Travel trade history

1670- the grand tour concept was developed especially for educational purpose. 1730- health experts suggested that sea water is found to be useful to cure many diseases. The result was that many resorts around the English coast were established to attract visitors seeking to cure themselves both by drinking seawater and by immersing themselves in it.

 1815- steamboat services were introduced from London to Gravesend. One effect of this development was the construction in all major resorts of a pier to accommodate the vessels on their arrival. 1820- The European cultural centers were opened to British travelers. 1830- The rail link was introduced between Liverpool and Manchester. 1838- Peninsular and oriental steam (P and O) company introduced steamship services to India and Far East.

 1840- Sir Rowland Hill introduced excursion trains. 1841- A fortunate day came in the history of travel trade when Thomas Cook, as secretary of the South Midland Temperance Association, organized a trip by a train for 570 members of his association to a distance of 22 miles. He brought railway tickets in bulk to sell them back to people. The experiment was successful and everyday was exultant. Mr. Cook had done this job on a no profit basis. But, incidentally, it gave him a new idea and turned it into a tour business.

 1845- four years later, he set up a worlds first travel agency to organize excursions. Due to this innovative approach Mr. Cook is known as the Father of travel agency business. He co- ordinate railway and steamship excursions throughout England, Scotland and Europe. However, the railways only gave him 5 percent commission which was not enough to meet his overheads, so he decided to diversify this business into tour operator.

 1855- Mr. Cook started operating package tours. He conducted the worlds first international tour from England to the Paris. In this way this way he developed the concept of inclusive tour. In the next year he developed the concept of Grand tour by organizing a grand tour to the European continent. Henry wells started his freight business in USA. Thomas Cooks company is still by the name Thomas Cook and Sons while Henry wells company is known as American Express company.

 1870- in order to eliminate payment in cash, Mr. Cook introduced two systems: travelers cheque Hotel vouchers While American Express introduced credit cards travelers cheque

1878- Mr. . Cook brought the first British group of tourists to India by the Peninsular and oriental steamship company. The group landed in Mumbai, travelled to Agra by train to see Taj Mahal and also visited Kashmir Valley.
1880 Thomas Cook and Sons, established offices in Mumbai and Calcutta and formed the eastern princes Department . In 1887, this department arranged the visit of India princess to queen Victorias jubilee celebration.

 in the beginning the Thomas Cook and sons international (Ltd.)operated in India with its main branches and offices in metros. The company later on felt that it was very difficult to operate in India due to various restrictions imposed by the India government and other acts. 1978- Thomas Cook India (Ltd.) was established under the companies Act 1956. the company took over the assets and liabilities of Thomas Cook and Sons branches.

Travel trade in India

The travel business in India, in an organized manner started with setting of the travel agents association of India in Mumbai in 1951. prior to it there were two major foreign companiesThomas Cook and sons and the American express with their main branches, and Indian companiesJeena and companies, lee and Muirhead India Pvt Ltd., N. Jamnadas and Co. Ltd., operating in India.

 In 1920 Jeena and company , the first Indian Travel Agency organized group tours abroad and in Indian for Indian travelers and it handled the first group of foreign tourists in 1950. Jeena and company and other two travel Indian Travel Agencies were merged into one compos5te travel company known as Travel Corporation of India Ltd. in 1961. After this there such as SITA (1963), Thomas Cook India Ltd., American Express, Cox and King etc.

Travel agency
Travel agent is a person who has full knowledge about tourist product- destinations, modes of travel, climate, accommodation and other areas of services sector. He acts on behalf of product providers and in return gets commission. A travel agent may be an individual / firm or corporation which is commonly known as travel agency

 It is a travel agency which packages and processes all the attraction, accesses, amenities and ancillary services of a country and presents them to the tourists. thats why travel agencies are known as image builder of a country. A prospective travel agency is one which makes arrangement of travel tickets, travel documents, accommodation, entertainment and other travel related services from the principles suppliers.

Features of travel agency

An important link between the clients and principal suppliers. image- builder Ensures rapid travel services Provider of an authentic and reliable travel information A social and continuous process Establishes good relationship with clients and vendors.

Travel agency

Retail

Wholesale

TYPES OF TRAVEL AGENCIES RETAIL TRAVEL AGENCIES:- A retail travel agency sells tourists products directly to the public on behalf of the product suppliers and in return get commission. According to Airline Reporting Corporation :-a retail travel agency is defined as a business that performs the following functions-quotes, rates, makes reservation, arrange travel tickets and accommodation, arrange travel insurance, foreign currency, documents and accept payments.

 WHOLESALE TRAVEL AGENCIES :- These agencies are specialized in organizing package tours, which are marketed to the customers or tourists through the network of a travel travel agency or directly to the prospective. A wholesale travel agency purchases tourist product components in bulk and designs package tours. Sometimes ,a wholesale travel agency buys travel components from a vendor in bulk and resells them to another travel business organizations.