fit definition travel industry

What is FIT And GIT in The Tourism

by Hammad Ur Rehman | Oct 8, 2021 | Travel Guide | 7 comments

In the tourism industry, some travel terms can be a little bit confusing for tourists. For instance, FIT and GIT in tourism are such travel terms that people are mostly confused about. It is important to understand what FIT and GIT in tourism mean to avoid any future problems during your travel.

FIT (free independent traveler) definition:

FIT in tourism is an acronym for Free Independent Travelers. They are people who travel independently without being a part of any tour group. This type of tourism offers travelers an opportunity to travel on their own. As a free independent traveler, you travel without a tour operator and choose your accommodation, transportation, and other parts of your trip. You might take an organized package tour, but it is just you – not a group.

Examples of FIT Tour – Some examples of free independent travel are trekking, backpacking, bicycling, camping tourism, motorcycle touring, yacht traveling, etc.

GIT (Group Inclusive Tour) definition:

In GIT, you join other tourists for a Group Inclusive Tour and don’t have to worry about your accommodation, transportation, and other parts of your trip. A group of a minimum of 10 people travels together. These people can be related or non-related and usually book on the same travel arrangements. The group size is not defined by the number of travelers but by the size of accommodation reserved.

An important condition is that some people are responsible for the whole group, so it is possible to determine who will be the guide and travel organizer.

Examples of GIT Tour – Some examples of GIT are family tours, group tours to a monastery or a sightseeing place, etc.

FIT and GIT in the Tourism – Detailed Guide

Fit and git in the tour packages.

When you book a tour package, you should know what FIT and GIT mean. FIT is not defined in the package, which means that you will be traveling on your own. You are responsible for arranging all your travel arrangements – you will have to make reservations yourself. If you choose FIT, it also means that there are no refunds for any missed flights or accommodation bookings.

GIT is called a group inclusive tour, which means that you will travel with other tourists. When it comes to GIT, many different companies offer completely different conditions. The tour can be booked by 20 people or 50 people – the company decides how big the group should be. There is usually one organizing person in charge of the group size. This person has to ensure that all members are properly booked.

FIT or GIT?

Actually, it depends on your travel style. If you are not the type of person who is happy to travel with other tourists, FIT is perfect. However, if you don’t mind traveling with other people and you want everything to be arranged for you, GIT is the best choice.

Difference Between a FIT and GIT Package Tour

FIT and GIT package tours are different from many points of view, but the main difference comes from the number of people on a group tour.

Here are some main differences:

FIT Package:

This is suitable for a small number of people like couples or friends.
You have to be a free independent traveler who has the experience of traveling alone in different countries.
This is more secure and reliable for international travelers because all attention will be paid by the operator.
You will be provided with better accommodation and food facilities since there are fewer people in the group. This means you won’t have to share your room, dinner table or bathroom with other guests.
You also get one carrier instead of sharing it among many members of the group.
It also costs more than the GIT package.

GIT Package:

This is suitable for a large number of people like family or students / young people who are looking for adventure at a lower cost.
You will have to share your room with other guests, dinner table, tour carrier etc. Plus, you also do not have much freedom as you are not a free independent traveler.
You can get more facilities at a cheap rate than FIT Package tours.
You will have to share your tour carrier with other people in the group.
The rate depends on the size of the group.
It is more suitable for families, and students who want to have fun with other members of the group.

Is There Any Other Type Of Tour Package In Tourism?

Yes, besides FIT and GIT, there is also IIT(Independent inclusive tour), which is also quite popular in tourism industry.

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FIT Travel: All About Independence

TripSavvy / Wenjia Tang

Originally, the acronym "FIT" stood for "foreign independent tour," but now it is most commonly used to describe a fully independent traveler or tourist. You might also see the term "FIT" used to mean "free independent traveler ," "frequent independent traveler," or "foreign independent traveler." All of these definitions share a keyword and concept: independent. These travelers almost always design their own itineraries and arrange their own travel plans—FITs do not travel with group tours or according to any schedule imposed by others.

FITs Shun Group Travel

Tourists who fit the definition of FITs usually travel solo ; in couples; or in small, intimate groups of friends or family. They range anywhere in age from millennials to retirees , but generally, they have above-average incomes that allow for independent travel, which can be more expensive than traveling with an organized group. But what all FITs share, by definition, is a desire to avoid mass tourism in favor of an individualized, independent approach. They tend to want to explore their chosen destinations on their own and at their own pace with an emphasis on enjoying the local food, architecture, history, and culture.

FITs Plan Their Own Trips

The huge rise in availability of all aspects of travel planning online, including even websites devoted to helping you learn how to plan travel , has made it easier for independent travelers to plan their own specialized itineraries and book their own transportation and accommodations. This diminishes their need for traditional travel agents, and this also makes packaged trips have less appeal. As a result, FITs are a quickly growing segment of the tourist market. First-hand travel information about destinations , transportation arrangements such as train and plane tickets , and hotel reservations worldwide are available at the click of a mouse for independent travelers.

FITs Sometimes Use Travel Agents

Although the "I" in FITs means independent, it sometimes could be advantageous to consult with travel professionals who are experienced in providing services to those who want to plan their own trips, especially for more exotic destinations. Doing so does not necessarily mean that independent tourists have to relinquish their, well, independence. As a result of the rise in popularity of independent and solo travel, travel professionals are adjusting their services accordingly. There are now agencies that specialize in customized trips for individuals and small groups who want to choose their destinations and plan their own itineraries.

The traveling is still independent, but the planning benefits from the professional expertise and inside knowledge of a travel agent . And of course, it takes much less time than searching for all the information you need on your own.

An agent who specializes in FIT travel can help you plan custom sightseeing with a private tour guide, arrange a private cooking class or a wine-tasting tour , and even hook you up with knowledgeable local representatives. The agent will help you plan a personalized travel experience based on the input you provide. If you wish, an agent can often arrange to have someone meet you at your destination and take you to your hotel. Travel professionals are especially helpful in finding non-traditional or out-of-the-way accommodations that do not advertise on the internet, such as villas, farmhouses , inns, and family-run bed-and-breakfasts.

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What do FIT, IIT, and GIT terms mean in the travel industry?

In the tourism industry, there are certain terms that can be confusing for travellers. FIT, IIT, and GIT are three such terms that often cause confusion. Understanding the meaning of these terms is essential for a smooth travel experience. In this article, we will explore what FIT, IIT, and GIT mean in the tourism industry and how they differ from each other.

A women hiking through the mountains with a backpack and note pad

FIT: Free Independent Traveler

Definition of fit.

FIT stands for Free Independent Traveler. It refers to individuals who prefer to travel independently without being part of a tour group. As a FIT traveller, you have the freedom to plan and customize your trip according to your preferences. You can choose your own accommodations, transportation, and activities without relying on a tour operator.

Examples of FIT Tours

FIT tours encompass various forms of independent travel. Some popular examples include solo backpacking trips, self-guided tours, and customized itineraries. FIT travellers often seek unique experiences, off-the-beaten-path destinations, and the freedom to explore at their own pace.

Advantages of FIT Travel

FIT travel offers several advantages:

Flexibility : You have the freedom to design your itinerary and make changes as per your preferences.

Personalization : You can tailor your trip to your interests, choosing activities and destinations that align with your preferences.

Authenticity : FIT travel allows for a more immersive cultural experience, as you have the opportunity to interact with locals and explore local communities.

Independence : You are not bound by the schedules and constraints of a group tour, giving you the freedom to explore at your own leisure.

GIT: Group Inclusive Tour

Definition of git.

GIT stands for Group Inclusive Tour. In a GIT, travellers join a pre-arranged tour package where they travel with other tourists as part of a group. The tour package includes accommodations, transportation, and guided activities.

Examples of GIT Tours

GIT tours cater to travellers who prefer the convenience of travelling in a group. Examples of GIT tours include family vacations, organized group sightseeing tours, and adventure tours where participants share common experiences and activities.

Advantages of GIT Travel

GIT travel offers several advantages:

Convenience : All travel arrangements, including accommodations, transportation, and activities, are pre-organized, saving you the time and effort of planning.

Socialization : Traveling in a group provides opportunities to meet and interact with fellow travellers, fostering new friendships and shared experiences.

Guided Experience : GIT tours often include the services of a knowledgeable guide who provides insights and commentary about the destinations visited.

Cost Savings : Group tours can offer discounted rates and shared expenses, making them more cost-effective compared to individual arrangements.

IIT: Independent Inclusive Tour

Definition of iit.

In addition to FIT and GIT, there is another type of tour known as the Independent Inclusive Tour (IIT). IIT allows travellers to enjoy the benefits of group travel while still having the freedom to customize their itinerary.

Examples of IIT Tours

IIT tours are designed for travellers who desire some level of independence while still enjoying the convenience of group travel. Examples of IIT tours include small group tours with flexible itineraries, private guided tours with customizable activities, and themed tours catering to specific interests.

Advantages of IIT Travel

IIT travel offers a unique combination of group and independent travel:

Flexibility : IIT tours provide a balance between structured group activities and free time to explore independently.

Customization : Travelers can personalize their itinerary by choosing from a range of activities and destinations offered within the tour.

Social Interaction : IIT tours allow for socialization with like-minded travellers during group activities, providing opportunities for shared experiences.

Personal Attention : With smaller group sizes, IIT tours often provide a more personalized and intimate experience compared to larger group tours.

No, FIT tours are suitable for both solo travellers and small groups who prefer to travel independently.

Most GIT tours have scheduled activities, but some may offer free time for independent exploration. It’s best to check the tour itinerary before booking.

IIT tours can vary in price depending on the level of customization and services included. Some IIT tours may be more expensive, while others may offer cost-effective options.

GIT tours generally have fixed itineraries and limited customization options. If you seek more flexibility, an IIT tour may be a better choice.

There are typically no age restrictions for these tours. However, some specialized tours may have specific age requirements or activity limitations.

GIT tours are often preferred by families as they provide convenience, pre-arranged accommodations, and suitable activities for different age groups.

In conclusion, FIT, IIT, and GIT are terms used in the tourism industry to describe different types of travel experiences. FIT allows for independent and personalized travel, while GIT offers the convenience of group travel with pre-arranged arrangements. IIT combines elements of both, providing flexibility and customization within a group setting. Choosing the right type of tour depends on individual preferences, travel style, and desired level of independence. Consider your preferences, budget, and desired travel experience when selecting between FIT, IIT, and GIT tours.

Understanding FIT in the Travel Industry

Welcome to our comprehensive guide to understanding the term FIT in the travel industry. In this article, we will delve into the meaning of FIT, its significance, and how it impacts the travel sector.

What is FIT?

FIT stands for Free Independent Traveler or Free Independent Tourist. It refers to a type of travel arrangement where individuals or small groups plan their trips independently without the help of a traditional tour operator. FIT travelers have the freedom to customize their itineraries, choose their accommodations, and select their preferred modes of transportation.

Characteristics of FIT Travelers

Prefer flexibility and autonomy in their travel plans
Seek authentic and personalized travel experiences
Enjoy exploring destinations at their own pace
May have specific interests or hobbies they wish to pursue during their trips
Value convenience and efficiency in travel arrangements

Key Elements of FIT Travel

When planning FIT travel, individuals or groups typically focus on the following key elements:

Transportation: FIT travelers have the flexibility to choose their modes of transportation, whether it's by air, train, car rental, or other means.
Accommodation: They can select the type of lodging that suits their preferences and budget, ranging from hotels and resorts to vacation rentals and boutique accommodations.
Activities: FIT travelers can design their itineraries based on their interests, whether it's exploring cultural sites, engaging in outdoor adventures, or enjoying culinary experiences.
Dining: They have the freedom to dine at local restaurants, street food stalls, or upscale eateries based on their culinary preferences.
Sightseeing: FIT travelers can visit popular attractions, off-the-beaten-path locations, or hidden gems according to their preferences.

Advantages of FIT Travel

There are several advantages to choosing FIT travel over traditional group tours:

Freedom to create a personalized itinerary
Flexibility to make last-minute changes to travel plans
Ability to explore destinations at your own pace
Opportunity to immerse yourself in local cultures and communities
Customization of travel experiences based on individual preferences

Challenges of FIT Travel

While FIT travel offers numerous benefits, there are also some challenges to consider:

Need for extensive research and planning
Responsibility for making all travel arrangements
Potential language barriers in foreign destinations
Higher costs compared to packaged tours in some cases
Lack of group dynamics and social interactions

Impact of FIT on the Travel Industry

FIT travel has significantly influenced the travel industry in various ways:

Increased demand for personalized travel experiences
Growth of online booking platforms and travel apps
Diversification of accommodation options to cater to individual preferences
Expansion of experiential tourism offerings, such as cultural immersions and adventure activities
Development of niche travel services targeting specific interests and demographics

In conclusion, FIT travel has emerged as a popular choice for individuals and small groups seeking personalized and authentic travel experiences. By offering flexibility, autonomy, and customization, FIT travel has transformed the way people explore destinations and engage with different cultures. While there are challenges associated with independent travel planning, the benefits often outweigh the drawbacks, making FIT an attractive option for modern travelers.

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Have you ever heard the term Fully Independent Traveler (FIT)?

What is a fully independent traveler?

What are other acceptable uses of this term , what are the features of fully independent travellers, is the fit segment interesting for tour operators and travel agencies, how can tour operators and travel agencies target fits.

Most people see emerging technologies as the number one factor that keeps transforming the tourism industry . While this is true, another important piece of the industry’s transformation puzzle is the travelers themselves . The needs of travelers are constantly shifting, and brand-new traveler segments emerge on a regular basis.

One of these segments is fully independent travelers .

Tour operators and travel agencies see many opportunities in this segment of travelers . Should you focus on it as well or continue – business as usual? There is only one way to answer that question. You need more information on this type of traveler. Let’s see what a fully independent traveler is, what makes them unique, and work our way towards whether this is an exciting option for you and how to target independent travelers.

Fully independent travelers (or FIT) is a term that stems from independent foreign tours. The independent foreign tour is no longer used, and you will often find these tourists addressed as FITs. The F in this acronym stands for ‘fully.’

But what is a fully independent traveler then? While the concept of a traveler encompasses all kinds of travelers, it’s most often used to describe people who enjoy mass tourism and holiday packages . They don’t mind using the products that somebody else created for them, including complete travel and stay arrangements.

FITs are entirely different from your standard travelers . They don’t find mass tourism and holiday package offers particularly attractive. In fact, they are not interested in them at all. They have a more individualistic approach to travel.

The definition of FIT goes like this:

“FIT is a person who travels completely independently and free of a tour operator and travel agency assistance.”

In other words, a FIT manages and arranges the itinerary according to their needs and preferences. It includes everything ranging from transportation arrangements and hotel stay to excursions and sightseeing.

Today, FIT is a common term in the tourism industry. However, there are still many people that use it interchangeably with other terms. Different terms should not confuse you as they all refer to the same thing – a fully independent traveler. The best way to avoid confusion is to get familiar with all other terms commonly used in the industry.

Here is a complete list of other acceptations of this term:

Free Independent Traveler;
Free Independent Tourist;
Fully Independent Traveler;
Foreign Independent Traveler;
Foreign Independent Tourist;
Frequent Independent Traveler;
Flexible Independent Travel;
Frequent Individual Traveler.

Now that you know what FIT is and all the synonyms you can potentially encounter online and when networking, let’s see what makes FITs unique. Or, in other words, the behavior, needs, expectations, and wants of FITs.

We’ve already established that FITs work out their itineraries independently and arrange travel plans to reflect their unique needs. They also don’t travel on group tours. But is there anything more that these travelers share in common? Below you can find all the features of FITs.

Traveling solo, in couples, or in small intimate groups

When we talk about FITs, we refer to a group of travelers who are not interested in being part of big groups surrounded by people they don’t know. Many of them prefer to go on a trip by themselves . However, some of them don’t exclusively travel solo.

FITs are also known to travel in couples . They can also plan trips as a small group . These groups are intimate, meaning they usually include friends and family members.

It’s a diverse demographic group

Usually, travelers with specific travel behavior, needs, and wants, are found in the same demographic segment based on age. This is not the case with FITs. It’s quite a diverse demographic group. Most often, the youngest members are millennials, but they are soon to be joined by Generation Z (those born in the mid and late 90s). 30% of Gen Z prefer to travel alone , and 20% of the same generation plan to go on a solo backpacking trip.

On the other side, you can also find retirees as one of the most active FITs. They are more experienced in travel and know what they want to get out of a trip. It enables them to custom-tailor their experiences and travel entirely independently.

They have above-average income

Another vital factor to consider is the income of travelers. Group travel packages and transportation are popular because they come with attractive price tags and are often found on first-minute and last-minute discounts.

Independent travel is more expensive than standard travel. That’s why you will find most FITs to have above-average incomes. It enables them to afford more costly forms of travel, including accommodation and transportation. Most of the FITs have an income in the $150,000 range .

Planning their own unique itineraries

The travel products tour operators and travel agencies offer are often pre-built. Many travelers find this quite convenient as they need not worry about anything except packing their bags. With FITs, the situation is quite the opposite. They want to have complete control over the travel experience .

That’s why FITs plan their own unique itineraries . With so much information readily available online, FIT tourists can research destinations independently and plan their itineraries as if they are travel specialists.

Booking their own transportation and accommodation

The standard tourist does like to explore various accommodation and transportation opportunities. However, their options are limited by the travel agency’s offer. Also, when choosing a travel agent, they often have to book transportation and accommodation through an agency.

FITs book transportation and accommodation on their own. There are many transportation companies and hotels that offer direct booking. It makes it easier for FITs to find what they need. They can book a flight at a specific time and make their independent travel dreams come true.

Exploring destinations on their own

Finally, traditional travel packages often include excursions and sightseeing tours at the destination. Tourists can pursue their own adventures outside these pre-arranged tours but often have very little time to do so.

Independent tourists don’t like to adapt to a schedule somebody else created for them. Instead, they want to explore destinations at their own pace. They are interested in various things, including culture, food, history, and architecture. And since they are independent, they can cherry-pick what the destination has to offer and make their trip one of a kind.

The FIT segment is quite interesting for tour operators and travel agencies as there is excellent potential to generate new revenue streams from FITs. The FIT markets throughout the world keep growing. The pre-pandemic figures indicate that it was growing 7.5% on average per year in western Europe . As the restrictions are being lifted, it’s expected that the market will continue to grow at least at the same pace.

Asian destinations, especially Chinese and Thailand localities, are quite popular among FITs. Many backpackers, the sub-segment of FITs, visited Bangkok, and 63% of them were from Europe alone . Hong Kong’s revenue from FIT products keeps on increasing. Over four years, it went up by more than 100%, from HK$2 billion to HK$5.6 billion .

According to the Solo Traveler Reader Survey , 70% of solo travelers preferred to stay completely independent while traveling. 40% spend $1,000 on average per week, excluding airfare, while 30% spend $2,500 on average per week.

Another way to assess the potential value of catering to the needs of FITs is to take a look at the solo travel search trends on major search engines. Over two years, from 2020 to 2022, the number of searches for solo travel on Google quadrupled .

Post-pandemic travel trends are pretty interesting. Google trends indicate that solo travel is trending with a massive increase of over 700% . Booking also reports some interesting numbers. According to their report , the number of solo travelers increased by 100% after the pandemic.

It appears that Australia is the number one option among FITs. According to the latest research , this continent is the most popular destination for international solo tourists.

If you find these numbers compelling, you probably want to tap into the FIT market. But is there a way to do it? Tour operators and travel agencies have plenty of options for attracting more FITs and increasing their revenue.

Tour operators have to shift their approach when it comes to creating travel packages. Instead of creating complete packages, they need to focus more on single niche experiences before selling them to consumers and travel agents. Here are some tips tour operators can follow when including culture, food, history, nature, and architecture-related products in their offer:

Focus on smaller products – instead of creating A-Z experiences, focus on creating single products to attract FITs;
Choose quality before quantity – when creating products, be mindful of the value the travel experience delivers instead of simply following the “the more, the better” rule;
Include optional local tour guides – make tour guides optional, as FITs often prefer to explore destinations alone without a guide . Keeping it as an option will enable you to attract also FITs that want to learn something from a local guide;
Include products for solo, couple, and small group travel – FITs love to travel either solo or in small groups; keep this in mind when creating products;
Diversify offer – don’t base your products on just one type of experience; diversify your offer by creating culture, architecture, nature, history, and food-oriented products.

When it comes to travel agencies, the most important thing they can do to target FITs is to drop their pre-planned travel itineraries. But before you can implement this strategy, you need to align with tour operators that offer agencies to hand-pick products.

Since travel agencies are the storefront travelers often explore before booking a trip, you would also need to revisit your website . Most importantly, you must create and deliver a new interface enabling FITs to interact with the products in your listings.

For instance, you can create an itinerary builder and connect it with your product database. It will enable FITs to use it whenever they need to create a specialized itinerary that reflects their unique needs.

Furthermore, you should make your offers more attractive by optimizing costs. Offering affordable booking opportunities to FITs while still being able to remain profitable can be challenging. That’s where platforms such as Hotelmize can help you out. It will help you take advantage of booking price volatility and enable you to offer products at competitive prices.

Finally, you should optimize your marketing strategies to consider the needs, wants, and preferences of FITs . For instance, you can revise your SEO strategy to target FIT-related keywords in your blog posts and product descriptions.

PPC marketing is also an option because it allows you to target specific keywords and appear in relevant search results. You can extend your marketing efforts to social media platforms as well. Don’t forget that many FITs are tech-savvy and like to spend time on social media.

Some platforms, such as Facebook, already have targeting filters in the “People Traveling to This Location” category to help you reach FITs, including:

Fresh arrivals from the airport;
Travelers who are interested in a specific characteristic of a city;
Newly engaged and newlywed couples;
Birthday celebrators;
Parents who are traveling with kids in a location.

FITs are travelers who value independence above everything else. They include people of all ages with above-average income who prefer to create their own itineraries, book transport, and accommodation on their own, and explore destinations solo or in small groups.

Given that the FIT market looks healthy and keeps growing, tour operators and travel agencies are becoming more interested in it with every passing year. If you want to tap into this market, the strategies we’ve outlined will help you target FITs.

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Cristóbal Reali, VP of Global Sales at Mize, with over 20 years of experience, has led high-performance teams in major companies in the tourism industry, as well as in the public sector. He has successfully undertaken ventures, including a DMO and technology transformation consulting. In his role at Mize, he stands out not only for his analytical and strategic ability but also for effective leadership. He speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian. He holds a degree in Economics from UBA, complementing his professional training at Harvard Business School Online.

Mize is the leading hotel booking optimization solution in the world. With over 170 partners using our fintech products, Mize creates new extra profit for the hotel booking industry using its fully automated proprietary technology and has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue across its suite of products for its partners. Mize was founded in 2016 with its headquarters in Tel Aviv and offices worldwide.

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What is Fit Travel?

If you’re planning a vacation, you’re probably wondering, FIT stands for “fit for travel”. – it’s independent travel which means you’re booking your flights, hotels, and activities. As a FIT, you’ll have complete freedom over your itinerary. And cannot receive a refund if you miss an important event or flight. Fit travellers often prefer to book their flights, if a flight is delayed or an event requires them to change their itinerary Because they’re less likely to lose money.

the new Chinese travellers drove it, the ‘one child’ generation. The first generation in China had all their resources devoted to education, and the ‘one child’ generation has grown up with significant disposable income and unprecedented opportunities. FIT travellers can primarily explore a destination independently, and the internet and smartphones aid them. The FIT concept is transforming the way people travel.

FIT refers to a class of independent travellers who plan and arrange their trips and do so at their own pace. Single traveller, a couple, or a family do This type of travel. FIT travellers also prefer to travel alone or in small groups rather than joining a group. A FIT traveller’s itinerary may resemble a package. But the traveller customizes the entire experience.

Independent Travel

Independent travel is more expensive than organized group travel, but it’s often well worth it. FIT travellers are more likely to enjoy the local food, architecture, history, and culture while on a trip than other tourists. These travellers prefer to experience culture by following their path. Many FIT travellers don’t want the stress of being confined to a group and they are independent. They’re also less likely to be rushed, independent travel is less enjoyable and rewarding than

When choosing between FIT and GIT package tours, several things to consider. FIT tours are often small groups with fewer people. Since they require more independent travel, they tend to be more secure and have more amenities. You’ll have better accommodations and food facilities than a GIT tour. However, you should consider the number of travellers on your tour before selecting the type of package to travel with. You might want to stick to the GIT tour if you’re travelling in a big group.

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FITs: A Booming Market and an Opportunity for Agents

This is the first of two interviews with Avanti Destination’s Harry Daalgard on FITs Fully independent travel. Foreign independent tour. Whichever definition you ascribe to the acronym FIT, one thing is certain. FITs are an increasingly popular form of travel as more clients forego off-the-shelf packaged tours in favor of bespoke itineraries. Selling FITs is an opportunity for travel agents to showcase their expertise—and prove their value to clients, according to Harry Dalgaard, founder and president of Avanti Destinations. The company specializes in independent travel to Europe and Central and South America. Travel Market Report spoke with Dalgaard about trends in FIT and FIT travel to Europe. Many tour operators tell us that FIT business is booming. Do you agree? Dalgaard: I’ve been in the market for 34 years. The growth we’ve seen in our area of specialization is extraordinary. At Avanti, our business to Europe has more than doubled in the last four years. At the moment there’s a perception that you’re getting a lot of bang for the buck there. We’re seeing the lowest exchange rates in many years. Many people are jumping at the opportunity to go there because the Euro may not stay that low for long. Other than a weak Euro at the moment, what trends do you think are driving the growth of FITs? Dalgaard: I think the market is maturing and expanding. There’s been a tremendous amount of growth from the Midwest. Traditionally, that’s been more of an escorted or group market. But now the folks who’ve already experienced group travel want to go back. This time, they want to sample those destinations on their own. How do the demographics break down for FITs as opposed to packaged tours? Dalgaard: Since we’re a straight B2B, we don’t typically have a lot of client data. But we do have age statistics. They tell us that half of our clientele is under 50. We’re also seeing a growing acceptance of travel professionals by millennials. They’re like boomers in that they like their independence. They also like to use agents. They’re web savvy and they don’t mind research. But when it’s more than simply a three-night stay in Cancun, they want an advocate on their side. Agents are advocates. They can reach millennials with authentic, unique itineraries. What’s the strongest argument for FIT travel as opposed to a packaged tour? Dalgaard: Customized travel is a lot more personal. And it’s so rewarding to have encounters that aren’t pre-planned. Sometimes the greatest experiences happen that way. We also encourage people to get off the beaten path. In Europe, we want to give them the flexibility to explore beyond the major capital cities. We make it possible for them to go to small villages in Germany, attend a wine fest or experience a traditional festival in Spain. For example, there’s the Las Fallas Festival in Valencia each March where you’ll see bonfires on every corner. It’s really special if you come across something like that. It’s not mass tourism or grandstands. But it’s definitely authentic. What are the biggest advantages for travel agents in booking FITs? Daalgard: There’s value in showing your expertise to the client. You’re providing them with a customized vacation. Agents also earn a good commission on lots of things that clients can pre-book. There are so many things such as day sightseeing tours that concierge ends up booking. In Paris, for example, you know they’re going to take a day tour to Versailles, to the Normandy beaches, to the Loire chateaux. Why not get your commission on those things? What other destinations in Europe are doing well for FIT business? Dalgaard: Portugal and Andalusia, Spain are very strong for us. Iceland is probably the highest growth product in terms of percentage. The stopover opportunities with Icelandair make it very attractive. It’s also seen as an adventure destination and it’s very appealing to millennials. You have a lot of people going up to see the Aurora Borealis, or to dive under frozen lakes. Other tour operators tell us that the growing river cruise market is helping their business. Do you agree? Dalgaard: Definitely. We’re seeing a tremendous benefit. These aren’t mass market cruises. The ships carry 150 passengers. Most of them are interested in being away for about 10 to 14 days. The average cruise is one week. So the passengers are looking for some time to add on to the front or the back. We’re seeing people get off in Passau, make their way to Prague or Vienna and fly out from there. It’s not just central Europe; people are looking for stays in places like Bordeaux and Lyon. For agents, it’s a great opportunity to sell some additional pre- or post-cruise stays to their river cruise clients. What about ocean cruises? Dalgaard: They’re also bringing in extra FIT business. Baltic Sea cruises are leading to tremendous growth in Copenhagen and Stockholm, two big ports. Both are lovely cities, and the chance to plan some extra time there is something agents should jump at. Norway is going crazy with the whole “Frozen” phenomenon. It’s hard to imagine that a cartoon aimed at kids is generating interest, but it is. Everyone wants to go there. It’s lovely, you can’t blame them. Next time: The FIT market in Latin and South America

What do FIT, IIT, and GIT mean in the tourism industry?

By Kendrick Fairhurst

31 Jul 2023

What do FIT, IIT, and GIT mean in the tourism industry?

Meet the "IT" Gang: FIT, IIT, and GIT Explained

When you're deep in the swirling world of travel and tourism, you'll often run across acronyms and abbreviations faster than tourists running to duty free. Today, we're going to demystify a few of these enigmatic terms: FIT, IIT, and GIT. There's no need for you to whip out a decoder ring or consult your secret handbook; sit back, relax, and let your tour guide Kendrick steer you through!

The Solo Traveler's Guide: Free Independent Traveler or FIT

Let's start with FIT, which stands for Free Independent Traveler or sometimes Free Independent Tourist. Essentially, this acronym refers to individual or small group travelers who plan and book their trips independently, rather than being a part of large organized tour groups. Think of these guys like solo adventurers, backpackers, or just a group of friends who'd prefer travelling at their own rhythm and pace.

Truth be told, being an FIT requires a taste for adventure, a sense of comfort with uncertainty, and a knack for organizing, but it lets travelers have a sense of control and flexibility on their journey—something that can't always be said for big group tours. If there's an upside, it's the ability to change your plans on a whim, and that breath-taking sunset you can enjoy by yourself without having to squeeze in a photo op with a group of fifty others. Did I just give away my personal preference? Oh, well!

The Group Fancy: Group Inclusive Tour or GIT

On the other side of the fence, we have GIT or Group Inclusive Tour. This refers to pre-scheduled, organized travel for large groups, usually with an experienced tour guide leading the way. Contrary to the FIT trend, GIT consists largely of folks who prefer not to have the responsibility of planning every single detail. They'd rather sit back, relax, and let the itinerary unfold.

While it might not be everyone's cup of tea, there are definite advantages to GIT travel. For one, it's often more economical as costs are usually spread out among the entire group. Additionally, many GIT packages provide an all-inclusive price for flights, accommodations, meals, and even sightseeing. And let's not forget about the social aspect—a chance to make new friends! Just imagine finishing a day of touring vineyards and chomping cheese with 50 new BFF’s. Sounds cool, right?

A Mix of Both Worlds: Independent Inclusive Tour or IIT

Moving on to IIT, sensibly termed as Independent Inclusive Tour. This was designed for folks who thought to themselves, "Can we have the best of both worlds?" —and thus, IIT came into existence. These tours are usually personalized with travel plans, accommodations, and some amenities pre-arranged by a tour operator, while still leaving room for travelers to explore on their own.

A vacation under the IIT tag allows you to enjoy some of the benefits of an organized tour, such as pre-planned transportation and accommodation, with the freedom of an FIT to select your own sightseeing options. This makes IIT tourism just like that perfect, juicy cheeseburger—it’s got the savory beef patty (pre-planned necessities) hugged tightly by fresh, crisp lettuce and a dollop of zingy mayo (your personal choices). Excuse my digression, I'm just a tad peckish right now!

Evolutions in FIT, GIT and IIT Operations

With the increasing popularity of different modes of travel, what FIT, GIT and IIT offer, has seen quite an evolution over the years. Travel companies are now stretching their limits, integrating technology, and pumping innovation into their packages to offer an unforgettable travel experience. Now, a solo adventurer can book a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia right on their smartphone while chomping on a kebab, or a large group of friends can customize their Thai Culinary Tour right down to the spice level—interactive, flexible, and flavorful!

Choosing Your Style: FIT, GIT or IIT?

So now, you may be thinking, "Great Kendrick, but how do I choose the right travel option for me?" Well, it starts with knowing yourself and your preferences better. Are you the ‘I want to plan my own trip’ fellow, or would you love it if someone else did the heavy lifting while you just enjoyed the ride? Or maybe you’re somewhere in the middle, wanting the security of an organized plan, but with room for spontaneity and freedom!

In conclusion, whether you’re an FIT, IIT, or GIT traveler, there’s a unique journey waiting for you. The magic lies in knowing that there's a perfect travel experience specifically tailored to your expectations and preferences. So, pack up your bags, grab your sunnies, and prepare yourself for an extraordinary holiday—there's a big, wide world out there waiting to be explored! Happy travels!

The Underbelly – How These Travel Trends Impact the Industry

Now, this wouldn’t be a complete analysis if I didn’t touch on how these traveling trends impact the tourism industry. However, that’s a narrative for another day – a cliffhanger for you to watch out for in my next write-up in the whirlwind world of travel and tourism.

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Kendrick Fairhurst

Hello, I'm Kendrick Fairhurst, a seasoned expert in hotel and lodging, as well as the travel industry. I have dedicated years of my life to exploring and understanding the intricacies of these fields. My passion for traveling has led me to all corners of the globe, and I thoroughly enjoy sharing my expertise and experiences with others. I am an avid writer, with a particular focus on informative and engaging content about tourism. My ultimate goal is to inspire others to explore the world and discover the magic of travel.

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Free Independent Travellers (FITs)

What are the opportunities in the European FIT tourism market?

The free or fully independent traveller (FIT) tourism market is characterised by independence. FITs like to make their travel plans themselves and prefer active or immersive experiences. FITs are particularly numerous in western Europe, from where many low-cost airlines fly regularly to developing countries in Asia and Africa. FITs are looking for good value trips, fuelling demand for unique local experiences and sustainable travel.

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FIT. Abr ./GDS. Foreign independent tour. Now generally used to indicate any independent travel, domestic or international, that does not involve a package tour.

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What is FIT?

Having nothing to do with exercise or fitness, the business abbreviation FIT actually stands for free independent travel. This term is one used mainly by insiders of the travel and resort industries. What does it mean and how does it work? Read along as we take a look at the FIT concept.

What exactly is FIT? FIT is defined as the independent travel and travel planning of a single person or family group. When people travel, there are many ways to go and equally many ways to see and experience a world of possible destinations. Despite there being so many options in travel and ways to experience destinations, it can all be narrowed down to two, separate categories of classification: independent travel and planning and dependent travel and planning.

In FIT, the traveler is self guided and independent of the guidance, scheduling, or membership of an outside business for such travels. You may have heard of group traveling events and clubs or guided accommodations and trip planning. These fall into the latter category of dependent travel and is opposite the independence exercised by the individual FIT traveler or family group of FIT travelers.

FIT: Where and How

Having covered the basic definition of FIT, let’s explore how and where FIT is exercised. Starting at home, the world wide web is the main platform for FIT arrangements and activities. Here, potential travelers can precisely research locations, travel means, and the making of arrangements. Planning and the exclusive jobs of yesteryear’s travel agents are now accessible to even beginner travelers. Book that hotel and the day activities as well as tomorrow’s destination, all from the comfort of your home computer, or smartphone.

Once accommodations and plans have been set, travel can commence. In FIT, the traveler moves absent of any tour group. This means for the use or arrangement of their own transportation, self-paced travel and stops, and complete independence in the enjoyment of destinations. Cars, trains, and planes fuel the FIT traveler movement.

When: FIT’s Best Times

Those with experience in free independent travel know that good deals in travel, destinations, and hotel accommodations can be researched and secured with a little effort. The more seasoned the FIT veteran, the easier it becomes in scouting the best deals in travel. A big part of this successful formula: timing.

Timing is everything when it comes to deals and bargains in travel. This is much due to seasonal influence on the industry. When the seasons change and attendance rates fall, deals will be made much more abundant. Similarly, good timing can come in the form of booking extremely discounted arrangements with a company that just started or is otherwise trying hard to gain new customers.

Why the FIT Route?

A look at the USA Today article, Independent Travel To Italy perfectly exemplifies all of the reasoning behind travelers’ tendencies to go the FIT route. In her piece on independent travels to Italy, writer Elizabeth Smith provides – “Independent travel to Italy offers the chance to escape tour groups and package expeditions and head out on your own to explore the country’s famous hill towns and storied cities. Without the burden of a group, you are free to travel when and where you please, which can be a benefit when a sprawling vineyard or charming villa beckons”.

FIT is a chance to just this; go with less direction, scheduling, and group limitations. In everyday life, we all experience the measures of guidance and strict scheduling on a very regular basis. A trip away is a chance to get away from this adherence to schedule and group intention. The break from this that FIT provides is why it is so popular today.

FIT is the way by which our ancestors traveled many years ago – independently. Today, we can do the same, but with a world of informational resources and planning tools that were unavailable to those of the past. This is the world of FIT, or free independent travel.

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FIT vs Escorted Travel: Which is Right for Your Clients?

Written by: Michelle on March 20, 2019

Two travelers can visit the same destination and have vastly different experiences depending on their travel styles and preferences. For instance, determining whether a FIT trip or an escorted tour means taking the time to qualify your clients , and figure out what they value about traveling. Do they want to have more activities included in the package, or is having a flexible schedule more important?

Read on to learn about the difference between FIT trips and escorted travel, and how to determine which is right for your clients.

FIT is an abbreviation that refers to either “foreign independent tour” or “free independent traveler.” The key to both versions is the word independent. This means that the traveler or small group of travelers (less than 10 people) will be taking a trip that does not follow an itinerary preset by a travel supplier and will not have a set tour guide or leader. Their travel agent creates an itinerary of their flights, hotels, and transportation as requested, but the agent is the one who designs this trip, not the travel supplier.

For example, imagine a couple tells you they want to visit London. They ask you to book the flights, hotel, and provide them with information on the London Underground system. They want the freedom to decide each day where to go and what to see in the city. They may opt to take a tour of Westminster Abbey or the Tower of London, but they do not want to have their schedule for these activities set by the travel supplier. This type of self-determined trip is a FIT experience.

FIT travel provides travelers with the benefit of flexibility and customization that they may not experience on an escorted tour. However, it can be harder for clients to budget for a FIT trip since it will not include meals, in-destination transportation, or sightseeing costs. Creating a custom itinerary usually means more time planning on the travel agent’s part. However, many agents enjoy planning FIT trips because they can work closely with clients to craft a tailor-made trip specifically for them. In some cases, travel agents can add excursions, sightseeing tours, and in-destination transportation if their clients request it.

Escorted tours provide a more structured and inclusive option. These vacations are expertly designed, led by travel experts, and usually have preset dates and itineraries to choose from. These packages usually include the hotel, bus or rail transportation, some meals, and admission costs to the activities scheduled. Flights may also be included or available as an add-on option. In destination, your clients will join the larger group of their escorted tour, which will vary in size depending upon the supplier and the destination.

For example, imagine another couple tells you they want to visit London. They ask you to book the flights and hotel. They want to see all of the major highlights of the city, like Westminster Abbey, Hyde Park, and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. They would also like to travel to Stonehedge and a castle if possible, but they don’t want to rent a car. They feel a tour guide would add value to their experiences at these locations and plan to use one. They want to spend their evenings seeing shows in London’s West End or enjoying a relaxing meal. To give them the best chance to see and do everything on their list, you should suggest an escorted tour.

Escorted tours appeal to clients who want to see the best of a destination. The exclusive connections that tour operators have allow escorted tour groups to bypass long entrance lines and partake in experiences that are not available to the public. In many cases, these tours are fast-paced, allowing clients to see more and save time. Most tours keep evenings open and some even have free days to allow travelers to experience the destination at their leisure.

Clients may worry that an escorted tour is more expensive than a FIT trip, but in reality, a traveler on an escorted tour is a cost-effective way to travel. Because the price of escorted tours includes transportation, admission, and usually some meals, escorted tours allow travelers to anticipate the total cost of their trip before they even leave.

Others may argue that escorted tours are only for retirees. Escorted tours cater to everyone, from millennial travelers and families to wellness travelers and foodies. For example, the Globus family of brands offers the Legacy of the Incas tour through Peru, which explore archaeological sites and traditional South American meals. The important thing to remember for agents is to match your clients to the right travel supplier and tour option to ensure they have an excellent escorted tour experience.

Are you interested in matching clients to their ideal vacation? KHM Travel Group is a host travel agency that provides independent travel agents with the tools and resources to start and grow their own travel business. To find out more, fill out the form to the right or call us at 1-888-611-1220.

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What does the term FIT mean?

Here at Cashel Travel the term or acronym FIT stands for Foreign Independent Traveler, but it isn’t necessarily the same in other organisations. Some people or companies refer to it as a Fully Independent Traveler, Frequent Independent Traveler, Free Independent Tourist, Frequent Individual Traveler and we’re sure there are many more. But as you can see, they’re all very much the same thing.

The term FIT was coined within the DMC sector and it refers to an individual tourist or traveller that’s independent from groups or a specified schedule. They normally design or have most of the control over their itinerary. As a result FIT travelers generally have a higher average spend.

If you are interested in FIT travel or would like to know more, contact us at [email protected]

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Travel Industry Definitions & Glossary
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Travel Industry Definitions & Glossary

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The Travel Glossary - find the best Terms, Definitions and Acronyms

Travel terms, glossary, definitions and acronyms of the travel industry from A – Z. Click on a letter to see the terms and descriptions in our glossary.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Add-collect, adjoining room.

Average Daily Rate. A hotel industry term used to calculate average hotel room rate. Equal to room revenue divided by rooms sold.

advance purchase

The advance time before travel that a fare requires a ticket to be issued, normally 3,7,14 or 21 days.

Agent Error. An incorrect entry made by a consultant during the reservation process.

AEA (see “Association of European Airlines”)

A US based travel agency that has entered into an agreement with BCD Travel to use the BCD Travel trademarks and provide travel services to customers in the affiliate’s territory.

Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC)

An independent corporation jointly owned by most of the major United States airlines; ARC collects payments for tickets sold by travel agencies and distributes the monies to the airlines; ARC also governs appointment of travel agencies to sell domestic air transportation.

airport code

The three-letter code used by airlines and the air travel industry to identify airports around the world, e.g. LHR=London Heathrow, JFK=New York John F. Kennedy. http://www.world-airport-codes.com/

airport security check

Airport security checks are procedures and measures for screening passengers and baggage to ensure security against terrorist threats and other dangers. Find out how to get through quickly

airport tax

Tax levied by certain airports throughout the world. In many cases this can be built into the total ticket price, although some airlines will not co-operate, thus making payable locally by the passenger.

On outbound journey’s, airside includes all those areas of the airport terminal after you have passed through passport control. On inbound journey’s, airside includes all those areas of the terminal before you pass through passport control.

A short-hop aircraft for up to 20 passengers, usually flying unscheduled services with a 200 / 500-mile range.

all-inclusive

A hotel program which usually includes all meals, snacks, beverages and activities.

A joint partnership between specified carriers which may include, but not limited to, interlining, code-sharing, joint frequent flyer program participation, and even equity participation of stock ownership.

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, a government-subsidized corporation that operates all passenger train service in the United States.

Automatic Number Identification. A contact center term for a telephone network feature that passes that number of the phone the caller is using to the contact center, real-time.

American Plan. A hotel rate that includes breakfast and dinner, sometimes lunch.

Asia Pacific. A geographical term used interchangeably with ASPAC and often used in reference to the entire Asian market.

Advance Purchase Excursion Fare

applicable fare

The fare to be applied.

Accounts Receivable. Money which is owed by a customer to a company for products or services provided on credit.

ARC (see “Airlines Reporting Corporation”)

An eight-digit identification number issued by ARC to travel agencies who have met accreditation standards.

Arrival Unknown. An ARNK is added to a reservation when there is a break in the itinerary and continuity is not recognized; it does count as a segment when ticketing.

Around-the-world

A continuous journey circumnavigating the globe in one general west-to-east or east-to-west direction in which both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans are crossed not more than once each.

ARR (see “Average room rate”)

Asia South Pacific. A geographic term used interchangeably with APAC.

Automated Ticket & Boarding Pass. IATA standard transportation ticket and combined boarding pass which features a magnetic strip containing passenger and journey details.

Average Ticket Price. The average price of all tickets purchased; domestic and international are sometimes calculated separately.

availability

The total number of seats allowed to be sold at a particular rate.

average room rate (ARR)

Ratio of hotel’s sales revenue to the number of occupied rooms.

back-to-back ticketing

An against-the-rules practice whereby a traveler books a return ticket nested inside another return ticket to avoid minimum stay requirements for the purpose of saving money. For example, the traveler uses the first ticket to fly from origin to destination on Monday in week 1, then he uses the second ticket to fly from destination to origin on Friday in week 1 and back to destination on Monday in week 2, and then he uses the first ticket again to fly back to origin on Friday in week 2. The normal Saturday night stay requirement is then avoided. While this will sometimes save money, most airlines do not allow this practice and doing so might result in penalties.

backtracking

Having to return to your original airport of entry in a country to make the return trip home. A time-consuming and costly procedure to overcome by arranging an op-jaw itinerary, which allows you to fly out to one point and return from another.

Carry-on-baggage and checked baggage have many restrictions. Most notable are the number and size of the baggage. Many airlines allow only 1 carry-on bag, plus one personal item (purse, back-pack, computer bag). For checked baggage restrictions and fees, refer to the carrier’s website for details.

banker’s buying rate (BBR)

Exchange rate used to convert from one currency to another; called the ‘buying rate’ because it is the rate used when banks purchase currency from an individual

banker’s selling rate (BSR)

Exchange rate used to convert from one currency to another; called the ‘buying rate’ because it is the rate used when banks sell currency to an individual

Best Available Rate. A hotel industry pricing method for yielding room rates (floating) based on demand while ensuring the best rate is presented for sale to agents, consumers.

A fare without tax.

Measurement of hotel occupency.

blackout dates

Certain dates or periods when travel on specific fares is not permitted (usually holidays).

blocked space

Multiple reservations, often subject to deposit forfeiture, which wholesalers or travel agents make with a supplier in anticipation of resale.

boarding pass

A permit to board a ship, plane, or other form of transportation. In the case of air travel, the card indicates boarding gate and aircraft seat number.

booking code

A letter code used to make an airline reservation at a particular fare level in a computerized reservation system. (CRS/GDS)

Bank Settlement Plan. Outside the USA, a system by which the travel agent community pays carriers for tickets it issues.

Business Travel Account. If a company has a corporate credit card program where certain purchases such as air, rail, and associated transaction fees are centrally billed to one “master” credit card number, this is referred to as the Business Travel Account (BTA). This account allows for the purchase of certain air travel expenses for corporate employees without the need to issue individual credit cards to each traveler for the designated expenses. Because the account has no physical card, it’s often called a “ghost card.”

BTC (see “Business Travel Center”)

Business Travel News. A travel industry publication that delivers news and research to the corporate travel population.

bucket shop

An unlicensed, unbonded travel agency used by some airlines to dispose of excess capacity seats that are available on certain flights.

buffer zone

For taxation purposes, an extension of the US border 225 miles north into Canada and 225 miles south into Mexico border; all cities within this area are assessed the 7.5% US domestic tax when tickets are purchased and sold in the US.

A net fare contract for certain number of seats. Similar to blocked space except that the tour operator, wholesaler, or travel agent usually contracts for airline seats at a low, non-commissioned price without the option of releasing space back to the airline.

A partition (usually a wall) on an airplane separating compartments.

Travel slang for the removal of a passenger from a flight through overbooking; usually applied to those holding concessionary tickets.

bundled pricing

A pricing proposal, always a transaction fee, where elements other than air (e.g. car hire, hotel, rail) are included in the fee with the air transaction.

business class

Level of airline service between First class and Economy class. On European routes business class has now replaced first class as premier service level. Most airlines have their own brand names. (e.g. British Airways – Club World and Club Europe: Air France – Le Club etc.)

Business Travel Center (BTC)

Standard full service and online service in a local call center, undedicated, team environment.

Business Travel Management

Business travel management is the process of planning, organizing, and overseeing business travel for an organization. This includes booking travel arrangements, managing expenses, and developing policies and procedures for business travel.

cancellation policy

The advance time a hotel requires a booking to be canceled by to avoid being billed for the room

carrier (CXR)

Another term for airline.

Credit Card. A system of payment whereby the issuer of the card grants a line of credit to the cardholder, to be used to make payment to a merchant or to withdraw cash.

Collision Damage Waiver. An industry term for optional insurance provided by car rental companies that eliminates all responsibility of the driver in an accident.

centralized billing

System under which a travel supplier, credit card company, agency or other supplier consolidates all costs/charges incurred by different employees or departments into one total invoice.

change of equipment

Also known as “change of gauge”. A single flight number used to represent flights on two different aircraft; usually on international destinations.

Notification to an airline or hotel that a traveler has arrived to take a flight or stay at a hotel; some airlines provide curbside check-in while others only allow check-in at the ticket counter.

Advice to a hotel that a guest is leaving the property and usually includes payment for the stay.

A traveler who has had his/her second birthday, but not yet his/her twelfth birthday (this definition may vary by carrier).

Churning refers to any repeated booking or canceling of the same itinerary in the same class or different classes of service in one or more PNRs or GDS.

circle pacific

Travel from IATA Area 1 (North and/or South America) to IATA Area 3 (Asia, Australia, South Pacific) by way of the North Pacific Ocean in one direction, via the South Pacific Ocean in the opposite direction, and at least one flight within IATA Area 3 that crosses the Equator.

circle trip (CT)

A journey from origin to destination with a return to origin in a continuous, circuitous route using two or more fare components

The orgin (from) and arrival (to) points of a trip, usually by air or train.

city terminal

Airline office, usually city center, where passengers may check-in, receive seating details and board special bus/ taxi/ helicopter/ rail/ shuttle services to the airport.

class of service

The interior of an aircraft is divided into sections, each with a different level of service and amenities; common classes of service are first, business, and economy.

Cruise Lines International Association. An association dedicated to the promotion and growth of the cruise industry.

Section of a hotel offering higher security and special facilities either for a premium payment or as an incentive/ privilege for frequent users.

club ticket

Fully flexible, redeemable business class ticket valid one year from date of issue. Phrase used primarily in the U.K.

Another term for bus.

Close of Business. A term meaning the end of the business day.

A marketing agreement between two airlines (very common amongst airlines that have an alliance) where a seat is purchased on one airline (the selling carrier), but the flight is actually operated by a different airline (the operating carrier).

combination

Two or more fares shown separately in a fare calculation.

Computerized Reservation System

System used to book and process travel reservations, also known as a Global Distribution System (GDS).

A hotel employee who attends to guests’ needs for special information, theater and restaurant reservations, and any other special requests.

connecting flight

A flight which the passenger must change aircraft.

A stop in a given city for less than 4 hours (domestic US); less than 12 hours (domestic US as part of an international journey); less than 24 hours (international); continuing on the next applicable flight to an onward destination; designated by X/ in a linear fare construction line.

conjunction ticket

Two or more tickets concurrently issued to a passenger and which together constitute a single contract of carriage.

connecting rooms

Two rooms that are side-by-side that have a common connecting interior door.

consolidation fare

A group inclusive tour fare available to travel agents and other operators to construct packages to destinations which are inclusive of accomodation. Consolidation fares, although group fares, are for sale to individual passengers.

consolidator

A person or company which forms groups to travel on charter or at group fares on scheduled flights to increase sales, earn override commissions or reduce the chance of tour cancellations.

A group of independent companies that join together to gain greater profits.

construction point

A city through which fares have been combined for the purpose of pricing an itinerary; a destination city or a turnaround point; a fare break shown on the ticket.

A contact center term for an individual who is calling or visiting your company by phone or through the website, and who is requesting an interaction with an agent.

contact center

An umbrella term that generally refers to reservations centers, help desks, information lines or customer service centers, regardless of how they are organized or what types of transactions they handle.

continental breakfast

A light breakfast of such things as coffee, pastry and sometimes juice.

contract fare / contract discount

A discounted fare agreed upon by the client and a carrier; contract fares require a client give the carrier a certain percentage of its business in all markets.

corporate fare

A discounted airfare for business travelers.

corporate rate

A special rate negotiated between a supplier (hotel or car for example) and a company.

corporate hotel rate

Learn how to get corporate hotel rates .

Corporate Travel Department (CTD)

A CTD (Corporate Travel Department) establishes a direct purchasing relationship between the company and its travel suppliers. The accrediting body, ARC (Airline Reporting Corporation) authorizes the company to function as its own “travel agency” and control it’s financial settlement.

co-terminals

A group of cities/airports considered to be the same point; example: JFK/LGA/EWR.

country of commencement (COC)

The country in which a journey begins; the base fare is converted from NUCs into the currency of the Country of Commencement by using the IATA ROE.

country of payment (COP)

The country in which a ticket is being purchased; the base fare is converted from the currency of the Country of Commencement into the currency of the country of payment using the Bank Rate if the countries are not the same.

Cost Per Mile. A calculation of the average price paid per mile.

Cost Per Transaction. A calculation of the total cost a company incurs for generating a customer transaction.

Customer Relationship Management. A term used for a database that is used to house and maintain customer information.

CRS (see “Computerized Reservation System”)

Corporate Social Responsibility . A concept whereby companies consider the impact to society and the environment of their actions.

Central Security Record. A hotel industry term for the name of the Viewership Management Table used to maintain a list of offices authorized to access a client’s negotiated hotel rates.

Central Standard Time. A time zone in the US, also known as Central Time or CT.

Corporate Travel Department. A company’s in-house travel agency that purchases air transportation and related travel services on behalf of its own employees.

Computer Telephony Integration. A contact center term for the software, hardware, and programming necessary to integrate computers and telephones so they can work together seamlessly and intelligently.

A checkpoint at which imported goods are verified for legality and value.

Data Release Authorization (DRA)

Under a DRA, Client instructs, as of the date specified, BCD Travel to receive, process, and/or transfer certain personal travel data from Client’s travelers, including, but not limited to, transactional ticket-level, segment-level, and traveler-level information, which may include, without limitation, traveler name and address, origination and destination, corporate and/or personal credit card number, passport number, drivers license, travel preferences, and other special needs or any other sensitive data as may be provided by or behalf of the travelers (“Travel Data”).

Decision Source (DS)

A BCD Travel product that allows our customers to interact with their reservation data.

delegate rate

An inclusive rate for meetings on a daily basis. Twenty-four hour delegate rate also includes accommodation. Phrase primarily used in the U.K.

denied boarding compensation (DBC)

Commonly called “bumping,” – When more passengers arrive to take a flight than can actually fit on the plane; although legal, the carrier is only responsible for providing compensation to a traveler if he/she has a confirmed reservation and is checked in and has arrived at the departure gate within a pre-determined time period; compensation may be in cash or in a voucher for future travel; passengers who voluntarily relinquish their seats are compensated with a cash payment or voucher towards a future trip and are then accommodated on the next available flight; if an airline delivers a bumped passenger to his/her destination within an hour of the originally-scheduled time, no compensation is required.

deregulation

Originally applied to American air travel: in 1978, federal law phased out the civil Aeronautics Board and stopped government intervention or regulation of airline routes and fares.

destination

The final stopping place as shown on the ticket; the furthest point on a fare component used to price an itinerary.

Destination Management Company

Company, possibly an incoming tour operator, who organizes local ground services at destination.

differential

The difference between the fares for two different classes of service between two cities; this fare construction principle is only used internationally.

direct fare

The fare for one-way or half round-trip travel visa the shortest route operated between two cities.

direct flight

A flight from origin to destination that makes one or more intermediate stops, but passengers do not change planes.

directional fare

Fare valid only in a specified direction of travel.

discount fare

Transportation fare lower than the full published tariff for an airline’s route. A discount fare usually entails certain stipulations regarding purchase or travel (space availbility).

DMC (see “Destination Management Company”)

Domestic travel.

Travel wholly within any one country; typically used to designate intra-US travel.

A hotel room with two double beds and/or accommodating 2-4 people.

double booking

The practice of making reservations for two or more flights, cars or hotels as a type of backup; considered to be unethical.

double occupancy

The way in which almost all cruise fares and tour packages are quoted, that is, based on two people traveling together. Most hotel rooms are quoted based on two adults to a room, as well.

double open jaw (DOJ)

Travel in which the outbound departure point and arrival and the inbound point of departure and arrival are not the same.

To move a passenger to a lower class of service or accommodation.

drop-off charge

A fee charged for dropping a rental car at a different location from where it was picked up.

Being exempt from any import tax.

economy class

The rear area of the aircraft in which passengers having paid one of the lower fare types are seated.

electronic miscellaneous document – Associated (EMD-A)

Document that allows for the fulfillment of all flight related services and fees (such as bags, seats, meals, etc.). An EMD or EMD-A is linked to a specific eticket coupon in the airline’s database.

electronic miscellaneous document – Standalone (EMD-S)

Non-flight related services (such as lounge access or change fee collection) a stand alone EMD, a EMD-S is issued. To issue an EMD-S a manually created service segment must be in the PNR. Specific services that can be charged on an EMD-S is dependent on the airline’s own requirements.

electronic ticket (eticket)

An airline transportation ticket that is entirely in a GDS; no physical ticket is required for travel.

EMD (see “electronic miscellaneous document”)

Endorsement.

Permission from the plating carrier, the ticketed carrier or the carrier losing air space for the traveler to use the flight coupon(s) for travel on another airline at no additional cost; usually only required for international tickets.

end-on-end combination

A special type of combination in which two round trip fares are combined to produce a complete itinerary.

In this example, the passenger buys a round trip ticket from AAA to BBB (Rule 1), and a separate round trip fare from BBB to CCC (Rule 2). The net effect is to travel from AAA to CCC, but breaking the fare at BBB, which may in some cases be less expensive than the round trip (through) fare from AAA to CCC.

equivalent fare paid

An amount converted into the currency of the country of payment when the published fare is in a currency other than that of the country of payment.

ERA (see “European Regions Airline Association”)

Eastern Standard Time. A time zone in the US, also known as Eastern Time or ET.

Electronic System for Travel Authorization. ESTA is a free, automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program. The ESTA application collects the same information collected on Form I-94W. ESTA applications may be submitted at anytime prior to travel, though it is recommended travelers apply when they begin preparing travel plans.

Estimated Time of Arrival. A measure of when an object is expected to arrive at a certain place.

Estimated Time of Departure or Delivery. The expected start time of a particular journey or the expected delivery of a good or service.

e-ticket (see “electronic ticket”)

Electronic Ticket Record.

European Regions Airline Association

Association which aims to identify, protect and promote the interests of regional air transport in Europe. Over 170 memebers including airlines, aircraft manufacturers and airports. www.eraa.org

excess baggage

Baggage in excess of the allowable number, size or weight.

The process of reissuing a ticket due to a change of flight, fare basis, dates or routing.

excursion fare

Round-trip fare with restrictions, such as minimun and maximum stays and the need to purchase well in advance.

executive card

Types of privilege cards available to frequent users of airlines, hotel chains, car rental companies, etc. Most carry benefits and have their own brand names, e.g. British Airways Executive Blue, Executive Silver, Executive Gold and Premier.

executive room

Higher grade than standard room and usually slightly larger, the executive room often has additional facilities for the business traveler such as trouser press, desk etc. and may be located on a separate Executive Club Floor.

Expatriot (or expat)

An expatriate (in abbreviated form, expat) is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person’s upbringing or legal residence.

explant/ outplant/ offsite

Branch office dedicated to serving a single client that is not located on the client’s premises, but rather operates as a separate part of a BTC.

familiarization tour

A complimentary or reduced-rate travel program for travel agents, airline or rail employees, which is designed to acquaint participants with specific destinations. Often known as “Fam-Trips”.

family plan

A hotel rate that allows children to stay free with adults in the same room.

A combination of letters and numbers used to identify a fare type which may also indicate the rules of the fare

fare component

A fare between two points.

fare ladder

A vertically-written fare construction that includes fare components, surcharges and additional amounts collected.

fee – bundled air transaction fee An air transaction fee that includes the costs associated with servicing air, hotel and car transactions. Therefore, hotel and car only bookings (not to exceed XX% of air bookings) are not charged a transaction fee.
fee – management fee Fee assessed in addition to direct costs. Covers primarily overhead and profit. Can be assessed as % of sales, per transaction or fixed amount.
fee – management fee structure (formerly cost plus offering) Client fee arrangement whereby direct expenses are passed through to the client in addition to management fee. Management fee could be % of sales, fixed fee, or per transaction.
fee – online booking tool fee (PNR fee) Charged per unique reserved PNR. Additional fees may be assessed for transactions booked on a website accessed via the online booking tool.
fee – online transaction fee (e-fulfillment fee) Charged per online transaction – that excludes any ‘flow through costs’ charged by the online booking tool provider.
fee – transaction fee structure Client fee arrangement whereby client is billed per transaction for all major program costs including direct expenses and contribution to overhead and profit, usually at POS.
fee – unbundled (menu) transaction fee Separately charged per each type of transaction, e.g. hotel, car, rail and air. AM and MIS costs might also be charged separately.

final destination

The last point on an itinerary/fare component.

first class

The cabin on an aircraft where there are fewer seats, more elaborate service and amenities.

FIT (see “Fully Independent Traveler”)

Flag carrier.

The airline that internationally represents a given country; sometimes financed or owned by the government.

flight coupon

A section of an airline ticket; one flight coupon is required to take each flight.

flight/time specific

A fare rule that requires a to fly on a specific flight or at a specific time of day.

FOI (see “Form of Indemnity”)

Form of Payment. The method of payment for a transaction.

form of indemnity

A form that needs to be completed by the passenger in order to claim refund in respect of an air ticket that has been misplaced or stolen.

frequent flyer number

Find out what a frequent flyer number is and how to get one

frequent flyer program

An airline loyalty program that provides awards to travelers who use an airline or its partners.

frequent guest program

A hotel loyalty program that provides awards to guests who use a hotel chain.

frequent renter program

A car rental loyalty program that provides services (such as fast pickup) to those who use a car rental vendor.

front office (FO)

An industry term used for products associated with customer-facing activities. The GDS is a front office system.

fuel surcharge

A surcharge assessed for fuel use applicable for travel between specified points and/or for departure from a specified city.

Hotel rate with accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

full economy

This is a fully flexible, fully refundable ticket which is valid for one year from date of issue in economy class.

full exchange

Change an already ticketed reservation, with no flown flight segments.

full to full exchange

Change to a ticketed reservation when no segments are flown and the change is to any segment other than the outbound flights. Or when a segment has been flown and there is a change to a remaining flight segment. In either of these instances, the FULL value of the original ticket must be exchanged for the ‘combined’ FULL value of the new ticket.

fully independent traveler

A traveler / tourist not part of a tour group.

One of the world’s CRSs (GDSs).

Area in an airport where passengers for a flight gather before boarding their flight or deplane on arrival.

gateway city

The last domestic city from which a passenger departs prior to arriving at an international destination; the first point of arrival in a given country (e.g., on the journey SFO-CHI-FRA-MUC, CHI and FRA are gateway cities).

GDS (see “ Global Distribution System “)

Gds operations (gdso).

An industry term for computer reservation systems that book and sell tickets for multiple airlines.

GEBTA (see “Guild of European Business Travel Agents)

In the credit card industry a system used by corporations whereby travel related charges made through designated travel agencies are centrally billed but no plastic card actually exists. Often referred to as “Lodge card” in Europe.

global distribution system

An industry term for computer reservation systems that book and sell tickets for multiple airlines. Learn more

global indicator

Two-letter code used to identify the direction of travel applicable to a given fare.

governing carrier

The airline whose fares and rules are used on a given itinerary.

Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)

Solar based time in Greenwich, England, from which time in all other time zones in the world is based.

ground time

The time not flying.

A booking solution that allows the booking and managing of all ground transportation services, such as limousines, executive sedans, taxis, vans and parking services.

A fare that offers discounts to groups of varying minimum sizes in selected markets, with various conditions, and usually require round trip travel within a specified time limit.

guaranteed hotel reservations

This means that the hotel will hold the room all night. However if the room is not required, failure to cancel will result in a charge. Where reservations are made on an ad hoc basis, rather than through a regular account arrangement, a credit card number will be required to effect this guaranteed reservation.

Hotel rate for accommodation, breakfast and one other meal.

half round trip fare

Half of a fare designated for use on round-trip journeys.

Fee or tax some countries or cities levy on arriving or departing travelers.

Half of the globe; the North and South hemispheres are divided by the Equator; the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans divide the East and West hemispheres.

higher intermediate point (HIP)

A pair of cities within a one-way or half round-trip fare component that has a direct fare higher than the direct fare between the origin and destination of the fare component; this fare construction principle is only used internationally.

hotel sourcing

Hotel sourcing or procurement is the process of identifying, negotiating and contracting with hotels to secure accommodations for a specific group, event or organization.

An airport at which an airline centers many of its schedules, particularly connecting flights to smaller destinations.

(see “International Air Transport Association”)*

IATA Number (see “ARC Number”)

Iata rate of exchange (roe).

Rates of exchange designated by IATA to convert local currency to NUCs and to convert NUCs into the currency of commencement of travel.

ICAO (see “International Civil Aviation Organization”)

Interline e-ticket. An interline agreement between airlines that allow e-ticketing on each other’s flights. Interline agreement between airlines permitting travel service cooperation in areas such as: baggage transfer services, guaranteed connection times.

IGK (see “International Gatekeeper”)

Immigration.

Area at which a traveler’s documentation (e.g., Passport and Visa) are verified to ensure the traveler may enter the country.

implant (on-site)

Dedication operational team, based within an office of the client.

implementation

Phase of launching a new relationship, including e.g. opening a new location, training staff, installing technical equipment, and informing clients, travelers and travel arrangers.

inbound travelers

Travelers coming into a specified location are considered inbound. Travelers departing from the location are considered outbound.

A traveler who has not yet reached his/her second birthday.

Term used in the U.S. to describe an implant.

international departure taxes

Taxes levied on all travelers departing a country on an international journey that are, typically collected at the airport at the time of departure.

Between two airlines; TUS-HP-DEN-UA-LON is an interline journey.

interline baggage agreement

An agreement between two air carriers that a carrier will transfer baggage to the other carrier.

interline connection

When a passenger changes airlines as well as aircraft during a journey (same as off-line connection).

interline ticketing agreement

An agreement between two air carriers that permits air travel of one carrier to be on a ticket issued and/or ‘plated’ on another carrier.

intermediate point

A ticketed point of an international journey at which there is no fare break; an intermediate point may be a stopover or connection.

intermediate stop

An enroute stop at a city between the origin and destination (see also Direct Flight).

International Air Transport Association

The world trade association of international air carriers; appoints travel agencies to sell tickets; determines rules and regulations for international carriers. www.iata.org

International Civil Aviation Organization

Specialed agency of the United Nations with responsibility for civil aviation action in standardization, technical co-operation and the formulation of international aviation law. www.iaco.int

A chronological plan showing a traveler’s booked arrangement.

A special through fare (usually only internationally) that permits travel on two or more different airlines.

The origin to final destination of a fare construction.

BCD Travel provides support for KDS. KDS provides an online booking platform for the confirmation of air, car, hotel and rail itineraries.

On outbound journeys, landside includes all those areas of the terminal before you arrive at passport control. On inbound journeys, landside includes all those areas of the terminal after you’re through passport control.

last date of purchase

The date by which a ticket must be issued – fares are not guaranteed until tickets are issued.

last room availability (LRA)

A hotel industry term for ensuring a negotiated rate is always available when standard inventory is available or when the room type negotiated is available.

LDW (see “Loss Damage Waiver”)

One flight; one part of an entire journey.

Lowest Fare Routing. The least expensive airfare available to a destination.

local currency fare (LCF)

See Country Of Payment (COP).

locator reference

Unique identifying booking number used within a computer reservations system as part of a booking file.

Loss Damage Waiver

Additional insurance pertaining to car rentals, covering theft and vandalism in addition to accident damage.

low cost carrier (LCC)

An airline that offers generally low fares in exchange for eliminating many traditional passenger services.

lowest combination principle

Construction of a fare using a particular combination of sector fares to provide the lowest fare when there is no published fare between two points.

Marine Travel

Specialized travel services, available 24/7, provides travel arrangements (including helicopters and charter aircraft) for marine personnel.

Market Number (MK)

A code all online booking tools (OBTs) add at the time each reservation is made, as a way to track PNRs for online adoption and fulfillment purposes. It should never be removed once added to the PNR.

Married Segments

Two or more connecting flight segments joined, or “married,” meaning that these segments are inseparable and the subsequent rebooking or cancellation of any one flight segment must, at the same time, be applied to the connecting flight segment.

maximum permitted mileage (MPM)

The number of miles that may be flown on a published direct fare between origin and destination; this fare construction principle is only used internationally.

maximum stay

The maximum amount of time a traveler may stay at a destination before return is required.

MCO (see “Miscellaneous Change Order”)

Meetings, Incentives and Corporate Events. An industry term for a department within a company that offers meeting planning services to customers. BCD Travel’s department is called BCD M&E

midoffice (MO)

An industry term for the management information (MIS) portion of a travel agency’s system.

mileage fare

A fare based on the total miles flown from the origin to destination; this fare construction principle is only used internationally.

mileage surcharge

A percentage of fare increase applied to a fare because the routing exceeds the maximum permitted mileage; the percentage is in 5% increments to a maximum of 25%; this fare construction principle is only used internationally.

minimum connection time

The amount of time required to change planes; varies by airport and often varies by carrier.

minimum stay

The minimum time a travel traveler must stay at a destination (or be gone ‘away from home’ internationally) before return travel can commence.

miscellaneous charge order (MCO)

An accountable document issued by a travel agency or airline as proof of payment for a specific fee (such as pet service fee) or as residual amount of an exchange (higher priced ticket exchanged for a lower priced ticket) to be used on a future purchase.

Mountain Standard Time. A time zone in the US, also known as Mountain Time or MT.

National Business Travel Association

U.S. business travel association which is a member of IBTA. www.nbta.org

NBTA (see “National Business Travel Association”)

New distribution capability. Read more

negotiated fare/rate

This is a term used by travel agents to descibe reduced airfares that have been negotiated by their air fare specialists on behalf of clients.

neutral units of construction (NUC)

An imaginary currency established by IATA that allows fares of different currencies to be added together; this fare construction principle is only used internationally.

Non Last Room Availability. A hotel industry term for restricting availability of a negotiated rate when occupancy levels are high. Negotiated room rate is not guaranteed to be available.

Net Operating Income. A financial term for the amount by which operating revenue exceeds operating expenses in a specific accounting period.

non-endorsable

This expression often appears in the endorsements box of an airline ticket and it means that the flight coupon on which the worlds appear may be used only on the services of the airline indicated.

non-refundable(NR)

A ticket issued on a fare that does not allow for a refund; most non-refundable tickets can be changed for a fee and any difference in fare.

normal fares

The full fare established for first, business, economy or an intermediate class and any other fares published designated as normal fares.

normal open jaw (NOJ)

Travel from a country and return to the same country with a surface sector at either the origin or turnaround point (single open jaw – SOJ) or at both the origin and the turnaround point (double open jaw – DOJ).

An airline passenger or hotel guest who fails to use and/or cancel a reservation.

National Transportation Safety Board. An independent US government agency that investigates accidents including aviation, highway, marine, pipelines and railroads.

OBT and OBLT (see Online Booking Tool”)

Off-airport location.

Usually a car rental office serving an airport but physically located off the airport site (and often picking up renters at the airport in buses or taxis). When the office is located on-site, the term used is on airport location.

A destination that a carrier does not serve; see also Interline.

off-line connections

When a traveler changes airlines as well as aircraft during a journey (may also be referred to as interline connection). Changes of aircraft with the same airline are known as on-line connections.

offline transaction (traditional transaction)

A transaction that initated by an agent following a call/email request by a client.

Time of year or day of the week when travel is less common.

off-line point

Airline term to describe points (areas or cities) they do not serve.

off-loading

This occurs when an airline has over-booked: that is, it has sold more seats on a particular flight than the aircraft has to offer. The passengers to be off-loaded are usually those who have paid the lowest fares. Off-loaded passengers will normally qualify for denied boarding compensation. Passengers may also be off-loaded at the captain’s discretion if they are unfit to travel due to drink, drugs, illness or for bad behavior.

BCD Travel is a re-seller of onesto. On-esto provides an online booking platform for the confirmation of air, car, hotel and rail itineraries.

Online Booking Tool

A web-based platform allowing travelers to make self-service reservations (e.g. Cliqbook, GetThere).

operating carrier

In a codeshare, the airline providing the plane, crew and ground handling services.

online or online point

On the same carrier; TUS-UA-DEN-UA-LON is an online journey.

online adoption

An account’s use of their predetermined online booking tool.

online high touch transaction

A transaction that originates via an online booking tool, but then requires more than one agent intervention (one touch).

online low touch transaction

A transacion that originates via an online booking tool, and then requires agent intervention or manual review/processing that is initated by the customer.

online transaction fee

(E-fulfillment fee) A fulfillment fee canged per online trasaction – that excludes any ‘flow through costs’ charged by the online booking tool provider.

A BCD Travel office located at/on/in a client’s location.

Term used to describe the principle of showing a client the complete cash-flow cycle, including commissions and overrides.

open date sector

Part of a journey for which no firm reservation has been made (usually owing to changeable plans on the part of the traveler) but for which the fare has been paid.

open jaw ticket

Where passengers fly out to one destination and return from another. Open jaw arrangements save backtracking and make a trip more cost effective.

Much-used term for unrestricted air services between several countries.

open ticket

A ticket valid for transportation between two points but has no specific flight reservation.

originating carrier

The first airline of a passenger’s journey and/or portion of a trip.

Other Service Information. A GDS entry that provides information to a carrier that does not require action for traveler action such as contract discount code, record locators of additional family members traveling together (TCP), age information for children/infants, etc.

Travel from the point of origin to the farthest destination.

outplant (off-site)

Dedication operational team, based within a BTC office.

overbooking

Also known as bumping. Airlines and hotels can predict, with some accuracy, how many travelers/guests will show up for previously made reservations; when more people show up than what is expected, travelers/guests are re-accommodated; see also Denied Boarding Compensation.

Abbreviations for ‘passport and visa’ used in the U.K. Some affliates have a specialist team which advises on and acquires passports/visa on behalf of their clients.

Pacific Asia Travel Association

Association which aims to promote travel to Asia Pacific. www.pata.org

PAR (see “Passenger Account Record”)

Passenger account record.

In Galileo, the profile showing passenger information.

passenger facility charges

An airport-designated surcharge to raise funds for airport expansion, renovation, operating costs, etc.

passenger name record

Record held within a CRS/GDS which gives the personal details associated with a particular booking.

An official document issued by a government to its citizens that establishes an individual’s identity and nationality and enables travel abroad.

PATA (see “Pacific Asia Travel Association”)

Abbreviation for passengers.

Payment Card Industry. Security standards set to help protect account data information.

Time of year or day of the week when travel is most common.

A fee charged by a carrier or vendor for changing and/or canceling a reservation or ticket.

Per diem is a daily allowance given to an employee to cover business travel expenses such as lodging, meals and incidentals while traveling for the company. Learn more about per diem .

Penalty excursion fare. Public excursion fare are within minimum stay requirements, but which has no advanced purchase requirements.

PIR (see “Property Irregularity Report”)

Plate / plated.

See Validating Carrier.

PMS (see “Property Management System”)

Pnr (see “passenger name record”).

Purchase Order. A commercial document issued by a buyer to a seller that indicates the quantities and agreed upon prices for products / services.

point-to-point fares

De-regulation has led to a growing number of these on routes throughout the world. They are low fares in first, business, or economy class between two points by direct flights. Stopovers are usually, but not always, prohibited.

Point of Service or Point of Sale. The time and place in which a transaction is made.

prepaid ticket advice (PTA)

A form used when a person is buying a ticket that will be issued at the airport of the same or a different city. Example: A ticket purchased in Chicago to be picked up by the traveler in and for a departure from Buenos Aires.

pre-trip auditing

A product offered by travel management companies that allows for the review of travel itineries before departure to identify savings or prevent unnecessary expenditure.

pricing unit (PU)

A journey, or part of a journey which can be priced and ticketed as a separate entity; a round-trip, circle trip, one-way, normal open jaw or special open jaw; this fare construction principle is only used internationally.

pricing unit concept (PUC)

An alternative method of fare construction for multiple-stopover journeys that uses pricing units; this fare construction principle is only used internationally.

primary carrier

Airline flying the governing sector (prime segment).

prime segment

The first “true” international journey; often called the “over-the-water” segment; see also Gateway.

A computerized file containing company and traveler information.

promotional fare

A fare designed to attract passengers who would not otherwise travel.

proof of citizenship

Documentation that establishes nationality.

property irregularity report

Form submitted by passengers to ground handling agents at airports in the event of loss or damaged baggage.

property management system

Computer-based system for controlling hotel inventory, check-in and -out and billing.

Pacific Standard Time. A time zone in the US, also known as Pacific Time or PT.

PTA (see “Pre-paid Ticket Advice”)

Public fares (air).

Fares that anyone can obtain and is available in a regular fare display.

Quality of Service Index. An index developed by the Civil Aeronautics Board to provide a comparative rating of service offered by individual airlines.

A computer’s electronic filing system. Also a contact center term for the holding point for a number of calls or interactions that are waiting to be answered by an agent. The calls or interactions are usually assigned to available agents in a first-arrived, first-answered basis, but may also be assigned based on a company’s routing strategies.

queue group

A contact center term for a group of virtual queues. Also referred to as a DN Group or Group of Queues.

The official posted rate for each hotel room.

rate desk (see “International Rate Desk”)

Rate of exchange (roe) (see “iata rate of exchange”), rearden commerce.

BCD Travel is a referrer for Rearden. Rearden provides an online booking platform for the confirmation of air, car, hotel and rail itineraries.

reason codes (RC)

An industry term for codes used to document and report on traveler decisions and behavior.

reconfirmation

Particularly on international flights, passengers are required to indicate their intention of using the next leg of their itinerary by contacting the appropriate carrier before departure; internationally, reconfirmation is requested 72 hours prior to departure.

record locator

A computerized number that identifies a Passenger Name Record – PNR or other reservation; when speaking to travelers, usually called a confirmation number.

red-eye flight

Usually an overnight flight that arrives early in the morning – great when you don’t want to lose precious sightseeing time at your destination.

If necessary for a passenger to change journey en route, the ticket must be reissued. The value of the original ticket will be offset against the new fare and any extra or refund, calculated. Settlement can be direct with airline or with referral to the issuing agent.

BCD Travel is a re-seller for ResX. ResX provides an online booking platform for the confirmation of air, car, hotel and rail itineraries.

return journey

A journey for which the fare is assessed as a single pricing unit using half round-trip fares.

revalidation

If the passenger’s travel date or flight needs to be changed, without affecting the route, there is not always a need to reissue the ticket. The relevant flight coupon is simply revalidated by means of a revalidation sticker.

Revenue Per Available Room. A hotel industry measure that calculates room revenue divided by rooms available (occupancy times average room rate will closely approximate RevPAR.)

Rate Loading Instructions. A hotel industry term for the instructions provided to hotel properties for loading client-specific or TMC-specific rate codes as displayed in the GDS.

room with facilities

Describes a hotel room which has a bathroom en-suite. In some smaller two-star or three-star hotels facilities may refer to toilet and washbasin only.

round-the-world (RTW) (see “Around-the-World”)

A trip that begins and ends in the same city with no un-flown portions; internationally, with the same dollar amount on both portions .

route deal / route incentive

An agreement between a corporate customer and an airline. The agreement allows for an incentive payment to be made to the cient by the airline as a reward for loyalty.

The carrier and/or cities and/or class of service and/or aircraft type via which transportation is provided between two points.

routing fare

A fare based on a specified routing.

run-of-the-house (ROH)

A flat rate for which a hotel offers any of its available rooms.

Schengen Visa

A special visa that permits holders to travel to any of the 25 Schengen member countries on a single visa (rather than obtaining a visa for each country. It is only issued to citizens of countries who are required to obtain a visa before entering Europe for leisure, tourism or business travel. Schengen Visa holders are not permitted to live permanently or work in Europe. The following countries are currently active Schengen Visa members: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

A specific time of year for a fare; High Season is the most popular time of year to travel to a specific destination and fares are more expensive at that time; Low Season is the least popular time of year to travel to a specific destination and fares are less expensive at that time; Fares affected by seasonality are usually indicated as such by fare basis coding and/or seasonality details listed in the fare’s rules.

The distance between aircraft seats, measured in inches and commonly used to show a passenger’s legroom.

security surcharge

Surcharge assessed by a carrier to cover costs of airport and in-flight security.

secondary carrier

Airline(s) flying the sectors preceding and/or succeeding the prime segment.

A journey from one point to another.

A flight; see Leg.

self-service reservations

Situation where the traveler makes his/her own reservations. A reservation generated by the customer using an online booking tool.

selling carrier

In a codeshare, the airline offering the flight for sale, under their vendor code

service fee

A fee charged by a travel agency to a company/individual for travel services.

Service Level Agreement

An agreement stating measurable performance commitments made to our customers.

Regular or schedulable bus/van transportation such as from an airport to a downtown location; regular air service on heavily-traveled routes (e.g., BOS-LGA).

A journey from and/or to an enroute point of a fare component.

Accommodations designed for one person.

SLA (see “Service Level Agreement”)

Designated take-off and landing times allocated to airlines at certain airports.

soft opening

Period when new hotel is open for business although not entirely finished – some services of facilities may not yet operate.

Standard Operating Procedure. A set of instructions that define the official standard for a specific process or situation.

Scope of Services. A document that defines the number, type, and intensity or complixity of services to be provided.

space available

Confirmation of a reservation subject to availability at the last moment.

special needs

Atypical traveler needs such as a special meal or wheelchair service.

split ticket(ing)

Issuance of two or more tickets usually for the purpose of obtaining a lower fare; usually applied to international itineraries to take advantage of fare and/or currency conversion differences.

Spouse fare

This type of are applies to selected destinations on a round-trip only basis and offers a discount of 50% to the spouse of a full first class or business class passenger. Economy passengers also qualify where there is no business fare.

SSR (see “Self Service Reservation”)

Special Service Request. A GDS request for a carrier to provide additional action for a traveler such as special meal, ticket number transmission, wheelchair, etc.

standard room

The normal hotel room type, generally with television, and en-suite bathroom.

A passenger on waitlist or one prepared to travel if space becomes available at the last moment.

Interruption of travel for more than domestic US – 4 hours; domestic US as part of an international journey – 12 hours; international – 24 hours .

stopover charge

An additional fee assessed for making a stopover.

STP (see “Satellite Ticket Printer”)

Any extra literature included with the delivery of travel documents.

sub-journey

A self-contained pricing unit that is combined end-on-end with another self-contained pricing unit on the same ticket; this fare construction principle is only used internationally.

surcharge (Q)

An airline-imposed fee included in fare calculations; see also Excess Mileage Surcharge, Fuel Surcharge, and Security Surcharge.

surface sector

Travel from one point or another not by air (ARNK – which stands for Arrival Not Known).

Travel 24. A BCD Travel department that services customers 24 hours a day when their normal business office is closed.

Ticket Fulfillment Location. An industry term for a virtual ticket printer that is shared by various BCD Travel ARC ticketing locations on the same GDS.

through fare

A fare applicable for transportation via an enroute city(ies) between the origin and destination of the fare that allows for intermediate points of travel.

A contract of carriage for an airline to transport a passenger from one point to another.

ticket on departure

Transportation ticket collected at the point of departure such as an airline ticket counter at an airport.

ticketed point

A city for which a flight coupon has been issued.

time and mileage rate

Car rental rate based on fixed charge for the rental period plus a charge for each kilometer or mile driven during the period of the rental.

TOD (see “Ticket on Departure”)

Tourist card.

A registration form required by certain countries indicating a traveler’s intended stay; used in lieu of a Visa and common in Latin America.

transaction

A Ticket issued; defined as all airline and rail tickets (electronic and paper) issued by BCD Travel or reserved by BCD Travel through a third party, regardless of whether the ticket is subsequently used, refunded, or voided in whole or in part. Cancellation of a reservation before a ticket is issued is not considered a transaction. Optional: Hotel and car booking made, regardless of whether or not the traveler uses the hotel or car reservation.

transaction – domestic air

Domestic – travel between two destinations that are within the same country. e.g. Frankfurt to Berlin

transaction – regional air

Regional – Travel within the same continent. e.g. Madrid to London

transaction – international air

International – Travel between two continents. e.g. New York to London

transaction – offline – traditional

A transaction that is initiated by an agent following a call/email request by a client

transaction – online high touch

Transaction – online low touch.

A transaction that originates via an online booking tool and then requires agent intervention or manual review/processing that is initiated by the customer.

transaction – online no touch

“Touchless E-fulfillment transaction” An electronic transaction entirely processed through an online booking tool and BCD central fulfillment service, without any agent intervention and where invoicing is provided via email.

A point at which the passenger changes aircraft; if the change is to/from the same carrier, it is an online transfer; if the change is to/from different carriers, it is an interline transfer.

transit lounge

An area within an airport for the sole purpose of international flight connections; travelers do not clear immigration or customs to enter the transit lounge as it is considered to be an international point.

transit point

Any stop at an intermediate point which does not fall into the definition of a stopover whether or not a change of planes is involved.

Travel Management Company

A travel management company (TMC) is a company that provides corporate travel services to businesses.

A BCD Travel umbrella brand name for our technology suite, which includes a variety of products listed below. read more

TripSource:Active Itinerary A single point of access for traveler and travel arrangers for active and historical travel detail, including real time flight status, itinerary details, destination information and invoicing, billing and expense information.
TripSource:Flight Alert Keeps travelers informed & productive while on the road by providing flight status information, including delays and real-time gate changes, for BCD Travel bookings.
TripSource:Fulfillment Drive touch-less transactions with as little human intervention as possible while driving traveler contact behavior to minimize touches.
TripSource:Portal (TSP) A comprehensive global solution to address traveler needs, travel program and corporation objectives. Arming travelers with rich content, productivity tools and critical safeguards for business travel, TripSource:Portal empowers travel programs as a centralized communications vehicle to deliver relevant, timely information and critical alerts to targeted audiences. The Portal expands traveler services while aligning program needs to drive savings, support business objectives and avoid corporate travel program risks.
TripSource:Profile Manager (TSPM) Drives optimal data management by integrating profile management and online booking, and promoting secure web-based self-service maintenance of traveler-level detail.
TripSource:Quality Measurement (TSQM) Ensures a means to track and manage supplier & transaction quality in addition to resolution of client concerns.
TripSource:Rail Search (TSRS) BCD own rail booking tool for Deutsche Bahn only.
TripSource:Ticket Tracker BCD manages and recovers committed travel dollars. Based on markets and supplier rules, BCD communicates with travelers to prevent loss of committed funds and when to apply unused funds toward future travel.
TripSource:Trip Authorizer In response to growing concern for compliance, this module enables clients to implement pre-trip authorization requirements as well as post-ticketing compliance reporting.

Transportation Security Administration

twin for sole use

A twin-bedded reserved for sole occupency and charged out at a rate that falls between the single and double room price.

Two Factor Authentication

Also known as 2FA. Method of accessing a secure environment where a person proves their identity with two of three methods

User-Defined Interface Data. UDID remarks are standard and contain predefined reporting information such as lost hotel night reason codes, merchant billing codes or additional traveler data fields.

unlimited mileage rate

Car rental rate that covers all costs, other than insurance and petrol, for the duration of the rental, regardless of the distance driven.

Move to a better class of airline service, larger rental car or more luxurious hotel room.

validating carrier

Airline designated as the “owning” ticketed carrier; the carrier on whose “plate” the ticket is issued. The validating carrier is the carrier to which payment is submitted and is usually the first carrier on the itinerary (domestic) or the carrier on the first international flight (international). If a ticket is issued on multiple carriers or is validated on a carrier not on the itinerary, the validating carrier is responsible for payment to the other airlines on the ticket.

The process of stamping an air ticket or other airline document, at the time of issue, with the issue date, name and location of the issuing office and its IATA code number. Tickets not bearing such a stamp re invalid and will not be accepted by airlines.

value-added tax (VAT)

A general tax that applies, in principle, to all commercial activities involving the production and distribution of goods and the provision of services.

VAT reclaim

Value-added tax, or VAT, is included in hotel, dining and car rental bills and more when travelers go to countries that assess the tax. It can be a significant expense: VAT rates can be as high as 25%. The good news is most T&E-related VAT is eligible for reclaim. The bad news: In the past, it’s been hard to collect. But automation has made VAT reclaim for European Union transactions much easier. BCD Travel has partnered with VAT-recovery firm Taxeo to automate the process.

virtual credit card (VCC)

A VCC isn’t a physical card, but it has many of the same features as plastic corporate cards.

virtual payment

A virtual payment is a terminal-based payment method where the payment is delivered through a virtual card (VCC) instead of by check or cash.

An endorsement or stamp placed into a passport by officials of a foreign government giving a traveler permission to visit; not all countries require visas.

VCC (Virtual Call Center)

A network of call centers where the client calls one phone number, regardless of where they are based, that will be routed through to an available agent. For multi-national accounts this service would be multi-lingual as appropriate.

Virtual Multiple Purpose Document. A document issued by a travel agency or airline, working with BSP, as proof of payment for transactions and services, either related to an eticket already issued (example: rebooking fees) or for services other than flights (for items like surface transportation, transfers, and excess luggage charges).

A traffic document which has been spoiled or canceled.

Documents issued to confirm arrangements or used to be exchanged for services.

A list of people seeking a travel service that is sold out; generally, as other travelers cancel, waitlisted individuals are confirmed in the order in which their waitlist request was received – sometimes prioritized by frequent traveler membership.

When a hotel is sold out and there are no rooms available for a person who has a confirmed reservation, the hotel provide alternate accommodations at a different hotel.

an agreement to pay to use an aircraft with a crew , fuel, and insurance

wide-body aircraft

Aircraft with wide passenger cabins and seating configurations that require more than one aisle. Current models include Boeing 747, 777 or Airbus A380, A350

system that checks hand luggage at an airport, without damaging, for example, light-sensitive film material or laptops.

Yield Management

is a variable pricing strategy, based on understanding, anticipating and influencing consumer behavior in order to maximize revenue or profits from a fixed, time-limited resource (such as airline seats or hotel room reservations).

Zulu Time Zone (Z) has no offset from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Zulu Time Zone is often used in aviation and the military as another name for UTC +0. Zulu time, also known as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), is the time zone used by the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England. It is the basis for all other time zones in the world.

2FA, or two-factor authentication, is an extra layer of security used to protect online accounts. In addition to a password, users are also required to enter a code that is sent to their mobile device. This makes it more difficult for hackers to gain access to an account, as they would need to have both the password and the code.

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State of the travel industry: a robust plan for the future of travel.

PRESS RELEASE February 02, 2022

WASHINGTON -

U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow delivered an assessment and vision for the U.S. travel industry at the association’s annual State of the Travel Industry address on Wednesday, delivered via webcast from the National Press Club.

Said Dow: “We should not singularly view the pandemic as a setback but as an opportunity to reimagine this industry to be stronger than before.”

Dow acknowledged short-term priorities that Congress and the Biden administration should act immediately upon to ensure an even recovery for all sectors of travel, while also mapping out a plan that looks beyond the pandemic to return the industry to growth and increase competitiveness for decades to come.

U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes joined Dow and offered remarks on the future of a rapidly evolving travel industry.

“While the road to full recovery may be longer than we would like, we are already looking far beyond the pandemic to a brighter, more globally competitive, sustainable, diverse and innovative future for the whole of the U.S. travel industry,” said Barnes.

U.S. Travel Association National Chair Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line, also spoke during the address and praised Dow’s 17-year leadership at the association.

Dow and Barnes highlighted the five key areas of focus that will drive the association and the broader travel industry in the months and years ahead:

Facilitation and security
The future of travel mobility
Sustainability
Diversity, equity and inclusion

“We have a robust policy agenda and a clear strategy to revive America’s travel industry, but Congress and the Biden administration must continue to work closely with the travel sector to help the industry bounce back quickly,” said Dow.

Dow also thanked U.S. Travel’s industry partners for their close collaboration throughout the pandemic, which strengthened and positioned the industry for future growth.

“There are a lot of great things ahead for travel and I know that together, this industry has the vision and determination to get it done,” Dow said.

Click here to read the full prepared remarks.

U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing the $1.3 trillion travel industry, an essential contributor to our nation's economy and success. U.S. Travel produces programs and insights and advocates for policies to increase travel to and within the United States. Visit ustravel.org for more information.

Greg Staley

Senior Vice President, Communications

202.408.2162

COMMENTS

What is FIT And GIT in The Tourism
In the tourism industry, some travel terms can be a little bit confusing for tourists. For instance, FIT and GIT in tourism are such travel terms that people are mostly confused about. It is important to understand what FIT and GIT in tourism mean to avoid any future problems during your travel. FIT (free independent traveler) definition:
FIT Travel: All About Independence
Tourists who fit the definition of FITs usually travel solo; in couples; or in small, intimate groups of friends or family. They range anywhere in age from millennials to retirees, but generally, they have above-average incomes that allow for independent travel, which can be more expensive than traveling with an organized group.
What do FIT, IIT, and GIT terms mean in the travel industry?
In conclusion, FIT, IIT, and GIT are terms used in the tourism industry to describe different types of travel experiences. FIT allows for independent and personalized travel, while GIT offers the convenience of group travel with pre-arranged arrangements. IIT combines elements of both, providing flexibility and customization within a group setting.
Understanding FIT in the Travel Industry
FIT stands for Free Independent Traveler or Free Independent Tourist. It refers to a type of travel arrangement where individuals or small groups plan their trips independently without the help of a traditional tour operator. FIT travelers have the freedom to customize their itineraries, choose their accommodations, and select their preferred ...
What Fit Means in Tourism?
In conclusion, fit tourism is a growing trend in the travel industry that offers many benefits for both travelers and destinations. While it has its challenges, the independence and flexibility of independent travel make it an attractive option for those seeking unique experiences and cultural immersion. By prioritizing responsible tourism ...
Have you ever heard the term Fully Independent Traveler (FIT)?
They have a more individualistic approach to travel. The definition of FIT goes like this: "FIT is a person who travels completely independently and free of a tour operator and travel agency assistance.". In other words, a FIT manages and arranges the itinerary according to their needs and preferences.
What Is FIT and GIT in Tourism?
Travel and tourism are vital components of the global economy. With the increasing trend of globalization and modernization, more people are traveling for business, leisure, and other purposes. As a consequence, various tools and techniques have emerged in the tourism industry to enhance travelers' experience. Among these tools are FIT and GIT.
What Does Fit Stand for in Tourism?
Cultural immersion: FIT travel can allow for a more immersive experience in local culture - without being beholden to a group tour's schedule. Budget-friendly: Depending on your travel style and preferences, traveling independently can often be more cost-effective than joining a tour group. Challenges of FIT Travel
What is Fit Travel?
FIT refers to a class of independent travellers who plan and arrange their trips and do so at their own pace. Single traveller, a couple, or a family do This type of travel. FIT travellers also prefer to travel alone or in small groups rather than joining a group. A FIT traveller's itinerary may resemble a package.
FITs: A Booming Market and an Opportunity for Agents
Whichever definition you ascribe to the acronym FIT, one thing is certain. FITs are an increasingly popular form of travel as more clients forego off-the-shelf packaged tours in favor of bespoke ...
What do FIT, IIT, and GIT mean in the tourism industry?
Alright folks, let's dive into the mind-boggling world of travel, where FIT, IIT, and GIT aren't just random letter combinations, but key terms in the tourism industry! First up, we have FIT, which doesn't mean a workout regime but stands for 'Free Independent Traveler'. These guys are the solo wanderers, the couples, or small groups, who design their own itineraries, making travel a truly ...
What are the opportunities in the European FIT tourism market?
The free or fully independent traveller (FIT) tourism market is characterised by independence. FITs like to make their travel plans themselves and prefer active or immersive experiences. FITs are particularly numerous in western Europe, from where many low-cost airlines fly regularly to developing countries in Asia and Africa. FITs are looking for good value trips, fuelling demand for unique ...
Define FIT
FIT. Abr ./GDS. Foreign independent tour. Now generally used to indicate any independent travel, domestic or international, that does not involve a package tour. To find the abbreviation, acronym, or term you're looking for, use the Search box (below) or click on any letter (above). A definition of FIT as used in the travel industry.
What is FIT?
FIT is defined as the independent travel and travel planning of a single person or family group. When people travel, there are many ways to go and equally many ways to see and experience a world of possible destinations. Despite there being so many options in travel and ways to experience destinations, it can all be narrowed down to two ...
FIT vs Escorted Travel: Which is Right for Your Clients?
Most tours keep evenings open and some even have free days to allow travelers to experience the destination at their leisure. Clients may worry that an escorted tour is more expensive than a FIT trip, but in reality, a traveler on an escorted tour is a cost-effective way to travel. Because the price of escorted tours includes transportation ...
What does the term FIT mean?
Here at Cashel Travel the term or acronym FIT stands for Foreign Independent Traveler, but it isn't necessarily the same in other organisations. Some people or companies refer to it as a Fully Independent Traveler, Frequent Independent Traveler, Free Independent Tourist, Frequent Individual Traveler and we're sure there are many more. But ...
Package, Tour or FIT: Defining the Packaged Travel Market
At $18.3 billion in 2008, packaged travel represents a substantial piece of the total U.S. travel market, but it is also one of the more complex and fragmented segments as well. In its simplest form, packaging represents the bundling of travel products and reselling them as a combined single product, called a package or tour. A consumer (or travel agent) generally books the package in a single ...
FIT GIT and IIT in the Tourism
FIT (free independent traveler) definition: FIT in tourism is an acronym for Free Independent Travelers. They are people who travel independently without being a part of any tour group. This type ...
Travel Industry Glossary: From Business to Leisure
The travel industry is a vast and dynamic realm that encompasses various sectors and caters to diverse needs and preferences. Whether you are a tourist or business traveller, navigating through the extensive jargon of the travel industry can often feel like deciphering a foreign language.
Complete List of Travel Industry Definitions for Travel Agents
Definition; Add-on: A selection, typically at an increased price, added to a travel reservation. ... FIT (Free Independent Travel) ... Rate of fare quoted and published by a travel industry supplier (i.e. hotels, tour operators, etc.) Usually an annual tariff is produced in booklet form for use in sales calls at trade shows. ...
Travel Glossary: Terms, Definitions, and Acronyms of the Travel Industry
An air transaction fee that includes the costs associated with servicing air, hotel and car transactions. Therefore, hotel and car only bookings (not to exceed XX% of air bookings) are not charged a transaction fee. fee - management fee. Fee assessed in addition to direct costs. Covers primarily overhead and profit.
State of the Travel Industry: A Robust Plan for the Future of Travel
WASHINGTON -. U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow delivered an assessment and vision for the U.S. travel industry at the association's annual State of the Travel Industry address on Wednesday, delivered via webcast from the National Press Club. Said Dow: "We should not singularly view the pandemic as a setback but as an ...
Travel Industry: One of the Largest Service Industries
Travel Industry: One of the Largest Service Industries. What is the travel industry? The travel industry is concerned with providing services related to travel from one location to another.

What is FIT And GIT in The Tourism

FIT and GIT in the Tourism – Detailed Guide

FIT or GIT?

Difference Between a FIT and GIT Package Tour

Is There Any Other Type Of Tour Package In Tourism?

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What do FIT, IIT, and GIT terms mean in the travel industry?

FIT: Free Independent Traveler

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Advantages of FIT Travel

GIT: Group Inclusive Tour

Examples of GIT Tours

Advantages of GIT Travel

IIT: Independent Inclusive Tour

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Understanding FIT in the Travel Industry

What is FIT?

Characteristics of FIT Travelers

Key Elements of FIT Travel

Advantages of FIT Travel

Challenges of FIT Travel

Impact of FIT on the Travel Industry

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Have you ever heard the term Fully Independent Traveler (FIT)?

What is a fully independent traveler?

Traveling solo, in couples, or in small intimate groups

It’s a diverse demographic group

They have above-average income

Planning their own unique itineraries

Booking their own transportation and accommodation

Exploring destinations on their own

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