Week 1 - Theoretical
The concepts of tour operator and travel agency; their roles within the tourism distribution system; and the relationships among tour operators, travel agencies, accommodation businesses, transportation companies, and tourists are discussed.
Week 2 - Theoretical
The production and consumption of tourism products; direct and indirect distribution channels; the importance of intermediary businesses in the sector; and the position of tour operators and travel agencies in the distribution chain are examined
Week 3 - Theoretical
The main functions of tour operators, including product development, capacity purchasing, destination selection, supplier relations, pricing, risk-taking, and market launch processes, are discussed.
Week 4 - Theoretical
The functions of travel agencies, including intermediation, sales, reservation, consultancy, customer relations, and operational support services, as well as agency types and fields of activity, are examined.
Week 5 - Theoretical
Tour operator–travel agency cooperation; wholesale and retail structures; commission systems; allotment agreements; sales representation; and connections with incoming, outgoing, and domestic tourism are discussed.
Week 6 - Theoretical
Management units in tour operators, including product development, contracting, operations, sales and marketing, finance, quality control, and customer service departments, as well as interdepartmental coordination, are examined.
Week 7 - Theoretical
Management, sales, reservation, operations, accounting and finance, marketing, and customer relations units in travel agencies, as well as organizational structures in small, medium-sized, and large-scale agencies, are discussed.
Week 8 - Intermediate Exam
The topics covered between Weeks 1 and 7 are evaluated. A midterm exam is held based on tour operating, travel agency management, distribution channels, organizational structures, and inter-business relationships.
Week 9 - Theoretical
Target market analysis, destination research, supplier selection, transportation and accommodation arrangements, planning of guiding and additional services, and adapting the product to the market are examined.
Week 10 - Theoretical
Flight ticket sales, accommodation reservations, transfers, car rental, visa procedures, travel insurance, guiding services, special organizations, and corporate travel services are discussed.
Week 11 - Theoretical
Reservation processes from the perspective of tour operators and travel agencies; allotment management, reservation forms, preparation of operation files, supplier communication, and pre-tour and post-tour procedures are examined.
Week 12 - Theoretical
Market launch of products by tour operators; the sales process in travel agencies; catalogues, brochures, websites, social media, fairs, digital marketing, and customer persuasion processes are discussed.
Week 13 - Theoretical
The relationship among cost, price, allotment, and risk in tour operators; commission, service fees, invoices, collections, and supplier payments in travel agencies; and tour operator–travel agency contracts are examined.
Week 14 - Theoretical
All topics covered within the course are generally evaluated.
Week 15 - Final Exam
A final exam is held covering the structure, activities, organization, sales, reservations, operations, financial processes, and digitalization of tour operators and travel agencies.
