A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z

P

Package: A pre-arranged travel deal that includes a combination of at least two travel services, such as transportation, accommodation, and activities, sold at a single price. It’s designed to simplify booking and often offers cost savings.

Package Holiday: Similar to a package tour, a package holiday includes transportation, accommodations, and sometimes meals and activities, all for one price. It’s aimed at providing a hassle-free vacation experience, where all major aspects of the trip are handled by the tour operator.

Package Tour: A pre-organized travel plan sold by a tour operator that includes various services like flights, hotels, transfers, and tours. It’s designed for convenience, offering a comprehensive travel experience with a single booking.

Paddleboard Adventure: An outdoor activity that involves standing or kneeling on a paddleboard and using a paddle to move through water. It combines adventure with physical activity, often taking place in scenic environments like lakes, rivers, or coastal areas.

Paid Accommodation: Lodging facilities such as hotels, hostels, or vacation rentals that require payment for their use. These accommodations vary in price, amenities, and level of service, catering to different traveler needs and budgets.

Paid Time Off (PTO): A workplace policy allowing employees to take time away from work while still receiving pay. PTO is often used for vacations, personal relaxation, or travel, contributing to work-life balance and overall well-being.

Panoramic View: A wide and unobstructed view of an extensive area in all directions, often sought after in tourism for the visual enjoyment of landscapes, cityscapes, or seascapes from viewpoints, hotels, or natural vantage points.

Panoramic Adventure: An adventurous activity or tour that focuses on exploring and experiencing places known for their breathtaking panoramic views, such as mountain peaks, tall buildings, or hot air balloon rides.

Paragliding: An extreme sport and recreational activity where individuals glide through the air wearing a fabric wing that’s launched by foot. It’s a popular adventure tourism activity, offering participants stunning aerial views and a sense of freedom.

Passenger (Pax): An individual who travels in a vehicle, such as a car, bus, train, ship, or airplane, but does not operate it. In the context of travel and tourism, passengers are the clients of transportation services.

Passenger Facility Charge (PFC): A fee collected by airports from passengers, which is used to fund airport improvement projects that enhance safety, security, or capacity; reduce noise; or increase air carrier competition.

Passenger Manifest: A comprehensive list of all passengers aboard a vehicle, such as an airplane or ship, including essential details like names and sometimes passport numbers, important for security and logistical purposes.

Passenger Name Record (PNR): A record in the database of a computer reservation system that contains the itinerary for a passenger, or a group of passengers traveling together. It includes personal and travel information used by airlines and travel agencies.

Passport: An official government document that certifies the identity and nationality of the holder for the purpose of international travel. It contains information needed for the holder to enter and exit foreign countries.

Passport Application: The process by which an individual applies for a passport, typically involving the submission of personal identification documents, photographs, and a fee, to a designated passport authority or agency.

Passport Authority: The government body or agency responsible for issuing passports to nationals of a country. This authority oversees the application, renewal, and regulation of passports.

Passport Control: The process by which government officials at borders review travelers’ passports (and visas, if required) to authorize or deny entry into the country. It is a measure to control and monitor international travel.

Pay-at-arrival: A payment option for accommodations or services where the traveler makes the payment upon arriving at the hotel, venue, or service provider, rather than paying in advance during the booking process.

Peak Booking Season: The time period when the highest number of travelers book their trips, often corresponding with the peak travel season but also influenced by early booking discounts and holiday planning.

Peak Season: The time of year when a destination experiences the highest demand from tourists, characterized by the most favorable weather conditions, special events, or holidays. Prices and crowd levels are typically higher during this period.

Pedal Boat: A small, human-powered watercraft propelled by the pedaling action of the occupants’ legs, commonly rented at recreational lakes and calm waters for leisurely exploration and exercise.

Pedestrian Zone: An area of a city or town designated for pedestrian use only, prohibiting vehicles to enhance safety and enjoyment for walkers. These zones often feature shops, cafes, and entertainment, making them attractive for tourists.

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Travel: A form of travel that involves transactions between individuals for the rental of accommodations, experiences, or transportation, bypassing traditional service providers. Platforms like Airbnb and Uber are examples of P2P travel services.

Peninsula: A landform surrounded by water on the majority of its border while being connected to a mainland. Peninsulas are popular tourist destinations due to their scenic beauty and recreational opportunities, such as beaches and hiking trails.

Performance Bond: A bond issued by an insurance company to guarantee satisfactory completion of a project by a contractor, including travel and tourism projects, ensuring financial protection against losses.

Personal Concierge Service: A service offered by luxury hotels or travel companies providing personalized assistance to guests, such as making restaurant reservations, arranging tours, or handling special requests.

Personal Effects Coverage: Insurance coverage that protects the traveler’s personal belongings against loss, theft, or damage while traveling. This type of coverage is often part of travel insurance policies.

Personal Identification Number (PIN): A numeric or alphanumeric code used to secure transactions and verify the identity of the holder of a bank card, mobile phone, or other secure platforms, essential for secure travel transactions.

Personal Locator Beacon (PLB): A portable device that transmits a distress signal to emergency services in case of an emergency in remote areas, crucial for safety in adventure tourism and remote travels.

Personal Travel Advisor: A travel professional who offers personalized travel planning services, including itinerary design, accommodation selection, and activity recommendations, often providing a higher level of customization and service.

Per diem: A daily allowance given to employees or travelers to cover expenses incurred while traveling for business, such as meals, lodging, and incidental expenses. It simplifies the process of accounting for travel expenditures.

Per-capita Tour: A tour pricing model where the cost is determined based on the total cost of the trip divided by the number of participants. It ensures each traveler pays an equal share of the expenses.

Pescatarian Diet: A diet that includes fish and seafood as the only sources of meat, often a consideration for travelers when choosing dining options that cater to their dietary preferences or restrictions.

Pet-Friendly: Describes accommodations, transportation options, and other travel-related services that accommodate pets, allowing travelers to bring their pets with them. Pet-friendly places often provide special amenities for pets.

Pet Passport: A document that officially records information related to a specific pet, such as vaccinations and health records, required for traveling with pets across international borders.

Photography Permit: A required authorization for taking photographs in certain locations, especially in sensitive or protected areas, museums, or historical sites, to ensure respect for privacy, security, and preservation efforts.

Pier: A structure projecting into a body of water, used as a docking or boarding place for ships and boats. Piers are often attractions themselves, offering entertainment, dining, and shopping facilities.

Photography Tour: A guided tour focusing on capturing photographs of scenic locations, wildlife, or cultural landmarks, often led by professional photographers who provide tips and insights to enhance participants’ photography skills.

Physical Accessibility: Refers to the design and availability of facilities and services that are usable by people with disabilities, including travelers, ensuring equal access to travel experiences, accommodations, and transportation.

Phyto-sanitary Certificate: A document required for the international transport of certain plants and plant products, certifying that the items have been inspected and are free from harmful pests and diseases, in compliance with the importing country’s regulations.

Picnic Area: Designated outdoor areas where travelers and visitors can enjoy meals outdoors, often equipped with tables, benches, and sometimes grills or shelters, located in parks, along scenic routes, or at rest areas.

Pilgrimage Tourism: Travel undertaken for religious or spiritual purposes to visit sites considered holy or significant in religious traditions, such as temples, mosques, churches, and other sacred places.

Pilot: In the context of aviation, a pilot is a person who operates the flight controls of an aircraft. In travel, pilots are crucial for air transport, navigating planes safely from one destination to another.

Pilot Program: A temporary trial run of a new product, service, or initiative in the travel industry aimed at testing its viability, effectiveness, or market demand before a full-scale launch.

Pinnacle: A high, pointed piece of rock or a peak, which can be a natural attraction for tourists seeking hiking, climbing, or photography opportunities in mountainous or rugged terrain.

Pirate Taxi: Unauthorized taxis that operate without the legal permission or licenses required for commercial transport, often offering lower fares but with risks related to safety, insurance, and reliability.

Pitch: In the context of camping, refers to the act of setting up a tent or caravan in a designated spot (a pitch) within a campground or caravan park.

Pitch Fee: The charge applied for the use of a pitch or space (for a tent, caravan, or motorhome) within a campground or caravan park, varying based on location, facilities, and time of year.

Place Branding: The process of developing a unique identity and image for a destination, focusing on its distinctive attributes, to attract tourists and differentiate it from other destinations.

Plane Spotting: A hobby where individuals observe and take photographs of airplanes, often at airports or air shows. It can also attract tourists to specific locations known for unique viewing opportunities of aircraft.

Platform Ticket: A type of ticket that allows an individual to access the platform area of a railway station, typically to see off or meet passengers, without intending to travel on a train themselves.

Platinum Service: A premium level of service offered by some travel companies and airlines, providing top-tier amenities, personalized attention, and exclusive benefits to its recipients, often through a membership or loyalty program.

Pleasure Cruise: A voyage on a ship or boat taken purely for enjoyment, often without any specific destination or purpose other than to experience the journey and the amenities offered onboard.

Plunge Pool: A small, deep pool designed for cooling off rather than swimming, often found in luxury resorts, spas, or as part of a private villa or suite amenities.

Pocket Guide: A compact, easily portable guidebook designed to provide travelers with essential information, tips, and maps for a specific destination, fitting conveniently into a pocket or small bag.

Pod Hotel: A hotel offering compact, efficiently designed rooms or capsules, providing basic overnight accommodation at a lower price point, popular in dense urban areas or airports.

Point of Interest (POI): A specific location that travelers might find interesting or useful, such as landmarks, attractions, restaurants, or museums, often marked on maps and travel guides.

Point-to-Point Ticket: A travel ticket that allows the holder to travel from one specific location to another, without stops or transfers, commonly used in air travel and rail services.

Polar Expedition: An adventurous journey to one of the Earth’s polar regions, Arctic or Antarctica, often involving scientific research, exploration, or adventure tourism, including activities like ice climbing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing.

Policyholder: In the context of travel insurance, the individual or entity who owns the insurance policy, responsible for paying the premium and entitled to the benefits provided by the policy in case of covered events.

Port: A location on the coast, including harbors and docks, where ships can dock to load and unload cargo or passengers. Ports serve as crucial nodes in global transportation networks, facilitating maritime travel and trade.

Port of Call: A stop that a ship makes during a cruise or voyage, where passengers can disembark to explore the destination, participate in tours, or enjoy recreational activities.

Port Charges: Fees levied on shipping companies by port authorities for the use of port facilities, including docking, loading, unloading, and storage services. These charges can also affect the overall cost of cruise tickets for passengers.

Port of Debarkation: The port where passengers disembark from a ship at the end of their voyage. It’s the final stop where travelers leave the vessel and may go through customs and immigration processes if arriving from another country.

Port of Embarkation: The port where passengers board a ship at the beginning of their cruise or voyage. This is the starting point of the journey, where travelers check in, and their luggage is loaded onto the vessel.

Port of Entry: A designated place where people and goods may enter a country, subject to immigration and customs inspection. Ports of entry include airports, seaports, and land border crossings.

Port-Directional: Refers to cruise ship cabins and their orientation towards the port (left) side of the ship. Choosing a port-directional cabin can affect the view and experience of passengers during a voyage, depending on the ship’s route.

Porterage: A service offered by hotels or airports involving the handling and transportation of guests’ luggage from one point to another, such as from the hotel lobby to the guest’s room or from the airport check-in to the departure gate.

Porterage Charge: A fee charged for the service of carrying luggage in hotels or airports. It’s often optional and can be based on the number of bags or a flat service rate.

Porter Service: A service provided at airports, hotels, or train stations where porters assist passengers with their luggage, helping to carry bags and navigate through the terminal or facility.

Porthole: A small, circular window on the outer wall of a ship’s cabin, providing natural light and views of the sea. Portholes are a characteristic feature of maritime architecture, also contributing to the cabin’s ventilation.

Posada: A type of lodging commonly found in Spanish-speaking countries, originally referring to a small, rural inn or guesthouse offering basic accommodations. Today, posadas vary in comfort and amenities, often providing a cozy, family-run alternative to larger hotels, and are popular for offering local hospitality and charm.

Positioning Flight: A flight taken by an aircraft without passengers or cargo, typically to reposition the plane for its next commercial flight, impacting airline operations and scheduling.

Positive Space: In airline terminology, confirmed seats for passengers or airline crew that are guaranteed and not subject to being bumped, as opposed to standby or space-available travel.

Possession Limit: In fishing or hunting tourism, the maximum number of fish or game animals a traveler can legally keep at one time, established to ensure sustainable practices and conservation.

Postal Service: The system by which letters and packages are collected, transported, and delivered, playing a crucial role in the exchange of communication and goods between travelers and their home countries or destinations.

Postcard: A small card typically featuring a photograph of a tourist attraction or destination, sent without an envelope and having space for a short message, address, and postage stamp. Postcards are popular as souvenirs and a way to share travel experiences.

Post-Booking: The phase after a traveler has made a reservation, during which additional preparations are made, such as choosing seats, adding extra services, or making special requests for the upcoming journey.

Post-Cruise Vacation: An extension of a holiday that occurs after disembarking from a cruise ship, where travelers stay additional days at the final port city or visit nearby destinations. This allows for further exploration and relaxation beyond the cruise itinerary, often involving land-based accommodations and activities.

Post-Pandemic Travel: Refers to travel trends, behaviors, and preferences that have emerged or been significantly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, including increased interest in outdoor, remote, or less crowded destinations.

Post-Season: The period immediately following the peak season at a travel destination, characterized by fewer tourists, lower prices, and often still favorable weather conditions, offering a more relaxed experience.

Post-Tour: A tour or extension of a travel package that occurs after the main program or itinerary has concluded, offering travelers additional time to explore a destination or visit nearby areas.

Post-Travel: Refers to the period after a trip has ended, encompassing activities such as unpacking, sharing experiences, reviewing and rating services, or dealing with any post-vacation tasks.

Post-Trip Evaluation: The process of reviewing and assessing a travel experience after its completion, often involving feedback from travelers to tour operators, hotels, or travel agents to improve services and satisfaction.

Pre-authorization: The practice of temporarily holding a specific amount on a credit or debit card to ensure funds are available for potential charges, commonly used in hotels for incidentals.

Pre-boarding: The process that allows certain passengers, such as those with disabilities, families with young children, or first-class passengers, to board an airplane or other forms of transportation before the general boarding begins.

Pre-check: A program, like TSA PreCheck in the United States, that allows registered travelers to undergo a simplified security screening process at airports, often enabling them to keep on their shoes and belt and leave laptops in their cases.

Pre-departure: Refers to the activities and preparations undertaken by travelers before leaving on a trip, including packing, checking travel documents, confirming reservations, and reviewing travel itineraries.

Pre-Pandemic Travel: Refers to travel trends, behaviors, and industry practices that existed before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. This period was characterized by high levels of international tourism, with fewer restrictions on travel, and a focus on globalization, mass tourism, and steady growth in the travel and hospitality sectors.

Preferred Seating: An option offered by airlines and other transportation providers that allows passengers to select seats with additional benefits, such as extra legroom, priority boarding, or a preferred location on the vehicle, usually for an additional fee.

Preferred Supplier: A business relationship in which a travel agency or company has identified a supplier (e.g., hotel, airline, or tour operator) as a preferred partner due to reliability, quality of service, or competitive pricing, often resulting in special rates or conditions for the agency’s clients.

Preferred Vendor: Similar to a preferred supplier, a preferred vendor is a company that has been selected by a travel agency, corporate travel department, or event planner for its high-quality products, services, and value, often providing exclusive benefits or discounts to the selecting entity and its clients.

Preformed Group: A group of travelers who have organized themselves prior to booking a travel service or package, often around a common interest, goal, or affiliation. These groups typically seek customized travel arrangements to suit their specific needs.

Prepaid: Refers to services or goods paid for before they are used or consumed. In travel, this can apply to accommodations, transportation tickets, or tour packages, offering travelers convenience and often better rates for paying in advance.

Price Guarantee: A promise from a travel provider that the price quoted at the time of booking will not increase before the departure date, or in some cases, offering refunds or credits if the price of the trip decreases after booking.

Private Tour: A tour arranged exclusively for a specific group or individual, offering a personalized experience with a private guide and itinerary tailored to the participants’ interests and preferences.

Private Plane: A luxury aircraft, also known as a private jet or business jet, exclusively used for personalized air travel, known for its comfort, efficiency, and tailored schedules. Ideal for business executives, celebrities, and high-net-worth individuals seeking discreet transportation.

Prix Fixe: A French term meaning “fixed price,” used to describe a menu in restaurants offering a limited selection of dishes at a set price. This concept can be part of a travel package where meals are included, providing guests with a curated dining experience without the need to choose from the full menu.

Promotional Fare: A special, often temporarily reduced fare for travel services, including flights, hotel stays, or tour packages, intended to stimulate bookings and attract customers through lower prices.

Promotional Group Tour: A specially priced or themed tour organized to promote a destination, service, or new travel product, often targeting specific groups of consumers. These tours are typically offered at a discount or with added value to entice participation and generate interest in the featured offering.

Prop: In the context of travel, “prop” often refers to propeller-driven aircraft, a type of airplane powered by one or more propellers. These aircraft are commonly used for regional flights, offering an alternative to jet aircraft for shorter distances or smaller airports.

Property: This term refers to a specific hotel, resort, vacation rental, or any physical location offering lodging and accommodations to travelers. Properties vary widely in terms of size, style, amenities, and price range, catering to different traveler needs and preferences.

Protection Overbooking: A strategy used by airlines and hotels where more bookings are accepted than there is capacity, with the expectation that some passengers or guests will cancel. Protection overbooking ensures that spaces do not go unused due to last-minute cancellations but requires careful management to avoid customer service issues.

Proximity Card: A card that allows for contactless entry to hotel rooms or secured areas within a property, enhancing security and convenience for guests.

Pseudo City Code: A unique identifier used in the travel industry, particularly by airlines and travel agencies, within global distribution systems (GDS) to access specific inventory or negotiate rates. It acts like a password, enabling agents to book flights, hotels, and other services with specific pricing or conditions.

Public Tours: Tours that are open to anyone who wishes to participate, as opposed to private tours which are exclusively for individuals or specific groups. Public tours usually have scheduled dates and times and can accommodate a mix of individuals, couples, and small groups who join together to experience the tour.

Purpose of a Trip: The primary reason or objective behind traveling, which can vary widely among travelers, including leisure, business, education, family, health, or religious reasons. Understanding the purpose of a trip helps in planning and customizing the travel experience to meet the traveler’s needs.

Purser: On a cruise ship, the purser is the officer responsible for handling money, valuables, financial transactions, and administrative tasks related to passengers. In aviation, the purser is the chief flight attendant, overseeing the cabin crew and ensuring passenger comfort and safety.

Pushback: In aviation, pushback is the procedure used to move an aircraft backward away from an airport gate using specialized ground vehicles, often a tug. This marks the beginning of a flight’s departure process, as planes cannot reverse on their own.

Pyramid Scheme in Travel: A fraudulent system where individuals are promised free or discounted travel in exchange for recruiting others into a scheme, rather than through legitimate sales. These schemes exploit participants and are illegal in many jurisdictions due to their deceptive nature and unsustainable business model.