations, such as multicounty, multistate, and multicounty. Examples range
from PATA, which covers the Pacific region of the world, to groups such as Travel South USA, which
promotes travel in the southern states, to the West Michigan Tourist Association, which promotes only one
region in Michigan, the northwestern section. Another multistate organization is Foremost West, which
promotes tourism in Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and Wyoming. Pennsylvania probably
has more regional tourism organizations within its boundaries than any other state; fifty nine tourist
promotion agencies represent Pennsylvania ’ s sixty - seven counties.

3.9 State and Community Organizations

Traditionally, states have promoted tourism as a tool for economic development. In most states, a tourism
office has been established by statute and charged with the orderly growth and development of the travel

State governments have enacted many laws and regulations affecting

tourism. Examples are organizations for promotion, transportation,
food products, restaurant inspection, licensing boats, and many
others. Photo by South Dakota Tourism.
and tourism industry in the state. These offices conduct programs of information, advertising, publicity,
and research relating to the recreational, scenic, historic, highway, and tourist attractions in the state at
large.
Each of the fifty states has a government agency responsible for travel development and promotion. Most
states have one agency responsible; however, Massachusetts has three entities. The Office of Travel and
Tourism is complemented by the Massachusetts International Trade Council responsible for international
tourism and the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority responsible for attracting conventions and
events to the state. Texas has two entities devoting funds and resources to tourism development.
Hawaii and Alaska operate a little differently from other states in that the Hawaii Tourism Authority and
the Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development contract out to private organizations to
handle the marketing and promotion responsibilities. The majority of states house their tourism offices in a
Department of Economic Development (or Commerce).
Any review of state travel offices must start with TIA ’ s annual Survey of U.S. State and Territory Tourism
Office Budgets . Their report covering the fiscal year 2006 – 2007, published in 2007, is the thirty - fourth
annual report in the series and includes responses from all fifty states. It shows that state travel offices are
expected to spend more than $765.1 million on tourism development in fiscal year 2006 – 2007, or about
$15.3 million average per state.
Hawaii remained the leader in tourism office spending with a budget of $70.7 million for 2006 – 2007.
Number two is Pennsylvania with a budget of $64.7 million. Rounding out the top five is Illinois with $48.9
million, Florida with $33.1 million, and Texas with $29.1 million.
Public sector funds are the primary source of all tourism office funding and indeed the sole source for thirty
- one of the fifty responding states. Of the $765.1 million combined total projected budget, public sector
funds represent 92.5 percent, or $708.0 million.
Offices spent money on personal services, other administrative costs, printing and production, inquiry
fulfillment, press and public relations, matching fund grant programs, direct grants, Web site development
and maintenance, industry relations, film office, welcome centers, domestic advertising, international
advertising, advertising production, sales promotion, cooperative marketing, trade shows, and “other.”
Marketing and promotion continue to be the major expenditure of state tourism offices, accounting for 42
percent of the budget. Tourism offices reported collective 2006 – 2007 combined marketing and promotion
related budgets totaling $321.5 million. On average, states allocated $6.4 million, 11.7 percent more than
last year’s average of $5.7 million.
Television and magazine advertising expenditures continue to exceed other medium expenditures. Average
Web advertising expenditures are increasing rapidly, and direct mail continues to receive the least amount
of advertising dollars.
Besides advertising, states use a number of other means to promote travel to their destinations, including
toll - free phone numbers for visitor inquiries, annual governors’ conferences on tourism, press tours, travel
- related research, and for some, offices in international cities. Internet Web sites have become the
technology of choice for state tourism offices.

3.10 Community
Most communities have also recognized the importance of tourism and have established convention and
visitors’ bureaus. In many smaller communities, the chambers of commerce or resort associations perform
this function. Larger cities now own the central convention facilities. A great deal of promotion and sales
effort is then devoted to backing these facilities.
Community tourism offices appear to have a long history. The first tourism office in France was created in
1875, in the town of Gerardmer, followed by Grenoble in 1889.
In the Netherlands, the first office (in Dutch, Vereniging voor Vreendenverkeer, abbreviated VVV) was
founded in the small city of Valkenburg in the Province of Limburg in the year 1885. It was meant to
promote the city and to assist tourists. It is the predecessor of today ’ s local tourist offices all over The
Netherlands, which are still called VVV.
City Convention and Visitors Bureaus: A convention and visitors bureau is a not - for - profit umbrella
organization that represents a city or urban area in the solicitation and servicing of all types of travelers to
that city or area, whether they visit for business, pleasure, or both. It is also frequently called a destination
management organization (DMO) or destination marketing organization.
It is the single entity that brings together the interests of city government, trade and civic associations, and
individual “ travel suppliers ” — hotels, motels, restaurants, attractions, local transportation — in building
outside visitor traffic to the area.
Urban tourism is an increasingly important source of income and employment in most metropolitan areas,
and therefore it warrants a coordinated and concerted effort to make it grow. This growth is best nurtured
by the role a convention and visitors
bureau can play in continually improving the scope and caliber of services the city provides to corporate
and association meeting planners, to individual business travelers, and to leisure travelers.
The bureau is the city ’ s liaison between potential visitors to the area and the businesses that will host them
when they come. It acts as an information clearinghouse, convention management consultant, and
promotional agency for the city and often as a catalyst for urban development and renewal.
Typical services offered to meeting planners include orientation to the city, liaison between suppliers and
meeting planners, and meeting management. The meetings and conventions market is huge. The
Convention Industry Council estimates that meetings and conventions are a $122.3 billion - per - year
industry.
Destination Marketing Association International: Most of the city convention and visitors bureaus
belong to the Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI), 2025 M Street, NW, Suite 500,
Washington, D.C. 20036.

Tourists are provided with timely information and services at tourism information
centers all over the world, such as this one in Torremolinos, Spain.
This group was founded in 1914 as the International Association of Convention Bureaus to promote sound
professional practices in the solicitation and servicing of meetings and conventions. In 1974, the words
“and Visitor” were added to IACB’ s name to reflect most bureaus ’ increasing involvement in the
promotion of tourism. In August 2005, the organization changed its name to Destination Marketing
Association International to clarify what members do (i.e., destination marketing).
Since its inception, the association has taken a strong position of leadership in the travel industry. The
organization has over thirteen hundred members in over six hundred city destination management
organizations in more than twenty - five countries.
DMAI provides its members with numerous opportunities for professional dialogue and exchange of
industry data on convention - holding organizations.
The DMAI Meeting Information Network (MINT) is the world ’s leading meetings and convention
database, tracking historical and future records on more than twenty thousand meeting profiles of
associations and corporations. The database provides marketing and sales direction to thousands of
convention and visitor bureaus, hotels and motels, and other convention industry suppliers.
To encourage exchange between its members, DMAI holds an annual convention, organizes annual
educational seminars leading to certificates in sales or bureau operations, organizes topical workshops and
seminars, makes regular studies of convention industry trends, maintains a consulting service, and provides
its members with government and industry liaison.