The tourism industry rewards those who translate theory into practice. At Varna University of Management (VUM), students in the Tourism Intermediaries module learn exactly that: they build and pitch real‑world package tours, tailoring them to client preferences and budget constraints while observing legal and regulatory frameworks.
What the Simulation Looks Like
Each semester, students split into two teams—tourists and travel agents—creating a lively, interactive environment that mimics the travel‑industry supply chain.
Tourists: Defining the Client Profile
The tourist side gathers profile data: destination desires, travel style, risk tolerance, and spending cap. Students then channel this information to the travel agency team.
Travel Agents: Crafting the Offer
Travel‑agent teams receive the tourist briefs and must design a turnkey package that meets client needs. They select destinations, accommodation, activities, transport, and ancillary services while balancing price and quality.
Core Competencies Developed
Beyond the excitement of role‑play, the simulation hones five pivotal skills essential for tourism professionals.
1. Designing and Structuring Package Tours
Students learn how to build a coherent itinerary that interlinks land, sea, or air components, arranges logistical sequences, and negotiates partner contracts. They experiment with different themes—cultural immersion, adventure, wellness—and gauge their appeal through feedback.
2. Understanding the Tourism Distribution Chain
The exercise demystifies the flow of travel products from operators to agents to end‑customers. By playing both sides, students see first‑hand how tour operators, distribution platforms, and hotel networks influence final pricing and availability.
3. Hotel Channel Management
Students discover how room inventory, pricing tiers, and distribution agreements drive revenue. They practice setting up channel partners, configuring booking engines, and monitoring performance metrics, gaining insight into the back‑office systems that keep supply moving.
4. Legal and Regulatory Considerations
Contracts, consumer rights, liability clauses, and destination‑specific regulations are embedded into the simulation. Participants draft agreements, negotiate terms, and negotiate solutions to potential disputes, ensuring compliance with both local and international norms.
5. Customer Needs Analysis
At the heart of any successful package is a deep understanding of the customer. Students evaluate market data, segment audiences, and design experiences that hit the sweet spot between demand and profitability.
Applying Theory to Real‑World Constraints
The simulation forces students to grapple with real‑money considerations—budget ceilings, currency oscillations, and time constraints—ensuring they can translate academic concepts into viable business plans.
Pricing Strategies That Work
In an industry where margins are thin, students practice dynamic pricing models, seasonal adjustments, and tiered packages to maximise profit while staying competitive. They examine case studies of best‑selling tours, dissecting what made them succeed.
Legal & Regulatory Compliance in Practice
Tourism is highly regulated. By managing contract negotiations and compliance checks, students learn to avoid penalties, protect customers, and uphold a brand’s reputation.
Outcomes for Students and the University
When students present their packages, they do more than showcase creativity—they demonstrate market readiness to potential employers, partners, and investors.
Real‑World Experience
Academic knowledge bridges to tangible results: student‑designed itineraries that can be on the market. This practically tests curriculum relevance and fuels continuous improvement.
Market Readiness and Employability
Graduates exit with a professional portfolio, case studies, and a refined skill set that aligns with hiring demands in agencies, operators, and start‑ups worldwide.
Apply to VUM’s Tourism Intermediaries Program Today
Ready to build your own package tour? VUM’s Tourism Intermediaries module offers a cutting‑edge curriculum, seasoned faculty, and industry‑connected projects that set you apart.
- Submit your application today and start shaping travel experiences that matter.
- Explore VUM’s tourism programmes and find the right fit for your career goals.
- Schedule a free consultation with our admissions team to discuss your path.
Students who complete the program join a global network of travel professionals, empowering you to launch projects, secure internships, or build your own agency. Take the next step—join VUM’s tourism community and bring your tour‑design ideas to life.
Share Your Insights
We’d love to hear how the Tourism Intermediaries module shaped your perspective. Drop a comment with your experience, or email us to continue the conversation.
