TOC317 - Tour Operating and Consolidators

Subject Title
Tour Operating and Consolidators

Subject Description
A few short years ago, the term "Wholesale Travel Industry" accurately described the various branches of tour operating, product representation and meeting organizations. With the advent of the Internet and other technologies, tours and other products are increasingly distributed directly to the public and are thus, no longer wholesaled. The subject will focus on travel product suppliers, retail and wholesale intermediaries and the consumers, how and why travel products are packaged and distributed to the public. This course also addresses the internal and external booking systems utilized by tour operators, airline and industry personnel as well as the consumer.  The focus is on challenging the student to investigate information and price retrieval by the use of various travel systems.

Credit Status
One credit in the Tourism and Travel Diploma and the Tourism-Travel Operations Certificate.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

1. Describe the elements of the Tour Operating/Wholesale Travel/brokering Industry and the relationship of these elements to each other.

2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the industry structure, vocabulary and terms used in the tour operating industry.

3. Using the Ontario travel industry as an example, learn and analyze the steps in developing an Inclusive Tour Charter (ITC) and Fully Independent Tour (FIT) from product research, contracting, costing, production and finally, distribution. Assess and then appraise how each of the steps is directly tied to the marketing of the product.

4. Working with realistic examples, generate a complete costing of an air only (charter seat), a land only portion and a combined ITC package cost.

5.  Explain the role of airline consolidators in Canadian travel business and how tour operators and tour wholesalers can use them effectively.

6.  Describe and possess the various skill sets required to succeed in the Tour Operator segment of the travel business.

7.  Use correct business etiquette and adhere to professional standards of dress, hygiene and grooming.

8.  Identify some of the leading websites and systems used in the tourism industry today.

9.  Successfully find the best available price for a customer.

10.  Use specific IATA codes correctly in given situations.

Essential Employability Skills

    •  Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken and visual form that fulfils the purpose and meets the needs of the audience.

    •  Respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication.

    •  Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources.

    •  Show respect for diverse opinions, values, belief systems, and contributions of others.

    •  Interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.

    •  Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.

    •  Take responsibility for one's own actions, decisions, and consequences.

Academic Integrity
Seneca upholds a learning community that values academic integrity, honesty, fairness, trust, respect, responsibility and courage. These values enhance Seneca's commitment to deliver high-quality education and teaching excellence, while supporting a positive learning environment. Ensure that you are aware of Seneca's Academic Integrity Policy which can be found at: http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academic-integrity-policy.html Review section 2 of the policy for details regarding approaches to supporting integrity. Section 2.3 and Appendix B of the policy describe various sanctions that can be applied, if there is suspected academic misconduct (e.g., contract cheating, cheating, falsification, impersonation or plagiarism).

Please visit the Academic Integrity website http://open2.senecac.on.ca/sites/academic-integrity/for-students to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.

Discrimination/Harassment
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Student Conduct Office at student.conduct@senecapolytechnic.ca.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Accessibility Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.

Camera Use and Recordings - Synchronous (Live) Classes
Synchronous (live) classes may be delivered in person, in a Flexible Learning space, or online through a Seneca web conferencing platform such as MS Teams or Zoom. Flexible Learning spaces are equipped with cameras, microphones, monitors and speakers that capture and stream instructor and student interactions, providing an in-person experience for students choosing to study online.

Students joining a live class online may be required to have a working camera in order to participate, or for certain activities (e.g. group work, assessments), and high-speed broadband access (e.g. Cable, DSL) is highly recommended. In the event students encounter circumstances that impact their ability to join the platform with their camera on, they should reach out to the professor to discuss. Live classes may be recorded and made available to students to support access to course content and promote student learning and success.

By attending live classes, students are consenting to the collection and use of their personal information for the purposes of administering the class and associated coursework. To learn more about Seneca's privacy practices, visit Privacy Notice.