Over the years, you have no doubt experienced memorable and pleasurable vacations as a result of purchasing tours or vacation packages.

The vast majority of companies operating tours and packages are financially stable; however, in recent years, bankruptcies involving a small number of tour operators have caused concern among the traveling public.

From the association's inception in 1972, chief among USTOA's goals has been to help protect you, the consumer, against loss arising from bankruptcy, insolvency or cessation of business of an Active Member tour operator. To help provide travelers with a solid financial safety net that protects their vacation investment, the USTOA has always maintained a consumer protection program, in which every USTOA Active Member must participate.

USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program

When you see the USTOA logo with the emblem identifying the $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program, you can be confident that it represents a company that upholds the travel industry’s highest standards...

USTOA's $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program requires each USTOA Active Member company to post $1 million in security in the form of a bond or letter of credit. The security, to be held by USTOA Tour Depositors Trust, is solely for use in reimbursing consumers for tour payments or deposits lost in the event of:

• A USTOA Active Member bankruptcy
• A USTOA Active Member insolvency
• A USTOA Active Member cessation of business
• Failure of a USTOA Active member to refund consumer deposits or payments within 120 days following its cancellation of a tour(s) or vacation packages(s) or its material failure to complete performance of a tours(s) or vacation packages(s).

In some cases–such as one of the larger tour operators becoming insolvent–the $1 million may not cover all losses. Also, some tour operator brands share coverage under their corporate owner's $1 million bond.

In addition to financial protection, USTOA also offers travelers invaluable assistance in the event of a member insolvency:

USTOA will ask all its member companies to provide assistance to affected travelers in whatever way they can, on a voluntary basis. 

USTOA will inform consumers on their rights of recovery and provide a consumer information center through its website (www.ustoa.com), keeping travelers apprised of latest developments.

USTOA will serve as a clearinghouse of information, apprising travelers and the press of options available.

Frequently Asked Questions about the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program

 

 

 

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FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK

October 2007 Far & Wide Update

USTOA is dedicated to protecting the world's treasures for future generations of travelers. Visit the Tourism Cares website for more information.