Most tour operators try to make their brochures as attractive, informative and
understandable as possible. However, in reading these brochures you will
undoubtedly encounter some terminology that is unfamiliar to you.
To assist you, here's a glossary covering some of the terminology most
frequently used in travel brochures. Your travel agent can give you further
details on these and any other unfamiliar terms.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Single Room: A room with one bed for one
person.
Twin Room: A room with two beds for two
people.
Double Room: A room for two persons with a
double bed.
Triple Room: A room for three persons,
usually consisting of twin beds (or double bed) plus a roll-away cot.
Service Charges and Taxes: Service charges
are a fixed percentage automatically added to room and meal charges. Taxes are
set by the city, state or federal government.
Ocean Front: A
room directly facing the ocean.
Ocean View: A
room from which it is possible to secure a view of the ocean (usually located
on the side of the hotel).
AIR TRANSPORTATION
Connecting Flight: A segment of an ongoing
trip which requires a change of aircraft, but not necessarily a change of
airline.
Direct Flight: A flight on which passengers
do not have to change planes, but may involve one or more stops en route.
Non-stop Flight:
Service between two points with no scheduled stop en route.
Add-on Fare: The cost of air travel from a
domestic city to another domestic city from which the tour/vacation package
originates and vice versa.
Baggage Allowance: The weight or volume of
baggage that may be carried by a passenger without additional charge.
CAR RENTAL
Drop-off Charge:
Fee charged by a car rental company to defray the cost of returning the vehicle
to its original location.
Value Added Tax (VAT):
Tax imposed by governmental authority.
CONDITIONS
Force Majeure: An event or effect that
cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled (such as storms or war).
DOCUMENTS
Passport: An
official government document certifying identity and citizenship and granting
permission to travel abroad.
Visa: An official authorization appended to
a passport permitting travel to and within a particular country.
Vouchers: Documents
issued by tour operators to be exchanged for accommodations, sightseeing and
other services.
MEALS
Continental Breakfast:
Usually consists of bread, rolls, butter, jam and tea or coffee.
AP (American Plan):
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
MAP (Modified American Plan):
Includes breakfast and dinner.
Full Board (Full Pension):
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Half Board (Demi-Pension):
Includes breakfast, and either lunch or dinner.
Table d'hôte: Published restaurant or hotel
dining room menu, usually consisting of appetizer, two or three choices of main
course and dessert. After-meal tea or coffee and other beverages are not
usually included.
A la Carte: Unrestricted
selection from the menu.
SERVICES
Tour Escort/Director/Manager:
Professional engaged to oversee the technical details of the tour operation
and to accompany the group from one place to another.
Local Host: Generally
a representative of the tour operator who provides assistance, information and
optional sightseeing and entertainment arrangements in a particular city.
Local Guide: Professional engaged to point
out places of interest and conduct tours of specific locations and attractions.
Driver-Guide: Professional
engaged to drive a vehicle and to point out places of interest.
Transfers: Arrival
and departure service consisting of providing transport between the airport,
city air terminal, rail station, or pier and hotel.
Porterage: Baggage
handling service.
PRICES
All-Inclusive Price:
Includes land arrangements and round trip airfare and/or other transportation.
Land Price: The
cost for the land arrangements only.
Single Room Supplement:
Difference in price between half of a twin room and the actual price of a
single room.
High-Season Supplement: Additional charge
imposed during the busiest time of the year.
Double Occupancy Rate:
The price per person based on two persons sharing a room.
Double Room Rate:
The price per room shared by two persons.
INSURANCE
Trip Cancellation Insurance:
Purchased separately from either the tour operator or
your travel agent, this provides a refund if you have to cancel your trip after
completing payment. Refunds often vary according to the time frame in which you
cancel.
Travel Insurance:
Purchased from a private company or the tour operator, this provides coverage
for emergencies abroad such as illness, baggage loss, accidental
death/dismemberment. This policy often includes trip cancellation insurance.
Tour Protection (Consumer Protection Plan): A
program designed to reimburse travelers if the tour operator goes bankrupt or
becomes insolvent. A tour operator's participation in these types of plans is
voluntary and can involve posting bonds, using escrow accounts or other types
of financial security.
Copyright 1999 by the United States Tour
Operators Association. All rights reserved.