Definitions
The first type of specialist tourism provider is:
Integrated Tour operator
An integrated tour operator is when the tour
operator merges with another company. This can
be vertical integration which is when the tour
operator merges with different companies at
different levels of the chain of distribution.
An example is Thomas Cook. They have a tour
operator, an airline and a travel agent. This
shows vertical integration because the
companies are at different levels of the chain of
distribution.
A tour operator can also horizontally integrate. This is when a company merges with
another company that is on the same level on the chain of distribution.
An example is again Thomas cook. They have merged with co-op travel. This shows
that they are on the same level of the chain of distribution.
This shows that an integrated tour operator is and an example.
Independent tour operator
An independent tour operator is a tour operator that is alone or very few rather than
being integrated with other companies. These companies are lesser known. They
don’t get as much customers as there are not as many stores. This is different to the
integrated tour operators. This type can also be providers for specialist tourism.
An example of an independent tour operator is Nature Trek. They specialise in
wildlife tourism and are therefore a specialist tourist provider as they support wildlife.
The first type of specialist tourism provider is:
Integrated Tour operator
An integrated tour operator is when the tour
operator merges with another company. This can
be vertical integration which is when the tour
operator merges with different companies at
different levels of the chain of distribution.
An example is Thomas Cook. They have a tour
operator, an airline and a travel agent. This
shows vertical integration because the
companies are at different levels of the chain of
distribution.
A tour operator can also horizontally integrate. This is when a company merges with
another company that is on the same level on the chain of distribution.
An example is again Thomas cook. They have merged with co-op travel. This shows
that they are on the same level of the chain of distribution.
This shows that an integrated tour operator is and an example.
Independent tour operator
An independent tour operator is a tour operator that is alone or very few rather than
being integrated with other companies. These companies are lesser known. They
don’t get as much customers as there are not as many stores. This is different to the
integrated tour operators. This type can also be providers for specialist tourism.
An example of an independent tour operator is Nature Trek. They specialise in
wildlife tourism and are therefore a specialist tourist provider as they support wildlife.
