In the tourism industry, the difference between FIT and GIT can be a bit confusing for tourists. For example, FIT and GIT in tourism are among the terms that people are most confused about. Understanding the meaning of FIT and GIT in tourism is very important to avoid any problems during the trip.
Definition of FIT (free independent traveler)
FIT stands for Free Independent Travelers in tourism and refers to travelers who travel individually and completely independently without being a member of any tour group. This type of tourism allows travelers to travel alone. As an independent traveler without the presence of a travel guide, you can plan different parts of the trip, such as routes, accommodation and number of nights, airlines, means of transportation within and between cities, according to your own taste. This type of travel is suitable for those who want to travel to certain parts of the world and do not want to travel in groups.
In FIT tours, passengers can use the services provided by the airline to get travel insurance, CIP, city transfer and car rental (with or without driver).
Definition of GIT (Group Inclusive Tour)
In GIT, you travel with other travelers and you don’t have to worry about accommodation, transportation and other parts of your trip. In this method of travel, the destination, time of departure and return, accommodation and itinerary are pre-planned by the agency and it is not possible to change it. In this type of trip, you will travel with a travel guide who is familiar with the conditions and rules of the destination. And also the number of passengers in the group is determined by the agency.
Differences between group and individual tours
In some cases, individual tours are more affordable than group tours, depending on the type of travel and selected routes and not having excess costs. In this way of travel, you can choose your destinations according to your taste from your favorite cities and countries. You can also choose accommodation and hotel according to its price and quality. In solo trips, choosing the right time of travel is up to the passenger, and vehicles can be chosen from cruise ships, trains, cars, and airplanes or a combination of them. In this way of travel, your time is yours during the trip and you can spend more time or see more tourist attractions for each part of the trip that you enjoy.
But in group tours, as mentioned above, all parts of the trip are predetermined and passengers do not have to worry about this. Perhaps the most important difference between these two travel methods is the presence of a travel guide in group trips. Among the advantages of being a tour leader, we can point to guidance on the laws of the destination country and payment of fees, complete knowledge of recreational and touristic places, and holding city tours, etc. For example, in Phoenix agency tours in countries such as Spain, France, Czech Republic, Austria, etc., which are organized as a group, several city tours are included, and the organization and coordination of all things related to the tour is the responsibility of the travel guide.
Visa requirements for group and individual tours
In general, it is more possible to get a visa in group tours than in individual tours. It should be noted that in order to obtain a visa for some countries, it should generally be done in a group. This does not mean that travelers cannot apply for a visa individually, but if they apply individually, the possibility of rejection increases.
Sometimes, some travel agencies prepare packages for travelers including ticket purchase, hotel reservation, etc. as GIT, which is basically the same process as FIT.