A top-level domain (TLD) is the most general part of the domain name in Domain Name System (DNS) hierarchy. In simplified terms, it’s the last segment of the domain name, found after the last dot. For instance, in www.example.com, “.com” is the TLD.
The “.tours” TLD is part of a wide array of new TLDs that have been implemented as a result of the continuous increase in internet use and the scarcity of available domain names within the conventional domain extensions like .com, .org and so on. As the name suggests, “.tours” is specifically designed for businesses, organizations, and individuals involved in the tour and travel industry. This TLD provides a unique and industry-specific branding opportunity for tour operators, travel bloggers, tourism boards and any other relevant entity in the tour and travel sector.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the organization responsible for the management of the entire domain name system including TLDs, expanded the number of generic TLDs (gTLDs) to include .tours in 2014. This expansion, known as the New gTLD Program, was aimed at enhancing competition, innovation and consumer choice in the domain name space.
Examples of the usage of the .tours TLD can be found in its application by various businesses. Sunrise Tours (www.sunrisetours.tours), a tour agency, Sara’s Maui Tours (www.sarasmauitours.tours), and Mavrik Urban Tours (www.mavrikurbantours.tours) are among few who have adopted this TLD to enhance their online visibility and industry-specific branding.
In terms of acquisition, the .tours TLD can be registered through various domain name registrars that are accredited by ICANN. Some of the popular domain registrars include but are not limited to GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Bluehost. Pricing varies among these registrars, but on average, the cost of registering a .tours domain name ranges from 20 to 100 USD based on the chosen registrar and the specific details of the domain name, such as length and popularity of keywords.
In summary, the .tours TLD provides a unique opportunity for businesses and individuals within the tour and travel industry to stand out in the online space.
References:
1. ICANN: https://archive.icann.org/en/. “New gTLD Program.” Accessed January 7, 2022.
2. ICANN: https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/tlds-2012-02-25-en. “List of Top-Level Domains.” Accessed January 7, 2022.
3. Namecheap: https://www.namecheap.com/. Accessed January 7, 2022.
4. GoDaddy: https://www.godaddy.com/. Accessed January 7, 2022.
5. Bluehost: https://www.bluehost.com/. Accessed January 7, 2022.
