CHapter 5
Planning a heritage tour
This chapter provides the basics of itinerary planning, managing logistics and budget
for a heritage tour and focuses on controls, safeguards and key success factors of a
successful heritage tour.
Itinerary Planning
An itinerary is a detailed plan or route of a journey.
A travel itinerary is a schedule of events relating to planned travel, generally including
destinations, appointments and specific site or attractions to be visited at specific times
and means of transportation to move between those destinations.
Every tourists needs an itinerary which is usually prepared by a tour operator and
sometimes with inputs from a senior tour guide.
Itinerary is a document provided to the tourist either prior to arrival or upon check -in at
the hotel.
In some literature, itinerary is referred to as a travel plan.
Advantages of having an organized itinerary
1. It allows the tourist to save and manage time
2. It allows the tourist to manage expenditures - through an itinerary, one can simply work
around a certain budget
3. It organizes the sequence of sites and attractions to be visited - it provides a logical order
for the tour each day.
4. It organizes the logistical requirements - it eliminate worries and anxieties of the tourist as
logistics are spelled in the itinerary.
5. It incorporates points of interest of the tourist - the tourist is empowered to some extent to
include in the itineraries those sites and attractions he/she interested in.
6. It prevents anticipated travel issues and problems. It serves as a reminder to the tourist of
the dos and don'ts during the trip and items to prepare on each day.
The need for itinerary planning
The development of an itinerary is based on the preferred sites and destinations by the
tourist.
The basic itinerary is oftentimes stated in the promotional materials viewed either online
or printed which led to tourist purchase decision.
Constrains
1. Tourist are constrained by time
2. Tourist are constrained by budget and finances
3. Tourist are constrained by physical limitations.
Components of itinerary Planning
1. Schedule and recommended lead times - the itinerary indicates a precise time and
duration per activity.
2. Flight details - an itinerary should indicate the complete details of the tourist’s flight from
point of origin to destination and vice- versa.
3. Land or airport transport - upon the arrival at the port of entry, transportation from the
airport of the or the seaport to the accommodation is ideally arranged. Travel time must be
indicated.
4. Tourist Accommodation - tourist accommodation must have a guaranteed booking to
ensure that the hotel room is already paid, reserved and cannot be sold or given up for
another tourist.
5. Travel documents and legal requirements - the itinerary should also list down all the travel
documentation needed by the tourist.
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6. Sites and attractions - the heritage sites to visit are the most important stops in the
itinerary. Ample time is given by the tour guide for tourist to enjoy each sites,
7. Meals and dining options - these are indicated in the itinerary to signal meals break at
specific time. This is a great opportunity for tourist to enjoy the local cuisine of the country or
region.
8. Safety and security reminders - A complete itinerary contains a variety of critical safety
and security reminders
9. Free time - the itinerary has ample free time to tourist to use for personal shopping,
meditation, reading and availing of hotel facilities.
Resources of Itinerary planning
1. Internet
2. Brochure and printed literature
3. Guidebooks and magazines
4. Government and tourist office
Attributes of a good itinerary
1. Accuracy of information - all items on the itinerary should be precise and correct without
typos and grammatical error
2. Clarity and comprehensiveness of instructions - there is no room for ambiguity in terms of
instructions to the client-tourist
3. Adherence to client-tourist’s interests - the itinerary must capture the preference of the
client-tourist.
4. Good value for money - the cost of the tour package based on the itinerary should be fair
and not to exorbitant
5. Flexibility - the itinerary should not be too tight in terms of time duration per stop or site to
visit. There must be ample time to move from one place to another and also time to rest and
meal breaks.
6. Balanced time management - there must be a good balance between sightseeing and the
personal time of the client-tourist, allowing them to explore and enjoy the hotel as well as the
destination.
7. Good Presentation - the itinerary must be presented to the client-tourist in a legible,
cohesive, orderly and professional format.
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Itinerary
Name of client Tour Package
Travel Period Destination
Name of participants Date of Birth Nationality Travel Documents
Flight Details (Arrival) Flight Details (Departure)
Flight No. PR0211
Check- in time :
Boarding time :
Departure time :
Arrival time :
Seat nos.; 12A, 12B, 12C
Airport transfer (details) Airport transfer (details)
Accommodation Details
Hotel Name :
Room type:
Check -in:
Check -out:
Day 1
Activity Duration Remarks
Day 2
Activity Duration Remarks
Day 3
Activity Duration Remarks
Cost of Tour Package
Cost category Inclusions/ Coverage Indicative % of total cost
Transportation Air, sea, land 20-35
Accommodation Hotel, hostel 20-35
Meals Bfast, luch dinner 15- 30
Entrance fees Theater, park, museums 3-8
Land transfer Car hire, shuttle 5 -15
Merchandise Souvenirs, mugs, etc 5- 20
Insurance Travel insurance 2-3
Gratuity Tips 1-2
Total 100%
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Key Success Factors
What are the hallmark characteristics of successful heritage tours and cultural
events?
1. Authenticity - this is probably the most important characteristics of the most
successful heritage tours and cultural events as they demonstrate their historical
value and raw appeal to target market.
2. Sustainability - over time, the ability of a heritage site or cultural attraction to
preserve its facilities, activities and overall aura and endure the elements, stiff
competition from similar sites and attractions.
3. Quality of Interpretation - many of the heritage tours that are considered
exemplary are those with highly skilled, animated and creative tour guides or with a
high-tech delivery or presentation.
4. Visitor Engagement - when you empower the visitor or tourist or inject an
interactive component in the presentation of a site or attraction, it makes the whole
experience more memorable, enjoyable and worth recommending to others.
5. Strategic pricing - it does not matter whether a heritage tour is too expensive or
affordable. The quality of the heritage tour should be commensurate or proportionate
to its price.
6. Effective Marketing - the most successful heritage tours are well-marketed and
promoted in various media and the most powerful medium is word of mouth.
7. Flexibility - a key success factor of an outstanding heritage tour is its flexibility
should any lapse or problem crop up. It allows the visitors review options and
prioritize their preferences, interest and likes.
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Chapter 6
Sustainable Heritage Tourism
This chapter tackles the crucial aspect of preservation of heritage sites and attractions,
carrying capacity of heritage sites, restoration projects and preservation of culture.
Sustainable tourism - is the concept of visiting a place as a tourist and trying to make a
positive impact on the environment, society and economy.
