Travel Trade

The travel trade refers to the network of intermediaries within the international travel and tourism industry that facilitate bookings and sales of travel products and services to consumers. Fun fact: Most international travelers visiting the US book at least part of their trip through a travel agency!

Travel Agents
They organize personal travel and accommodation for travelers, often on behalf of suppliers like airlines and hotels. 

Tour Operators
They develop and sell packaged tours, often including travel, accommodation, and activities. 

Wholesalers
They develop and market inclusive tours, typically selling to other elements of the travel trade rather than directly to the public. 

Online Travel Agents (OTAs)
They sell travel products exclusively online, such as through websites or mobile apps. 

Receptive Tour Operators (RTOs)
They specialize in tourism products and act as a one-stop shop for tour operators, often working with incoming visitors. 

Travel Guides and Couriers
They accompany tourists, ensuring their trip runs smoothly and often handle arrangements for accommodation and activities. 

How Does It Work?

If you have “bookable product” ie. experiences or lodging that can be booked in advance through a reservation system, then you can work in the Travel Trade space. We’ll help connect you with a Receptive Tour Operator (RTO). You work out a contract with the RTO that offers them a special rate (usually around 20 - 30%) and specific blackout dates and policies that work for both of you. When customers book, the price they pay should be equivalent to the market rate for your experience/lodging, with the RTO and tour operator marking up for commission at each stage. Think of this special rate as international marketing! Once you contract with an RTO, that RTO will do the work of “selling” your product to tour operators/travel agents to include in their packages. Those tour operators/travel agents showcase your business as part of an experience package to their customers.

Travel Trade Shows and FAMs:

Destination Management Organizations like Experience Mt. Hood and the Gorge work to develop relationships with key RTOs and tour operators for our destination and the Pacific Northwest. We do this by: 

• Attending international Travel Trade shows like IPW and Go West, where we have dozens of in-person appointments with tour operators and RTOs to share what’s new in the region and help them build or enhance their tour offerings.
• Hosting Travel Trade FAM (familiarization) trips. These trips are usually organized in collaboration with Travel Oregon, who hosts key Travel Trade partners to experience the region so they can enthusiastically promote Oregon vacation packages. 

Interested in learning more about working with travel trade? Fill out the form here.