DMC, FAM, INDABA, net rate, FIT, GIT, channel manager, OTA — the language of the travel trade, defined clearly. Compiled by a tourism industry professional with nearly 20 years' experience across three continents.
Every industry has its shorthand. The tourism trade has more than most — a stack of acronyms (DMC, FIT, OTA, PMS), trade-show names that double as verbs ("we'll catch you at INDABA"), and pricing terminology that makes outsiders' eyes glaze over.
This page is the cheat sheet. It exists because we were asked some version of "what's a DMC again?" once too often, and because anyone briefing a technology partner on a tourism project deserves a partner who already knows the answer. If a term you need isn't here, let us know and we'll add it.
Who does what in the chain between a traveller and the experience they buy.
A locally-based company that operates the on-the-ground logistics for inbound visitors: ground transport, transfers, excursions, accommodation contracts, guides and event management. DMCs sell B2B to tour operators and travel agents in source markets, never directly to the public.
See also: Tour Operator, Ground Handler, DMC websites by Charnette Labs
A company that packages travel components — flights, accommodation, transfers, activities — into complete trips and sells them. Outbound operators sell from a source market (such as the UK or the US) to international destinations. Inbound operators receive travellers into a destination, where they often function as a DMC. Many businesses do both.
See also: DMC, Tour operator websites by Charnette Labs
A travel company that buys accommodation and ground services in bulk at net rates from suppliers and resells them to retail travel agents, tour operators or OTAs. The wholesaler doesn't own the product or sell to the public directly; they're a middle layer in the distribution chain.
North American term for an inbound tour operator or DMC. If you hear it from a US-based contact, they mean a DMC.
A retail-facing business that sells travel to the consumer, usually earning commission from suppliers or charging a service fee. Travel agents may be IATA-accredited (for issuing flight tickets), bonded under ABTA in the UK, or independent.
An outsourced sales, marketing and PR team representing tourism suppliers — hotels, lodges, DMCs, tourist boards — in a source market they cannot easily reach themselves. The rep company introduces the supplier's product to local trade buyers, hosts events, conducts sales calls and reports back. A common arrangement for African suppliers selling into the UK and US markets.
See also: Technology for representation companies
A company providing operational services on the ground in a destination — transfers, meet-and-greet, excursions. Often used interchangeably with DMC, though "ground handler" implies a more operational, less consultative role.
A digital booking platform such as Booking.com, Expedia or Hotels.com that aggregates inventory from suppliers and sells direct to consumers. OTAs typically charge the supplier 15–25% commission per booking, which is why direct-booking strategies — better websites, push notifications to past guests, loyalty incentives — matter so much to independent properties.
The annual events where the travel trade meets, talks, and books.
The largest annual B2B travel trade event in the UK, held each November at ExCeL London. Brings together tourism suppliers, DMCs, tour operators, travel agents and media from across the world.
Held annually in Durban, South Africa, INDABA is the leading tourism trade show on the African continent, bringing African tourism product — lodges, DMCs, tour operators, tourism boards — together with international buyers from source markets worldwide.
The world's largest travel trade fair, held annually in Berlin, Germany. Combines a B2B trade element with a public-facing weekend.
The premier global B2B event for the luxury travel sector, held annually in Cannes, France. Attendance is by invitation, with a strict buyer-supplier matchmaking format.
The major Middle East travel trade event, held annually in Dubai.
A series of UK and Europe-based trade events run by ATTA bringing African tourism suppliers to the UK and European travel trade in their own backyard.
A UK-based annual trade event for African tourism suppliers and UK trade buyers.
Both an industry association and an annual conference for tour operators selling internationally to the US market.
The trade bodies that accredit, advocate and protect.
UK trade association for travel agents and tour operators, also providing consumer financial protection through the ABTA scheme. ABTA bonding is widely recognised by UK travellers as a mark of trust.
UK government scheme administered by the CAA, protecting travellers buying flight-inclusive package holidays from UK businesses. Required by law for any UK business selling such packages.
UK-based trade body promoting African tourism in source markets through events (Africa Showcase, Experience Africa), training and trade introductions. Members include African suppliers, UK tour operators specialising in Africa, rep companies and travel media.
South African industry association for inbound tourism businesses providing accreditation, advocacy and a financial protection scheme. Membership is a recognised quality marker for South African DMCs and ground handlers.
Trade association representing the South African hospitality industry — hotels, lodges, restaurants and related businesses.
Global trade association of the world's airlines. Also operates the IATA accreditation scheme that allows travel agents to issue airline tickets directly.
The terminology of how rooms, seats and trips are priced and held.
The wholesale price a supplier offers to the trade. The trade then marks it up to sell. Net rates are confidential and typically not disclosed to consumers — supplier contracts often forbid it.
The undiscounted, public-facing maximum price for accommodation. Rarely paid in practice; it serves as a reference point against which discounts and trade rates are calculated.
The lowest rate publicly available for a given date without restrictions such as advance purchase or non-refundability.
A pre-agreed block of rooms or seats held by a supplier for a specific buyer (such as a tour operator), to be sold within a defined timeframe. Different markets use the words slightly differently; many people treat them as synonyms.
The point at which an unsold allocation is returned by the buyer to the supplier for general sale. Release-back deadlines (e.g., "30 days prior to arrival") are negotiated as part of the allocation contract.
A traveller, or an itinerary, that is independent rather than part of a fixed group tour. FIT itineraries are typically built bespoke by a tour operator or DMC for a specific client.
A pre-packaged group tour with fixed dates, fixed itinerary and a minimum group size. The opposite of FIT.
A complimentary or heavily discounted trip offered by a supplier or destination to travel agents, tour operators or media so they can experience the product first-hand and sell it more effectively. Also called an "educational" or "ed" in some markets.
The marketing and management bodies that promote destinations.
A government-funded body promoting an entire country as a tourism destination. Examples include South African Tourism, VisitBritain, Tourism Australia.
A regional or national body responsible for marketing a destination and, in some cases, managing tourism strategy. DMOs may be government-funded, member-funded or a mix.
See also: Tourist board websites by Charnette Labs
A US-style city or regional DMO with a particular focus on attracting conferences, events and meetings.
A sub-national tourism body covering a specific region within a country.
The acronyms behind the systems that run the industry.
Software a hotel or lodge uses to manage reservations, check-ins, billing and operations. Examples include Opera, Cloudbeds, Mews, NightsBridge and Little Hotelier.
A system that holds inventory and rates and distributes them to multiple booking channels — often working alongside or as part of a PMS.
Software that synchronises a property's availability and pricing across multiple OTAs and direct booking channels in real time. Stops the worst-case scenario of double-booking the same room.
The reservation interface on a hotel or tour operator's own website, allowing direct online bookings without going through an OTA. Critical to any direct-booking strategy.
A global B2B distribution network — Amadeus, Sabre or Travelport — used primarily by travel agents to book flights, hotels and other services. Pre-internet plumbing that still underpins large parts of the industry.
Brief messages sent from a website or app to a user's phone or browser. Web push works in browsers without an app installed; mobile push requires an installed app. Open rates of 90%+ are typical, versus 18–22% for email — which is why push has become a serious channel for tourism businesses with past-guest databases.
The vocabulary of the safari and luxury wilderness sector.
The lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and Cape buffalo — historically the five most dangerous animals to hunt on foot, now the headline species for safari marketing.
A safari accommodation type using permanent or semi-permanent canvas tents, typically with full ensuite facilities and high-end finishes. Distinct from a "lodge" (built structure) but at the same comfort level. The canvas is a feature, not a compromise.
See also: Luxury tented camp websites
A smaller, more rustic camp deep in a wilderness area, often without permanent infrastructure. The bush-camp experience trades polish for proximity.
A safari where camp is set up and broken down at each location, allowing travellers to follow game movement — particularly across landscapes like the Okavango Delta or the Serengeti migration routes.
An exclusive-use area within or adjacent to a national park or reserve, leased from the government or community to a private operator. Concessions allow controlled tourism with much lower visitor density than the open park.
A community-owned or jointly-managed area, often adjacent to national parks, where tourism revenue funds conservation and community development. The conservancy model has been particularly successful in Kenya and Namibia.
See also: Game reserve websites by Charnette Labs
This glossary is a living document. Spotted a missing term? Disagree with a definition? Drop us a line — we'd rather get it right than be the only ones convinced we already are.
When you brief Charnette Labs on a website, an app or a piece of trade tech, you don't have to start by explaining what a DMC is, or why a release-back deadline matters. We've been in your meetings.
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