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THE TOUR ITINERARY

It is a document that provides a detailed plan of the journey. Also, it is a step by step representation of the
entire tour program; clearly indicating the program schedule along with the other details to the visitors.
Hereunder presents a sample itinerary.
Time Activity
5:30 AM ETD from Manila
8:30 AM ETA Bangkok Airport (Suvarnabhumi Airport)
9:00 AM ETA Bangkok City
9:30 AM Check-in at hotel and freshen up
10:30 AM Early lunch
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM ETA Grand Palace
Tour and picture taking

12:45 PM – 1:15 PM ETA to Wat Pho

Day 1
Tour and picture taking
1:30 PM – 1:45 PM Boat ride to Wat Arun at Than Tien Pier near the Grand Palace
1:50 PM – 2:30 PM ETA to Wat Arun
Tour and picture taking
2:35 PM – 2:50 PM Boat ride back from Wat Arun
3:20 PM – 6:00 PM ETA to Khao San Road
Tour and picture taking
Dinner
6:30 PM ETA to Hotel
Day 2 Free day
11:30 AM ETD from Bangkok
Day 3
3:30 PM ETA NAIA Terminal 3
Table 1. Example Itinerary of 3 Days 2 Nights in Bangkok, Thailand

REVIEWING THE TOUR ITINERARY

Elements of Tour Itinerary
The following are the elements of a tour itinerary:
• Pace refers to how quickly or slowly an itinerary moves.
 Providing a comfortable pace for clients is essential to their enjoyment of the trip. While it is
frequently important to keep the itinerary moving, setting a pace that is too rapid can overburden
clients and decrease their enjoyment.
 A client’s age and health should be considered when determining pace. Generally, younger and
healthier clients can move at a faster pace, but this is not always true; each client should also be
considered on an individual basis. Finally, any disabilities need to be evaluated when determining
an itinerary’s pace.
 A good rule of thumb for determining pace for self-driving clients is not to exceed 120 miles per
day. Also, allowing for rest stops and sightseeing along the way can improve the client’s enjoyment
of the trip.

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• Interest refers to the activities, destination, accommodation, food that are according to the clients’
preferences.
 One very significant way to add value to a client’s trip is to match his/her interests with
corresponding activities and attractions along the way. To do this effectively, talk to the clients and
listen carefully to the types of activities and the manner in which they describe their interests.
 It is helpful to provide a balance by planning some variety into the trip. To do this, schedule a mix
of recreational activities and educational activities into the basic itinerary.
 Determining and matching interests take practice and destination expertise, but the extra effort it
takes to practice and learn will be awarded in the form of client satisfaction.

• Details refer to all important information about the tour.

 No matter how clever an itinerary is put
together for the client, the itinerary will
be a failure and could be detrimental to
the overall experience if you do not pay
attention to the details. S/He may not
acquire your services again.
 Details include checking to make sure
attractions in the itinerary are open
when the clients arrive, reconfirming all
ground handlers and transport, and Source: https://www.stuff.co.nz/
checking with the clients to make sure
they have made all necessary preparations including taking their passports and filling all essentials
prescriptions. Paying attention to detail may seem tedious, but imagine how embarrassing it would
be to schedule a client’s visit to National Museum in Manila on a Monday, only to learn that the
museum is closed on that day.

• Energy refers to the capability of the visitor to do specific activity during the tour.
 Matching the energy level of the client with the energy level and intensity of the itinerary is another
way to ensure the overall success of the trip.
 When considering this aspect, it is important to take note of how much walking certain destination
require, whether or not the client is traveling alone or with a family that includes small children,
and what type of travel experience the client is looking for.
 A traveler in search of a quiet beach vacation may not appreciate four (4) scheduled activities per
day. Get a sense of the client’s energy level, listen to what they want, and then match the itinerary
based on observations and experience.

• Routing refers to the proper sequencing of the tour activities.

 As a travel agent, it is important to plan both an interesting and efficient routing for the client.
Ideally, the route should be both scenic and practical.

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 Whenever possible, avoid backtracking, doubling back, or routing a client in circles. This is
particularly important when routing corporate clients because building the routing around their
business appointments is needed.
 It is important to listen carefully to the clients’ plans and help them access if the plan is realistic
within the framework of geography. The time spent on careful and detailed planning of an itinerary
is never wasted. You might have to plan a route that includes places unfamiliar to you or take into
consideration that certain passengers may not travel via some countries, whilst others will want to
reach their destination on a specific time.

IMPORTANCE OF TOUR ITINERARY

• Compound Product – A tourism product is composed of attraction, accessibility, accommodation, and

amenities. It is formed by two (2) or more tourism elements. The joining of the elements is possible
with the help of an itinerary.
• Tangible – The tourism product that is being sold is an intangible product. Those products are
converted into tangible by the help of an itinerary because it contains all the information.
• Sales-kit – Buying and selling of the tourism product is difficult because tourism product is intangible.
In this situation, an itinerary is of great help to the salesman as it includes detailed information of the
tour, timetable, special features, and events.
• Point of Sale and Point of Service Delivery – Itinerary helps as a flow of information between two (2)
points.
• Ownership of the tourism product is non-transferable – The ownership of a tourism product is non-
transferable. Pre-consumption, post-consumption, or transfer of the right to use the service is not
allowed. Itinerary is used to solve this problem, which mentions what has been sold.
• Brand name – An itinerary helps to brand the tourism product. A travel agency can bring its tour and
express its specialty by developing an itinerary. With the help of special features of the itinerary, a
tour can be branded and separated from the rest.

Reference:
Baltazar, J. P., & Verzosa, R. F. (2016). Local guiding services. Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.

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