Glossary of tourism G-H

gateway:  city, airport, or area from which a flight or tour departs

gateway city:  city with an international airport

group tour: a pre-arranged, pre-paid travel program for a group usually including all components.  Also see packaged tour.

guide:  (1) a person qualified to conduct tours of specific localities or attractions (many reliable guides are licensed), (2) an airline, bus, railroad, or ship manual of schedules and fares, usually printed seasonally

guided tour:  a local sightseeing trip conducted by a guide

house:  a synonym for hotel commonly used within the industry.  Examples of usage include full house, house count, house income, house bank, and house charge

hub and spoke tours:  tours which utilize a central location with side trips of varying length to nearby destinations

head tax:  fee charges for arriving and departing passengers in some foreign countries

high season:  the period of the year when occupancy/usage of a hotel or attraction is normally the highest.  High usage invariably means higher prices for rooms or admission.  Also referred to as on-season or peak season

Homeland Security:  The government agency that was developed after 9/11/01 that regulates security for the US, especially in the fields of transportation and tourist visas.  Oversees customs and other departments having to due with foreign visitors, plus other aspects of security