A tour operator is a key player in the travel and tourism industry, responsible for creating and selling package holidays by assembling various components like accommodation and transport. They play a crucial role in making holiday planning easier for consumers and have significant power in influencing tourism impacts.

Tour operators are key players in the travel industry, responsible for creating and packaging holiday deals for consumers. They act as wholesalers, purchasing services in bulk and selling them as packaged products through travel agencies.

Tour operators play a crucial role in simplifying holiday organization for consumers, increasing travel frequency. Their decisions on holiday destinations impact the economic outcomes of those locations, often being integrated with travel agents and airlines for efficient product management.

Tour operators and travel agents are often confused, but they serve distinct roles. While a tour operator creates holiday packages, a travel agent sells them to customers, with many organizations operating both under the same company.

Tour operators vary in size and purpose, catering to different tourism markets such as mass, niche, luxury, and tailor-made segments. There are four main types of tour operators: inbound, outbound, domestic, and ground operators, each serving specific functions in the tourism industry.

Tour operators play a crucial role in facilitating outbound and domestic tourism by collaborating with travel agencies and handling ground operations. The Association of Independent Tour Operators (ATO) ensures holiday protection and quality standards for travelers.