Téma: Travel offices and travel agencies
Jazyk: Angličtina
Přidal(a): Anonym
The origins are connected with an epic travel that an English businessman Thomas Cook organized to take over 500 people by train from Derby to Rugby. The aim of the group trip was to go to protest at an anti-alcohol event… It was around 1841.
Then 4 years later in 1845 he started his first travel office in the world and 30 years later he had branches all over the world. His first mass travel abroad was to organize over 150 thousand people to go to Paris by train for a Great Exhibition.
Thomas Cook came up with tools which are still used today, for example:
- A voucher
- An itinerary
- A contract
The first Czech travel office started in 1920, it became Čedok in 1926, it was a private office back then after WW2 it became national. Since 2016 it is owned by a Polish company Itaka.
Differences between a travel office and travel agency:
A travel office
Sells the product that they themselves create. They do not sell anybody else´s packages (transport, accommodation, good, guide), they sell only their own creations and are in chargé of all holiday. Tour operators look into all aspects of a holiday, they plan almost each and everything. In the Czech Republic are for example Čedok, Alexandria, Blue Style…)
A travel agency
Helps anyone plan their trips, whether it’s individuals, families, or businesses. Independent businesses that focus solely on providing travel services. Offers a wide range of travel services to the general public, including booking flights, hotels, and tours. Aims to make money by selling travel services and earning commissions. Typically regulated by government authorities to ensure consumer protection. In the Czech Republic for example Inviaa, Zájezdy.cz….
In essence, a travel office helps manage travel for a specific group, like employees, within an organization, while a travel agency offers travel services to anyone who needs them.
Last minute
Refers to booking travel arrangements, such as flights or accommodations, shortly before the intended departure date. Travel agencies or websites often offer last-minute deals for those who are flexible and willing to book spontaneously.
First minute
This term is often used in the travel industry to promote early booking discounts. Travel agencies or websites may offer special deals for travellers who book their trips well in advance, sometimes even a year or more ahead of the departure date. These early booking incentives can include discounted fares, room upgrades, or other perks.
Working in a Travel Office:
A travel office is usually found within a larger organization, like a company or a school. People working here help arrange travel for the organization’s employees or members. Their job is to book flights, hotels, and rental cars, and make sure everything runs smoothly for travellers. They have to follow the organization’s rules and budgets, and often work closely with other departments, like finance, to manage expenses.
The clients in a travel office are limited to the people within the organization. This means they have a smaller group to focus on, and they need to make sure everyone’s needs are met efficiently.
Working in a Travel Agency:
On the other hand, a travel agency is an independent business that helps anyone plan their trips. This could be individuals, families, or even other businesses. People working in a travel agency have a broader range of clients to serve, which means they need to be adaptable and good at understanding different people’s needs.
In a travel agency, you’ll be booking flights, hotels, and tours for clients, but you’ll also be involved in sales and marketing. You might need to promote special deals or packages to attract new clients. And since you’re working independently, you have more freedom to negotiate with vendors and find the best deals for your clients.