Tourism Industry Terminology
Like most industries, the tourism industry has a lot of jargon, abbreviations and acronyms and it is ever changing and evolving. It’s easy to get confused when talking to ‘people-in-the-know’ – you may find yourself trying to decipher an acronym and in doing so missing the rest of the conversation.
So we’ve compiled a list of terminology for the Tourism Industry to help you. If you have anything to add, please get in touch.
- ATTA: African Travel and Tourism Association
- DEDAT: Department of Economic Development and Tourism
- Digital Nomad: A person who chooses a location-independent, technology-enabled lifestyle that allows them to travel and work remotely, anywhere in the world
- DMC: Destination Marketing Company
- DMO: Destination Marketing Organization
- DRDLR: Department of Rural Development and Land Reform
- Ecotourism: Catering for tourists wishing to experience the natural environment without damaging it or disturbing its habitats.
- FAM: Familiarization Tour
- FIT: Foreign Independent Traveler, self-drive
- Glamping: Camping accommodation which is ready and waiting for you, usually a framed shelter with electricity and running water.
- GRKK: Garden Route and Klein Karoo
- GVA: Gross Value Add
- IDP: Integrated Development Plan
- Inbound Tour Operator: A tour operator who plans itineraries and organises travel arrangements or conducts tours for travellers
- LED: Local Economic Development
- LTO: Local Tourism Organisation
- LSM: Living Standards Measure is a marketing research tool in Southern Africa dividing the population into groups from highest to lowest
- NDT: National Department of Tourism
- PAA: Plett Accommodation Association
- PAX: The number of passengers, guests, diners or participants in a group
- PBC: Plett Business Chamber
- PDI: Previously Disadvantaged Individual
- Rack Rate: Standard daily rate for accommodation etc. which is published in brochures, on websites etc.
- PT: Plett Tourism
- RTO: Regional Tourism Office
- SALGA: South African Local Government Association
- SAT: South African Tourism
- SATIB: Safari and Tourism Insurance Brokers
- SATSA: Southern Africa Tourism Services Association
- SCEP: South Cape Economic Development Partnership
- Slackpacking: ‘Backpacking’ without having to actually carry your backpack with you. A portage service ensures your bag arrives at the next destination while you enjoy the journey.
- STO Rate: Sell to Tour Operator rate
- TBCSA: Tourism Business Council South Africa
- T&T: Travel and trade
- Voluntourism: When volunteers contribute their time to work for organisations or causes outside their respective home countries, in sectors like health promotion, education and environmental conservation
- Wesgro: The Western Cape Tourism, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency
- WIP: Work in Progress
- WTM: World Travel Market
