Editing Tour operator (section)

{{Short description|Economic activity}}
{{refimprove|date=April 2021}}
[[File:OTSWashingtonDCBravo.JPG|thumb|right|An [[open top bus|open top]] [[Double decker bus|double decker]] bus is used worldwide to provide sightseeing tours, such as this one in [[Washington, D. C.]], USA]]
A '''tour operator''' is a business that typically combines and organizes [[lodging|accommodations]], [[meal]]s, sightseeing and [[transportation]] components,<ref>{{cite web |title=For Travelers |url=https://ntaonline.com/for-travelers/ |publisher=National Tour Association |access-date=16 April 2021}}</ref> in order to create a [[package tour]]. They advertise and produce brochures to promote their products, holidays and itineraries. Tour operators can sell directly to the public or sell through travel agents or a combination of both.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Beaver |first=Allan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IbTT1yIfsYIC&q=%22Tour+operator%22 |title=A Dictionary of Travel and Tourism Terminology |date=2005-01-01 |publisher=CABI |isbn=978-0-85199-020-0 |language=en}}</ref>

The most common example of a tour operator's product would be a [[flight]] on a [[charter airline]], plus a transfer from the [[airport]] to a [[hotel]] and the services of a local representative, all for one price. Each tour operator may specialise in certain destinations, e.g. [[Italy]], activities and experiences, e.g. [[skiing]], or a combination thereof.