Tourism-related and travel industry expressions and terms can be confusing and often repetitive. Having that in mind, we put together a Tourism Glossary with some of the most relevant terms, definitions and abbreviations. It’s all here to help you understand the current wording of the industry!
A
ACRISS
The abbreviation “ACRISS” stands for “association of car rental industry systems standards”. The related standard to classify rental cars is also simply referred to as ACRISS.
Activity Provider
A company that provides tourists and visitors with activities in their destination. Activity providers offer bookings for a wide range of services.
Add-on
An optional item that customers can add to their travels during the booking process and add value to their trip.
API
API is the acronym for Application Programming Interface. This is a software intermediary that allows two different applications to communicate.
APP
App instance is used by Nezasa for B2B purposes, such as stand-alone applications. The users of the application are suppliers, tour operators, and agents.
B
Back End
The back office component of a booking and planning software solution that’s only visible to travel brands managing it.
Base Service
An additional component that can be added to a template, such as Driver/Guide Options, Entrance Fees, Service Charges, etc.
C
CMS
A Content Management System (CMS) is a system used to manage the content of any website.
Commission
The percentage paid by a supplier to a retailer. Providers might have to pay commissions to agents selling their trips, tours or activities.
CRS
Computer Reservation System: software systems that allow travel agencies to search, book, change or cancel touristic services.
D
DMC
A destination management company is a services company with local expertise and resources. They plan and implement events, activities, tours, transportation and logistics.
DMO
Unlike a DMC, this is a non-profit organisation that promotes destinations and activities on-site.
G
GDS
Global distribution system: It collects and consolidates travel data from a wide spectrum of service providers and allows agents to reserve transportation, rent cars or book hotel rooms.
Ground Operator
Provides services, like transportation and activities, as a local agency. They can work directly with customers but are usually connected with tour operators.
I
Inbound Tour Operator
These destination management companies work to bring visitors and tourists into their specific locations. They work with other businesses to offer package deals and promote their destinations.
Internet Booking Engine
IBE is used in the travel industry to book flights, rent cars, book hotels, or anything related to travel.
Inventory
Inventories are a list of items and resources companies are able to provide travellers with. They contain the list of assets and options travel brands are able to offer.
ITB
One of the world’s leading travel shows in the world. ITB is usually held in Berlin and brings together the biggest players in the market.
Itinerary Builder
Itinerary builders help travel brands and customers build their trips, stops, transportations, accommodations or activities all from one single interface.
IATA
International basic fares are regulated by IATA, which do not depend on the airline. Also called “Published Fares”.
L
Live Inventory
Real-time inventory records the sales and purchases of inventory automatically. This is done with the use of specific software and helps companies understand their inventory live.
M
Marketplace
Marketplaces are online platforms that connect sellers and buyers. The websites provide travellers looking for services and products with a wide range of offers, from multiple segments, all in one place.
Multi-day tours
These are trips spread across multiple days and destinations. They involve more than transportation, but also activities and accommodation for more than one night. Multi-day tours can be self-guided or pre-curated by travel brands.
O
OTAs
An online travel agency (OTA) allows customers to research and book travel products from a web-based platform. These services might include flights, hotels, tours, cruises or business travel plans.
Outbound Tour Operator
An outbound tour operator creates tours and packages for international travellers and helps them travel from one country to another. Unlike inbound tour operators, they’re not locally based or trying to attract visitors to their own country.
Overbookings
Overbooking is when companies sell more bookings than they are able to accommodate. The practice is used a lot by airlines and hotels, which usually expect a percentage of customers to be no-shows.
P
Payment Gateway
A payment gateway is a technology used by sellers to accept debit or credit card purchases from customers. This term is used for both in-person and online payments.
Priceline
Priceline.com is an online travel agency to find discount rates for travel-related purchases such as airline tickets and hotel stays. Priceline is one of Nezasa’s multiple partners.
R
Real-time Booking
It allows customers to book any kind of trip or activity and get immediate confirmations that their booking was successful, at any given time or day.
Receptive Tour Operator
A receptive operator helps groups and tours in-destination. Also known as Destination Management companies, they can provide special services and plan logistics locally
Rental System
A rental system allows clients to book and pay their car rental fees and helps car rental companies manage data, bookings and suppliers.
S
Staycation
A staycation is a vacation spent close to your home or in your own country rather than travelling abroad.
T
Tour Operator
An organisation or company that buys travel items separately and combines them to create package tours. They set their own price and packages for consumers and organize every asset in a package tour.
Travel Agent
A travel agency is a retailer that provides travel or tourism-related services acting on behalf of travel suppliers. This can include travelling packages, transportation, services or accommodation.
Travel Agency Portal
Online portals that allow travel agencies to distribute trips efficiently while giving them the option to easily personalise them further.
TripBuilder
TripBuilder is the most advanced automated platform for real-time planning and booking of personalised travel experiences. The software allows users to design and modify complex travel itineraries according to personal requirements in a few simple steps. With TripBuilder, travel businesses can effectively optimise revenue and elevate the travel experience.
TrustYou
TrustYou is an integrated TripBuilder partner that allows travel agents to have immediate access to real-time reviews on thousands of accommodations worldwide.
W
Workation
Workations are vacations that allow workers to travel and plan trips to their chosen destination while working remotely.
WTM
World Travel Market London is the leading global event for the travel industry to meet industry professionals and conduct business deals.
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