tour operator
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tour operator
A company that organizes trips and offers them as a complete package (package holiday), typically including transport, accommodation, and other services.
Wir haben den Urlaub über einen großen Reiseveranstalter gebucht.
We booked the vacation through a large tour operator.
The word consists of 'Reise' (trip/journey) and 'Veranstalter' (organizer). A 'Veranstalter' is someone who organizes something, from the verb 'veranstalten' (to organize/host). So a 'Reiseveranstalter' is a company that organizes trips.
Die Firma veranstaltet jedes Jahr ein großes Sommerfest.
The company organizes a large summer party every year.
When booking a trip, the preposition 'bei' (with/at) is often used with the dative: 'eine Reise bei einem Reiseveranstalter buchen' (to book a trip with a tour operator).
Wir haben unsere Pauschalreise bei einem bekannten Reiseveranstalter gebucht.
We booked our package holiday with a well-known tour operator.
This term specifically refers to companies that put together and sell complete travel packages, known as 'Pauschalreisen' (package holidays). These packages usually include flight, hotel, and sometimes other services as well.
Der Reiseveranstalter ist für die Organisation von Transport und Unterkunft verantwortlich.
The tour operator is responsible for organizing transport and accommodation.
travel agency
'Reisebüro' and 'Reiseveranstalter' are easily confused because both have to do with booking trips. A 'Reisebüro' is often the place where customers receive advice and book a trip. A 'Reiseveranstalter' puts the trip together as a package, for example with a flight, hotel, and additional services. A travel agency can therefore sell trips from various tour operators. A practical tip: when you are talking about advice and booking, 'Reisebüro' fits. When you mean the company that organizes and offers the package holiday, 'Reiseveranstalter' fits.
Der Reiseveranstalter hat den Flug und das Hotel als Paket angeboten.
The tour operator offered the flight and hotel as a package.
Am Samstag gehen wir ins Reisebüro, weil wir Hilfe bei der Buchung brauchen.
On Saturday we are going to the travel agency because we need help with the booking.