Tour operator

Under Section 2 no. 8 of the Austrian Package Travel Act (PRG), a tour operator is a trader who combines package travel and sells it or offers it for sale, either directly, through another trader or together with another trader. The definition also covers a trader who, in certain online bookings, transmits the traveller’s data to another trader.

The role therefore does not depend only on who accepts the booking. For package travel, the tour operator is generally responsible under Section 11 PRG for the proper performance of all contracted travel services, even where individual services are provided by hotels, carriers or other service providers. A travel agent, by contrast, sells a package put together by the tour operator; that role is assessed separately.

Whether a particular booking qualifies as package travel depends on the services booked and on the booking process. The overview of package travel and organiser, the glossary entry on package travel and the entry on travel agents provide initial orientation.