Customer-Made vs Ready-Made Itinerary — FIT vs GIT, Tailor-Made vs Package Tours
Customer-Made vs Ready-Made Itinerary — FIT vs GIT, Tailor-Made vs Package Tours
Two tourists walk into a travel agency. One says “I want a 10-day Kerala tour.” The other says “Design me something unique for Kerala based on my interests.” Same destination, completely different products. Here is the complete framework.
A customer-made itinerary — also called a tailor-made, bespoke, or custom itinerary — is designed from scratch based on a specific client’s requirements. The tourist is the co-designer. Every element reflects their preferences, pace, interests, and budget.
Step 2: Research — tour planner researches optimal routing, best seasonal timing, available accommodation, attractions
Step 3: Draft Itinerary — day-by-day programme created, costed, and presented to client
Step 4: Revision — client reviews, requests changes, planner revises
Step 5: Confirmation and Booking — all components booked once client approves
✓ Flexible departure dates
✓ Private transport and accommodation
✓ Personal guide if required
✓ Can be modified right up to departure
✓ Higher per-person cost
✓ More planning time required
✓ Higher agency margin (15-25%)
A ready-made itinerary — also called a package tour, GIT (Group Inclusive Tour), or brochure holiday — is pre-designed by the tour operator for a target market, marketed through brochures, and sold at a fixed price to multiple clients sharing the same tour.
✓ Fixed departure dates (usually weekly or fortnightly)
✓ Group transport (coach/group air booking)
✓ Twin/triple sharing accommodation
✓ Tour escort included
✓ Most meals included
✓ Lower per-person cost due to group economies
✓ Limited flexibility
✓ Marketed via brochures and catalogues
◆ Ready-made = GIT = Package tour = Brochure holiday — pre-designed, fixed, lower cost
◆ FIT process: Client brief → Research → Draft → Revision → Confirmation → Booking
◆ Thomas Cook introduced ready-made package tour concept in 1845
◆ Morrison 1989 definition: package tour = “trip planned at single price covering transport, accommodation, meals, sightseeing”
◆ GIT minimum group: typically 10-15 passengers for meaningful economies of scale
◆ Agency margin: FIT = 15-25% · GIT = 10-15% (lower as volume compensates)
◆ Both types use same destinations — what differs is the product structure and delivery