Sustainable tourism certificationsPrograms that measure a range of environmental, socio-cultural, and economic equity issues both internally (within the business, service, or product) and…
SWOT analysisA summary of a company’s strengths and weaknesses, and the environmental opportunities and threats that will most influence it.
SystemPhysically connected generation, transmission, and distribution facilities operated as an integrated unit under one central management, or operating…
Target marketThe group of customers who will be the focus of a company’s marketing efforts
tariffA tax on products imported from foreign countries.
Tax exemptSome investments are tax exempt, which means you don't have to pay income tax on the earnings they produce.
Teaser pieceA teaser piece can either be a rack brochure (*see “rack brochure” above), or a mailer, giveaway, or some other promotional piece that is intended to…
Temporary WorkerA foreign worker who will work in the United States for a limited period of time. Some visas classes for temporary workers are H, L, O, P, Q and R.
Termination of a CaseIf the applicant fails to reply to the inquiry correspondence sent by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, or the National Visa Center (NVC), termination of…
Theme tourA tour that’s designed around a concept of specific interest to the tour takers, such as history or sports.
Third Country NationalSomeone who is not a U.S. citizen and not a citizen of the country in which he or she is applying for a visa. Suppose you are a Kenyan visiting Mexico.
Third PreferenceA category of family immigration (F3) for married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens and their spouses and children.
TIAAbbreviation for Telecommunications Industry Association. See EIA interface.
Tickler systemA method for monitoring reservations and payments that’s arranged by date and points out late payments so customers can be contacted.
Tiered pricingWhen suppliers offer different prices to receptive operators, tour operators, and group leaders, so each party can earn a profit by marking up the…
TourA tour is a minimum-impedance path that starts at an origin, visits a number of stops and returns to the origin visiting the stops only once.
Tour operatorA company that creates and/or markets inclusive tours and/or performs tour services.
TourismTravel undertaken for pleasure. The business of providing and marketing services and facilities for pleasure travelers.
Tourism certification programsThese included AAA (Automobile Association of America) and have typically measured and compared quantity, service, and price, areas deemed most important…
Trade showA product showcase for a specific industry. Generally it is not open to the public.
Trailblazing signageSigns to aid the public in arriving at a particular location.
Travel agentThe individual who sells travel services, issues tickets and provides other travel services to the travel services to the traveler sat the retail level.
Travel Industry Association of America (TIA)The non-profit umbrella trade organization of companies and government agencies representing all segments of the travel industry formed to promote travel…
Two-Year Home-Country Physical Presence RequirementThis refers to (J) exchange visitors who are required to return to their home country for two years at the end of their exchange visitor program, under U.
U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)(DOL)A cabinet level unit/ministry of the U.S. government that has responsibility for labor issues.
Upgradenew or better version of some hardware or software.
Upgrade a PetitionIf you naturalize (become a U.S. citizen) you may ask to change the petitions you filed for family members when you were a lawful permanent resident (LPR)…
ValueIn determining the monetary equivalent for assets and gifts, value is a good faith estimate of the fair market value if the exact value is neither known…
Value-added tax (VAT)(VAT)A type of tax system which adds a fixed percentage of taxation on products and services at each step of production or service delivery.
Value-based pricingPricing a product based on buyer perceptions of value rather than actual product costs.
Variable costsInput costs that change as the nature of the production activity of its circumstances change; for example, as production levels vary.
Variance reportA summary of how much a company has gone above or below budget.
VisaAn official endorsement on a document or passport denoting that the bearer may proceed.
Visa Expiration DateThe visa expiration date is shown on the visa. This means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for…
Visa NumbersCongress establishes the amount of immigration each year. Immigration for immediate relatives is unlimited; however, family and employment preference…
Visa ValidityThis generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel for the same purpose for visas…
Visa Waiver Program (VWP)(VWP)Citizens of participating countries meeting the Visa Waiver Program requirements may be allowed to enter the United States as visitors for pleasure or…
Volume purchaseThe purchase of large quantities of a product or service.
Voluntary initiativesInitiatives within the tourism industry are not legally required or binding.
Voluntary Service ProgramAn organized project that a religious or nonprofit charitable organization does to provide help to the poor or needy or to further a religious or…
VoucherDocuments that are exchanged for goods and service to substantiate payment that will be or already has been made.
WaitlistA list of clients awaiting transportation or accommodations at times when they are not available.
Waiver of IneligibilityIn immigration law certain foreign nationals are ineligible for visas to enter the U.S. for medical, criminal, security or other conditions and activities.
WantsWays in which a person satisfies a basic need.
Wayfinding signageSigns to aid the public in orienting themselves geographically within a specific location and which identify functional units within the location.
WholesaleSale of travel products through an intermediary in exchange for a commission or fee generally at reduced tariffs.
WholesalerA company that purchases large blocks of rooms, tickets, etc. and then resells to either the public or to other travel professionals.
Word-of-mouth promotionPersonal communication about a product or service from one customer to another.
Work AuthorizationIf you are not a citizen or a lawful permanent resident, you may need to apply for an Employment Authorization Document to prove you may work in the U.S.
WTO stands for two international organizations1) the World Tourism Organization, a UN-related institution based in Madrid that collects data on tourism and lobbies on behalf of the industry; and 2)…