Types of Itinerary

1. The Tourist/ Client Itinerary

 The ‘fam trips’ gives a basic idea to the tour planners to draw a rough draft of the projected
itinerary. In other words, one of the purpose of the ‘fam trip’ is to prepare an initial client
itinerary that will be used to operate first-client-test tour. The ‘fam tour’ identifies itinerary
problems that the tour planner may not have perceived in advance. The tourist itinerary is
usually a short enough itinerary that can be included in the tour brochure.
 The tourist itinerary is the starting point in the development process of an itinerary.
Therefore, tour planners should undertake various considerations at the time of planning an
itinerary, such as the purpose of tour, choice of destinations, tourist budget,
accommodation, transportation, legal requirements, tour reference tools and cordial
relationship between the host and tourist generating nations. Moreover, tour planner
familiarized himself with the following itinerary planning tools:
 Timetables;
 The official Airline Guide (OAG);
 Travel Information Manual;
 Air Tour Manual;
 World Wide Cruise and Shipline Guide;
 ABC Travel Guide;
 World Hotel Guide;
 The Official Rail Guide.

2. The Tour Manager’s Itinerary

 The key individual in the tour/travel company is the tour manager. He has to perform various
types of functions ranging from tour planning to actual operation of tours. The entire success of
the tour company depends on his expertise, skill, capability, capacity and dedication to the job
that the tour manager performs. Therefore, for any tour company the tour manager is an
extremely important asset, more that the company’s clients. He brings to the company the most
effective and extensive management style which is the result of his own personality, knowledge,
experience and professional qualification. In a large scale tour company the tour manager’s
functions are:
 Tour Planning
 Tour Promotion/ Marketing
 Control Over Costs
 Tour Handling

3. The Vendor’s Itinerary

  Technically, the travel vendors do not need a copy of the itinerary. However, sometimes
they are required to offer services/facilities according to the client itinerary such as
providing lodging, entertainment, clubs, guides, transportation, and ground services etc.
Basically, this group is responsible in offering sophisticated services and facilities for the
benefit of its clients. Therefore, this will find specific part of an itinerary more helpful.
Moreover, this process will help the tour planners to add more important tour ingredients in
the itinerary.

4. The Tour Bus Driver Itinerary

 A special version of a client itinerary is provided to the Bus driver at all destinations
sightseeing points. The reasoning behind this is that it gives him an opportunity to
understand the various information contained in the itinerary which will help him in
performing his job better. The bus driver’s itinerary includes-pick up point,
 turn-around points,
 restricted area for driving,
 route map,
 drop-off points,
 parking areas,
 sightseeing points,
 sightseeing activities

5. The Tour Escort Itinerary

 With the improving economic, social, cultural and educational levels, travelers are becoming
more and more sophisticated and demand more professional services from the tour
companies.
 The tour escort is recognized as an important individual in the tour company’s organization.
He is not only a sightseeing guide but his experience, expertise, knowledge, skill, judgement,
integrity and personality can make or break a tour. Therefore, the tour company should
those tour escorts who have a vast knowledge and experience and who have travelled
extensively in the area to which he leads the tour. Sometimes the Tour escort conducts a
tour alone.
 The quality of itineraries is based on itinerary-mix-planning. Generally, the tour planner
takes into consideration the various ingredients while preparing an itinerary such as the
right type of transportation, accommodation and destinations; right amount of sightseeing
and quality of meals; professional tour conductors and correct marketing approach.